How To Cut Moving Costs

A lot of people are overwhelmed by just how expensive moving can be. This is doubly true if you’re in the process of a cross country move. If you are planning to move to a new place but also want to limit your spending, these tips will help you to reduce your moving costs.

Plan Ahead

A lack of planning can drive the total costs of your move up dramatically. For example, if you wait until the last minute to book a moving truck, you can expect to spend significantly more. If you do plan for your move, you’ll be able to make sure you’re able to get the best deals available. Ideally you should get moving company quotes beforehand so that you won’t be locked into spending more. You’ll be able to make the most of your money and move without spending a fortune.

Shop Around

If you’re going to be renting a moving truck, take the time to find the local company that’s offering the best rates. If you need to fill up on gas, you should find out where the lowest gas prices are. If you’re willing to spend some time shopping around for better deals, you should be able to spend far less in total. It’s easy to shop around and seek out savings opportunities, and eventually, all of those savings are going to add up.

Set A Firm Budget For Your Move

 Try to estimate moving costs and what you expect them to be. Once you have an estimate, you should come up with a budget for your move and do your best to stay within that budget. Having a budget can help you to see when your spending is spiraling out of control. A budget is only a guideline, but having that little bit of extra guidance can be extremely helpful. You should take the time to set a budget and do your best to stick with it, even if it requires you to make some compromises or cut some corners.

Limit The Time You Take Off Of Work

One of the major expenses associated with moving is that people typically take time off from work before they move. However, not everyone has paid time off that they can use when they’re moving. This can lead to a significant loss of income. If you’re able to reduce the total amount of time that you take off from work, you’ll be able to rely on your paycheck after you’ve moved in. If you plan out your move carefully, you might be able to get most of your packing done after work or on the weekends. Don’t wait until the last possible minute to start getting ready for your move. The sooner you start, the less likely it is you’ll have to request days off.

Borrow Everything That You Can

 Instead of purchasing a lot of supplies that you need for your move, you should see if there are ways for you to get some of those items for free. For example, a lot of people will likely be able to give you cardboard boxes that you can use while packing. Before you buy anything, you should check to see if there is a way for you to get those items for free. Borrowing can bring down your total costs and help you to stay on budget.

Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Professional Help.

 A lot of people hesitate the hire movers when they’re trying to reduce their moving costs. They assume that bringing in professionals will drive their total costs way up. While the cost of hiring movers can vary from one region to another, you may find that working with professionals saves you money.

 First of all, hiring movers might not be as expensive as you’re assuming. Many moving companies will send workers to you at a discounted rate if you provide your truck. Explore your options to get moving company quotes and see if there are moving companies with cheaper rates. Beyond that, movers can reduce the amount of work that you have to do. This means that you’ll be able to spend less time packing and moving boxes. You’ll be able to take less time off work as well. What you earn in a day might cover the total costs of hiring movers.

Finally, working with movers gives you a lot more control over your cost. If you pay a moving company, you’ll know what you’re going to be spending on your move. You won’t be surprised by last-minute expenses. You’ll know what you have to pay and can cover the cost of your move in advance. As you can see, there are a lot of different ways for you to cut moving costs. Do a little bit of extra planning so that you’ll be able to save money on your move. There are plenty of ways to make your move more affordable.

 

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.