Moving can be an outrageously stressful and exciting time. A seemingly straightforward process can turn into a nightmare in the blink of an eye. And that’s not all, it’s also expensive. Bummer, huh? Well, not really. If you’ve planned out your move well, it can be a manageable and largely stress-free process. If you’re on a budget, you might also want to control costs. Here are some tips on the cheapest way to move house.
1. Control Your Expenses
Create a relocation budget before you do anything else. This will help you distribute the money you have among the tasks that lie ahead. Have some cash set aside for incidentals as well. You’ll be more aware of the implications of variations in the costs of various tasks and make adjustments as the need arises.
2. Pick a Good Time to Move
If you’re flexible about your moving date, then you can use t to your advantage. If you book your move early enough, your mover may be willing to give you a discount. You can also decide to move during the off-peak moving season. You could easily save up to 30% on the moving cost. Another handy tip is to schedule your move during a national holiday, weekend, or at the beginning of the month.
3. Find the Cheapest Rates
Getting good rates from movers is probably the cheapest way to move house. Its easier said than done, but it’s worth a shot. Call up as many movers as you can to get a quote and try to negotiate the rates. Don’t just look at the cost, but also the terms and conditions of the move. You can also hire a truck from Discount car rental and manage the move yourself.
4. Move Less Stuff
Movers charge depending on the volume and weight of the items you want to be moved. One way to drastically cut back on the items you’re moving with is to get rid of the stuff you don’t use. Evaluate every item you own and decide whether you really need it. It’s not use ferrying items you have no use for across the country and still pay for them. If you have not used an item for more than a year, then its probably best if you left it behind.
5. Sell Some of Your Stuff to Raise Money
You can make some quick cash by selling off some of your stuff. Have a television that you won’t be needing anymore? Why not sell it to someone who needs it? You’ll raise some cash and save on the move. Prepare a list of the items you want to move with and sell off what can be sold. You can sell through eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, or have a yard sale.
6. Source for Free Moving Boxes
One of the biggest expenses when moving is actually cardboard boxes. You never think about it, but they may actually cost you a whole lot depending on the number of items you’re moving with. If you have friends who have recently moved, they may still have their boxes and would probably be willing to give them to you for free. Local businesses usually give out use cardboard boxes since they are required to recycle them. They’ll be happy if you got the boxes off their hands.
