7 Ways to Save Money When Moving Homes

Moving on a Budget? 7 Tips to Save Money

One of the big downfalls of moving homes is that it can be expensive. From packing supplies to transportation to cleaning, the costs can add up quickly.

In this article, we will take you through ways to save money every step of the way.

1. Donate, Sell, or Throw Away What You Don’t Need

The simplest and easiest way to save yourself time, money, and effort while moving is to cut down the things that you have to move.

Take stock of the essentials and identify the things that you can let go of. Moving fewer items means less packing and unpacking, as well as a smaller amount of boxes and other moving supplies you’ll need.

After deciding what you no longer need, you can then either donate, resell, or throw these items away. If you have items that are still in good condition, you can make some money back by reselling them. Choosing to donate the items can also be beneficial as you can claim the donation as a tax deduction for the year.

Keep in mind that furniture can be expensive to move. Especially if you are considering using a moving company, the more weight you have, the more expensive it will be.

Take stock of your furniture as well and consider if your cheap, heavy furniture needs to come with you. When moving on a budget, sometimes it can be more cost-effective to sell your old couch and buy a new one after moving than to put in the time and effort to transport it.

2. Start Preparing Early

Starting to prepare early is another great way to be able to save yourself some money and take advantage of cheap moving options.

It is often in the last-minute scrambles that we become desperate for certain things and end up spending a lot more money than we needed to. Starting early gives you the time to find the most cost-effective moving supplies and to pack your things on your own, at your own speed.

For example, you can save money on moving boxes if you plan ahead. There are many places that you can look to find free moving boxes, such as OfferUp, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or LetGo. You can also check with restaurants, shops, bookstores, or post offices in your area to see if they’re willing to donate boxes that would otherwise be thrown away.

When you start early, you also are able to stay organized and prepared through the process. Keeping things in order will help you to not only save time and effort when moving but also help to minimize stress through it all.

3. Have a Strategy While Packing

Rather than haphazardly throwing things into boxes, it can be helpful to follow a method while packing, especially when it comes to your fragile items.

Being intentional with how you pack your items, and doing so in an organized manner, will help you to minimize the number of broken items and also save you lots of time when unpacking. If you hire a moving company, it will also be less time that you have to pay for their services.

General tips when packing:

• Use a moving checklist
• Label boxes and organize them by room
• Take a picture of the contents of the boxes
• Put heavy items in suitcases
• Put your essential everyday items in one place

When it comes to moving fragile items, it’s best to use sturdy, small boxes, as they are easier to handle and shift around less. Wrap each individual item, put the heavier items on the bottom of the box, and fill empty spaces in the box with packing paper or another soft material.

4. Use Household Items as Moving Supplies

Instead of relying solely on moving supplies like packing paper, you can save some money by getting creative with the other items that you have on hand.

Things such as towels, sheets, and clothes can all be useful alternatives to wrap delicate items. Use socks to fill hollow spaces in cups. Put kitchen towels between plates to minimize contact. Making use of what you have rather than buying new materials saves money and the environment.

5. Measure Twice, Move Once

As simple as it seems, making sure that whatever you are moving will fit in your new living space is an important thing to check.

Measure your new apartment or house to make sure that you will have space for your bulky items, such as furniture, and that they will fit through the doorways. Double-checking that there will be adequate room for your items will ensure that there are no surprises or wasted effort.

6. Have Family And Friends Help You Move

Moving companies can be expensive, so you may be thinking about doing the moving yourself. Because moving can be a tremendous task, enlisting help from friends and family will go a long way in making sure you get moved out in a timely manner.

Ask for help and make the move out process a lot more manageable.

7. Check Resources Available To You

If you are moving for reasons other than your own decision, check if there are any resources that are available to help you with the process.

For example, if you are moving to work at a new job, ask if the company offers any forms of reimbursement or compensation. Often companies do, and the amount may be more than you expect.

Additionally, if you are in the military, the moving costs may be tax-deductible.

Bonus Tip: Hire a Move-Out Cleaning Service

One thing that can be a big help while moving is hiring a move-out cleaning service. While it may seem counterintuitive to hire professional cleaners in an effort to save money, cleaners can be a huge help in making sure you get most, if not all, of your security deposit back.

When a tenant leaves, landlords are looking to fill the vacancy as fast as possible. Leaving the cleaning to professionals will ensure that nothing is missed, and it can prevent any accidental damages that might otherwise occur from using harmful cleaning solutions.

Additionally, hiring professional cleaners can save you a lot of time and effort, ensuring you don’t rush through the process and end up with damage to your belongings or your former home. Using a move-out cleaning service will allow you to focus on making your new space feel like home.

Moveout.com offers a marketplace where you can easily find professional move-out cleaning services in your area. Find out more about what a move-out cleaner can do for you.