Ways To Reduce Costs During A Move

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Have you ever had to plan a move? There’s more to it than some people realize. Hubby and I have only made one “big” move once, from New Hampshire back here to Jersey. We rented a truck which my Dad drove and that was all we needed. I know people that have made much “bigger” moves and they all agreed on at least one thing – moving can be really expensive. Lindsay recently shared her tips on ways to reduce costs during a move, which I am sharing with you with permission.

Reducing Costs During A Move

We often think of moving as something that happens in a day. It’s “moving day,” It’s time to move.

The reality is that moving is a long process that can require weeks or months of planning for a successful execution. If you focus on a single day as your time for moving, you’ll have some big problems–and some big expenses.

Explore these strategies for saving money as you start planning your move.

Budget Before You Budge

Moving costs money, no matter what you do to economize. Fortunately, most people have a good idea that a move is possible, so they should be able to take some time to get themselves financially ready for the change. Other people move frequently due to job changes, and those should also have a moving fund available for those sudden relocations.

For the less-frequent mover, consider the likely costs. You’ll need a good moving company like Allied, which can either pack or simply load your items. If time allows, you can save by doing the packing yourself. However, this can backfire if you pack them poorly and fragile items are broken.

If job or school demands require that you arrive to the new location before your new home is ready, you may need storage. Think about how large the unit should be, and be sure to allow for enough rental time to ensure that you’ll be able to get your home ready.

Then consider things like meals during your travel and unpacking time and the fuel for getting all your family’s vehicles to the new destination. Once you know your total costs, start saving up!

Unload Before You Load

A long-standing tradition in America is the moving sale. These are conducted by people who wisely realize that they don’t want to spend money and time moving across the country with a bunch of things they never use. So they put unwanted items on the sale block and kill two birds with one stone–they end up with less stuff to move, and they get a little folding money to help with other expenses.

This is a great idea! When you’ve lived in the same place for many years, you accumulate things that you know you’ll probably never need, but you figure you might as well keep it “just in case”. When you move, you may find half the truck filled with “just in case” items.

Get rid of them. If you don’t get everything sold at the house, go online with Facebook, craigslist, eBay, or other methods. And if something looks the least bit valuable, do some online research on its value before offering it through any sales conduit.

See It Before You Choose It

In the hectic time of a move, it can be tempting to make choices from a distance or during very short visits to the new area. This is especially true in the age of online real estate listings. Whether it’s the school district for your children or your actual home, you may pull the trigger on something without really exploring it.

With a home, much of this depends on whether you’re buying or renting. If there is a termite problem evident, that’s always bad, but it’s not such a burden on you as a renter as it would be on you as an owner. Other things, like the quality of the neighborhood, are important regardless of ownership.

Think about your daily commute. Don’t pick a nice home that forces you through dangerous roads or into massive traffic jams. Try your new commute during rush hour and see if conditions are tolerable.

Moving is a complex, time-consuming process. It carries the potential for a lot of headaches and expense if you don’t plan ahead. Fortunately, it is possible to negotiate the process successfully without all the complications. Plan ahead, save ahead, and things will go much more smoothly.