Moving on a Budget: 10 Tips for Saving on Moving Expenses
Moving is exciting, but it can get expensive fast with costs from moving boxes, packing supplies, and transportation. Want to save money on your move? Here are 10 tips that help you to save money on moving expenses.
1. Do It Yourself
Full-service moving companies can cost a lot. You pay for transportation, loading and unloading labor, packing supplies, and insurance coverage. With these added up, even moving less than 1,000 miles can cost you thousands of dollars. Instead, you can take things into your own hands! Rent a moving truck and move by yourself! You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
2. Schedule Your Move for the Right Time
Did you know that moving has its own season? It’s true. Summer is considered ‘moving season’ throughout the industry. As demand rises, so do prices in many cases. So, if you’re trying to move without spending too much, try to move during the winter months. Not only will you save money on rental rates, but you’ll likely have a better choice of equipment due to lower demand as well.
Move during the early part of the week instead of the weekend. Monday through Wednesday tends to be slower than Thursday through Sunday in terms of demand, so rates tend to be lower as well.
3. Get Some Boxes and Other Supplies for Free
When moving, boxes and packing supplies are a must-have. But brand-new boxes come at a price, especially when you need a large quantity. One way is to find boxes for free, or cheap.
The best place to get free, high-quality boxes is the “Take a Box, Leave a Box” station, found at most U-Haul locations. Here you’ll find a variety of used boxes available for free, left by other movers who no longer need them. You may also find packing supplies there, too!
Also, reach out to friends and family to see if they have any boxes for you. Many people will give away their boxes for free. You can also find used delivery boxes at grocery stores and local retailers.
You can get new boxes and save money when you buy in bulk! If you end up with more than you need, take the unused boxes back to your local U-Haul for a full refund.
4. Use Moving Supply Alternatives
Packaging supplies are essential for your move. But if you can’t spare the extra cash, you can often find alternatives around the house. Here are some ideas:
+ Wrap stemware and other tall, fragile glassware in clean socks.
+ Protect electronics, vases, and other fragile items with t-shirts and towels.
+ Pack your belongings in suitcases, hampers, and other large containers.
+ Place your hanging clothes in garbage bags (with the hangers sticking out).
+ Use blankets and towels to prevent items from shifting in boxes.
5. Declutter and Donate
Decluttering is one of the easiest ways to cut moving costs. Use this simple three-box method:
- Keep – Items you’ll bring to your new home.
- Sell/Donate – Items in good condition you no longer need.
- Discard – Broken, outdated, or unusable items.
You can also try to sell the items you want to donate and get some money for your upcoming move!
Not sure how to pack boxes to maximize space? We’ve got a guide that covers it all!
How to Pack Boxes for Moving
U-Haul teaches you how to pack boxes for moving including wardrobe boxes, TV moving boxes, mirror boxes and how to pack dishes for moving.
7. Ask Friends and Family for Help
“Do it yourself” doesn’t have to be all by yourself. Lifting heavy furniture and piles of boxes onto a truck takes time and effort if you don’t have a helping hand. To stay on the budget, you can get help moving from families and friends.
If no one in your circle is champing at the bit to give you a hand, consider offering some sort of compensation. Pizza and a cold drink are an option. Of course, cash is king; paying a friend still costs much less than hiring professionals.
8. Try Media Mail
If you’re a book lover, CD or DVD collector, or printed media aficionado, you might not have to pay to move your stockpile at all. There is a USPS service called Media Mail, which allows you to mail media/educational materials for a low cost. Not all media is allowed, so be sure to research eligibility requirements first.
9. Find Other Ways to Save
Saving on moving itself is great. But you may be able to save money outside of moving as well. In some cases, you even get some money back from your move. For example, if you’re a military member, your move is likely eligible for reimbursement from the government in addition to tax deductions. For employment-related moves, you may be eligible for tax deductions and reimbursement from your employer. Be sure to do your research!
10. Leave Bulky Items at Home
If you truly need to cut back the number of boxes, consider leaving your bulky furniture behind. Things like couches, dressers, beds, and other furniture can be donated, thrifted, sold at a yard sale, or discarded prior to moving. Without them, you can opt for a smaller truck and ultimately pay less. Who knows, with the money you save on moving costs, you might even be able to furnish your new place with a fresh new look!
U-Haul is your go-to resource for all things moving and storage. Whether you need a truck, trailer, self-storage unit, or industry-leading moving supplies, we’ve got you covered. Visit uhaul.com to start a reservation today!