How to Save Money During a Move

Moving can be exciting, but it can also be down right annoying and stressful. You have to physically move yourself, your family, and your belongings, but that’s not even the half of it. You have to forward your mail with the USPS, change your address on your credit card and bank accounts, not to mention magazine subscriptions, newspaper delivery, and anything else that comes to your house. You also have to move your TV, Internet and phone services to your new place, which usually means taking a day off from work. It’s a huge hassle that can take away the joy you had when you found the house or apartment of your dreams.

Of course, moving can also be extremely expensive. From packing up your current belongings to moving them to your new location, moving is wrought with expenses that keep popping up, getting in the way of you enjoying your new digs. There’s also the personal cost of throwing out old keepsakes, taking time from work, meeting your new neighbors, and helping kids to adjust to the new surroundings. Unfortunately, you can't do much about most of these things. However, there are things you can do to save money and make your move as cost-effective as possible.

Find Free or Used Boxes

You can’t move without boxes, and moving supply companies take full advantage of this fact by selling boxes for exorbitant prices. Don’t be a sucker. Get boxes from your local grocery store, which throws out hundreds of boxes each day. Head to the store shortly before closing, which is when they discard the boxes, or call the store in advance and ask them to hold the boxes for you. If you work in an office, you can also grab empty boxes of printer paper or anything else you can find; however, be sure to ask permission first. In fact, there are many places where you can find free moving boxes.

While it isn't typically hard to find free boxes, they aren't always in good enough condition to be used for moving. If you run into this problem you can instead look for used moving boxes. People move everyday, and after unloading and unpacking people tend to want to get rid of their moving boxes- often times for free. Check sites like Freecycle, Craigslist, Patch, and Nextdoor for people who are getting rid of their moving boxes.

Hire Moving Help

Moving always begs the question – do you ask your friends to help you move, or do you hire hourly moving help? There’s a trade-off, and it’s not just about owing your friends a favor when it’s all said and done. A moving company costs money, but at least you will have the assurance that the movers will show up. Recruiting your friends is the cheaper option by far, but it might lead to important goods being damaged or broken. Take stock of how much you have to move, particularly the fragile items, and see if you really trust your friends to take care of these things. If so, then give them a chance to help you out. However, if you’ve got a tricky entry into your new place – for example, a basement apartment with a narrow turn down the stairs – you’re better off calling professional movers who know how to handle these situations.

Truck Rental Discounts

If you are planning a self move chances are you have considered a rental truck as a transportation option. Save 10-20% on your one-way truck rental with moving truck discounts from Penske Truck Rental. [Related: Truck Rental Fuel Calculator]