Moving is always difficult. Yet, if you have enough money to feel financially comfortable about the relocation, things become considerably easier – you will be able to afford reputable full-service movers (so you can pay for help with more of the work), additional moving insurance (after checking what the policy covers), good hotels and convenient flights (so you have a pleasant trip to your new home), etc.
If you’re moving on a tight budget though, the challenge will be tremendous – you will need to find a really cheap, yet safe way to take your belongings to your new home.
It may seem like an infeasible feat at first, it’s in fact quite possible – you just need a successful cost-effective relocation strategy.
Here are some expert tips for moving on a budget to help you ensure an affordable and stress-free relocation:
Create a moving budget
Choose savings without using up your essentials money
| Priority | Cash and effort | Trade-off to check |
|---|---|---|
| Protect essentials first | Set aside rent, deposits, food, medicine, and travel money before booking | Keep a separate contingency for delays and unexpected bills |
| Move fewer items | Little upfront cash; time to sort, sell, or donate | Compare transport savings with replacement costs |
| Pack ordinary items yourself | Supplies and your time | Do not take on specialist packing or heavy lifting beyond your ability |
| Compare transport models | Time to obtain complete written quotes | Truck driving, loading labor, household travel, and storage can change the cheapest choice |
| Try alternate dates | May require time off or extra rent | Accept a date change only after comparing the complete total |
Write down when each payment is due. Keep refundable deposits separate from costs, but allow for the cash they tie up. Compare binding and non-binding estimates before committing your remaining budget.
A moving budget will help you get a clear idea of your moving expenses and plan your finances in the most optimal way. You will know how much money you’re going to need for your relocation and will be able to make correct financial decisions (how much stuff to relocate, what moving option to choose, what moving services to use, etc.).
What’s more, your moving budget will allow you to keep track of your expenses, so you can take quick and adequate measures if you overspend on something.
Must-read: How to make a moving budget
Schedule your move wisely
It’s no secret that demand drives the prices – so, to make your move more easily affordable, you need to move when the demand for moving services is smaller.
Most people move during the summer, during the weekends, and on national holidays, so the demand for moving services is very high during these periods – and moving rates are very high too.
You can get a better deal if you schedule your move during the off-peak season – from September to May (preferably, on a weekday in the middle of a month). Availability and rates vary by route and market. Request quotes for alternative dates and include any added rent, travel, or missed work before deciding whether a change saves money.
See also: Why you should move during the off-peak season; Is it better to move on a weekday or during the weekend
Find cheap, reliable movers for your relocation
It is generally believed that the cheapest way to move to a new home is to perform a DIY move. In most cases that’s true – when it comes to local moves. For a long-distance move, compare a rental truck, container, and professional mover for your actual inventory and the work you can handle.
So, how to move out of state on a budget? Your best option is to find cheap cross country movers.
Get several moving quotes to get an idea of what’s fair in the industry and request binding in-home estimates from three or four affordable movers that seem to meet your relocation needs and requirements. Compare the received offers in search of a favorable balance between quality services and reasonable prices.
Don’t let yourself be fooled into choosing a surprisingly good offer though – lowball estimates are red flags of moving fraud! Falling victim to moving scams will cost you dearly, so be sure to carefully research the moving company you consider hiring for your relocation – verify the movers’ licensing and insurance information (check their USDOT number), check the company’s complaint history, ask for references, read online reviews left by previous customers, examine the company’s paperwork, etc.
Must-read: How to find cheap movers; How to make sure my movers are qualified
Book your chosen movers as soon as you’ve made your final choice.
Limit the extra services
The fewer extra services you require from your movers, the cheaper your move will be. So, to keep your relocation expenses as low as possible, you’re advised to:
- Do as much of the work as you can yourself – do your own packing and unpacking, disassemble and reassemble your furniture, etc.;
- Be well prepared on moving day – be fully packed by the time the movers arrive, reserve elevators and parking spots, remove obstacles from the way, etc.
- Make sure you won’t need moving storage – get your new home ready in time and be there to receive your shipment when it arrives.
Related: What additional services do movers offer?
Pare down your possessions
The more things you relocate, the more expensive your move is going to be. So, when wondering how to move on a budget, you should remember that one of the most efficient money-saving tactics you can use is to purge your possessions before the relocation.
Sort out your belongings and set aside the things you don’t need or don’t like anymore. Throw away damaged, worn-out, and outdated items and decide what to do with unneeded items in good condition:
- Exchange unwanted stuff for cash -Organize a moving sale or sell your well-preserved and more expensive unneeded belongings online to pocket some extra cash for your move and breathe a sigh of financial relief;
- Donate useful things to charities – Donate food, clothes, books, toys, and other things that you don’t need and can’t (or prefer not to) sell to local charities and get receipts for your donations – you will not only save money on your move by lightening the load but will also get tax deductions for your donations;
- Give away to family and friends any of your unneeded items they would like to have.
See also: How to get rid of unneeded stuff when moving
Get free packing supplies
Moving boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies may not be pricey but you will need a lot of them and the costs will add up quickly. When moving on a budget every penny will count, so you will want to reduce your packing expenses to a minimum.
Fortunately, there is an efficient way to cut down packing costs – you can easily find packing supplies for free:
- Get moving boxes for free from local businesses and recycling centers;
- Ask friends and acquaintances who have recently moved to give you any packing materials they’re wondering what to do with after unpacking;
- Look for free packing materials online – check websites like Freecycle and Craigslist where people offer their unneeded stuff for free;
- Use items you have at home as alternative packing materials – suitcases, bags, hampers, etc. as packing containers; old clothes, linens, and towels as wrapping and padding materials; etc.
See also: Packing materials you already have at home
Bonus money-saving tips for moving on a budget
- Borrow or rent things you will need only temporarily during your move instead of buying them – specialized moving equipment, various tools, protective materials, etc.;
- Save space to save money – pack your boxes tightly and efficiently so you reduce the number of packing containers you need for your move, use the nesting doll method to save space when packing for your move, etc.;
- Take every possible measure to prevent accidents that may result in damages to your items, property damage, or personal injuries – such mishaps can cost you dearly;
- Consolidate your shipment – share moving truck space with other people to share the moving costs;
- Travel cheap – drive to your new home to save on place tickets and avoid the charges for shipping your car across the country, book cheap hotels where to spend the nights, take some home-prepared food with you to limit expenses for meals during your trip, etc.;
- Try to negotiate a good job relocation package – if you’re moving for a job, your employer may reimburse you for your moving costs;
- Get the necessary paperwork ready in time (change your address, update your driver’s license and your car registration, etc.) to avoid fines for missed deadlines;
- Avoid costly moving mistakes.
