Moving Tips
How To Move, Budget Friendly Tips
You likely have an idea of some moving tips, but is it efficient and effective enough to make it smooth? You can always know more when moving, as it might not be as organized as you would like, you know what you need to order when moving. After all, it’s not your first time moving. However, packing can be stressful in its own right. You have to consider the climate of your destination, how much space in your luggage you have, and other variables when determining which articles of clothing and accessories you need to take with you. In addition, making sure that you cover every topic, packing also requires some planning and foresight so that you don’t forget anything the moment you start getting ready. Also consider buying a property if you haven't already, as you may not have to move as much. It is exciting but stress-inducing at the same time. Packing for a move doesn't have to be expensive.
There are plenty of ways to save money on packing supplies and moving costs. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Get free boxes from local businesses
If you don't have time or want to spend the excess money to buy boxes, don't worry, many local businesses give away their cardboard boxes to customers. You might want to also ask in advance what was in the boxes, and review the condition of the boxes as you want to ensure they aren't contaminated with anything you don't want. Grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies are great places to start. You may have to take a few extra minutes to get the boxes you need and inspect them, such as heavy duty or lightweight boxes, but they might be free or low cost. If you're moving locally or don't want to drive around to find boxes, you can also ask friends and family members if they have any boxes you can use. You can also check out online classifieds or buy and sell groups to see if anyone has extra boxes for sale. Keep in mind, boxes come in all types and sizes, such as you might need a box or container that is made out of wood, has styrofoam pieces to help prevent damage to your fragile items. If you are moving a TV, a box that can protect this can cost more money than you might think, and getting free boxes that you might just throw away later could cost hundreds of dollars depending on how many you need.
Pack your own belongings
If you need to pack delicate items, like clothes or books, you can save money by packing your own items. Packing your own belongings will also help you stay organized, which is especially helpful if you're moving with a large family or multiple roommates. When packing delicate items, use old towels and blankets to protect them. You can also use paper towels or newspapers to pack breakable items, like dishes and glasses. Using packing peanuts to pack smaller items, like books and DVDs, can help you save money, but they can be messy to clean up.
Alternatives to packing smaller items
If you're moving to a new city and have a lot of smaller items to pack, like clothing and toiletries, you might be able to use suitcases and duffel bags to reduce your packing costs. Suitcases can be great for clothes, toiletries, and smaller items, like books and electronics. If you're packing a lot of smaller items, like clothes, you can use duffel bags to save money. Just make sure you keep the items organized so you know where everything is when you arrive at your new home.
If you want to save even more money, try using unconventional packing materials. If you have a lot of boxes you need to stack, try stacking them on top of old books or a foam mattress pad. If you need to protect your walls from moving scratches, try wrapping them with old towels or blankets. If you need to transport heavy items, try wrapping them in blankets or towels. If you have a lot of items that need to be stacked, you can also buy cheap fabric from a nearby craft store and use that to protect your items.
Blankets and towels are essential for protecting your belongings during a move. You can use them to wrap delicate items, like dishes and electronics, as well as to protect your boxes. If you're wrapping your electronics, like computer monitors and TVs, make sure they're turned off before wrapping them so they don't turn on while they're in the moving truck. You can also wrap items like scissors and other sharp objects so they don't poke holes in your boxes.
10 ways to save money when preparing for a move
There are many ways to save money when preparing for a move. Some simple tips include:
- 1. Wrap breakables in clothing: This will protect your items and save you money on packing materials.
- 2. Make a budget and stick to it: A budget should help you avoid overspending on your move.
- 3. Have a garage sale or sell items online: This could help you get rid of anything you don't need or want and make some extra money.
- 4. Get rid of anything you don't need or want: Getting rid of unwanted items will create more space for vital goods and also save you money.
- 5. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes: This might save you money on shipping costs.
- 6. Use drawers and dressers to pack: Drawers and dressers more than likely will save you time and money on packing materials.
- 7. Get friends or family to help with the move: They might save you money on hiring movers.
- 8. Use your own vehicle to move smaller items: It more than likely will save you money on renting a moving truck.
- 9. Take advantage of any promotions or discounts offered by moving companies: Discounts and promotions will save you money on your total moving costs.
- 10. Don’t move during peak season if possible. Moving during the high season will be expensive due to the high demand. Look for things to do in your new area.
Conclusion
Even though moving could be stressful, there are a few ways to make the packing process easier on yourself. By packing your own belongings, using suitcases and duffel bags to pack smaller items, getting creative with moving materials, and using old blankets and towels to protect your items, you might save money on supplies and costs.
Even though there may be some cons of renting, if you find the right place you could save up for your first home. Good luck on your move and you might also want to inquire about moving insurance to help protect your belongings.