Moving on a Budget? 7 Ways to Reduce Relocation Expenses

Moving costs can quickly add up without proper planning. With living expenses rising, you need to save as many dollars as possible when relocating to use them for rent, groceries, and other necessities when settling in your new home. Check out some tips to reduce moving costs below.

1. Set a Moving Checklist

Moving involves a lot of expenses, such as packing materials, storage fees, cleaning, transferring utilities, parking, and food. By listing all your expenses, you identify areas to trim and get control over your finances.

A budget also shows if you have enough money for the move to avoid taking debt at the last minute. The internet has plenty of moving apps and platforms to help you estimate the costs of a move, depending on your location. 

2. Hire an Affordable Mover

Hiring a professional mover is a quick and cost-effective way to relocate. Moving expenses vary quite a bit between movers, so get at least three quotes from reputable companies. Compare the quotes carefully, and select the ones that personalize their services within your budget. 

3. Avoid the Peak Season

The timing of your move determines how much you pay for moving services. Many people relocate from May to August, and demand for movers is lowest from September to April.

Movers are also busier on weekends, so a weekday move attracts better quotes. Ideally, moving on a weekday in less busy months saves the most money. Once you have identified a few movers, try negotiating with them for better rates, especially if you book weeks before your moving date.

4. Declutter

The more possessions you have to move, the more money you pay for packing, loading, and offloading. If your family has lived in the current home for a long time, odds are that you no longer need some clothes, furniture, toys, electronics, and other items around the house.

Before you pack, go through storage areas, living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens and purge unnecessary and duplicate things. Your efforts may save you hundreds of dollars in moving expenses. If you have many unused items in good condition, place them on eBay and other online marketplaces to make extra money.

5. Find Free Boxes

You need multiple boxes to pack your entire time, and they aren’t always inexpensive. Hit your local big box stores, liquor shops, grocery stores, and recycling drop-off points, or Craigslist, Nextdoor.com, and other online platforms for free or inexpensive boxes. Your friends and neighbors may also have moving supplies lying around their homes.

Your suitcases, baskets, towels, linens, and other household items can serve as packing materials. For instance, suitcases can hold shoes and clothes, while cooking pots can carry spices.

6. Speak With Utility Providers

If you don't cancel your utilities on time, you will likely double pay for internet, electricity, water, and other services. So, notify your old service providers about the move on time to ensure they terminate provisions the day you leave. 

Your utilities at the new house should activate on the day you move in to avoid spending a night without water or electricity. Additionally, review different utility companies at your destination, as some have special offers for new or longtime customers.

7. Prepare Meals in Advance

Takeout costs quickly add up in the days before you move and before you settle in your new home. Prepare meals beforehand and keep them in the freezer for the chaotic days before and after your move. You can keep these meals in a cooler and restock food in grocery stores along the way.

Our seasoned movers at All America Moving work with your moving budget to safely get your goods to their destination. Contact us today for fast and friendly relocation services.