Six Cost-Effective Strategies for Moving on a Budget

All moves are different. There are various factors to take into consideration, depending on:

• whether you’re moving locally or long-distance
• whether you have family members or travel alone
• whether you’re bringing pets
• how much stuff you have
• what the cost of living is in your new space versus your old one
• and dozens of other variables

But if you’re moving on a budget, there are a few strategies that can be employed for pretty much any type of move over any distance:

1. Bring as little as possible.

Whether you’re moving several thousand miles or just down the block, one way to keep costs down is by getting rid of stuff. You can even pocket a little cash if you have a garage sale to get rid of what you don’t use!

These are some things to toss or give away before a move:

• books you’ll never read
• anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or have sentimental value
• old clothes you don’t fit into or never wear
• furniture that’s quickly replaceable through thrifting (especially bookshelves, desks, etc.)

2. Don’t buy what you can get for free.

The biggest thing not to buy is moving boxes. You might be tempted because of their handles or their lids or their standard sizing. But you can get boxes for free from all kinds of places. Just walk into a liquor store or the lobby of your current apartment complex and ask.

The same goes for packing supplies like bubble wrap and masking tape.

3. Do what you can yourself.

Not everyone will be able to do everything themselves. But if you can and have the time, packing everything up and unpacking it on your own will save a ton of money. If you have friends or family members supporting you, you can get them in on it. Turn it into a game!

4. Hire affordable movers.

While you may be able to tackle the packing on your own, not everyone is up to the task of lugging heaving furniture and boxes to a UHaul and transporting it to their next home. If you’re like many people, you may find hiring professional movers to be an essential part of the moving process. However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune!

Here are a few tips for finding movers who won’t break the bank:

• Compare quotes: take the time to get estimates from multiple moving companies. Why pay $1000, when you can get the same job done for $700? As with most things in life, it pays to shop around when hiring a moving company.
• Move during the off-season: Movers are more expensive in the peak of summer when everyone else is moving. If you can swing it, moving in the fall and winter lowers costs because it’s the offseason for moving companies. Movers tend to have more deals available then. However, you might have a strict lease or a job starting date that you can’t negotiate with your employer. And, if you’re in the north and moving long-distance, you’ll want summer weather to make driving easier.
• Book early: People who schedule their moves earlier tend to get the best deals. Don’t wait to book your move at the last minute when the moving companies are near capacity! Book at least a month or two in advance (or longer if you’re moving out-of-state).
• Consider what you can do yourself: If you don’t have the budget for a full-service, comprehensive moving service, think through what aspects of the relocation you can tackle yourself. For example, you may be capable of packing all the boxes and even disassembling the furniture on your own, but need assistant loading your moving truck or pod. Know that many Chicago-area moving companies offer inexpensive labor-only services at hourly rates. This option is much cheaper than a full-service mover.

5. Be strategic with your packing.

Consolidate everything into as little space as possible. Wrap the fabrics and towels around fragile objects instead of using bubble wrap. The less space everything takes up, the lower the cost of hauling it from place to place.

6. Keep your time frame short.

It is especially crucial for long-distance moves. Don’t dawdle or meander. You want to get to your new place as fast as possible, unload everything, return any moving trucks or trailers, and get everything done.

Shorter time frames mean less downtime, which translates to higher cost-efficiency.