There’s no way around the various expenses associated with moving, from supplies and equipment to new furniture and household appliances. However, there are some common methods savvy penny-pinchers use to shave off a few bucks here and there. With some planning, strategizing, and a little help from your friends, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Below are our tips for moving on a budget.

Be Flexible on Your Dates

If you’re inquiring with moving companies about helping you with certain aspects of your move (a smart idea!), be aware that you can sometimes get better rates by being flexible on your moving day and time. Try midweek before the end of the month if at all possible. Since there’s less demand at this time, you’re likelier to get the best rates.

Ask Friends to Help

Your friends can be a resource for many aspects of your moving project, including helping you pack, lending their vehicles to assist, babysitting, and helping plan meals. And don’t forget that friends and family can help you after your move too, when you’ve got a long list of things to do to get set up in your new home. Most of your friends have been in your situation at least once in their lives, and will be willing to lend a hand where they can, even if they’re not available right on moving day.

Offload Your Unwanted Possessions

There’s no sense in bringing belongings you no longer want to your new space. It’s worth going through everything and deciding whether it will fit in your new home, or whether it’s better to sell it or get rid of it. For anything you want to sell, you can hold a yard sale, post it on Craigslist, or use a selling app to get rid of it. Not sure what you have is marketable? Donate anything you don’t want and be sure to get a receipt for a tax deduction. The less you bring to your new home, the cheaper and easier your move will be.

Ask Around for Extra Boxes and Supplies

A sneaky expense that you may not have considered when budgeting for a move is the collection of accessories you’ll need, from boxes and tape to bubble wrap and furniture covers. Before you head to the store and load up, ask around to see if any family members, friends, or neighbors already have some of these items that they no longer need. Boxes are relatively easy to obtain—you can ask around at local convenience stores or cruise past dumpsters near department stores to see if you can snag some extras.

Plan Ahead to Make the Move Faster (and Cheaper)

If you’re planning to hire a moving company to help with the loading and unloading of boxes, be sure everything is streamlined beforehand so they can move quickly. Since they often work by the hour, this can help cut down on costs.

Use Coolers to Bring Your Food

It may be tempting to throw out food items and simply start fresh when you get to your new place, but you can save a bundle by making use of what you already have. Buy a cheap Styrofoam cooler from a local discount store and take your refrigerated and frozen items with you (assuming you’re doing a local move!). Also, take the time to pack up your spices, oils, and non-perishable items. You’ll be glad you did when you get to your new spot and need them for cooking.

Use Your Car to Move Smaller Items

Even if you do plan to enlist the help of friends or professional household movers, you can save money by moving a few batches of smaller items using your own vehicle. You’d be surprised how many boxes can fit in an average-size sedan.

Ready to find out how affordable a professional moving company can be? Get in touch with Bekins of South Florida today—we’d be happy to tell you about our residential moving services and get you a free moving estimate.