Moving to different locations and new houses is a part of many people’s lives. According to a census report, over 27 million Americans moved to a new residence in 2021, representing a mover rate of 8.4%.
Despite being the lowest mover rate in the past 7 decades, the numbers still look staggering, showing that many Americans keep moving from one place to another.
Moving can be expensive. Between the moving costs and packing supplies, it’s easy to blow your budget without even realizing it. So, how do you move on a budget and stay organized? Well, a few simple tricks of the trade will help you save money while ensuring everything gets moved in one piece.
Avoid Peak Moving Season
There’s a reason why moving companies are more expensive, and it’s not just that they’re greedy. Moving companies tend to be busiest during the summer, so demand is higher than usual. This can also mean that your move will take longer than expected because fewer resources are available to help you.
Moving day should be fun and exciting, not stressful and frustrating. If possible, avoid peak moving season to save money while retaining control when your belongings depart from point A and arrive at point B.
For instance, most people move in or out of San Diego during the fall season. The temperature in Fall decreases by 10℉ and ranges between 65℉ and 80℉. Hence, it becomes a pleasant time for moving. However, if you are to save money, hiring movers in San Diego outside the Fall season is best.
Hiring after the Fall will not only save you money but also get you exceptional services. The thing is that due to less demand, the moving companies might focus more on offering compelling customer services.
If you have no choice but to relocate during peak moving season, it’s wiser to choose a reputable service provider like Finch Moving Company. They have a history of successfully executing complex relocation projects for clients moving to or from San Diego. From packing and loading to storage, they offer a broad spectrum of services to cater to all your needs.
Hire Local Movers
Local movers can be a great option if you want to move on a budget. Data shows that, on average, movers charge $980 for movement within the state and $4,100 for outside-the-state movement. However, these numbers can decrease if you hire local movers, especially for inter-state movement.
Local movers are often affordable compared to their national counterparts. The reason is simple, the local movers will know the place in and out and can take easy routes to get to the destination. This can save you a lot of time, hassle, and money.
Moreover, local movers can provide a more personalized experience. They are often more flexible in scheduling, so you can plan your move around your schedule. With local movers, you can save money while still getting the quality service you need.
Be Flexible on Your Moving Date
You’re doing great. You’ve got your moving date and a budget, and you must start preparing for what comes next.
- Be flexible on your moving date: If possible, stay open-minded about the exact date you move. Depending on what storage facilities are available in your area, it may be worth waiting a few days or weeks to find one that meets all of your needs at a price point that works within your budget.
Being flexible with dates can save you money in different scenarios. For example, when inflation is high, moving costs increase too. Inflation was 8.6% in May 2022. Hence, a report from the National Association of Realtors shows that the moving average cost rose to $427 in May 2022, 15% up from the same time in 2021.
- Don’t overbuy: Once you get into packing mode, don’t buy new items just because they’re cute or convenient. Buy only what’s necessary and spend less on decorating supplies than usual so that some extra cash can go toward other expenses like gas money or food while traveling during the move itself.
Sell What You Don’t Want to Take
After you’ve got the list of the things you will be taking with you, it’s time to consider what to do with all the stuff left behind.
Here’s a general plan:
- List everything in your possession that can be sold, given away, donated, recycled, or trashed.
- Get quotes from local charities and thrift stores for specific items. Some of them may even pick up your donations if they’re not too heavy or bulky.
- Set a date on which everything goes onto the curb or in front of your door. You might have some people show up at that time. Don’t let this dissuade you. It means your stuff has good value.
Plan Your Utilities Efficiently
Planning your utilities for your new home can help reduce moving costs. You can simultaneously schedule service shut-offs and turn-ons at your current and new home. While this is not a direct saving on your moving costs, it will certainly impact your finances. Scheduling the shut-offs and turn-ons efficiently can help avoid unnecessary service fees.
You can also consider bundling your utility services, such as combining internet, cable, and phone services, as this can often result in lower monthly costs. Overall, planning and shopping for utility services can help save money and make your move go more smoothly.
Shopping around for the best deals on utility services in your new area can also help lower moving costs. By planning and setting up your utilities in advance, you can ensure they will be active and ready for use when you move in. This will also enhance comfort.
Try to Avoid Spending Money on Packing Boxes
When it comes to packing, there are two schools of thought. You can either buy your boxes or use ones you’ve had for a while. While purchasing new ones is more convenient, it’s also expensive. For example, data from the online directory moving.com shows that packing boxes can cost anywhere from $1 to $12, depending on the size and type of boxes.
Not only will buying them be more expensive than reusing what you have on hand and recycling other things in your house, but they’re not necessarily more robust than other packaging materials. You’re just paying extra because they’re branded with the word “handy.”
If you want to save money but still purchase some things new, look into buying generic brands rather than brand-name items. Even if they don’t come with fancy labels or marketing campaigns backing them up, generic products tend to cost less and work just as well as their name-brand counterparts in most cases, anyway.
Conclusion
Moving can be stressful, and getting caught up in the excitement of starting a new chapter in your life is easy. Many Americans are moving to save money, and imagine that moving itself is draining you up. For instance, a survey from The Neighbor News shows that 47% of Americans who planned to move in 2021 did so to reduce their cost of living. Many of them plan to move again for the same reason.
If moving is expensive, the whole idea of reducing the cost of living and saving money will go in vain. Hence, finding ways to reduce the cost of moving is vital. There are ways to save money on moving costs and help make this transition smoother by planning. Moving is expensive, but if you’re willing to think about how much stuff you need or can live without, you’ll find that it doesn’t have to break the bank after all.
