Raise your hand if you find packing and moving fun? I bet very few of you do.
Unless you own very few things, moving can be quite time consuming and very expensive. You need packing materials, to protect your possessions, and you may have to hire interstate moving companies, which is rarely cheap.
Here are 7 ways to save time and money when moving:
Start Early
If you have 60 days before you have to move take advantage of each and everyone of those days.
Do not wait until day 45 to begin getting ready to move.
The earlier you start, the easier and less stressful it will be. Even if you only have 20 days until you move, start working on things right away.
Save Money by Being Organized
How many times have you paid to move stuff from one location to another even though you no longer use that stuff?
It happens to everyone.
We think, that one day we might just need that stuff again, or we do not feel like dealing with it now, so we decide to move it now and deal with it later.
But now you are paying movers to move what is most likely junk.
Instead, save money by taking the time to deal with your stuff now, before you even start packing.
Go into every room in your home and make 3 piles of stuff. Move, donate, and garbage.
This stuff moves with you.
This stuff is donated before you move.
And, this stuff is garbage, which you will get rid of before you move.
Do a different room everyday and sort through stuff as quickly as you can.
Request the Help of Friends and Family
If you have a large home and a large family chances are good that you have a lot of items to deal with.
Give your family and friends a call and say that you are having a pizza party on Saturday afternoon, and all they need to bring are their strong arms to give you a hand with your move.
Have a plan ready before they arrive so that your house does not become chaotic.
You want to make the best use of everyone’s generous time.
Some people can take your things to wherever you want to donate them to.
Others can do a run to the garbage dump.
And others can help you pack boxes.
Rent Packing Boxes for Moving
Did you know that you can rent packing boxes from moving companies?
You can rent new or used boxes for a fee, and after you move you simply have to return them and they will return your money.
I always choose to rent the brand new boxes.
Use Wardrobe Boxes
We always save time and money when moving by using the wardrobe boxes from the moving company.
They are the most convenient moving box ever made.
If you end up hiring a moving company they will let you borrow these wardrobe boxes for free. Use them to quickly and easily pack all of your clothes, coats, and shoes.
Call Different Movers for Quotes
When you have a lot of heavy items to move such as appliances and furniture, you are better off hiring a moving company instead of moving it yourself.
If you move things yourself and damage your furniture you will have to pay to get it fixed.
If movers move your belongings and damage it, the moving company’s insurance will pay to fix the damage.
Plus, it will protect your back and it will be a lot less stressful on you and your family.
Call a number of different movers in your city and ask for quotes to move your things. Compare the prices and check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau too.
Remember that the more advanced notice you can give a moving company, the better.
Pick a Better Date
Want to save more money when moving?
Pick a better date if at all possible.
Moving companies charge their highest rates on the last day and the first day of the month because that is when there is a high demand for their services.
In fact the most expensive day of the year to hire a moving company is the weekend of September 1st, because so many students are moving to go to college.
Related: Moving? 20 Tips to Make Packing Easier
They also charge high rates on the 15th day of the month.
But the rest of the month, they charge less because less people are moving. If you can pick any other date to move, then do it. Your rates will be much lower, and you can use that extra money for other things that always crop up.
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