Tips to Save on Your Move

Moving can be, and in most cases is, quite expensive. Buying moving supplies, renting a truck and finding helpers or hiring a moving company doesn't come cheap these days. However, there are numerous ways to cut down on the cost of your relocation.

Saving on Packing Supplies

Packing supplies will not be the most expensive part of your move, but the cost of boxes, blankets and other moving items still add up.

The first thing you should do is accommodate yourself with free boxes: moving boxes are the most important and the most costly item in your packing list. They usually sell for $2-$3 and up. The best source of boxes, as opposed to buying new ones at Home Depot, Walmart or Uhaul, is to go to your local grocery store and ask an employee for them. Grocery stores get rid of thousands of cardboard boxes on a daily basis. They will be more than glad to help you out with this aspect of your move. More, by taking used boxes away from the store, you will save them from a recycling headache. This is a win-win situation: free boxes for you, less headache and work for a grocery store.

Newspapers can be used as packing paper, so you don't have to buy it at a store. However, keep in mind that newspapers can stain your fine china or crystal, so it's best to buy some packing paper for those items, if you possess any, rather than using old newspapers.

Do as Much as You Can Yourself

The most obvious way to save on your move as much as you possibly can is to do as much work by yourself as you can.

• Do packing, at least the majority of it, yourself: box up smaller items, wrap everything you can to minimize the time that will be needed by professionals to prepare your possessions on the move day. Usually, it's a good idea to pack all the small items and leave larger items, such as TVs and furniture to movers.
• Start packing well in advance. There is nothing worse than being unprepared on a move day.
• Ask friends, relatives and co-workers to help you pack and move. This will cost you several cases of beer and extra large pizzas, but it will still be cheaper than paying a moving company.
• Ask around and see if any of the people you know has a truck. If not, rent one.

Contracting a Moving Company

You can do everything yourself. You can leave everything to a moving company. Or, you can be smart and combine the too.

Pack all the smaller items yourself. Bring boxes as close to the door as you can. Make sure there are no lose items around the house. Pack all your DVDs, CDs, books, kitchen and bathroom items. Disassemble whatever you can: bed frames, other items that can't be moved in one piece. Get rid of the items you won't need anymore. Donate them, if possible, it might also qualify for a deduction with IRS.

Finally, move off-season, if possible: peak season is May-August. Winter months are actually the best for a consumer price-wise. If you have to move during a moving season, do it on a workday, between Monday and Thursday. And make sure you get 3 moving quotes from reputable moving companies, compare the charges, and go with the middle one.

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