Unless you are a devout minimalist, relocating to a new place can be quite daunting especially when you are a tight budget. But wait…getting all your belongings out of your present house and moving them to your new residence without spending a fortune is very much possible if you follow some smart tricks. Check them out below!
Sell or Donate Unwanted Stuff
Selling stuff that you no longer use or need can help you earn some extra cash and even a tax deduction. Besides that, you will be able to get rid of extra weight, which is one of the metrics both local and long-distance movers use for partly estimating the total cost of your move. One more benefit of selling your unwanted belongings is that it makes unpacking a lot easier and you won’t be surprised to find a lot of stuff that probably didn’t need to be brought to your new house.
If you have a few items that wouldn’t get you cash, but can be useful to someone needy, consider donating them. Though you won’t earn money this way, you would definitely be able to reduce the total weight of your belongings to be moved, which would eventually cut down your moving costs.
Another very important consideration is to check the measurements of your new house, especially if you have bulky furniture. Do not invite the trouble as well as the expense of transporting your huge bookcase if it won’t fit in your new living area.
Wrap Your Valuables Yourself, but Do Consider the Consequences
One of the moving-on-a-budget advice you probably have heard many times before is to wrap your fragile items in towels, bed linens, or extra clothing. While this does save you money on the expensive bubble wrap, it isn’t always easy on the other end of the move. When you choose bed sheets, napkins, etc. as packing materials, unpacking can be a lot of pain as you may be constantly interrupted by the huge loads of laundry. Moreover, packing your stuff in linens may not always be a very good idea because of many other reasons. A lot of people have admitted that although this alternative to pricey packing materials worked out great & saved them a lot of money, they probably wouldn’t do it again because of the hassle and the constant worrying about the safety of their valuables it involved.
Use the Original Packing for Electronics
If you are a clutter bug, you would have probably saved an old box that your television set or computer came in. Well, the boxes can now come in handy by being used for safely moving these electronics. If you have also safely kept the foam padding which came along with these items, even better.
Plan Out the Utility Shut-Off Dates
As you prepare for your move, do not forget to consider how you will handle your utility bills. The last thing you would want is to deal with paying utility bills for two places, or maybe for an additional month at your old residence. So, a little planning can actually go a long way.
Start by determining when you’ll move & when exactly the utilities must be switched off in your current residence. Make sure to have a meter reading so you’re aware of how much you owe before you relocate. While taking care of all this, remember to focus on your new home as well. After all, you wouldn’t want to arrive at a new life & home only to find darkness & cold water as you didn’t plan ahead. It is advisable to contact your utility company in advance so they know when you are moving to your new house & you can ensure that everything is ready for you. If you move during the winter, heat will be even more critical.
Be Wise With Meal Prep.
Although it might be tempting to eat out every night before a few days of your move when you do not have your kitchen completely unpacked, it is neither good for your health nor your wallet. So, you should instead take out some time for preparing meals and keep them in the freezer so you don’t have to worry about the dinner every day.
Understand How Moving Companies Charge
Moving companies typically charge by the hour. So, stay organized, disassemble items (only if you are good at it) yourself, get out of the way so the movers can quickly get in & out while moving your stuff. If you currently live in a condo building, reserve the elevator by getting the necessary paperwork done in advance. If possible, do make sure that there is a place for the movers to park their vans or trucks. Having to find a proper parking place can waste movers’ time and your money.
Know What You Can Do Yourself & What You Need Help With
Moving involves making many important decisions. One of them is deciding which of the tasks you can easily do on your own and which ones you need help with. Some of the factors you may need to take into account to figure this out are –
- How much stuff you have to move
- How much time you have
- How much energy you have
- How far you’re moving from your current home
One of the tasks that many people moving on a tight budget like to handle themselves is packing. They are also good at disassembling and assembling large items. Some even bribe their friends or relatives with a sweet, little treat to get help with packing and moving their stuff. Enlisting help from friends with trucks, or those willing to help you with packing can actually help you save a lot of money. However, there are a few potential drawbacks of getting help from friends that shouldn’t be overlooked. For example, they may not seem as interested in the moving day as they probably did in the beginning when you asked them for help. They may also be less punctual and hard-working than you would prefer especially when dealing with the moving stress. Though cutting down moving costs by enlisting help from friends is a great idea, make sure you can trust the friends who are coming through for you.
Depending on your particular situation, you can look for help with one or more services, or let the professionals handle your entire move from start to finish.
Look For Deals
Believe it or not, many moving companies can actually cut you a deal if you ask them to. They usually bargain with the customers by changing a few things pertaining to how they would like to handle your move, like moving them at a different time than they had initially requested, etc. If the customer agrees with them, they may able to get a good discount on their move.
Your new home awaits you & the choices you make to get there will decide if it will be a smooth transition or a stressful life event. Moving stress-free on a tight budget is absolutely possible if you follow the aforementioned tips.
For the most reliable and affordable moving services in Florida, Official Van Lines is one of the companies you can get in touch with. Founded in 2010, Official Van Lines is a trusted moving company with twenty-five years of combined experience and over 20, 000 successful movers to its name. As the best movers in Florida, we strive to keep up with the highest quality standards to continue serving our customers at the highest level the way we have been since our founding.
As one of the leading packaging companies in Florida, we can also provide you with the help you need for efficiently and safely packing all your belongings. To make sure that all your belongings reach their destination without any damage, we utilize A-grade packing supplies, such as bubble wrap, moving blankets, mattress covers, packing paper, etc. So, when you choose us as your relocation partner, always rest assured that your belongings will be handled with the utmost care and moved to your new house in the safest way possible.