How To Be Economically Smart When Moving
Most of us probably had to move at one point in our lives. And as you’re surely aware of, it’s not always the most fun experience. Unless you have a minimalistic taste, moving can be scary, especially if you’re on a tight budget. What is the easiest way to pack and move your stuff to a new home without losing a ton of cash? Here are some advice on how you can save money and make sure your belongings arrive at your new destination safely:
Don’t buy boxes
Boxes are a must have when it comes to moving and sorting your belongings. That’s why moving companies charge enormous prices for them. It’s quite unnecessary when you can find them anywhere: At your (or your friend’s) office workplace, like printer boxes, boxes from neighbours who have recently moved, or even the free section on Craigslist. Also, ask at your local liquor store or check the alleys behind mid-sized stores – you can find boxes of all sizes.
Pack your own stuff
Movers will charge you a lot more if they pack your stuff. The cost of packing equipment and the labor to execute that is far more expensive – you can do it all by yourself. You can invite some friends or family over to help – it will be more fun and it will save you time. Order some food, buy some drinks, and let the packing party begin. This will also enable you to oversee the packing and make sure everything is in order.
Compare DIY and professional services
Don’t assume that hiring professional movers might cost you more than doing it yourself. You can execute a move in a DIY manner, hire a truck rental service and end up losing even more money than just hiring professional movers. To make the best choice, do some research on different companies and their offers, ask for references from previous customers and make sure their business is legit – not a scam to steal your belongings. You can even catch a lower rate during off-season, which is in the late fall or winter. You can even find a middle ground: if you’re in between the extremes of hiring professionals and bribing your friends with snacks and beer, you can try portable storage units. You can load your stuff by yourself, they’ll move it to your new place and you unload it.
Bubble-wrap alternatives
Bubble wrap is made out of plastic, not easily recyclable (you can’t put it in the recycling bin because it jams recycling machinery) and not to mention expensive. There are many other ways to pack your valuables and breakable items safely without spending a fortune on those plastic monstrosities. Consider wrapping your stuff in old newspapers and magazines and then filling the rest of the space in the box with foam peanuts (or even regular shelled ones). You can also try to use napkins and bedsheets as packing material. If you’re patient enough, this is a rather good alternative to expensive bubble wrap. Also, you can try to pack with coffee filters, too. They’re cheaper than napkins, soft and won’t transfer ink, like the newspapers.
Ditch some stuff
You can really save lots of money if you get rid of stuff you no longer use or need. Most of us tend to collect a lot of stuff, unaware of how much we’ve managed to pile up in our home. Selling or donating some of your belongings will also bring you extra cash that you need so much for your move. You’ll also get rid of extra weight. Go through all your belongings and get rid of anything you don’t want and/or use on a regular basis. The less you have to pack, the less money you’ll spend on packing materials.
Moving will never be easy, but with these few tricks you’ll be able to stick with your budget and minimize the damage to your precious belongings. Happy packing!
