How to Save Money on Moving Expenses

Most times, moves to new places are exciting events to look forward to. In some cases a move can cause anxiety and worry especially if you have to move very long distances and across continents. Moving house is also an expensive proposition and can take up a huge chunk of your savings. Here are a few ways to save money on moving expenses.

·         Get started

Don’t wait till last minute to find a mover. The moment your transfer, promotion or new job is finalized, start working out the details. This will save you tons of stress and trouble. If you’re desperate for a mover and don’t have much time to move your stuff, you may have to settle for someone not too good who costs the earth because he senses your desperation.

·         Get rid of stuff

There’s so much stuff that we accumulate that we might not necessarily need. A move is as good a time as any to get rid of all that. Organize a garage sale, give or donate your stuff and you’ll see costs fall.

·         Do your homework

Do your research on movers and rates. Sometimes companies have tie ups with movers and you can get competitive rates. Talk to potential candidates on the phone, check out their website or meet them before you take a final decision.

·         Find material

You don’t need really expensive stuff to protect your belongings. Bubble wrap that came with electronic equipment, newspaper, brown bags and old boxes are all great wrapping material. You can also request friends, neighborhood stores and recycling plants for old boxes. This will help you cut down costs to a large extent. Alternately, try sites like Freecycle.org and Craigslist.org for help to find material.

·         Wrap yourself

Instead of waiting for the movers to arrive, start packing stuff. For instance, use linen for all your fragile items like the television or the dish washer. You can protect your furniture from the wear and tear of the journey too with the help of your thick comforters and rugs. All you need is a simple wash to get them back to good shape. Use drapes for all your art and larger accessories. For the smaller ones, good old tissue rolls work just fine. They are easy to stack up and your small and fragile items stay safe in them.

·         Pack smart

If you pack haphazardly, with no sense of order, then you will end up with a lot of unused space in your boxes. Make sure you plan and pack. Don’t make your boxes too heavy but ensure everything is well placed with no chance of moving and getting chipped or broken.

·         Get help

If your belongings are not too many in number, use friends and family- and their vehicles- to help you move. If it is within the city, you can even make more than one trip till all your stuff has been shifted. If that is not an option, get a smaller vehicle or a tow along container to save some money. Remember, if you pack well, you’ll need less space for the final move.

·         Give clear instructions

Know the route map to your destination well and give the movers directions accordingly. Some rental companies charge by the mile so you want to make sure that you don’t deviate from your path too much!

Happy trails!

 

This is a guest post by Jake Anderson of fastinternetdeals.com, a site that offers savings and current information on Uverse, as well as at&t services.