Top 10 Tips for Budget Moving: How to Spend Less

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about moving is expenses: whether the move is big or small, it’s going to cost a substantial amount. Therefore, the top priority in our thought processes will certainly be how to accomplish our move while spending the least amount of money possible. To attach a title to this topic, let’s call it “budget moving”. This article will discuss the ten best ways to complete budget moving in a timely, economical and proficient manner in a manner that allows you to get the best bang for your buck!

10 Tips to Consider When Moving on a Budget

When dealing with budget moving, consider the following:

• The best way to get the job done. For example: will you use a rental truck and complete the move yourself with the help of family and/or friends, or will you use a moving company?
• Whether renting a truck or using a moving company, err on the side of caution and do a background check on all companies you’re considering.
• When budget moving, choosing your moving date will make a major difference in your moving costs.
• Schedule your move during off-peak hours to avoid rush-hour traffic.
• When handling the move yourself, think about using portable storage units, a/k/a PODs.
• Start collecting your boxes early.
• Take inventory of everything in your home to decide what will be moved.
• Pick up the necessary packing supplies.
• Save money by doing your own packing and unpacking.
• Is there a possible moving tax deduction?

Tip #1: Deciding How Your Move Will be Handled

This is the important first step in the moving process. Regarding budget moving, the following should be considered:

1. Using a Rental Truck

One of the best and cheapest ways to get your move done on a tight budget would be to rent a vehicle. Most companies offer a variety of vehicles ranging from pickup trucks and cargo vans for small moving jobs to all sizes of trucks and trailers for the larger jobs. You’ll have to check the vehicle rental rates for different companies, which are usually reasonable when it comes to savings. Paying for gas and mileage is the customer’s responsibility. Friends and/or family members can help with the packing/unpacking and loading/unloading jobs and hopefully you’ll be able to get by with providing only meals and nominal tips for their assistance.

2. Hiring a Moving Company

If you’re in need of professional help, you’d choose the more costly method of hiring a moving company. This will involve researching several companies to find out rates charged and services provided.

3. Consider Shipping Your Belongings

For certain types of long-distance moves where there are only boxes and no furnishings, you might find that shipping your items via FedEx, UPS or other shipping companies could go a long way in accommodating budget moving by ultimately costing less than renting a truck or hiring a moving company.

Tip #2: Background Checks

Doing a background check covering the credentials and licensing of a company is extremely important and two places to check is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency in the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, and the Better Business Bureau. Also, checking reviews of former customers contribute invaluable input to your knowledge of moving.

Tip #3: Choose Your Move Date Wisely

There are certain facts to be aware of when choosing your move date:

1. Summer is the time most moves occur so it will be difficult to hire a moving company during this season, especially at a reasonable rate.
2. Weekend moves usually cost more than weekday moves.
3. Hiring moving companies on the first or last day of the month will likely be more difficult and cost more as these are the times when most leases end.

Tip #4: Schedule the Move During Off-Peak Hours

To save time and gas, avoid rush-hour traffic while people are traveling to and from work.

Tip #5: Using Portable Storage Units (PODs)

Some may find it convenient to use PODs since these units are delivered and you do the packing. The company then picks up the PODs and delivers them to your destination.

Tip #6: Obtaining Boxes

Do you have a source for getting free, reasonably-sized boxes or will you have to purchase them? One option is to check large department stores and supermarkets for free boxes of all sizes. Also, did you know there are companies from which you can actually rent boxes? The Box Buddies is a company that rents all size boxes for moving and they’ll deliver and pick them up after the move is completed.

Tip #7: Take Inventory of Items in Your Home

Here’s where the potential for saving money during budget moving could be huge as there’s absolutely no need to cart nonessentials across town only to discard them upon arrival in your new home. You can have a garage sale to earn extra cash. Donating items to charity could render a future tax deduction. Or, just giving items away to family and friends will certainly lessen the number of pounds moved resulting in less money paid to movers.

Tip #8: About Packing Supplies

What about packing supplies such as tape, bubble wrap, wrapping paper or popcorn, padding for your furniture? If you’re not using a moving company that supplies all your packing supplies, then you’ll have to figure out what you’ll need and purchase your own supplies. Dollar General or Family Dollar stores can be an invigorating relief on the pockets for picking up moving supplies!

Tip #9: Do Your Own Packing/Unpacking

No explanation needed here – just get packing!

Tip #10: Possible Moving Tax Deduction

Some moves, such as job relocations, can be claimed as a tax deduction so when thinking of budget moving, review the IRS rules regarding this matter.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to budget moving, the goal is always to get the job done with as little hassle, time and money spent as possible. Thus, the most important lesson taught here is to start the thought process early and practice due diligence when it comes to researching every aspect of the moving job.

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