[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cheap-moving-tips\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cheap-moving-tips\/","headline":"15 Cheap Moving Tips That Will Keep Your Budget In Check","name":"15 Cheap Moving Tips That Will Keep Your Budget In Check","description":"Moving can be expensive. Especially when we consider the whole experience, and not just...","datePublished":"2019-02-25","dateModified":"2022-10-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/#Person","name":"Logan Allec, CPA","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Money Done Right","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","width":488,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Cheap-moving-tips.jpg","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Cheap-moving-tips.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cheap-moving-tips\/","about":["Saving Money"],"wordCount":2615,"articleBody":"Moving can be expensive. Especially when we consider the whole experience, and not just transportation and packing.\u00a0For most of us, it generally begins with finding a new place, either paying a deposit to rent, or a down payment to buy.\u00a0Either way, we\u2019ve already started spending cash, and the move hasn\u2019t even begun!So here it is, your 15 cheap moving tips to help you stay in budget, and hopefully make this process a little more fun.Table of ContentsToggleGet OrganizedStart EarlyPack Essentials LastChange Your AddressSort Through EverythingClear the ClutterDon\u2019t Buy Packing BoxesAsk Friends to Help EarlyFind a Removal Team EarlyPack CarefullyUse Time WiselyLabel EverythingFind a Pet SitterPrime the New Place Before MovingDon\u2019t Miss WorkGet OrganizedPriority number one, get organized to reduce unnecessary spending.\u00a0Get yourself a notebook and dedicate dedicate it to learning how much are moving costs.\u00a0You will need to crunch the number on the costs, schedule time to start the process, and organize the order that things need to be finished.First thing though is to make that moving costs checklist.Costs ExamplesMoversPacking Supplies (tape, boxes, packing papers)Gas and car maintenanceIn between costs (if you have to spend some time in a hotel etc).The above are just general common moving expenses.You will find that once you start the process, things will pop-up.It is best to write down all the costs as they show up to avoid overspending.Also, make a folder dedicated to all the receipts you will accumulate over the process.GetUpside: Save money on gas, groceries, and many things you will need to make your move happen on a budget.Since you are moving learn about 17 cheap ways to improve home energy efficiency for your new place.Good to KnowThe average cost to move household goods in America is $4,300 (interstate) and $2,300 (intrastate). This cost strictly refers to physically moving and it does not take into consideration other incidentals.\u00a0\u00a0BonusIf you are about to move into a rental property learn how to pay as low as $5\/month for renters insurance.\u00a0\u00a0Also to help with budgeting, try PocketSmith: The ultimate budgeting app.Start EarlyStarting early makes it second on our cheap moving tips list.\u00a0The biggest expenses usually come into play because we want to pay for convenience, or because we were late booking a service, or asking for help.\u00a0If you know ahead of time that you need to move, it is best to begin early.First you should curve out at least one hour per day to sort a small part of the house.\u00a0If you do a closet or cabinet per day, it won\u2019t be overwhelming at all.Planning ExamplesPick one week when you will sort through your clothesDedicate next week to your kitchenMove on to the living roomBreak down the process even further and do a few drawers a day.This will give you an opportunity to clean the house without stress, sort things that you might want to donate, sell or give, instead of throwing it all in the trash.It will also be emotionally easier on you. Depending on what kind of move you are about to make, assuming you are leaving a place you lived in long enough, starting early will allow you to accept the changes better.\u00a0Moving time is also an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate how many things we can let go off.BonusRead essential downsizing tips that will free up more money to invest.Pack Essentials LastNow that you\u2019ve gotten a head start on the organization and you\u2019re ready to begin packing, it\u2019s time to decide what is essential for your survival for the next one or two months and set it aside.\u00a0This allows you to go ahead and pack the rest without hesitation.We can help you begin putting together your essentials box.Essentials ExamplesAll your makeup and \/ or toiletriesEnough outfits (include one dress-up dress, pants etc for possible last minute important events)Computers and other electronics you use dailyBooksKitchen stuff (no need to eat out every night just because you are tired from packing, remember you have a moving budget).To make it much easier on yourself, think of this as going on a two-month trip.\u00a0What would you take with you?\u00a0The answer is your essentials list.Good to KnowIf you are thinking of getting your own place learn the essential tips on how to save money for your first apartment.Change Your AddressDo not forget to change your address.\u00a0It can take up to two weeks for the post office to process your \u201cforward to new address\u201d request.\u00a0Therefore, we recommend that you visit the post office on time to forward your address.\u00a0In the meantime, remember that notebook we mentioned at the beginning?Take it out and begin writing all the places you need to contact to properly update your address.Places Examples:Department of Motor VehiclesAny Insurance CompaniesBanksDoctors \/ DentistsAny subscriptions you might have.To forward your mail while you take time to update all the service providers of your new address visit the official change of address online form from USPS.\u00a0\u00a0BonusIf you are selling your house learn about these 9 Tools to Help You Get a Free Home Appraisal.Sort Through EverythingDepending on your personality type, this can be a lot of fun, or a great reason to get anxiety.\u00a0Sorting through items can help you reduce your common moving expenses, by allowing you to identify and get rid of unnecessary objects.\u00a0The best way to do it is to get a few baskets \/ boxes and make four piles.KeepTrashGiveSell.Anything that is in the keep pile, you will pack to move with you.\u00a0The rest will save you a lot of money if you just discard it or give away.\u00a0The last category can actually make you some much-needed extra cash.Anything that you can sell, try to do so ahead of time to help yourself balance out those hefty moving expenses.\u00a0Check out Decluttr where you can sell used clothes, books, games etc.Pro TipWe suggest that you do this for every room to help you keep organized, and when it comes time to donate, give, or sell things, you will be able to list them much faster.Clear the ClutterThis is one of my favorite cheap moving tips.\u00a0Following our point above, this can either be a hassle or a joy depending on your personality.\u00a0However, it is an inevitable part of moving.To make it easier for you to start, keep these point in mind:Acknowledge that It is okay to have an emotional attachment to inanimate itemsDecide what \u201cclutter\u201d is to youRecognize that more stuff you have the more money you will need to move (do we really need all that stuff?)Do not keep things because of guiltDo keep small momentums (we all need small reminders of our life\u2019s journey)Start easy (throw out the obvious clutter first to get you going)Understand that de-cluttering essentially means making room for new better things.Depending on if you have a large family or it\u2019s only a single person, this process can take a lot out of you.If you do have children, give them their \u201ckeep\u201d \u201ctrash\u201d \u201cgive\u201d and \u201csell\u201d boxes and ask them to do some sorting themselves.Learn how to sell household items quickly to declutter your home and earn extra cash.\u00a0BonusLet your kids know that anything they sell from their stuff, equals money in their pockets.\u00a0If you are moving out of state you need to read these 15 tips on the cheapest way to move out of state. Don\u2019t Buy Packing BoxesOne thing people don\u2019t plan on when figuring out how much are moving costs, are boxes.\u00a0At the last minute you can find yourself rushing to buy a pack, which is actually a huge waste of money. Our essential cheap moving tips include the simple fact that there is no need to spend a single penny on boxes, allowing you to remove this from your moving costs checklist.\u00a0Visit your local supermarket and ask them for any empty boxes from the deliveries they get.Good to KnowThis works best with smaller corner stores, than big retailers.If your upcoming move happens to be around the holiday season then you are in luck.The stores will be begging to give their empty boxes to free up space for more deliveries.Take anything you can get your hands on, small boxes are perfect for accessories, books and frames. Big boxes are perfect for clothes, pillows and office supplies.Ask Friends to Help EarlyIf you have friends and family close by, invite them over for a packing day cutting down significantly your moving budget.\u00a0We suggest you do that when you are ready to begin the serious packing business (and not in the early stages where you will be panicking about throwing away that hat you bought three years ago and never wore).What you can ask you friends to help with?\u00a0Wrapping up all your \u201ckeep\u201d kitchen items and placing them in boxesListing your \u201csell\u201d items online for saleSorting through your \u201cgive\u201d pile and see if there is anything they want to keepCleaning parts of the houseOrganizing your boxesMoving your boxes to the moving truck (helping load and unload items).If they have a truck or know someone who might have a truck it might be cheaper for you to use that and pay them something less, than a professional company would ask.Pro TipHaving friends help move is substantially cheaper than hiring a moving company, as the cost is usually just a pizza.Find a Removal Team EarlyWhile the majority of friends can help with your standard household items, sometimes you need some muscle.\u00a0This means finding friends who can do some heavy lifting, or hiring a removals team.\u00a0To get a team of friends to help you, as mentioned above, make sure you ask early.Good to KnowIf you will need a proper removals team, act early and get various quotes to secure the lowest price.\u00a0Check out Reallymoving to get various quotes and compare.You can also see Cheap Moving Tips for more quotes.\u00a0Even if it is early in the process now, it will be good for you to have a basic idea of what is the price range for these services.Pro TipThis is critical for our cheap moving tips. If you hire any type of moving help, keep in mind that those guys get paid per hour (usually) so the more you do before they arrive, the less you will have to pay them in the end.Pack CarefullyLast thing you want to do is break things in the process and have to spend money to replace it.\u00a0It happens very often, especially if you and your friends will be doing the process.Pro TipStart from the top of the house and move downPack heavy items in small boxesUse your clothes instead of bubble paper (saves money)Pack big boxes with non-fragile items, that are lighter (not only you won\u2019t break your back moving them, the risk of dropping them is also minimized)Take photos of things that will require you to disassemble and assemble again just in case.Designate a place in your house for all the packed boxes, to avoid any trip and fall incidentsFind out how much moving companies charge (per weights or per box for example. This will help you pack in a money saving way)Do not leave empty spaces in boxes where items can shift. If nothing else can go in a box, fill the air pockets with paper.While you\u2019re negotiating your rates with the moving company, try out Cushion, and learn how to negotiate your other bills and save some serious cash.Use Time WiselyMany people will spend way too much time thinking about the process, and dread getting started.\u00a0Just get started.\u00a0Once the decision has been made that you will be moving, there are steps you can take to manage your time and the chaos of the process more efficiently.Pro TipDesignate some time daily to tackle a small part of the housePlan in your notebook the night before what you will doCombine tasks for maximum productivity (for example pack while you wait for food to cook)Use your alarm to remind you that you need to start packing (set timers)Use your \u201cdo not disturb\u201d option for your social media etcMake quick decisions on things that don\u2019t really matter.BonusWhile packing you will come across many items you have not seen in years, it\u2019s good to ask yourself if you truly need to keep them.Remember you can make money selling things you no longer need with Decluttr.Label EverythingYou will thank us so much for this tip.\u00a0Although you are not directly saving cash here, you will be saving a lot of time, and time is money right?\u00a0There are many ways to label.Examples:Room (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom)Sub-categories (clothes, books, toys, pet stuff, stationery)Numbers (use number 1 for example for the first box you need to start unpacking that has all your essentials etc)Future room (where the box objects will go in your new place for easy access when you unpack).You can use any category or method you feel is best suited for you.\u00a0Keep in mind that you will have a couple of random boxes with a lot of things that do not belong anywhere.Find a Pet SitterAsk family or friends if they can take your dog or cat in for a few days while you pack.\u00a0Animals tend to get very stressed out when they sense something is off.This will also allow you to save time on their walking and care, so you can get more packing done faster.\u00a0If you can leave your animal with a familiar person, it is preferred.Check out Rover as an alternative solution.Prime the New Place Before MovingIf you have access to your new place before you have to move in, then consider yourself very lucky.\u00a0This will allow you to check out the placement of doors, windows and overall floor plan, so that you don\u2019t take with you big objects you can\u2019t use.\u00a0This will save you money on transporting items you won\u2019t be needing or using in the new place.Don\u2019t Miss WorkDo your best to not miss work.\u00a0You will need all the money you can bring in during a move.Pro TipWake up a little earlier to get some packing done before workDo not plan any nights out or events during your moveUse your weekends to do as much as you can (we know you are tired but this is just for now, remember you will be saving a lot of money when you put your own time in).Final word of advice, make sure to check every single room before you turn in your keys and move on!\u00a0If you have hidden cash in the house do not forget it behind! (It happens more often than you think).If you recently moved, and you used clever tips to keep yourself in budget, share below and let us know!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Personal Finance","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Saving And Budgeting","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/\/saving-and-budgeting\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"15 Cheap Moving Tips That Will Keep Your Budget In Check","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cheap-moving-tips\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]