Moving can be challenging if you’re moving on a budget. There are many expenses to consider, from the cost of movers to the costs of packaging. The costs of packing supplies can add up fast, but there are numerous ways to cut those expenses.
If you get a bit creative, you can save some dollars and still keep your stuff protected and well-packed. Here are 13 cost-effective packing tips to help you move safely and efficiently without spending a fortune.
1. Get Your Packing Supplies from the Right Places
Save on your packing supplies by buying them on Amazon or other platforms where you can find the affordable tape, tape guns, and packing paper. You can also ask your moving company if they will let you use wardrobe boxes on moving a day, as these can get pricey in department stores, and some movers offer free wardrobe boxes.
You can use your blankets to protect furniture if you move by yourself. If you’re hiring a moving company like LA Moving Star, you won’t have to worry about the supplies necessary to protect your furniture.
2. Negotiate
Negotiating can go a long way. That’s especially true if you tell your mover that another company quoted you $400 lower. Knowledge can easily translate to savings, so don’t be afraid to play some games to reduce your moving expenses.
3. Rent Your Boxes
Instead of buying cardboard boxes that will inevitably end up in the recycle bin once you’re done with them, you can save some dollars on packing supplies by renting reusable plastic containers.
With some companies, you can save up to 50% of what you would spend on buying new cardboard boxes. All you need to do is place your order for how many boxes you’ll need, and a box rental company will deliver them to you. Then, you can fill them up, move, and schedule a pick-up at your new house. Besides being good for your wallet, this solution is also great for the environment.
4. Find Free Boxes and Packing Supplies
There are even cheaper alternatives than renting your boxes. You can look on websites like Offerup, Craiglist, or Letgo for people trying to get rid of their old boxes free of charge. The key here is to start looking early so you can collect all the boxes you need for moving.
5. Free Yourself from Items You Don’t Need
One of the best ways to save money on the move is to eliminate all the items you no longer need or want. The more stuff you have, the more the action is going to cost, whether you’re moving locally or long distance.
So, throw, sell, or donate as many items as possible if you want to save some dollars when moving. These charities offer free donation pickup to help you free yourself from items you no longer need.
Consider getting rid of your heavy cheap furniture if you’re moving long-distance because buying affordable furniture at your new location will likely cost less than moving your old cheap furniture.
6. Pack Yourself
Another way to save money on moving costs is to pack yourself. The more you’re packed up and ready to go, the less time it will take to move your stuff. While movers will offer packing services, you can save a lot if you do it yourself. However, you need to make sure to pack the right way to avoid breaking your items.
Note that you won’t have any protection if something breaks if you pack yourself, so ensure to learn how to pack your fragile items. However, you may also get in touch with movers in Garland for complete hassle-free packing and moving to your new destination.
7. Use What You Have at Hand
If you already have some packing materials, you don’t have to buy new ones. For example, you can use your old Amazon boxes or collect packing supplies like markers before purchasing anything.
You can use your sheets, linens, and towels to wrap and protect some things instead of buying loads of packing paper. Although you may need to use packing paper for some fragile kitchen items, you can use what you already have on other things. This will save you some dollars on packing paper and boxes.
8. Fill Up Your Drawers
You’ll want to use every bit of space you have when looking for cost-effective ways to pack for a move. So, filling up your drawers and using them as containers makes sense. You can even leave drawers inside and save extra space if a piece of furniture is sturdy enough. But even if that option isn’t safe, you can still use your drawers to move some lightweight things, such as clothing, bedding, and towels. Just make sure to protect each drawer with moving blankets and stretch film.
9. Know What You’re Buying
Ensure you know what services your moving company offers and what you’re buying. There are many additional charges you can opt into or out of, including packing services and coverage for theft, damage, and loss.
Note that buying moving insurance in case something breaks can save you money in the long run.
10. Pack a Box of Necessities
It can be tempting to buy new medicines or other emergency supplies if you packed them far back in the moving truck. But packing a box of necessity or basic utility items and keeping it near you can keep you from spending money on new items you already own.
11. Ask for Help
Whether it’s during the packing or moving process, moving requires a lot of work. And you don’t have to hire professionals for some tasks your friends or family can help you with. For example, you can ask them to help you pack, clean, paint, babysit/pet sit, or even have a garage sale. These are just some of the tasks most people can do, and if you’re looking to move on a budget, there’s no point in paying for a professional service to handle these tasks.
12. Move During Non-Peak Months
Consider moving to your new destination during non-peak months as it’s more affordable. Rent may also be reduced in January or February because many apartment buildings offer incentives to encourage lease signings in slower months.
Or, you can try to schedule your move sometime in the low season, like October or April, for lower prices. Note that prices tend to be higher on the weekends, so you may want to consider booking movers during the week, too.
13. Consider a Hybrid Move
Moving companies will increase rates dramatically if you’re moving across state lines or to a different city. In this case, you may want to consider a hybrid move, as it can help you save some money or search for affordable movers near me.
A hybrid move is when you hire professionals to load a truck, but you drive it to your new location. Once you arrive, you can get help from other local movers to unload big pieces of furniture and boxes.
Moving Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
Although moving can be challenging and will cost, it doesn’t have to eat your wallet. It’s all in packing and moving efficiently – this way, you can avoid overpaying for things that don’t have to cost a lot or at all.
Following our tips will require extra effort but will pay off in the long run. Once you have the right supplies, organizational tools, packing hacks, and helpful people, both packing and unpacking can be affordable and fast.