7 Tips for Saving Money When Relocating

These Are The Money Saving Moving Tips You’ve Been Looking For

No matter how you slice it, moving is expensive. According to Worldwide ERC, a workforce mobility association, the average cost of transporting household goods in 2012 stood at $12,459. But just because moving isn’t cheap, doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save. Employ these seven tips to save money when relocating.

#1. Do It Yourself

Going it alone when moving may seem like a daunting task, but with the right planning, it’s actually not that bad. You can rent a truck from Budget or Penske for a reasonable rate, and pick up boxes from stores like Lowes or Costco for free. On moving day, ask friends and family to help (you can always bribe them with pizza and drinks). You’d be surprised how quickly the work gets done when you have a whole group pitching in.

#2. Go Partial DIY (aka Hybrid Move)

If you don’t have the time or energy to do it all on your own, and don’t have thousands of dollars to hire a big full service moving company, then make a Hybrid Move: pack up your stuff, rent a moving truck or moving container, then hire moving labor (movers that don’t bring a truck – they’re WAY cheaper). You’ll only spend a few hundred bucks instead of a few thousand, and you won’t have to lift a thing! To save even more money, you can take apart bed frames and disassemble furniture to reduce the hourly labor rate of the move help.

#3. Save on Moving Supplies

Don’t buy moving supplies from the truck rental company – they charge a premium rate. Hit up local grocery and liquor stores for free moving boxes, and use the dollar store for tape and bubble wrap. And don’t forget, you can use items you have on hand to save on packing materials. For instance, use t-shirts and cloth napkins to wrap your glassware.

#4. Sell Unneeded Stuff

Before you even start packing up, get rid of all the stuff you no longer need. Amazon and eBay are the perfect places to sell small electronics and college textbooks; use Craigslist for larger items, such as furniture and appliances. There’s no sense lugging a bunch of stuff you don’t need to your new house.

#5. Use Tax Deductions

If your move is job-related, make sure you avail yourself of all tax deductions. There are several qualifications to consider, but if you qualify, you can deduct mileage incurred during your move, as well as other expenses. For more details, see IRS Publication 521.

#6. Choose Your Moving Company Wisely

If you decide to hire some moving labor help, make sure to do your research. Get the final, not-to-exceed total price before booking, in writing (email counts) plus whatever the additional cost might be if more hours are needed. Read reviews and check credentials (licensing, insurance, etc.) on sites like HireAHelper.

#7. Find Dining Discounts: Use Deal-of-the-Day Sites

Moving is exhausting, so you probably won’t be in the mood to cook the day you move. Deal of the day websites, such as Groupon and LivingSocial, make eating out more affordable. Just type in your new zip code and peruse the available vouchers. You can usually get 50% discounts at local restaurants.

After you move, the way you unpack can also save you money. Get the kitchen set up first so you won’t need to rely on buying takeout, then focus on your laundry room and bathroom. With your toiletries and cleaning supplies in place, you won’t be constantly running to the store to pick up necessities you can’t find.

How have you saved $$$ when moving?

Don Edwards lives in Texas and writes about strategies to save money and get the most out of your budget.