Do you know how much cash you could save in your move? It will all depend on how much stuff you are taking with you, how much help your boss or your company is willing to spend (if your move is for job relocation), and how far your final destination will be.
Typical Moving Expenses
You need to understand the typical expenses involved in a move. Here are some of the estimated expenses:
1. Costs of moving
- professional moving service – $3,500
- moving and packing supplies – $300
rental of storage space – $250
2. Moving out and moving in
- home repairs – $300 to $1,500
- damage or security deposit – $1,600
- utility deposits – $300
3. Expenses while travelling
- airline ticket – $150 to $300
- fuel – $40
4. Estimated total – $6,790 to $8,140
Ways to Save on Moving Expenses
As the above figures show, moving from one place to another can make a big dent on your bank account. Therefore you need the following tips so you can reduce the costs in whatever way you can.
Cut down the costs of your moving supplies
By buying affordable packing supplies on online sellers, or asking a friend who has moved recently for the boxes that he used, you can easily cut your expenses to some degree.
Or you can buy used boxes in grocery stores. They are more than willing to sell you their used boxes because they can turn them into cold cash instead of just throwing them away.
You can also use old newspapers instead of buying bubble wraps. Just crumple each page and you will have the same protective effect of the bubble wrap.
You can also use your own blankets, area rugs and linens instead of paying rent for the padded blankets that most moving trucks use during transport.
Reduce the cost of manpower
If you decide to hire a professional mover such as U-Haul or Enterprise, request him if you could opt for the option where you will do the packing and they will do the transporting.
In this set up, you will be responsible for all the packing and unpacking of your stuff and the hired company will load, transport and unload your items at the final destination.
You can also ask the help of volunteers from your relatives or close friends. If you have a good relationship with them, they will be more than willing to lend their hands in packing your stuff, cleaning the house that you are vacating and so forth.
Consolidate your stuff with others
If you don’t immediately need some of your items, you can request the mover to consolidate them with their other customers and have them delivered at the time of their choosing. This will entitle you to certain discounts.
Stay with a friend the night before you move
The night before you move, everything will have been packed, including your bedroom stuff. So, where will you sleep? A hotel will be very comfortable and cozy, but it will cost you additional money.
So, why not stay with a family member, or a relative close by, or a friend? Request them if you could spend the night with them. They would be glad to oblige since it just for one night.
Or if you have the equipment and the tools, you can sleep right in your own living room floor using sleeping bags. Sleeping pads will make your sleep more comfortable.
Save on overnight travel
If you are doing a cross country move, you will eventually spend the night out in the open. One of the best ways you can save money is to plan your route so that when nighttime comes, you are very near or at a camping ground site.
Make sure that moving trucks are allowed before you depart so that you won’t be surprised. There are parks which have vehicle size restrictions, some have a limit on the number of vehicles they allow inside, and some parks do not allow moving trucks at all.
You can also check for discounts on motels or inns along your route. Perhaps your auto club membership may have provisions for this kind of travel. There’s nothing wrong in checking for this provision before you move.
Save on food while travelling
You can lessen the stress you and your family is experiencing by eating comfort foods while on the road. When lunch or dinner time comes, it is also a good time to give everyone, especially the driver, their needed rests.
When buying lunch or dinner, try to get a balance between saving and comfort needs. You don’t want to buy cheap food just so you could save money. You will earn the displeasure of everyone. So, buy the best food that you can afford but also consider the amount that you want to save.
