How to Save Money When Moving to a New City

Moving is a sneaky villain.

One moment you’ll think you’ve prepared and budgeted wisely. The next thing you know, you’re barely half-way done, but your funds already dried up. It can be quite stressful when this happens. The cost of moving is one of the reasons that many people dread the thought of moving into a new home.

However, you don’t have to worry as long as you know what you’re doing. If you’re thinking about relocating to another city, here are some effective ways to save money on your upcoming move.

Plan Ahead

Moving without a plan is like going to war without a gun – it’s dangerous and scary. Expenses tend to add up pretty quickly without you realizing it. To counter this, you should have a master plan ready at all times.

Okay, that sounds cool, but why? How does it help me to save money? Good question.

• A plan lets you assess the risks and opportunities. When you know what’s in it for you, you can evaluate whether a particular step/task is worth the money and energy you’ll be expending.

• It helps you obtain your exact needs. With a plan, you can determine which services to employ without spending extra on unnecessary expenses.

• Planning ensures success. You don’t plan ahead just to mess things up. You plan ahead to accomplish your goals, and in this case, that goal is to have a budget-friendly move.

Now that you know how critical planning is, it’s time to tackle aspects to consider when making a plan.

DIY vs. Professional Movers: Which is Better?

This question is one of the most commonly asked by people trying to save money moving. Some people would say DIY moving is obviously the best way to save money—end of story. Well, sure, DIY seems enticing if you look at it from a linear perspective.

However, most people fail to consider the amount of time and effort required to pull off a DIY move. Besides doing everything yourself, you’ll have to account for the expense of packing materials, gas, necessary equipment to lift some furniture, and of course, the rental truck. Take note that you’ll probably miss a lot of days of work to pack everything and load the truck. Not to mention that you’ll have to spend more on repairs and medical bills in case things go south.

On the other hand, you won’t have to worry about these drawbacks when hiring professional movers. Your move would be swift, plus your belongings are insured as well. This dramatically reduces the stress you might experience.

When hiring movers, you’re not only paying for the services but also for the convenience, your peace of mind, and avoiding possible expenses in the future.

Hiring a Good Moving Company

If you choose to hire movers, remember not to settle for less. You want to make sure you get the most out of your money’s worth. The question is: How to hire the best one? Well, Cheap Movers St. Louis, an established moving company in Missouri, has some valuable tips to impart:

• Don’t hire the first company. No matter how good the offer is, it’s always better to have multiple options.

• Ask for quotes from at least three companies that pique your interest. Then pick the most suitable one that fits your needs after comparing their prices and services.

• Remember to check online reviews about potential companies. It’s also wise ask close friends for references.

Find the Perfect Time to Move

Moving companies have off-seasons. Take advantage of fall and winter when demand for moving services is lower, and rates should naturally be lower. You might even try to negotiate the price. The only drawback to move this time of year is that weather conditions might be unfavorable, making your move a bit harder.

On the contrary, moving during summer is the worst if you’re clinging to a tight budget. The pleasant weather makes it ideal for moving, so moving companies are expected to be fully booked. As a result, prices will skyrocket, and you might as well forget about saving money.

However, if you can’t help but move during summer, you can still do two more things to reduce costs.

Downsize Your Home and Pack Resourcefully

The golden rule for moving is pretty simple. The more things you bring with you, the more you have to pay. That’s why you’ll want to purge your home as much as possible.

• Organize your items by separating the ones you’re bringing along from the ones you’re tossing.

• Avoid getting sentimental and learn to let go of inessential objects.

• Hold a garage sale, and sell those belongings that you’ll leave behind. It’s a great way to earn extra money to cover your expenses.

Once you’re done downsizing, it’s time to get things ready. You can skip this part if you’ve hired movers to pack your stuff, but if not, here are some useful hacks:

• Ask for free boxes from your office or from a local liquor or grocery store.

• Use old linen, blankets, and newspapers to wrap breakables instead of buying packing paper.

• Insert disposable foam plates between your dishes to keep them from breaking.

• Utilize your suitcases to pack books and other bulky items. They’re small, easy to carry and move since they have wheels.

Final Word of Advice

In the end, saving money during a move isn’t just all about finding the most inexpensive materials or the cheapest services. It all comes down to quality. Make sure to hire a reliable moving company that offers reasonable prices.

That said, just follow the steps above, and you’re good to go!