How to Save Money When Moving

Whether for college, work, or pleasure, most of us have moved homes at least once in our lifetimes. In fact, the average American moves almost 12 times in their life.

Yet being familiar with relocating doesn’t necessarily make it an easy task. There’s everything from packing to transportation and logistics to think about and plan meticulously. There’s also the unwanted stress of the associated costs and how to afford everything when working with a budget. It’s little wonder then that moving often ranks alongside death and divorce as one of life’s biggest stressors. (And if this is your first time, all this follows after you figure out how to become a homeowner.)

Fortunately, though, there are ways to make your dream relocation go as smoothly as possible. Read on to discover seven simple ways to save money when moving.

The Best Ways to Save Money When Moving Out of State

1. Clear Out Your Clutter

The fewer things you have to transport, the cheaper your move will be. Consequently, moving is the perfect time to have a clear-out. As well as being one of the simplest ways to save money, it will free up much-wanted time and space. So go through all of your belongings and consider whether you really need them.

Not sure what to do with your now unneeded items? You can donate them or turn them into profits by holding a garage sale and posting them on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace. Then, watch your extra cash grow by placing the profits in an online savings account to put toward future wants and needs.

2. Don’t Waste Money on Boxes

One thing that you can’t do without when moving is a heap load of boxes. Relocation businesses thrive on us not being organized enough to think ahead and are thus more than happy to supply them at a cost. But there’s really no need to dig into your savings to pay for them.

Anyone that’s moved recently is going to have empty boxes lying around the house and occupying space, which they’d be delighted to get rid of for free. Check on the free stuff section of your local Craigslist page and ask friends via social media platforms. Workplaces and grocery stores are also goldmines for boxes.

If your search for free boxes is unsuccessful or you are concerned about your environmental footprint, then renting plastic moving boxes can be an affordable and sustainable option.

3. Rent a Self-Drive a Truck

Traditionally, we contract the services of professional movers to drive our stuff to our new home. While this is a convenient option—they’ll handle all of the heavy lifting—it’s also a pricey one. On average, movers charge $4,890 for a 1,000-mile move for a 2-3 bedroom house.

If, though, you can pack and load all of your belongings into a truck, renting one and driving yourself is a sure-fire way to save money. This is a notably budget-friendly option for those with smaller loads and the ability to complete the move in a single day.

Here's a tip: Check that everything is loaded safely and protected from the elements. You won’t want to use your precious savings and investments to replace damaged or lost items. And shop around—the first deal isn’t always the best.

4. Or Take the Bus

If you don’t own any bulky items or furniture, then taking the bus is among the best ways to save money when moving out of state. The Greyhound Package Express shipping service lets you send up to five pieces with a total weight of 500 pounds. Opt for door-to-door service, and you’ll remove the hassle of transporting your things to and from a station, too.

How soon your stuff arrives depends upon how far it needs to travel, so remember to pack any essentials in your carry-on.

5. Move in the Moving Off-Season

According to studies, some 80% of all moves across the United States take place between April and September. Several factors influence this, including favorable weather conditions, the kids being off school, and the start of the college year. Like the travel season, though, the peak moving season generates a higher demand, leading to severe price hikes.

You can cut your costs significantly by planning your move in the non-peak season months of October through March. You’ll find a greater availability of rental trucks, benefit from discounted rates, and have more clout to negotiate with moving companies. With fewer people moving, landlords might even be more inclined to offer lower rentals.

6. Plan Your Meals in Advance

Ordering a pizza—or your favorite takeaway—and eating on the floor on the first night at your unpacked new home is a rite of passage. But, even if your cookware and utensils are at the bottom of a box somewhere, repeatedly ordering in on the days leading up to and after your move is going to be costly.

Spend time prepping and freezing meals that you can access and heat up easily. If the kitchen isn’t your friend, you might want to enlist the services of a meal delivery service.  

7. Coordinate Your Utility, Internet, and Cable Bills

Moving is expensive enough, so the last thing you want is to be making double payments for cable, internet, and utilities—eventually, there’s going to be one house where these services are redundant. Contact the companies in advance to discuss your options and align the start and end dates of your accounts.

Should you be in a position to stay with friends or family while preparing your move, then save some extra dollars by switching off all utilities and pack during the daytime. For your new home, don’t forget to enquire about new account specials and discounted activation fees. Also see if it makes sense to keep your current bank account when you move.

A new home deserves all the love and attention that it can be given. Wherever you are heading, you can start saving with the Monorail app.

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