Moving on a Budget: Tips to Alleviate Stress & Save

It's not a secret that moving is one of the most stressful things you can do but it can also be costly. We've compiled a list of money-saving tips and ways to alleviate some of the stress of moving. We know that money is a cause of stress, too, so planning for your move can go a long way.

1. Plan Ahead- Again, the biggest thing you can do to help alleviate stress and save money is to plan. We know that moving isn't always in your control, but do some backward planning and set your goals and tasks to be accomplished as soon as possible. Booking your U-Haul or POD ahead of time will save you from potential surges in price increases, and, of course, if you are moving cross-country, booking that hotel room ahead of time will save you as well. You can save money there, too, if you have flexibility with your move date.

   
   

2. Move on a Week Day or During The "Off" Season- If you can help it, try not to move in the summer. Families especially want to be settled before school starts, but if you can avoid the summer surges, you'll likely save a pretty penny here. If you don't have control over the month or season you're moving, opt for a weekday. Taking a day off of work (if you're remote or moving nearby) may pay dividends later on, even if unpaid. Moving trucks and gas costs are likely to be lower on a weekday as opposed to the weekend, as the demand is lower. Traffic may also be lighter during the week, especially if you live in the DMV or are moving anywhere off the beltway or the I-95 corridor. 

   
   

3. Purge, Baby, Purge- It might be tempting to "take care of it later," but purging before you move can pay off. Our military clients know this already, but they only have a specific weight allotment dependent on their rank, so they must be at or lower than that arbitrary number or they pay. The size U-Haul you need to rent (if you're moving yourself) or what your hired movers are estimating can save you, too, if you can downsize to the smaller truck. Your significant items may also need to be revised in your new digs. If you're moving from a house into an apartment or the opposite, you may have different furniture needs. See what will fit and what won't. You may even want to take measurements and ensure all your furniture will fit through your new access points. Selling large items or even donating some may pay off. We know a few friends who now have a "garage couch" because their old couch won't fit in their new house. (They could have rented a smaller truck and saved on that cost by donating the couch before moving it.) Decluttering always helps reduce stress; the less stuff you drive, the lower your cost will typically be. 

   
   

4. Hire Professionals or Don't- Weigh (sometimes literally) your options. It might be more cost-effective to load up your vehicles with smaller items and rent a truck for a day for multiple runs, or it might be worth it to load up a big-wheeler and fill it in one go. If you have time and are making a local move, you will have more options. You'll also want to compare prices with various companies. Make sure they're insured, and don't just go with the lowest quote, but see who has different packages that make the most sense. Some companies include packers and packing materials, and some only physically load, drive, and unload.

   
   

5. Reuse Packing Materials or Be Creative- You might get lucky and score boxes and packing materials from a local "Buy Nothing" group or hit the liquor store and Costco to swipe some used boxes and packages for your personal use. Still, you might have some excellent packing material from your items that need to be moved anyways. For example, you can use your socks to cover glasses and wrap plates in hand towels or microfiber clothes. 

   
   

6. Label Everything & Keep An Inventory- Some things may not require strategic packing or you might not use or need them right away. Having a comprehensive inventory of all of your things may help you purge some items and save you time and stress. If moving in the summer, for example, there's no need to unpack that box of winter clothes immediately or even touch the boxes labeled Christmas decor for months. Those items can go straight to the closet, attic, garage, or even a storage unit. 

   
   

7. Be Strategic in Your Packing- You obviously will pack things you don't need first and can save a lot of space by using vacuum seal bags for bulky items, like comforters and blankets, but you may also want to pack a "First Night Box." This box (or two) will be filled with all of the things you'll need immediately, from cleaning supplies down to an air bed or sheets to get that bedroom set up first to paper products or a small cooler with a frozen meal or casserole you prepped ahead of time just to toss in the oven upon arrival to your new home. 

   
   

There are numerous ways to make that first day a little easier. Yes, you can always order take-out, but this blog is about SAVING money, remember? Unpacking strategically will also help you cut down on costs. Focus on your essentials. That will prevent making unnecessary purchases while settling into your new home. If you're moving to a much larger place, save up for more significant purchases or create a running "want list." That way, you can watch for deals and pull the trigger when a sale or opportunity arises. Differentiating between wants and needs can go a long way, too. '

8. Eat At Home- Yes, this may seem obvious, but eat at home and get creative with your meals both before moving out and during your first few nights in the new place. Restocking all of your essentials takes time and can be expensive, so keep whatever you can, but if things are approaching expiration or won't travel with you, get creative with some new meals and play "Clean Out," making a meal out of what's leftover in your fridge and pantry. 

   
   

9. Compare Insurance Quotes and Costs- Different states have different rates. Your last homeowner's or automobile insurance may differ drastically from your previous place to your new one. Where your vehicle is parked may affect or influence your costs; commute times and mileage might decrease, and even state-to-state rates can be dramatically different. Check out all of your options. You might even be able to swing a deal from your current company by asking about loyalty deals or with a quote from a competitor or scoop a deal for being a new customer elsewhere.

   
   

10. Change Your Address & Ask About Reimbursement- Again, this one might be obvious, but holding your mail and/or completing your change of address notifications early will ensure that 1) you get all of your final bills and 2)  you avoid late fees. Many companies will pay to move you as well. If you're moving because of a new job, you might be offered relocation pay or be reimbursed, but you should at least ask. If you are military, all of your moving expenses are tax-deductible. If you own your own business or work from home, you may want to consult a tax advisor too and see what, if anything, you can write off on your taxes. 

    
    

11. Stop & Start Utility Services- You’ll want to ensure your transition is as smooth as possible. This includes getting all of your utilities shut off at your old place and turned on at your new one. Suppose you have a job that also depends on your internet connection. In that case, you’ll want to ensure you have connectivity upon moving in, or you may just find it necessary to stream a show and keep little ones occupied while you start unpacking. (Adding that investing in a babysitter to watch kids while moving is money well spent.) Call ahead and get those appointments scheduled and on the books. You’ll also avoid potential add-on fees if you provide advanced notice of shut-off fees or have to complete small tasks, such as turning in your garbage bins.

    
    

Of course, almost everything on this list can be outsourced. You might be more interested in saving your relationship and saving yourself the stress, so some outsourcing, like hiring a cleaning company to do a move-in clean or hiring a hand through an app like TaskRabbit, would be well worth the investment and save you a potential fight while re-assembling furniture. If you're approaching middle age, too, long gone are the days you could steal a buddy or two and offer a few pizzas and a case of beer in exchange for moving help. Weigh all of your options according to your own preferences. Save your back or save a few bucks, the choice is yours. Some things may be well worth the investment and extra costs to save you stress or more physical labor. You know yourself and your capabilities best. If you need any help, reach out and we’ll provide a list of potential vendors and businesses that can help with some of the tasks above. We also allow our clients to borrow our East + Ivy truck for local moves, saving you some stress and money. 

If we can help with anything else, feel free to give us a call. Moving can and is stressful, but we hope to make it as painless as possible.