Moving can be a costly endeavor. From transportation costs to rent expenses (especially if you’re moving to a bigger place or somewhere with a higher cost of living), it can truly take a toll on a household’s finances. This is why it’s important to cut costs and find services that offer the most bang for your buck. If you are moving anytime soon, here are some essential tips for saving money while you move.
Take a thorough look into moving companies
When looking for professional movers or moving companies that can assist you in transferring your belongings, don’t just go for the first company you find on Facebook. Read every review, weigh every pro and con, call their customer service representatives to know more about their company and services. Here are some key characteristics you need to look for in a moving company:
- Known for being excellent at protecting personal items like furniture
- Knows how to remove trash and debris in ways that won’t hurt the environment
- Offers short and long-term storage
- Has other key features like electronic packing, crating, and installation
- Gives clients comprehensive protection coverage and other options
- Constantly receives good feedback from clients
Even if you have to shell out some cash to hire movers, the benefits far outweigh the amount of money you have to spend since you will be assured that your precious items and belongings will be protected and safe during the move. You never have to worry about repairs when you get to a new home.
Sell your excess belongings
Consider your moving an opportunity to make some extra money. All you need to do is gather your home’s unwanted or unneeded items with enough value. You can follow the Mari Kondo method of letting go of things that no longer spark joy and consider setting them aside for selling. Here are some ways you can sell your excess items:
- Set up an estate sale or garage sale
- List down your items on your neighborhood’s Facebook group
- Use platforms and apps like Nextdoor, OfferUp, or Wallapop
- Consider bartering—it may be the perfect time to give your friends and family some of your items that they’ve always wanted and vise versa
Use up everything you have in your pantry
In the weeks or days leading up to your move, consider going through your kitchen, pantry, and refrigerator, and use up all the food and ingredients you have left instead of eating out or having food delivered. This will help you avoid spending too much on food costs leading up to the big move, and it will also help prevent wasting food and allowing them to spoil.
Don’t buy packing materials
You might be surprised that packing items and materials can be expensive. A big roll of bubble wrap can already set you off for 60 dollars. Instead of buying new items that will only end up in a landfill somewhere, consider the following items as suitable alternatives:
- Kitchen towels to separate bowls and plates
- Socks to wrap expensive glassware
- Look for free cardboard moving boxes on websites like
- Craigslist to find people who are giving them away from free
- Check your home to see if you were able to store your appliances’ original packaging
But if you hire a moving company, you can expect them to worry about these things for you. This is why it’s important to find the best movers out there and weigh the benefits of hiring them against the cons.
Be strategic about when you make the move
If you get to decide on the timeline of your move, consider doing it during the off-season. As a general rule, the peak season for moving is May until September. Moving during the off-season might help you find lower rates, and it might also give you a more convenient time scheduling the move. Another thing to note is avoiding doing the move on weekends. Weekends are usually when clients employ the help of moving services, so they might be more inclined to charge higher during these times. Consider moving on a Monday and ask the company if you can get a discount.
Final Thoughts
Studies found that Americans moved in the past year due to the financial strain COVID-19 placed upon them. If you are one of them, make sure to cut costs wherever you can when you move. With enough research and due diligence, you will certainly find ways to spend less while you move.
