The average U.S. citizen will move more than 11 times in her life, so you’ll want to learn the best way to go about it. Making a household move can be exciting, expensive, and stressful, but having a plan of attack can save you big bucks.
Read these five amazing tricks to save on packing during your next household move.
1) Start Packing Early
Most moving companies offer services to pack for you, but if you are on a budget, you may need to pack your things on your own.
If you are still shoving your belongings into boxes when the movers show up, your move is going to take longer, and time is money when your movers are on the clock.
2) Minimize
The fewer items you bring with you, the less it will cost you to move. Have a garage sale. Let this move be the catalyst for cleansing your life of unneeded junk.
Analyze if your furniture is going to work in your new space BEFORE moving. Sell or donate the unusable items ASAP.
Heavy items cost you more in the moving process. Sell off your heavy weights and fitness equipment if you aren’t using them.
Donate heavy food cans or hurricane emergency water to an organization such as Move for Hunger. The bonus is you can claim a tax deduction.
3) Finding Boxes
Check the grocery store for boxes, but sometimes it can be difficult to beat other movers to them. You may want to ask your nearest liquor store–liquor boxes are the perfect size.
Go to social media and ask if anyone has recently moved and has boxes left. You can even check sites like Craigslist or Freecycle for people trying to give them away.
Plastic boxes are great for a household move. They give an added element of protection, and you don’t have to worry about the bottom falling out.
Can’t find extra tubs? Consider renting some from a company that specializes in reusable plastic moving boxes such as BungoBox. They cost 50% less than buying cardboard boxes, and you will be doing your part for the environment.
Already have boxes? Sell your lightly used boxes when you’re finished with them (try Box Cycle).
4) Get Creative With Packing Material
With the amount of online shopping we do these days, you have a fairly steady influx of packages (another excellent source of boxes). Save the packing materials ahead of time by throwing it in garbage bags hidden in your closet.
Use old newspapers and magazines to wrap breakables. Just keep in mind that your hands may get inky.
Wrap your item in your blankets, sheets, and towels. You have to take them with you anyway. Socks work well for small objects.
5) Save Space
The fewer boxes you have, the better. This will save you time and money on multiple levels. When you can, be sure to nestle smaller objects inside larger ones.
Bonus Tip for Your Household Move
Hire a moving company.
That’s right. You may not think of this as saving you money, but in the long run, it truly will.
It’s hard moving everything on your own, so it’s likely you will ask family and friends for help. “Hiring” friends will cost you a few meals at the least.
A hidden cost when moving antiques – you can’t blame friends for breaking them. Avoid that awkward moment altogether and leave it to the pros.
Perhaps most importantly hiring a moving company will save you time. Time is money, and you can’t afford to waste it.
If you realize hiring a moving company for your household move is the best money saving tip for you, then contact Browning Moving & Storage right away. You honestly can’t afford not to.