Stretching a Thin Budget When You Move

Moving to another state is exciting. There are so many new things to see and do.

But if you are on a tight budget, getting to your destination might bring on stress and take away any feelings of joy. If you put a well-thought-out plan in place your move can go smoothly and for much less than you might imagine.

Rental Truck, Professional Moving Company or POD

The first decision you're going to need to make is whether or not to hire a professional company or go it alone.

Before you dismiss a moving company like Allied, it's important to take all expenses and labor at both ends into careful consideration. The most obvious advantage to hiring movers is that they pack up, lift onto and off the truck, are responsible for any damage to your belongings and they?also unpack at the receiving end.

This is a big deal if you don't have any family or friends in the area where you are going, and if you are trekking across the country. When you rent a truck and do the loading and unloading yourself you will save money.

But you will also have the tedious task of packing and need to do the lifting, moving, and driving on your own.

A third way that's often not thought of, and may even offer the best of both worlds, is a POD or other storage container. A container gets dropped off and then you fill it and then let the company know the date you want it removed.

They, in turn, remove it and take it to your new destination. The advantage to this over the rental truck is that you don't need to drive.

In all cases, it's best to get several written quotes so you can make your final decision.

Seasons, Holidays, and Weekends

When renting a truck or hiring movers it's also important to plan for the off-season and off times as much as possible.

Avoid the summer months if you can, as sometimes the rates can almost double. Also, schedule your move or move yourself during the week. This will not only save you money, it will also help you to avoid lengthy traffic delays that often occur on the weekends.

Of course, if you're driving and the only time you can leave is the weekend, consider traveling overnight. This will take away a lot of the frustration that comes with stop-and-go traffic and a full load.

How to Cut Costs on Packing

Whether using a professional moving company or driving yourself, there are many ways to save money on packing.

Using your own boxes can help eliminate the need for spending a few hundred dollars. Local businesses usually throw away many of their boxes and are happy to give them away if you time their delivery dates.

If you don't have the time to wait for a shipment you can still save a few dollars by purchasing them yourself. Moving companies do have restrictions on sizes and quantities of each, so just make sure to review their requirements so you don't get charged extra.

In addition to supplying your own boxes, pack up your items using linens, towels, newspaper and coffee filters.

Everything You Bring Adds to the Cost

If it's been a few years since you've cleaned out your garage, basement or attic, chances are pretty good that you have a lot of stuff you don't really need.

A yard sale will not only help you to downsize before your move, but it will also help you to earn a few extra dollars during the process. Anything that doesn't sell you can give to family or friends, or donate (for a tax deduction).

Host a Moving Party for Family and Friends

The best way to get your apartment or home cleaned and the last items packed is to host a party prior to your departure. You can assign certain cleaning tasks to family and friends and then for their efforts you feed them. It's a great way to spend quality time and get in your goodbyes all at once.

Moving doesn't have to become overwhelming. With a little planning and weighing both the pros and cons of hiring professional movers vs driving, you can enjoy your move, say goodbye to family and friends and look forward to moving into your new home.