With a little creativity, you can significantly cut your moving costs. When you’re about to move into a new apartment, there are some things you can’t skimp on, but for things like moving and packing supplies, you can cut your costs to almost nothing.
Save Shipping Materials
Start stashing boxes away up to six months before moving day; whenever you receive a package in the mail, save the box. Also make sure to stock up on Bubble Wrap and Styrofoam whenever you can — they make great padding for fragile items. Saving newspapers, magazines and junk mail can also pay off for the same reason. Sure, you may feel like a packrat for a few months, but it will be worth it when you don’t have to run to the store at the last minute to buy pricey packing paper or purchase it from a moving company at an exorbitant rate.
photo credit: Life In Leggings
Make Donations
Every apartment is different, which means the sofa and lounge you bought for your current space may not fit in your new place. Measure your new apartment carefully and map out furniture placement. Sell unneeded furniture on Craigslist or donate it; many charity organizations will even pick up furniture for free. Make sure to save your receipts and document donations to get a tax deduction. Consider the small stuff, too. Books, for instance, require super-strong boxes because they are so heavy. If you can donate part of your collection to the local library or VA hospital, you’ll make moving that much easier, do a good deed and reduce your tax burden.
Ask for Free Moving Boxes
Send up a flare on your social networks by asking friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to save boxes for you. You’ll be surprised by how many people will come to your aid. Calling local liquor stores, grocery stores and bookstore chains can also prove useful. Such stores often have free, medium-sized boxes that are perfect for packing. All you have to do is ask for them and be willing to pick them up at a certain time. As a general rule, if you plan ahead, you should never need to spend a dime on cardboard boxes.
Re-Purpose Items for Padding
Use items you already own as padding for other items. Wrap your breakables in your vintage T-shirts or kitchen towels. Roll your clothes, especially socks, sweats and T-shirts — anything you’re not concerned about wrinkling — and stuff them in boxes as extra padding. If you don’t have moving blankets or shrink wrap, cover heavy furniture in bedding and blankets. You can also use towels in lieu of furniture sliders to glide items like dressers across the floor. Instead of packing pillows in boxes, stuff them in the moving van between breakables for extra padding or to fill space.
Shop Sales and Snag Coupons
A little legwork and creativity can get you almost everything you need for packing. But there are some supplies you’ll need to buy: cleaning products, permanent markers for labeling boxes and lots of packing tape. Rather than relying on a one-stop moving supply store, shop around for the best deals. Pro tip: When you register your change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, you’ll instantly receive over $500 in valuable moving-related coupons to help reduce your moving expenses.
photo credit: Kingsway Van Lines
Make a Budget
When you outline your moving budget, don’t forget to include incidental expenses like gas for the moving truck, supplies you may have to rent or buy, and food and drinks for your moving crew — or your family and friends. Moving is a hassle, so anything you can do to ease the pain can be a huge help. Some of these tips may seem small, but they can make a big difference in easing the overall stress of a move. What would you add to our list?