8 Tips to Save Money When Moving

Moving to a new home can be super exciting! But it can also be crazy expensive. All those boxes, tape, bubble wrap – it adds up fast.
And that doesn’t include hiring movers or renting a truck!

Luckily, we’ve also picked up some great tips along the way to make moving cheaper and less stressful. Let’s dive in!

Declutter Before You Pack

Before you start packing up a single thing, take a good look around your place. You might be shocked by how much stuff you actually have that you don’t really need or even use! Every room is probably full of things that could easily be sold, donated, or thrown out.

Do an honest evaluation of each item. Ask yourself: When was the last time I used or wore this? Does it still bring me joy? Would I repurchase this if I didn’t already own it? If you’re on the fence, be really real with yourself about whether you want to pay to move something you don’t absolutely love or need.

Getting rid of stuff before the packing stage is so important! Fewer items means fewer boxes, which saves you money on packing supplies, movers, and truck rental fees. You’re also less likely to accumulate hidden costs from going over weight limits if you pare down your belongings first.

Key Takeaway: Decluttering not only saves you money, but it also helps streamline your move and make unpacking in your new home much easier.

Get Creative with Packing Materials

When it comes to actually packing up the stuff you are taking, you can easily blow hundreds of dollars on buying boxes, bubble wrap, and other supplies brand new. But hold up! There are so many ways to find affordable or even free packing materials if you think creatively.

First, boxes. Moving boxes can be crazily expensive. But you can get gently used boxes for free from many local businesses. Try asking at grocery stores, home goods shops, or liquor stores if they have any to spare. They usually have tons after unpacking their own stock shipments and are happy to get rid of them.

For padding and wrapping fragile items, look around your own home! Old towels, sheets, blankets, and clothes make great protective soft wrapping. Just be sure to launder them first for a fresh start in your new place. Scrunch up newspaper pages or shipping paper inside boxes and vases. Get inventive with what you already have before shelling out for brand-new supplies.

Key Takeaway: Be resourceful and look for free or inexpensive packing materials to save money on supplies.

Read More: Personal Loan for Moving

Compare Moving Quotes

When it comes to hiring professional movers, the costs can really range all over the map. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to get quotes from at least three different companies before deciding. And I mean real, detailed quotes – not just vague ballpark estimates over the phone.

Be upfront about exactly what is being moved and how far to get accurate pricing. Some companies will quote super low hourly rates or flat fees but then nickel-and-dime you with add-ons later. Make sure to ask if their quotes include things like fuel, mileage, elevators, stairs, helper charges, unpacking services, etc.

Key Takeaway: Since moving companies can vary greatly in pricing, it’s important to get quotes from multiple companies and compare them thoroughly.

Consider a DIY Move

Of course, one surefire way to save money on your move is to just do it yourself! Rather than hire movers, you can rent a truck and get some friends, family, or neighbors to help with packing and unloading.

This takes more effort on your end, but it can majorly reduce costs – especially if you have willing volunteers who will work for pizza! Just make sure to get a realistic sense of how much physical labor you and your helpers are able and willing to handle.

Moving heavy pieces of furniture up or down multiple flights of stairs is no joke. You have to decide if the amount you’ll save is enough to be worth taking on most of the hard work yourself. Get a truck rental quote and calculate if it’s cheaper than professional movers with labor before committing.

Key Takeaway: DIY moves can save you a lot of money, but make sure to carefully assess your abilities and the amount of work involved before deciding on this option.

Choose the Right Time to Move

Something you might not realize is that moving rates actually change quite a bit based on the timing of your move. Weekends tend to be most expensive since lots of people opt for end-of-week moves. Prices are also higher at the end of the month when leases commonly start and end.

If possible, aim to move midweek or earlier in the month. For example, a Tuesday or Wednesday is ideal. Movers and truck rentals tend to be much more affordable when demand is lower during these off-peak times.

Key Takeaway: Choosing a less popular time to move can save you money on hiring professional movers and renting trucks.

Pack Efficiently

How you actually pack up your boxes and load up the truck plays a part in your total moving costs, too. The goal is to maximize the space within each box and inside the truck itself. This prevents you from needing more boxes or overflow space, which adds cost.

Fill each box fully without going overboard and making it too heavy to lift. Equally, distribute weight to prevent weak bottom seams. For large furniture, remove detachable legs or hardware, which you can pack separately to fit it all tightly into the truck.

Then, place heavy items like dressers and appliances closest to the front and group lighter boxes toward the back to prevent shifting during transport. Take advantage of all the space available to avoid last-minute scrambles or extra junk removal runs.

Key Takeaway: Packing efficiently and strategically can help you minimize the number of boxes needed and prevent damage to your belongings during the move, ultimately saving you money.

Disconnect and Reconnect Utilities Wisely

With everything else going on during a move, it can be easy to space on handling your utilities. But overlapping utility bills between your old and new place can really take a chunk out of your budget.

As soon as you have your move-out date confirmed, call your utility companies to close out accounts at your current home. Try to schedule a disconnect date 1-2 days after your last day there to avoid paying for extra unused days.

Then, set up new utility accounts ASAP at your new address so they are turned on the day you move in. Even short disconnect gaps can lead to annoying and expensive service fees down the road, so stay on top of these transfers.

Key Takeaway: Plan ahead and coordinate your utility disconnections and reconnects to avoid extra fees or overlapping bills.

Keep Important Documents and Valuables Close

Some of your most valuable possessions – whether financial, sentimental, or both – should always stay close during a move. This includes legal documents, irreplaceable photos and heirlooms, expensive jewelry, and small electronics.

Don’t trust even the most careful movers with these! Keep them in your personal vehicle or a safe box you carry with you rather than load them onto the truck. You really don’t want to take risks losing or having cherished items damaged.

Taking responsibility for moving your own valuables means you can also likely avoid purchasing additional moving insurance to cover them. That’s an extra savings! Handle these special possessions gently, and don’t let them out of your sight through the whole process.

Key Takeaway: Keep important documents and valuables with you during the move to ensure their safety and potentially save on additional insurance costs.

Final Thoughts

Moving can get expensive fast, but hopefully these tips gave you a game plan to save big on your next relocation. Decluttering, gathering free boxes, moving mid-week, and keeping valuables close are small things that make a huge difference.

What other creative ways have you found to cut costs for an upcoming move? Share your money-saving tricks and ideas below!