Moving can seem like a ridiculous burden just in the labor of it all, but financially it can also push the limits of your pocketbook. All the little last minute things that come up seem to be a serious drain, even if it's just a few rolls of tape here and a snack there, it all adds up. Here's a few ways you can prepare ahead of time to save a buck or two.
1. Make Meals Ahead Of Time: Man can only live on peanut butter sandwiches and popcorn for so long before you start eating out. A few weeks before you move, sit down and make a few easily frozen items. A lasagna, pot pies, something along those lines that will leave you full and satisfied. Freeze them in individual portions so they're easy to reheat, since you know you won't be packing your microwave until the last minute!
2. Don't Buy Boxes: Start collecting boxes as early as a month in advance. Living with a few stacks of them in your space is far better than schilling out the big bucks to buy them new at the last minute. If you start collecting them early, there's a chance you'll also pack early, letting you know exactly how many boxes you'll really need!
3. Don't Buy Things For The New Place: It's easy to pick up an item here or there if you're not going to be moving it to your new place. Instead, wait and do all that shopping on one day so you don't have to pay to transport it before hand. It will also help keep you from buying silly things that you don't need or that might be a distraction from getting your packing done. (Like the one time I watched multiple seasons of LOST in attempts to procrastinate packing!)
4. Cleaning Products: It's easy to go overboard on cleaning products when you first move, albeit in or out of a space. For the most part, all your cleaning responsibilities can be tackled by baking soda, water, lemon juice and white vinegar. They're cheap, they're easy and if you clean before stuff is moved in or after everything is packed upon move out, it's a snap to give things a once over without paying for big name cleaners and all their packaging.
5. Friends or Movers, Not Both: Although friends helping you move is great, if you have more than a 2 bedroom apartment, chances are you just need to hire movers instead. It's easy to think friends can help (and they probably will), but it's also easy to say, "I'll get that later" when they're lending a hand. All that little stuff at the end means last minute trips that cost gas and time. Own up to movers and be ready when they show, or ensure things are packed for friends to get it all at once!
Do you have any tips on how to save some cash while going through the moving process? Share your learned wisdom in the comments below!
Image: Flickr member Jo Naylor licensed for use by Creative Commons
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I think that setting aside an emergency moving stash would be helpful- you can start setting it up a couple months in advance. To have a little extra on the side that's JUST for the move-out/move-in process can keep you from dipping into your regular funds, which can keep you from feeling like you're spending tons of money just trying to change locations!
Great idea from Uniquemonique on the moving stash! This is also good for the first-night-too-tired-to-move-let's-order-in-or-go-out.
I start an "open me first" box with first-night-in-the-new-place essentials. Sheets, blanket, lamp, box cutter.
@amygoog: #1 is referring to having food to eat before the move, but after your cooking utensils (pots/pans, etc) are packed into boxes. Not that you would move that food.
When you're moving several states, it's often easier to not try to move your old household goods like paper towels, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, etc.
But if you do decide to ditch the replaceable stuff, I would still recommend at least packing one small box with a few samples of the things you'll need most - a roll of toilet paper, a couple garbage bags, etc.
Yes, you can buy new ones when you get there - but you might be off schedule and get there at the wrong time when everything is closed, or the only thing that will be open is the very expensive corner store where you'll have to spend a lot because you *have* to have toilet paper. Much better to have a couple necessaries on hand and be able to go to a cheaper store at your leisure than be stuck buying expensive supplies.
And yes, in case you're wondering, I did learn this from experience. ;)
never friends, hire movers! if just across town, it's very affordable - the case of beer days are over....
Every time I move, I make two weeks' worth of freezable food in advance and it all goes into the freezer. Half goes to the new place (along with extra cleaning supplies, a few jugs of emergency water, and a small supply of nonperishable food) for eating while settling in. The other half gets eaten up during my last week packing up the old place. I realize it isn't an option for long-distance moves, but it works for me.
And FYI: your "Open First" box should contain a well-stocked first aid kit. Bandages can be expensive, especially if you have to buy them from the only store that's still open at 11pm, and it's dead easy to get hurt while moving. I speak from experience.
I collect banana boxes whenever I move (and that is too often...) I just go to the supermarkets in the neighbourhood at opening time (go later and someone else has picked them up) and ask for all their banana boxes. Sometimes I'd get as many as 10 in one go. The boxes are very sturdy, have grip holes to lift the box and are all the same size: easy stacking! And you're not tempted to keep them for your next move ;-) As for food, I check out the snack bars in my new neighbourhood. No kitchen necessary, no dirty pots, no dishes. And you get to check out the neighbourhood, have a chat about what's happening. At my old place, I had neighbours invite me for dinner whilst I was moving. I miss my old street... You don't find the same friendliness everywhere...
As for using friends, I've done it a few times. Usually hiring someone to do the really heavy stuff (want to keep my friends). But when you move every 2-3 years, there comes a point where you better hire movers :-D I usually do all the less heavy stuff myself (most moving boxes and small objects).
Definitely hire movers. I just moved 8 weeks ago, and hired a company that charges $118/hour with a two hour minimum. I was only moving a mile down the road, and had taken a few car loads of stuff already. The movers finished in less than two hours, including putting the bed together for me and making sure all furniture was exactly where I wanted it, all for less than $225. I would have spent nearly as much on a u-haul plus gas and pizza/beer for my friends, plus I had a full day and tons of energy left to start unpacking!
Great tips. The Craigslist Free section is a good place for boxes. Lots of people give them away after they move. Always hire movers.
Moving is amazingly stressful and expensive and these are some good solid common sense tips - why not have a garage sale before you move so you have less junk to take with you and shop around for three quotes from different movers before you make your choice.