Moving isn’t just a stressful and exhausting experience, it’s also often incredibly expensive. On top of all of the packing material, you’ll also generally need to cover the cost of movers or a moving vehicle, cleaning fees, and more. Moving on a budget can be hard work, but with the right effort and tricks, you can get settled in your new home without breaking the bank. Use this guide to move without it costing you an arm and a leg.
Pack Smarter, Not Harder
When packing for your move, you want to pack as many items as possible with as few packing materials. However, you also don’t want to end up damaging your belongings during the move. Before you begin, sorting and organizing your items can help you pack your belongings in a way that makes the most sense. Form two or three piles and fill a few bags. Collect anything you will throw away, and fill a bag of items you will donate. The more you downsize before your move, the fewer items you’ll have to pack. Make sure you’re packing things in line with the order that you’ll want to unpack them.
Clean Both Old And New Spaces
Once you’ve got all of your belongings packed, it’s time to start deep cleaning. Cleaning your old home or apartment can help make it easier to sell, or ensure that you get your full security deposit back. Be careful about which cleaning products you use during your deep clean. An EPA study concluded that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air. A spotless home or old apartment can have very real implications for your moving finances.
Provide Your Own Transportation
While hiring movers can be incredibly helpful for completing your move, they’re not everyone’s first choice. After all, hiring professional movers is expensive, and the cost isn’t always worth the convenience for every situation. Instead, if you’re planning on tackling your own move, make sure you have a vehicle that’s able to handle moving large, bulky items. Ideally, if you or a friend own a truck, you’ll be able to move a bit more easily, but some models are better than others. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500‘s truck bed was widened by seven inches, and the entire vehicle weighs nearly 450 pounds less than previous models, fulfilling the goal for increased fuel efficiency. Keep in mind that even with a truck with a larger bed, you may need to make multiple trips to get everything into your new home.
Prepare Your New Home For Savings
Finally, once you’ve reached your new home, you’ll want to prepare it for as many savings as possible in the future. The more adjustments you can make while you’re still moving into the home, the more you’ll be able to save in the future. For example, check on various appliances and utilities that could help you save energy and money. In an average home, heating and cooling make up 54% of annual utility bills. However, better heat pumps or air conditioners can help you save money on this fairly large percentage of your utility bills. Replacing central air conditioning equipment, especially components that are more than 15 years old, can result in energy savings.
Don’t forget to protect your finances and assets that are in your new home. Unfortunately, burglary is a relatively common crime and can result in significant financial losses and emotional stress. An affordable yet effective alarm system can keep your home and belongings safe. Even during impulsive, unplanned burglaries, more than 50% of the intruders said they would discontinue the burglary if they discovered an alarm. Pay attention to items like alarms that can help you save money and protect yourself, even if it’s a bit of an initial investment.
Moving on a budget is a struggle, whether you’re moving from an apartment or a house. These tips can help you limit your moving spending and set you up for financial success and savings in the future. How have you saved money while moving to a new home? What methods have worked for you in the past?