Moving is stressful and expensive. Unfortunately, sometimes it becomes necessary to move from one house to another, or even from one state to another. If this is the case, there are a few ways that you can limit the money you have to spend during the process. There are numerous ways to save a bit of money while moving, including the following:
1. Declutter Before Your Move
The average American household has 300,000 items in it. When it’s time to move, that adds up to a lot of stuff to handle, make decisions about, pack, and unpack. Spend some time decluttering before you move, so that you don’t have to move items that you no longer want to keep. Consider getting rid of things like clothing that no longer fits, books or movies that are outdated, or children’s items that your kids have outgrown or no longer are interested in. Donate these items to a thrift store, or sell them at a consignment shop to make back a little money if you have time and energy. This will allow you to move fewer items, meaning that either you’ll have to do less work, or you’ll be paying someone less to move things. Either way, this is advantageous for you.
2. Be Firm with Renovation Cost
In 2017, 42% of homeowners made the decision to invest in more expensive products once renovations were already underway. If you’ll be renovating your new home before you move in, it’s extremely important that you do your best not to let these expenses get out of hand. Instead, create a spending plan for both the move and for renovating your new home. Then be firm with your family members and any contractors that you’re working with about the renovation costs. Stick to what you originally decided on, as you’ve already done the math and know that you can afford it. Otherwise, you can quickly wind up spending far more than you intended to and find yourself accumulating debt at a rapid rate.
3. Purchase Thrift Furniture and Decor
In 2018, most homeowners spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes. This includes items like furniture, decor, and home improvements. If you’d like to improve the look and feel of your home, while keeping some of that money in your pocket, consider thrifting instead. It’s a fun activity to enjoy with a friend or loved one on the weekend, it’s good for the environment, and often used items help you add character to your space. You can also purchase used items specifically to use as project pieces. Learn new home decorating techniques, like how to refinish furniture, how to creatively paint items to match your living space, or how to reupholster soft items — all without investing a large amount of money.
Purchasing thrift store furniture and decor for your home are also friendlier for the environment, as well. When you bring used items into your home, you help keep them out of landfills, and you also slightly reduce the demand for the creation of new items. Older items are also often quite well-made, so you may be able to use them for longer or repair them if they develop damage, instead of simply needing to throw them out and get another.
No one really enjoys the process of moving house. It’s stressful, costs a lot of money, and involves a great deal of planning and organization. However, if you spend some time in advance making a budget, decluttering, and deciding what items you’ll need for your new living space, you may be able to spend a little less on your move.