Are you planning a long-distance move but need to stay on a budget? Then you’ll be happy to know there are tons of ways you can save big on your upcoming relocation. Check out seven of our top money-saving moving tips below for some inspiration!
1. Look for Boxes at Local Businesses or Online
Packing supplies can get expensive in a hurry, especially if you have a lot of stuff. But you don’t have to blow a big chunk of your moving budget on brand-new moving boxes. If you’re willing to cruise around town and ask local businesses if they have any boxes to spare, chances are you’ll find a ton of them.
Pro tip: Stop by your local wine or liquor store to ask if they have any boxes with dividers. These types of boxes are sturdy and excellent for packing glasses, mugs, and other items that need additional protection.
Alternatively, you can browse online marketplaces or social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and even NextDoor to see if anyone in your area is giving old boxes away. Yes, people do this, and if you get lucky, you might not have to purchase many (or any) boxes for your move.
Check out our budget-friendly packing tips for more useful ideas!
2. Use Items You Already Own as Cushioning
Bubble wrap and packing paper are surprisingly pricey, but you may not have to buy those things if you already own items that can double as packing material.
What kind of items are we getting at? Things like pillowcases, towels, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and sheets can all be used to wrap fragile items or things that can easily suffer scuffs or scratches. You can also use these types of items to add cushioning around breakable items to minimize jostling in the back of the moving truck. Old plastic shopping bags work well for that, too.
Check out these other creative packing hacks you can use to make your move more budget friendly.
3. Pare Down Your Stuff
When you hire long-distance movers, the cost of your move is largely based on the weight of your shipment. And when you move on your own, the more stuff you have, the bigger the truck you’ll need to rent, and the more supplies you’ll need to purchase.
Whichever route you choose to take, downsizing your stuff can help you save a bundle. The lighter your shipment, the less a professional long-distance move will cost, and the lighter your DIY load, the less you’ll spend on moving equipment and fuel.
4. Sell Your Things Online
After you pare down your stuff, why not sell it and make some extra cash to help offset the cost of your move? If you want to save yourself a ton of effort and stress, skip the garage sale and go straight for online marketplaces like:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- OfferUp
- Mercari
- Poshmark
- Nextdoor
- Decluttr
All you’ll need to do is take a couple of clear photos of each item you want to sell, write up a brief description, and publish your listing(s). If you want, you can offer to ship, but that can be more hassle than you may want to deal with in the middle of preparing for your move.
5. Hire the Pros for a Hybrid Move
When it comes to hiring professional movers, you don’t have to opt for a full-service move that includes packing, loading, transport, and unpacking services. Instead, you can hire the experts for a hybrid move, which is much less expensive. When you take this route, the movers will assist you with whatever portion of the move you need a hand with.
If you need help loading the truck or moving heavy items, you can hire the pros for just that. Or, if you need help packing super-fragile stuff, you can hire for that, too. When you arrive at your new home, you can also hire movers in your new location to help with a portion of the unloading or unpacking process.
6. Move During the Off-Season
If you’re hiring a long-distance moving company to handle the majority, if not all, of your relocation, consider moving during autumn, winter, or early spring if you can. Late spring and summer are the most popular times for people to relocate, so moving companies tend to be much busier during these seasons. And when demand goes up, so does the price.
If you move during the off-season, you may get a better rate on your move, and if you move on a weekday rather than a weekend, the same idea holds true.
7. Prep Meals and Snacks for the Road
If you’re going a long way and planning to drive, consider making meals ahead of time and packing them in a cooler in your personal vehicle. Going out to eat every day for several days in a row can get expensive quickly, and grabbing snacks when you fuel up can get costly, too.
If you pack the majority of what you’ll eat on the road, you could save hundreds of dollars in food costs alone.
Looking for the Best Interstate Movers in Minneapolis?
If you’re on the hunt for a team of five-star movers that can help you relocate wherever you need to go, look no further than our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing! For more than a decade, we’ve been facilitating local, long-distance, and international relocations for Twin Cities residents and have the glowing customer reviews to prove it.
For more information about our moving services or to request a preliminary quote, call us today at 763-755-2045. You can also request a fast quote online or send us a message with your questions, and we’ll get in touch!