
Moving to a new house is a big job, especially if your new home is in a completely different part of the country. You have to pack up your life’s belongings, move them all to your new house, and unpack them again. You’ll have to redirect your mail, make new friends, and find your feet in unfamiliar surroundings.
But perhaps the biggest drawback of a cross-country move is the cost. The removal fees alone will set you back hundreds of dollars, and then you run the risk of your valuable items being broken or lost in the move. You probably have to buy new furniture and other household necessities, and there will be a whole range of additional expenses that pop up along the way.
If you’re on a tight budget, moving home can be stressful. But fear not, there are several ways to save money on your move, so you can stop worrying about your finances and start looking forward to your new life.
Downsize your life
Moving to a new house is a great opportunity to downsize your life and begin afresh. Over time, homes accumulate all kinds of clutter that you don’t need, and there’s no point paying a removal company to ship this rubbish across the country. Schedule a spring cleaning a few weeks before your moving date. Go through your home and get rid of anything you don’t need. Things like old DVDs and CDs are a common offender, as well as clothes you haven’t worn for years. Be strict with yourself about what you’re getting rid of, and don’t feel it has to all go in the bin. Take your discarded items to charity shops or sell them for a little extra cash.
Move it yourself
Hiring a moving company such as SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. is a great way to save yourself time and effort when moving home, as they will do all the hard work for you. But if you really need to save money then consider moving everything by yourself. You may need to hire a van and make multiple trips, but this will ultimately work out cheaper in the end. There will be a lot of heavy lifting required, so consider asking a strong friend to help you out. You can always repay them with a return favor in the future.
Don’t buy packing materials
Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing materials are essential for wrapping up and protecting your belongings during the move, but don’t make the common mistake of paying too much for these. You can usually get cardboard boxes for free at grocery stores and supermarkets, or you can save the packaging when you receive a parcel in the post. If you are short on cash and don’t want to invest in moving materials, hire NYC movers and save on time AND buying moving materials that you won’t use again.
Ask your friends and family if they have any spare boxes or other materials lying around that you can use. If you need to wrap up fragile items like crockery and artwork, you can use your clothing or bed linen to add cushioning while in transit.
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