Moving is one of the most stressful things that a person can experience in the process of living their lives. There are tons of details that must fall into place in a timely manner in order for the logistics to work out. This factor is just one cause for the tremendous amount of stress. Another big factor in moving is related to finances. Moving is expensive. From renting moving trucks to the down payments associated with your new home, money is always an issue at some point. Luckily, there are some valuable tips that anyone moving should consider in order to cut the expense that comes with making a fresh start.
Look at Your Time Table
The first major decision that people face is whether or not to hire professional movers. The expense is considerable but the thought of packing, unpacking, and moving all the boxes on your own is likely to cause your back to ache already. In making this decision, it is important to consider many factors related to costs versus benefits. If time is of the essence, then the added expense can certainly be justified.
To DIY or Not to DIY?
The professionals will cut the large majority of time that you must invest in the moving process in half. Another important factor to consider is the weight of your possessions and your physical ability to actually get the job done. If the task ahead is too monumental, then allowing for this service in the budget is worth doing.
Play the Field
One of the most important considerations is the actual method that you use to transport your possessions. U-Hauls and various other types of truck rental companies can be extremely convenient. However, these services can cost an arm and a leg when you look at the bottom-line price. Consider finding a service that allows you to pack your own items which they will then drive to your destination for you. These types of services are often dramatically less expensive than any conventional moving company. If your items arrive at the destination before you are actually ready to move into the home, then you can further defer costs and avoid extra fees by taking advantage of a self storage center until your move-in date arrives.
Pack Light Where Possible
There is plenty of money to be saved when it comes to packing materials as well. Every moving company and local hardware store has fresh, crisp boxes for sale. However, free boxes can be obtained from any liquor store. If you are in need of extremely large boxes, then visit furniture stores. These places have more than enough extra cardboard to allow you to construct boxes of any size. You should also take this opportunity to go through your stuff in order to clear some things out. Recycle what is no longer of use to you, hold a garage sale in order to make a little extra money, and donate unwanted items to the Goodwill or second-hand stores. The less you have to move, the less expensive the move actually will be. A good rule of thumb is toss anything that you have not used in over three years.