10 Ways To Save Money On Your House Move

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay 

10 Ways To Save Money On Your House Move

Whether or not you’re contemplating a move, finding ways to save money when deciding, such as by leasing your home before selling it, can help make that all-important packing list easier to carry out.

With proper planning, moving can be done with minimal stress. When this process becomes less stressful, so too does saving money. You may even find yourself paying more in fees than you would have paid for the same job just a year ago. The good news is that if there are ways to cut down costs, there are also plenty of other opportunities available for saving money on moving day. Here are ten different ways to earn freebies while getting rid of clutter, and possibly making some extra money along the way.

1. Rent Space Before You Sell It

This one might seem obvious, but we know many people who haven't thought to think this far ahead when they're thinking about a move—a big step back and a lot of work still has to be done before you sell your belongings. Many movers believe leasing space before selling it sounds like something only reserved for those who want to stay put. But renting space means the movers pay upfront at least, and once you take possession of the premises, it's time to start looking for tenants. This method comes with the added benefit of enabling you to keep everything original as possible, so there won't be any damage caused to your possessions during the move—even though sometimes it's inevitable. Plus, this approach will allow you to take advantage of seasonal savings without having to worry about overpaying for storage space.

2. Hire Moving Companies That Can Help Prepare For A Disorganized Mess

If you're feeling stressed, afraid and overwhelmed, hiring someone to help organize your stuff is an easy solution. You wouldn't need much help either. Most movers offer small boxes for household items that can hold up to 5 pounds and 15 pounds for large ones. These containers are ideal for storing clothing, shoes, cosmetics and books, and a few other things that don't fit into standard boxes. They're typically designed to maximize convenience and make packing easy with a sturdy lid that easily attaches to a box. Some movers even offer cardboard bags that can hold personal effects, jewelry and other valuables that aren't part of standard boxes. Then there's no mess involved, which could be a problem for anyone whose apartment is cluttered and disorganized.

3. Get Organized While Storing Stuff In Another Place

Moving with family members can prove quite a bit of effort, especially if they each travel with their own things. Not only does this create confusion and stress, but once everyone arrives and meets up at their new place, there's just going to be a ton of extra paperwork—especially if you have additional children. You don't necessarily need to buy furniture or anything else to set up shop in your new home. Just take everything with you and bring it with you when you arrive, and then store all your essentials in its vicinity. After moving everyone's stuff in their separate rooms, try cleaning off the place and gathering them together. Once everyone has unpacked and settled in at their new homes, all the remaining clutter from your previous moves should fall away naturally, and then it should be time to begin sorting through all that unneeded stuff in order to get rid of unnecessary items.

4. Keep Everything Clean And tidy During Storage Days

One thing that often causes problems when setting up a house is the fact that we forget to clean up our belongings throughout all stages of ownership. Whether that's on our own property by ourselves or with friends and family, dirty clothes or unwashed dishes just sit out the entire process. As much as you'd love to stay on top of every little detail about your space and maintain it exactly as it was, if our spaces were full of clutter and there wasn't enough room for anyone to hide a coat rack or stack pillows, it becomes difficult for us to leave everything untouched. So, if you're looking for ways to ensure that your possessions remain immaculate, ask around. Make sure that you see every single item being used, from towels to bedsheets, and wash everything regularly. Then, simply store all of it neatly for the duration of moving day once you're happy that it's complete.

5. Keep Things Simple And Efficiently Maintained

There are several reasons why choosing a company that offers efficient service is a great option for saving money on housing. First, since movers' prices tend to be higher when compared to local professionals, they stand a better chance of providing excellent customer service. Second, most customers prefer to purchase and rent rather than purchase their own space. Third, by dealing directly with the company itself, you are assured of the safety and security of your belongings. Finally, a moving company will charge slightly lower rates and provide lower prices to clients compared to independent contractors. All of these factors combined will result in the client spending more money overall compared to a contractor.

6. Create An Inventory Of Unused Items Around Home Toiletries And Furniture

Did you know that unused items around the home can actually be pretty valuable? Take things back, sort them and donate any that no longer serve a purpose. Let's say you have a huge pile of toys in the living room. Don't throw them away, because they'll probably eventually come in handy when someone needs them, and just store them away. Next, consider taking things that can't be moved and turning them into compost. Or maybe simply donating them for a cause, as many families would rather support charitable organizations than waste valuable, usable items. Again, doing your research and asking around about whether you can donate unwanted items is the best way to determine if yours qualifies. However, if you decide that it's too risky of a decision for a child to be exposed to, then it may be better to let them have less of it altogether.

7. Know Where Goodwill Is At Least Three Times More Likely To Be Used

You might be surprised by the number of organizations where donations are accepted on a regular basis. Even if you have to wait until a specific date for the donation to appear, using this knowledge when creating your inventory of items will make it much easier on both you and your movers. Maybe just knowing that you can count on two nonprofit organizations that accept monthly donations on certain days every month should be enough to encourage you to take action. Consider tracking your donations back and forth regularly. Also, check websites that track donations closely, such as GiveSendGo or GiveWell.com to see what others are saying about how well your program is working. The key, of course, is to make sure that you keep a close eye on where your donations are going, and how much better you can make your life after receiving funds.

8. Have Someone Else Do My Car Insurance

Yes, we know it's crazy good not to do this, but it really can be helpful to have another person do your car insurance. Sure, if you live in the South, chances are slim that another driver has the necessary insurance coverage to cover liability, but having someone else do your insurance will extend the length of time you're covered without dropping more bills. Moreover, it's a lot cheaper than keeping tabs on the price every month, and is a lot more convenient. Yes, you are paying the premiums yourself, but also for accidents and health issues. There's always a catch here, however, as there's always that possibility of losing an auto policy, and even driving uninsured. We're not suggesting you drive somewhere unsafe to avoid breaking the law. But for those with a tendency toward reckless driving, having someone else do the insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that you won't lose the policy or, worse yet, risk losing it.

9. Buy Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Goods Instead Of New Ones

We know you might have spent money on designer brands and brand name garments for special occasions. From $1,000 to $6,000, CPO goods mean quality products you can trust. Buying them from a reputable retailer might take some getting used to, but it saves you on shipping and handling. Plus, if your loved ones want to shop in bulk, buying discounted items for a wedding or party can be economical.

10. Use Smaller Boxes While Shopping Online

Online shopping isn't cheap when it comes to your purchases, but if you're willing to spend a little bit of money instead of handing cash or credit card cash just as you go, you can significantly reduce the amount of money you end up spending on your big move. Simply double bag or pack some things with smaller amounts of packaging possible. If you're worried about damaging your items during transportation, secure an airtight container when transporting perishable goods.