8 Effective Tips For Moving on a Budget

Moving to a new home is exciting, but it can also be time consuming and stressful. Moving expenses can add up fast, so it is important to find ways to cut costs and keep your spending in check, especially with the current inflation rate. Whether you are moving down the road or across the country, there are some easy ways to save money and move without bearing a hefty financial burden.  

Here are 8 effective tips for moving on a budget:

Start planning right away! Planning at least 3 months in advance is the first step to moving on a budget.  

      1. Determine whether it makes sense to spend the money on movers. This is one of the biggest decisions to be made when attempting to move on a budget.  While it seems easier to enlist your friends for help, sometimes it makes more sense to call the professionals.  Ask yourself the following questions to help determine whether a professional moving company is needed:

• Do I have complicated, heavy, or bulky pieces of furniture to move?
• Do I have any valuable or fragile pieces to move?
• Am I moving far away or local?
• How much stuff do I have to move?
• Are my friends capable of moving heavy furniture safely?

Movers do cost a lot of money, however, they can save you a lot of stress and move your your belongings with speed and efficiency. When choosing a mover, get at least three quotes and be sure to read the reviews of the companies online. Try to book your moving truck a month in advance.

      2. Find as many free boxes as possible before moving day. Try to get boxes from the grocery store or local liquor stores and businesses. Post in your neighborhood groups, Craigslist, Freecycle, or U-Haul Box Exchange to see if anyone has boxes they are getting rid of.  Boxes are expensive so finding boxes for free is a surefire way to save hundreds of dollars on moving expenses. It can never hurt to ask friends and family if they have boxes lying around as well. 

     3. Take the opportunity to pare down your belongings. Don’t try to move everything you own before getting rid of the things you no longer use or need. Start a pile for donation, and try to have a yard sale. Before moving it is worth taking the time to sell or donate clothes you don’t wear, outdated electronics, and furniture you will not need. 

         Having a yard sale is a great way to purge the items you own, but it can also help save you money on your move. Getting rid of clothing and furniture can create an opportunity to decrease the number of boxes needed and possible even decrease the number of movers.  Less stuff can also mean a smaller sized moving truck!

      4. Always have a Plan B. Even the most well planned moves can go awry at the last minute. Having a back up plan can help save you money in the long run. If your move has to be delayed for some reason, making plans to stay with a friend or family member can ultimately save you from paying for an expensive hotel. Also, look at moving companies that don’t charge fees if moving dates need to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. 

      5. Pack your belongings strategically. It is important to pack utilizing as few boxes as possible. This will save you space, time and money. Never thoughtlessly just toss your belongings into the boxes. Fewer boxes can potentially mean a smaller moving truck.  Also, be sure to clearly mark all of your boxes with the name of the room the box goes to.  

Here are some packing tips to save you money on wrapping supplies:

• Use socks to wrap glassware
• Use kitchen towels to separate and wrap dishes
• Put bath towels in boxes with fragile items

       6.  It is a good idea to purchase moving insurance. This will help you save money if something valuable breaks during the move. 

       7. Determine if a hybrid move could save you money. A hybrid move is when you hire professionals to load the truck, but then you drive the truck to its destination. Then, another set of local movers help unload the boxes and furniture. This is helpful when you are moving to a different city or across state lines.  

       8. Deduct your moving expenses from your taxes. Be sure to save your receipts!  You could claim the cost of your moving expenses in your federal taxes when a move takes place to relocate for work.  

Whether moving down the street or across the country, it is a big job and can get expensive quick. It is important to create a budget for your moving costs early. Finding the right real estate agent to help you buy or sell your home is crucial as well. He or she will help you stay grounded within your budget and goals.  

In the competitive market we have today, the right real estate Realtor and Broker makes a huge difference.

Boyle and Kahoe Real Estate was founded in April 2019 by Jessica Boyle Tsottles and Robert Kahoe. The brokerage foundation is based on a strong passion for real estate and helping connect clients to the right properties. Jessica Boyle Tsottles is an experienced Realtor in Harford County, and Robert Kahoe is an experienced attorney focusing on real estate, estates and trusts. Together, the two are blending their vast knowledge bases together to start a brokerage that will be able to handle any real estate transaction. Both with local roots to Harford County for over 100 years, they are the area’s best experts!

Boyle & Kahoe Real Estate is a team of local real estate professionals committed to selling some of the most desired homes in Harford County. Selling these “right addresses” is the mission of Boyle & Kahoe Real Estate. Let us know what you’re looking for.  Our goal is to be informative and helpful. Through our service we hope to earn your business with our exemplary level of service and extensive local knowledge of Harford County and the surrounding areas.  Contact us for more information.