You are ready to move cross-country. The prospect of taking a new job or starting over in a new place is divine. You are very excited about this new adventure, but moving is expensive. You only have so much money to work with, and you need tips that will prevent you from going broke. Our suggestions in this article give you different ways to save money, time, and energy and avoid stress.
The cheapest way to move cross country is different for everyone. You may want to mix and match ideas as every situation is not the same. Your moving plan must make sense while also saving you money, time, and effort. Check out each item on our list so that you can use the best moving plan for you.
Yard Sales Are Key
Yard sales are the best way to jumpstart your moving efforts. All the things you were planning on giving away as part of your move should be sold at a yard sale. Set aside a whole weekend, layout all the things you wish to part with, and sell everything for low prices.
You can go to the local hardware or dollar store to purchase a few signs you can write on. You can put directions to your home on the signs and place them on a few streets near your neighborhood. Add the day and time of the sale as well.
While haggling on prices might seem worth your time, consider it only for specific items. After all, you were planning on donating most of these things anyway. Any items leftover from the sale can be donated to a local charity.
Rent a Portable Moving Container
You can rent a portable moving container to simplify your move. These containers are bigger than you might think, so be prepared to have a ten-foot-tall and five-foot-wide storage container on your driveway, lawn, or street.
You can order as many of these as you need, and you can even ask the moving company for help. Moving companies have estimates that show how many storage boxes you need depending on the size of your home.
You can pack up these containers, close them, and call the moving company when it is time to go. However, it is essential to note you need to provide your own lock. People often pack these boxes thinking that the moving company locks each container, but they do not. So you’ll want to buy a set of padlocks, keep the keys on your keyring, and lock the containers tightly. You can unlock them when you get to your new home or the storage facility where you will unpack your items.
If you could, it also a good idea to tip movers. It might sound like a bribe, but this can increase the chances that they take extra care in handling your things.
Get All the Free Boxes You Need
Another way to save on moving is to stop paying for moving boxes. Yes, they are fresh and new, but they are expensive. Who wants to spend all that money when you can get boxes for free? Try checking these various locations when you need free boxes:
- Friends who have recently moved
- Grocery stores
- Mega-marts
- Liquor stores
When you are looking for moving boxes, you can call your friends and ask them to bring any extra boxes they have to your home, and they might even help you pack (more on that in a moment).
The grocery store is a great place to grab cardboard boxes because they continuously have shipments of new products coming in. Since the grocery store doesn’t want to keep these boxes, they will usually give them to you for free. It’s best to call in the morning or evening when they are restocking so they can set aside as many boxes as possible before you arrive at the loading dock area.
Your local mega-mart might be even more reliable than your grocery store. The mega-mart is run by a massive corporation that does not prioritize what to do with extra boxes. Ask for a manager who can help bring these boxes to your vehicle, or they might ask you to meet them at the loading dock.
The liquor store is a great place to get boxes because they can comfortably fit many kitchen items such as drinking glasses and food containers. Simply call the store and ask for assistance. Hopefully, they can leave a big stack of boxes for you to pick up at any time.
Enlist Friends and Family
You can always enlist your friends and family to help you move. When you have people in the house to help you, they can load everything much faster than you could on your own. If they can help you pack everything, drive the truck, and unpack everything, you will save quite a lot of money. But remember, this only works if the move’s mental and emotional cost is not overwhelming for you or your friends.
Use a Moving Truck
Renting a moving truck instead of hiring a big company to do all the work for you can also save you money. There are plenty of large and reliable companies to choose from, such as U-Haul, Enterprise, and Penske. You can look them up and ask how many trucks are available. You will typically choose from a pickup truck, cargo van, or loading truck anywhere from 10 feet to 26 feet, depending on your needs.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- These trucks get harder to drive as they get longer
- You might need to ask a friend to drive for you
- These trucks should come with a dolly
- The moving company might also provide moving blankets
- You can rent the truck for as long as you need
- If you also plan to haul your vehicle, you must purchase a hitch
- If you have primary car insurance, you do not need the rental company’s insurance
Renting a moving truck is a cheaper and simpler way to handle your move if you can get the work done independently or with your friends.
Freight Shipping
Freight shipping is a more straightforward option when trying to find the cheapest way to move cross-country. The freight company provides a flat rate to move everything, and they can even ship your car. While you may run into some hassle with picking up your shipment or having it taken to your home, this option is much simpler than trying to move everything on your own or with a moving company’s help.
A good sampling of freight movers includes:
Hire a Mover
While this article is all about saving money, you may end up losing more money packing everything yourself because you have to take time off work, are exhausted, or are running low on time. Plus, the physical or emotional cost of the move might be too much to handle.
If this is the case, you might prefer to hire a moving company. The moving company sends in people to help you pack, drives the truck, and unpacks everything when you get to your new home.
Move at a Better Time
Moving at the right time helps you save money, time, and energy. If you have the option, try to move during the week as it’s often cheaper. Also, you can move in the late autumn or wintertime to save even more money.
You could do a little research to learn which company provides you the best deals at certain times of the year. Keep in mind every company is priced differently, and you are not genuinely saving money if you get a “discount” from the most expensive mover.
Ship Personal Items Ahead of Time
Shipping personal items ahead of time helps you save money and time. You can ship your personal items to friends and family near where your new home is located. This option is a quick way to get these items out of your house.
You might even know someone who can pick up your shipments and add them to a storage unit you have rented. If you are moving close by, you may want to rent a storage unit to keep all these items safe while they are not in your home. The price of one month at a storage rental facility is far lower than the stress of packing and moving all these items at once.
Employer Moving Coverage
There is a chance your employer might pay for you to move—a question you should ask when you are interviewing. You might even be able to negotiate your moving expenses into your contract. When an employer pays for your move, it is essential to know how much they will provide you. Take full advantage of the allowance to make the move easier for you and your family.
Look for Discounts
Some moving companies in your area run specials, or you might find a coupon for a moving truck/van. If you have not shopped around first, you have likely done yourself a disservice. Consider each step in the process, browse your options, and create a moving plan you can manage without going broke.
