If the thought of even moving a few items has you feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Even a small move can be challenging and expensive. Thankfully, there are ways you can reduce the overall costs and eliminate most of the hassles.
If this sounds perfect, then keep reading to learn more about hassle-free moving made simple. You may never learn to love the moving process but at least you can make it less challenging.
Choose a Moving Method
You may not know precisely what you’re taking with you on your move but you should have a pretty good idea. However, you probably know what, if any furniture you’re taking, and this can affect how you move.
For example, are you moving everything by yourself or with help from friends and family? If you’re taking a large item like a couch or solid wood bed frame, you may need to hire professional movers.
Where you’re relocating to can also affect how you move. You may find shipping everything is more cost-effective than hiring a moving company if your new address is on the other side of the country.
Why should you start the moving process by figuring out how your stuff is getting from your old place to your new one? The simple answer is availability and cost. Certain days and times of the year are busier than others like weekends and during the summer. If possible, try to avoid these busy times. Not only can you usually get better rates but it’s also easier to schedule the move to fit your timeline.
If you’re using a personal vehicle or one belonging to family or friends, check the available storage space. You don’t want to wait until moving day to learn your stuff isn’t going to fit in the vehicle.
Declutter Everything
Even though you’re probably not a pack rat, there’s a good chance you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. You may have old souvenirs lying around or clothes you haven’t worn in years.
What about those white elephant gifts you receive at parties? Do you really want to spend time packing this stuff up? Don’t forget the cost of your move is often based on the number, size, and weight of your boxes. Remember: the less you pack, the cheaper your move.
Try to start decluttering a few weeks before your small move, as this gives you plenty of time to go through everything without stress. Another good tip is to focus on one room at a time. This can make the task seem a little more manageable and help you stay organized.
Go through all your closets, drawers and closets. If you have boxes filled with stuff, go through these. Create a couple of piles with one being stuff you keep and the other for the items you’re giving away.
Along with donating items to charity and possibly getting a tax credit, you can also host a yard sale. Try to have your sale on the weekend, you’re more likely to attract plenty of traffic on a Saturday and Sunday. The money you make from the sale can help offset the cost of your move.
Chances are you’re going to come across some items you can’t sell or donate. These are things that probably belong in the trash or recycling bin.
Collect Your Moving Supplies
Sometimes, a large portion of your moving costs comes from supplies. Yes, it’s easy to purchase everything you need from a moving or shipping company but it’s also expensive. Did you know you can find a lot of what you need for free or at a significantly lower price?
Local businesses like liquor and grocery stores get deliveries almost every day. This means they’re also getting plenty of boxes they’re not going to use. Most of these businesses will gladly hand over their boxes for free. They’re happy someone is taking them off of their hands.
If you know someone who just moved, ask them if they have any leftover supplies—they may have some leftover packing tape, paper, and even bubble wrap. Another idea is to go online to sites like Freecycle. The online platform focuses on sustainability, and members often list moving supplies for free. The platform’s goal is to keep items like boxes and packing paper out of landfills.
Some supplies you may need to purchase like permanent markers and packing tape. Don’t worry, most neighborhood stores carry these items at prices lower than what you pay at a shipping or moving company.
If you don’t want to purchase packing paper or bubble wrap, old newsprint is free and works great. Another option is to use some old sheets and blankets to protect fragile items.
Look for Discounts
You’re probably not going to find many discounts during the busy moving season. Most shipping and moving companies have all the business they can handle. However, it’s a little different during the slow season and this is usually when you can find some great deals on small moves.
Check the companies’ websites for any discounts and deals. You may even find some coupons. However, even after finding a great deal, keep comparing prices—you may find something that better fits your budget.
You can also call the shipping and moving companies to inquire about any discounted rates. For example, military service members often qualify for reduced rates.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
Even a small move can be challenging. You probably already have a lot on your plate. Some people can take a few days off from work to handle their small move, but this doesn’t apply to everyone.
Even if you get a few days off, it may not be enough time to tackle everything on your to-do list. This is when you want to ask for help from friends and family.
To help entice everyone to spend a few hours helping you pack everything up, use some of the money from your yard sale to buy your helpers’ dinner. The offer of free food can go a long way towards getting volunteers. Hopefully, these tips help you have a hassle-free small move.
