Making dinners for the whole family that are both healthy and cheap can be something of a challenge. It’s easier than you think! There are some great options out there that work well and are delicious. Better yet, they’re kid-friendly. Here are five dinners that tick all the boxes. Squids This dinner is usually referred […]
Moving to a new home, especially when you have kids, can be a stressful experience. Factor in the expenses that can compound each day, and you may be wondering if the relocation was worth it. While there are necessary expenses you will incur with this change; they don’t have to break the bank. To help you save money, take a look at the practical and useful tips below.
1. Collect Boxes From Retailers
Moving boxes are incredibly expensive, especially when purchased from movers. You can save a considerable amount of cash by asking local retailers if you can have their boxes. Most grocery stores, department stores, and even warehouse stores will have no problem donating their extra boxes to you.
Tip: These are some of the best places to find free boxes.
2. Donate or Toss Your Belongings
Do you need that old microwave you’ve been saving since the 80s? Or how about those boxes of clothes you won’t wear again? When moving, it’s essential to toss or donate what you can to reduce expenses. With fewer items to move, you’ll need fewer boxes and less room in the moving truck.
To help you with the process, make one area of a room for donations, one for the garbage and one to keep. This will minimize clutter and make it easier to see just how much you have to get rid of. If you want to make some money to help go toward moving, try selling items online or hold a yard sale before leaving.
3. Compare Hiring Movers vs. DIY Moving
Sometimes, hiring movers can be more affordable than moving yourself because they offer packages for moving trucks and movers. To determine what the best deal is, Great Guys Moving suggests you get quotes from three or four moving companies. Then, compare those totals to what you would spend on a moving truck, gas, taking time off of work, etc.
If you do hire movers, try to compact your belongings as much as possible. This should include taking furniture apart yourself, as they will likely charge you to do this simple task. You can find some of the biggest pros and cons of hiring movers here.
4. Pack Wisely
Packing materials, while necessary, can be expensive. To reduce the amount you’ll need, put your everyday belongings to work. For example, wrap dishes in towels and place silverware inside of socks. You can also use clothes to pad the inside of boxes with breakable items.
5. Plan Out Snacks
Most parents can get overwhelmed when moving and end up dining out or grabbing fast food as a result. Over the course of a few days or a week, this can add up. Save yourself cash by planning out snacks and meals ahead of time (find some examples here). Sandwiches, chips, granola bars, etc., can all fit in a small lunchbox and cost only a few dollars to make.
Are You Ready to Move?
Above all else, make sure you plan for your move to help you save money. The more you plan, the more you’ll realize which expenses are coming your way. While it is a big task to take on, it’s one that doesn’t have to cause you to dip into your savings.
Moving is an overwhelming task when you’re relocating just yourself, but throw in a couple of kids and a dog, and you’ve achieved a whole new level of stress. You don’t have to be meticulous to avoid a chaotic moving experience; just a few guidelines can get you and your belongings to the new place in one piece.
TAKE IT ROOM BY ROOM
Cheap Movers Philadelphia (here) suggests starting with areas of the house that are less occupied, like a guest room. If no one utilizes the space or the stuff in it, you can pack it up and have it ready to load onto the truck, and no one will notice. Hit the closets and bathrooms next, as there are always surprising amounts of stuff in these areas of the house that you never see coming. Tackle one room or one closet at a time and declutter as you go. Store packed boxes in the room or closet they belong in until it’s time to load the truck.
ORGANIZE AS YOU GO
Purging your unwanted items before you move makes the move that much easier. Weeks before the move, place a box in each room specifically for items to be donated and start a pile in one corner of the house of things you intend to sell. As you tackle each room in the house, you can decide what will stay and what will go. While you’re at it, take photos on your phone of valuable items and furniture to document their condition. You can also document the photos with a home inventory app like Sortly or Encircle.
PACK ITEMS WHERE THEY ARE
In the kitchen and bath areas, throw the under cabinet items into bins or baskets that will fit back under the cabinet. Pack your hanging clothes in large plastic bags while still on the hanger, then hang them back in the closet. You can still access these items up until your move, but they are ready to be thrown on the moving truck at a moment’s notice.
HELPFUL LITTLE HINTS:
- Extra bed pillows, throw pillows, curtains, blankets, and towels can be packed with breakables as protection. You’re going to pack them anyway; you may as well put them to work.
- When breaking down pieces of furniture, place all of the hardware and special assembly tools in a plastic baggie, label the bag for the piece of furniture it is for, and tape the bag to a piece of the furniture if possible so that it all moves together. Once the entire piece moves into the new house, assembly can happen on the spot.
- Use different colors of packing tape for each family member or room to easily decipher where each box goes. Labels tend to end up on one side of the box, but tape can be seen from any angle or direction the box is facing. Labels are still helpful for identifying the contents of the box, and the more detailed you get, the easier your unpacking will be.
- Remove and pack decorative items first. Paintings, vases, picture frames, and your kid’s macaroni art are beautiful, but not necessities for living. Get ahead of yourself and pack them first. This gives you time to pack them carefully and well.
- Give a few packing boxes to each of your kids; let them color and decorate the boxes before filling them with their belongings.
Your expenses seem to grow every week. How are you and the family spending so much money and where is it all going? You are probably wasting money on luxuries that you deem necessities without knowing of such frivolousness. Sure, living in the city can cost a lot of money, but even then, there are tons of ways to save! Here are five practical ways to lower your family’s monthly budget.
1. Use public transportation
The train and bus exist for a reason. There is nothing wrong with using public transportation now and again to save on the cost of fuel and general car maintenance. Many families invest in bus passes that they use throughout the week. The car is usually reserved for weekend getaways.
2. Sell your old car
There is nothing beautiful about having a car that does not work taking up space in your driveway or garage. Selling your old car or truck can be more lucrative than keeping the automobile for sentimental reasons. There is much cash for cars dealers willing to take an immobile vehicle off your hands and may even offer free hauling services. Imagine a dealer paying you for a car that no longer works all while providing free towing. Selling your old or broken down vehicle is a great way to make money.
3. Unplug devices that you are not using
The electric bill for a family of four costs thousands every year. Hundreds can be saved, however, by merely unplugging devices you are not using. Such is especially true for heaters. It is an absolute waste of money to leave such product connected to a power source during summer months.
4. Lower the temperature of your home’s water heater
Did you know that the water heater consumes more than 10 percent of energy and costs a significant amount every month? You can save money on the family’s budget by simply lowering the temperature on this appliance and grappling with the reality of cold to warm water instead of burning hot liquid.
5. Ditch cable
There are so many ways to enjoy entertainment at home that cable television is no longer necessary. You may consider a cheaper monthly subscription such as Hulu or Netflix if you need a large selection of television series and films on-demand. Otherwise, it is a good idea to forgo TV altogether. The library offers entertainment, including DVDs and audiobooks, for free.
Having money in your bank account at the end of every month is possible. You need to institute practical means to save on your family’s monthly budget to start experiencing financial relief, though. Reducing energy and getting rid of luxuries perceived as common necessities is a great way to start down the path of eventual frugal living.
