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.