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Moving is never easy. It can take days or even weeks to pack up everything, and the physical move is exhausting. Worse of all, it’s expensive. Oftentimes, people are spending their monthly rent on moving costs, and sometimes, even more. Moving is taxing enough, don’t let the financial burdens add to your moving stress. Financial experts have broken down the best ways to save money on your next move. By doing a few extra things and removing a couple others, you can save hundreds of dollars on your next move.

Plan your costs before you start packing.

Take a tally of everything you need for your move. For some moves across the city, you may have a shorter list than if you’re moving across the country. Use a moving calculator to get an idea of how much each process will cost. This will help you find better deals after you already know the median price range for certain things.

Buy only the supplies you need

You can cut costs if you find alternative resources for traditional moving items. You can use your suitcases to pack up your clothes instead of boxes. Instead of buying packing paper, linens and clothes can work in a pinch. You can even use towels, sweatshirts, and socks to wrap your glassware and dishes.

Not everything is going to fit in your suitcases, but boxes aren’t the hardest thing to come by. Ask your neighbors if they have any old Amazon boxes they are going to throw out. Your local stores might have some boxes they don’t need. A bonus tip is if you go to appliance stores that sell refrigerators and large items. In a pinch, Home Depot has boxes at a much lower cost than at a shipping supplies store, but they will gauge you on packing tape and other supplies.

Sell your Stuff!

Let’s face it. If you don’t have it anymore, you don’t have to move it. Take a look at your things and embrace your inner Marie Kondo. If this item doesn’t spark joy, it doesn’t need to go with you. You can save hundreds by selling that second TV you use or those snowboards you really thought you were going to use more. This is especially true if you’re moving to a place where you’ll no longer need them. Use the money to buy a new couch and save on moving costs by leaving your old one on Craigslist.

A well-planned garage sale can help you save space in your move, and you can use your profits to finance the rest of your move. The more items you move, the higher the moving costs will be.

Use Media Mail

There’s a well-kept secret at the United States Post Office that can save bookworms hundreds of dollars. In 1938, the USPS began a program to help transport the knowledge of America. It was essentially a way to send books across the country. Now they do more than just books. You can send books, sound recordings, video tapes, printed music, and recorded media like CDs and DVDs. With this program, you can send 70 pounds of books for just over $40.

By sending these items in the mail instead of on the truck, you can save time and money. Moving companies will add these items to your inventory and raise your rates. The bibliophile can save tons of money with this program.

Make a Plan B

Eisenhower once said, “Planning is everything, the plan is nothing.” Things are inevitably going to go wrong. They might delay your move in date, your bed might break, you might not be able to spend your first night in your new place.

This is where planning comes in. Let your family and friends know about your move. Give them the heads up that if things go awry, you might have to couch surf for a few days. You don’t want to be scrambling to get a last-minute hotel at surcharged prices.

Research Movers

You get what you pay for. Low-cost movers may chip and break items, and those items could be expensive. It’s best to find a moving company that you trust and has good reviews. You don’t want your grandma’s priceless china to be handled with the care of an airport baggage handler.

Shop around so you know how much moving companies will charge you, but don’t just jump at the cheapest price. You can in the long run by making sure your move is done right.

Strategically Pack

The most professional packers are the men and women of the military who travel every day for their job. They are trained to pack as efficiently as possible. Too much in their pack and they could be slowed down and fail their mission. If they don’t have the right equipment packed, they could fail their mission.

Moving isn’t as life and death as packing for a military operation, but the techniques are the same. Steal their ideas and do what they do. They pack their bags, and then they unpack, and repeat until they’re satisfied. This helps them discover the most efficient way to pack their bags while simultaneously taking note of everything that goes into their pack. Can they roll their socks into their pants pockets and save room? Maybe the shirts take up less room if they’re rolled up rather than folded.

Apply these skills not only to your suitcase, but also to your boxes. Not everything needs to be in the properly labeled box. Perhaps your kitchen appliance box has a crockpot with empty space inside the pot. Cleaning supplies and toiletries will easily fit inside that pot. Don’t be afraid to mix and match to save space.

Cancel Your Utilities

This is a big one. Many cable and internet companies claim they can keep your service at your new place without having to disrupt your service. This is cool and all, but those same companies offer huge discounts for new customers. It’s better to need to work out of an internet café or use a hotspot for a day and get a discounted rate on your utilities for six months or more.

Ask for a Deal

Moving companies realize not all moves are equal. Let them know your situation, explain the bids you have from other movers, and see what they can do for you. You shouldn’t be charged the same for your Ikea bed as someone who needs to move a grand piano.

Move yourself

If you’re moving a short distance, just rent a truck and grab a few really good friends. Make sure they’re really, really good friends, but moving companies charge a lot. Truck rental fees are much less in comparison. If you do a truck rental, check to find a rental company that lets you drop the truck off at your move in location. This way you don’t have to waste gas returning your vehicle. Then set up an auto transport to ship your car to your new move. You can use a reliable auto transport company like Auto Shipping Houston for fast and reliable service. Then you can use all the money you saved to take your friends to a nice restaurant afterwards to say thank you.

These simple hacks can help you save money on your next move will help tons in the long run. You don’t need to stress about the move, but rather be excited about your new place.