One of the reasons that a cross-country move is so stressful is that it can be a very costly endeavor. The process includes finding a new home and making sure it’s ready for your family as well as the costs associated with the actual move. However, following a few money-saving tips will help you cut your spending, and make your trip more budget-friendly. Here are a few things you can do to make the move easier on your wallet.
Take Up Less Space
One of the best ways to save on your long-distance relocation is to limit how many things you’ll be taking with you. This process is simplified when you create three different groups of things. You’ll need a group for the things you’ll definitely be taking with you, a second group for things you can throw away or recycle, and a third group for things that you can sell in a yard sale or online.
In deciding what items to throw away or sell, you should get rid of anything that’s broken or is no longer used. This includes clothing that hasn’t been worn within the past six to eight months. You should also follow the $10 rule, which suggests throwing away anything that can be replaced for $10 or less. This process will allow you to take up less space in a moving van or truck, which means you’ll pay less to get your belongings moved.
Hire a Good Professional Moving Company
People often think that renting a van or small truck is cheaper than hiring professional movers. While the upfront costs may be cheaper, you should consider your long-term spending as well. To begin, a professional moving company will be licensed and insured, which means your belongings will be protected.
If your furniture or boxed possessions are damaged or lost, you can file a claim with the moving company to receive compensation. That may not be possible when you rent a truck that you’ll drive yourself.
The actual drive to your new home will also be cheaper by allowing you to share space on the truck with other customers. This will help you pay a portion of the overall cost of moving your things.
When you combine those savings with the added savings of auto shipping your vehicle, you can save a significant portion on your move. Typically, it’s also cheaper to ship your car and take a bus or flight to your destination than it is to spend money on fuel and the wear and tear of your own vehicle.
Pick the Right Time to Move
The time of year you move will also play a large part in how much the move will cost you. Generally, prices for fuel and accommodations are higher in the warmer months because these are peak travel seasons. This is also the busiest time of year for moving companies, so you should expect their prices to be higher as well.
You can enjoy lower costs on almost everything when you choose to move in the fall or winter. There will also be fewer drivers on the road, reducing the risks of accidents, delays, and road construction detours.
Conclusion
The days of the week that you choose in scheduling your move will also play an important part in determining your moving costs. While it may be convenient to make use of the weekend for your move, you’re not the only person sharing those thoughts. Many people choose to move on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, driving up the rates that movers charge. Even if you’re just renting a small truck for your move, you’ll get cheaper rates on the earlier days of the week.
If you’re driving the truck yourself, begin your move early in the morning before the busiest times of day for traffic. If you hit rush hour around a major city, you’ll waste time and fuel sitting in a gridlock situation. Planning your trip to avoid large traffic hubs altogether will save you from wasting more fuel than necessary.
You can also reduce your relocation costs by getting free or low-cost help whenever it’s feasible. For example, if you’re relocating for work, ask your employer if they will offer to pay some or all of your expenses. You can also save by asking friends and relatives to help with the packing. Even small savings can add up and save you big when you make a cross-country move.
