If you're moving on a tight budget, planning your budget-conscious relocation may seem impossible. Moving is costly, and requires various expenses that quickly add up. There's no way around it. Moving on a budget SUCKS!
If you're preparing to move without a lot of cash, read on for help dealing with the inevitable struggles of a frugal move and common issues that might pop up.
1. Your "affordable mover" hiked up the quote on moving day
The search for a reputable moving company is stressful and difficult -- especially when you have to do so on a tight budget. Scam artists that entice you with a low quote and then hike up your moving bill astronomically come moving day. To find an affordable yet trustworthy mover, it's important to:
- Compare quotes from multiple companies
- Always get an in-home estimate or survey
- Ask plenty of questions about the possibility of added fees
That way, you can find a company that offers a competitive rate within your budget, and not a drastically low, "too-good-to-be-true" quote.
2. Paying for packing materials took up your entire budget
How much can some paper, plastic and cardboard cost? A lot. Store bought packing materials are expensive. For an average-sized home, you could wind up paying hundreds of dollars in packing supplies. Even if you're hiring a mover, packing materials are often additional.
The best way to save money on packing supplies is to get resourceful:
- Pick up free cartons at your local liquor store or grocer
- Use newsprint for packing paper
- Stuff old clothes or towels into boxes as cushioning for breakables.
However, anything extremely delicate or valuable should probably be packed properly with sturdy boxes and bubble wrap--use your discretion when packing with used materials.
3. You attempted a do-it-yourself move... by yourself
If movers don't fit into your budget, a cost-effective alternative is a DIY move. Essentially, you rent a truck and handle all of the packing, loading and driving on your own. While rental trucks are less costly than hiring a professional mover, a DIY move requires much more labor, time and effort.
Unless it's a very small move that's very local, it's not feasible to undertake it without ANY help. If you don't have any loyal friends or family around to pitch in with the heavy lifting, you may want to consider hiring moving labor services to lend a hand with some packing, furniture disassembly or loading.
Hiring a small crew for a few hours will be much more affordable than hiring a full-service moving company to orchestrate your entire relocation--and you won't wind up in bed with a strained back for a week.
4. You ran out of gas driving to your new home
If you're moving long distance on a budget, paying for an auto shipper and flying to your new home is probably out of the question. If you're driving your car to your new home, there will be a plethora of travel costs you may not have even considered when determining your budget -- gas, possible hotel stays, and food.
To properly prepare for the trip so you don't run out of money and get stranded half way along your route, be sure to calculate your fuel costs (research gas prices in the areas you will pass through), pack easy to eat meals and snacks for your trip to eliminate fast food and restaurants and look up budget-friendly motels along the way.
5. You procrastinated and only packed half of the house before move-out day
Avoid stress by planning ahead. The more you pack ahead of time, the smoother the move will go. Packing should begin six weeks before the confirmed move date, and careful packing will stop damage and consequential replacement. Early packing will also allow you to collect supplies, like free boxes. You can throw away nonessentials instead of throwing them haphazardly into a box the day before you move.
Donating old furniture or selling clothing online will lighten your load which will help if you're being charged by weight. If you are able to organize and sort your items by room, it leads to the movers unload quicker. Local moving companies charge an hourly rate, and the shortened labor time will shave a little something off the final bill.
6. You shopped around so much that you got overwhelmed
We suggest getting quotes from 3 movers to start off with. Yes, shopping around will allow you to collect lots of low rates, but will you be able to keep all of the companies straight? Find a balance by requesting quotes in short bursts. If the first 3 quotes you receive are extremely out of your price range, first contact a representative and see if you can haggle.
Not all moving companies offer a flat, non-negotiable rate for their services. Smaller and family-owned businesses will work with you until you can reach a compromise. You might also try giving them the highest price you'd be willing to pay before walking away to see if they counter.
7. Your move is double the price because it's during the summer
May through Labor Day is the peak season for moving. Everyone wants to move in the summer, because the weather conditions are better and kids won't have to miss school. If you don't have kids and don't mind a little snow, it would be worth it to wait. Capitalize on the fact that most companies will have vacancies and lower their pricing.
Because they'll want to be more flexible, moving companies might also offer additional services or more hands on deck during late autumn and winter. They'll want to secure your business any way they can. If you can't delay the move, try moving on a non-peak week day when most other people work.
8. You thought your moving expenses were tax deductible
You can no longer write off moving expenses on your taxes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the moving expense deduction, and it will be suspended until at least 2025.
In prior years, you could deduct the cost if you moved for a job at least 50 miles farther from your home than your previous job as long as you work full-time for at least 39 week in the year after you moved. Fortunately for anyone who is an active member of the military, you still qualify as long as your move is a permanent change of station.