Moving, in my opinion, is always a fun new adventure to be had! It can also be a costly endeavor. I have moved more than the average citizen, due to military life. In this article, I will discuss how to move when you are on a budget.
First things first, do you know the new location you’re moving to? Are you familiar with the area, schools, cost of living, and overall lifestyle? If you are familiar with your new location, great, this will make your move easier and more than likely, you will settle in quickly. If you are not familiar with the new location take some time to research the area prior to your move.
Time to prepare for your move. Moving supplies can be costly depending on the size of the home that you are moving from. You can buy boxes at your local hardware store or multi-purpose stores like Walmart or Target. If you want to take the budget friendly route, you can go to the same local stores, including grocery stores, and ask the customer service representative if there are any boxes that you can have for free. Usually they are nice and will tell you when the store shipments come in and that’s when they will have boxes available for pick up. Purchasing a box of large, heavy-duty trash bags are another way to save money. You can pack soft items such as linen and clothes in the trash bags for short moves. I wouldn’t suggest this for long-distance moves because condensation may collect in the bags and cause mildew. You will also need tape for the boxes. You can rarely find it for free, but buying it in bulk at the hardware store is usually cheaper than buying it at the grocery store or your local shop.
The best thing that you can do for yourself, your family, and your budget, is to be prepared. I use a moving checklist. You can find them on Pinterest, Google, and many other sites.
Take your time. If you have knowledge of your move at least 3 months in advance, you have time to slowly purge items you no longer need or want and get things organized.
If you are renting a moving truck, check out different sites. Research different options, find out what size truck will best fit your needs and what price will best fit your budget.
Make your move simple, positive, and adventurous! Good luck on your new journey!