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Moving homes, whether it’s due to a job transfer or a home improvement, and if you’re moving across the country or across town, is an expensive proposition. Even when a new employer sponsors a relocation, there are hidden or unintended expenses, like tipping or registering your vehicle in a new state. Here are six ways to cut expenses during your next move:
1. Boxes, boxes, boxes
Asking your local grocery, drug or liquor store for your empty boxes is definitely one way to save money. You could easily spend $ 100 or more buying new boxes. Consider visiting an apartment complex on the first weekend of the month when new tenants are likely to move in. Tenants will be eager to get rid of their unpacked boxes and you can score by taking them off their hands. If your employer is paying for the move, be sure to save and store your new boxes for future use.
Buy your packing tape from a hardware store rather than a grocery store or office supply store. It can save you up to $ 5 per roll! And remember to be nice to whoever helps you get around, pack the books in a few smaller boxes rather than one large box.
2. Truck rental
If you have the ambition to move yourself, be sure to shop around weeks in advance of your move for the best prices on truck rentals.
At the time this article was written, the following online price quotes from reputable companies offering truck rentals were researched. Be careful to research how the company charges for mileage. Another hidden charge that you may not be aware of is leaving the truck in a different city / location than where it was rented. Check with your truck rental store or website for any special promotions or discounts for being a AAA or AARP member. Call your insurance agent before reserving any truck to determine if your homeowner’s insurance will cover any damage to your furniture and if your auto insurance will cover the truck. This will save you worry and money, if you do not need to purchase additional insurance from the rental company.
For example, you might expect to pay the following charges for a 400-mile move:
• Uhaul, http://www.uhaul.com, 14 ‘Truck, $ 109 + $ 0.40 per mile after the first 476 miles
• Penske, http://www.penske.com, 15 ‘Truck, $ 429 for unlimited miles, receive a 10% discount for reserving the truck online and another 10% for being a AAA member
• Budget, [http://www.budget.com], 15 ‘truck, $ 452 with a $ 100 refundable deposit, 515 miles are free
Each of these companies does a great job selling boxes, duct tape, wheelbarrow rentals, and moving quilt rentals on their websites and in their stores. Boxes and tape can be bought much cheaper if you plan ahead.
In this scenario, Uhaul is the clear winner, but this is NOT always the case. Prices will vary based on availability, time and distances.
And don’t forget… you are responsible for paying for the gas for the truck, which can be an exorbitant cost at current gas prices. Ask the rental company for the truck’s average miles per gallon when you book it to estimate this cost.
3. Storage
Temporary storage of your belongings can be a necessary expense. There are many options with storage facilities and you will want to weigh each aspect carefully. For example, if you are always short on cash and there is the slightest chance that you will not be able to make the payment on time, your belongings may be confiscated! Do not risk signing a contract with a storage company if you are not sure that you will be able to make payments. An alternative option here is to use your credit card for recurring monthly costs, but ONLY if you pay the balance in full each month.
When choosing a storage facility, consider the reputation of the company, whether they have climate controlled units (if this is important to you), and what security the company can promise. Having easy access 24 hours a day can also be a key attribute for you depending on your circumstances.
If you rent a truck to move your belongings, be sure to ask what partnership prices they have with a local storage facility. Sometimes you can get storage for as little as $ 1 for the first month with a 2 month minimum contract when you rent a truck at the same time. Purchase a lock for your storage unit at your local hardware store to save 3 times the cost of installation.
4. Packing fragile belongings
As with boxes, packing materials to protect fragile belongings can be expensive. A cost-effective and space-saving tip is to pack these fragile items in your bathroom and kitchen towels, rugs, blankets, bedding, and even shower curtains. This is a much better alternative to newspaper, which leaves ink residue. All bedding can be washed and folded once you have moved into your new home.
In an easily identifiable location, such as a cabinet drawer, be sure to pack a complete change of clothing for yourself and your family members, toiletries, a complete set of bedding, and toilet paper. This way, you won’t panic trying to meet the needs when you first arrive at your destination.
5. Utilities and address changes
Remember to cancel your old utilities, start new utilities, and change your address. You may discover some money forgotten when canceling services if you were asked to pay a deposit when your service started. Be sure to finish services the day AFTER you move in. This can lead to a few dollars in additional costs, but these companies generally cannot guarantee outage time and you don’t want to be left without power or hot water while it is still in place. On the same note, you may want to schedule the installation of your utilities at your new residence the day before your arrival to make sure everything will work when you arrive. Here is a list of common utility companies to contact. The property management company or Chamber of Commerce in the area you are moving to can provide you with the numbers for the local business.
• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Telephone
• Cable
• Garbage
Also, if you move into a subdivision or condominium complex that has a private garbage collection service, you may be charged for the collection of your moving boxes. This cost can be $ 25 or much more, depending on the number of boxes. Check this out before putting your boxes on the sidewalk. You may want to consider donating your boxes to a new neighbor with a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of their home.
In addition to canceling and starting new utilities, don’t forget to change your address with your:
• Bank
• Credit cards
• Public service companies
• Insurance companies
• Doctors
• Journals
• US Post Office (at your old location)
6. Save ALL moving receipts
If your move is not being paid for by an employer, the expenses incurred may be tax deductible. According to the IRS website, http://www.irs.gov, “You can deduct your allowable moving expenses if your move is closely related, both in time and place, to starting work at a location. new or changed job. “The IRS has an interactive questionnaire that determines if your move is tax deductible. [http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0],, id = 132125.00.html Contact the IRS or your tax preparer with specific questions regarding your move.
Moving even the simplest homes can be expensive. Save yourself a lot of stress and money by planning your move well in advance.