Moving on a Budget

Many families tend to overlook the small expenses that add up during a move. Instead of letting moving costs break your budget, plan ahead to ensure your strategy encompasses all your expenses to keep you on track during the chaos of the move. Also, if your budget is tight, consider finding places to cut back and save up for the bigger expenses.

Sell items you won’t need at your new home

If you are moving to a smaller home or if you need to get rid of clutter, a garage sale can be a great way to earn some extra cash. If you decide to get rid of some big-ticket items like furniture, you might even be able to scale down the cost of your move by using a smaller truck. At the very least, donate some of these items to a thrift or secondhand store to downsize your belongings.

Hire a moving service instead of renting a truck

Moving is an expensive, exhausting process and for people living on a budget, the cost alone can be overwhelming. Most budget-conscious people assume hiring a moving company is a luxury afforded to the wealthy and don’t even consider the benefits that come with this service. Vehicle rental, fuel, insurance and equipment can all add up, so it’s smart to review the benefits of hiring professional help even if you’re cash-strapped.

At first blush, moving trucks might seem like the far better deal, but their rental cost is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s insurance to buy for both the truck and your belongings. Extra items such as moving boxes, dollies and blankets are all paid for on a per-item basis. Then there’s the fuel to get you from point A to point B, extra costs to tow your car behind your truck and… well, you get the idea. And at the end of the day, you’re still the one doing the loading and unloading.

Moving services, however, consolidate all these costs into one fee and give you a quote up-front so you know exactly what you’re paying for. The convenience of working with professionals can make your move less stressful and free you to handle other tasks, such as shutting off and reconnecting your utility services or getting your kids settled in their new school.

Ask employers to help foot the bill

Sometimes when a person takes a new job, they transfer to a new city or state. The company might cover the cost of moving, but not all businesses offer relocation assistance. If money is tight and you’re being reassigned to a different branch or hired on to a new business, talk to your employer about helping with moving costs. Even if you can only manage a partial reimbursement, it can make a big difference.

Although a move means new opportunities and scenery, it still costs money. If you plan ahead, however, downsize and research all your options, you can successful complete the transition while sticking to your budget.