Save Money On Your Next Move: Tips to Make Your Move More Affordable

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I had the pleasure of partnering with Abodo on this guest post today. We both are helping our clients find homes and saving money on a move is top priority! They started their site because “apartment hunting sucked where we lived. We thought there had to be a better way, so we built it.” Gotta love that!

The average American moves a ton throughout their life. According to fivethirtyeight, that number is more than ten moves in a lifetime. This number is shocking, considering how terrible moving can be for most. Cross country moves are some of the most inefficient and troublesome. But even if you’re moving from a Minneapolis apartment to a nearby North Oaks home packing up your entire life can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. But there are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself. Here are six ways to make your move as quick, painless, and cheap as possible.

Do NOT Use The Dreaded Packing Peanuts
Use your own clothes, towels, and bedding instead. It’s cheaper, easier to clean up, and your electronics won’t have bits of white Styrofoam all over them when you unpack. And maybe you can find another use for those old packing peanuts. 
Find Free Boxes — It’s Easy!
And in more ways than one. They’re the best source for sturdy, free cardboard boxes with handles, perfect for books or heavier items like electronics and cookware. Just ask at the register if there are any you can take off their hands.While you’re there, buy a six pack or two. You’ll need it for tip #3.
Friends And Family Discounts
Hiring movers can really take some of the stress off your plate. But if hiring the pros is too expensive or doesn’t fit with your timeframe, host a moving party. Provide the beer and the pizza and the tunes, and invite your closest friends over to help. Even if your friends have trouble lifting 50 lbs., they can be helpful when it comes to packing things and recycling unwanted items. Think of it as the opposite of a housewarming party. (Just make sure you’re more-than-amply stocked with food and beverages.) 
Renting A Truck? Find The Best Price
Don’t believe the hype: Those “$20 flat rate” deals usually come with strings attached. Most truck companies adjust their prices to account for demand. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a number of companies. The difference in cost can be in the triple figures, and many companies will price match if you quote one of their competitors.If you’re moving cross country, also consider adding extra drive time to drop off your moving truck in another city. Since truck pricing is based on supply and demand, dropping your truck off in a nearby city might save you a little money. You can plug in different destinations online and get instant quotes. 
Hire Cleaners
It might not be cheaper, but it will definitely make your life easier, especially if you’re moving from a large apartment or house under a time crunch. If you’re in an apartment, take a look at your security deposit. Given the immense fees landlords often charge for minor cleaning jobs, it might be financially sensible to spend money upfront to ensure you don’t lose it later. You don’t want to fall victim to the $200 oven cleaning charge. Hiring cleaners will also decrease your stress and fatigue levels. It’s hard enough to pack up everything you own into a truck, drive it to a new place, and unpack it again. Why worry about mopping the floors and scrubbing the refrigerator if you don’t absolutely have to?
Finalize Your Financing
Moving means many things, but one of the most important aspect is financing and bill closures. If you bought a new home, perhaps you a used non-traditional financing method like a contract for deed, then make sure that all of your financing has been sufficiently and accurately documented and taken care of. If possible, get help from your realtor as much as you can. The last thing you want to do is have additional costs tacked on when you get to your new home. Also, make sure your utility and cable bills have been finalized at your previous address and that you have plans to set up new bills after your move. This can save you time. And this can save you lots of money. Don’t let unclosed bills haunt your credit score!Moving doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. With a little planning and the support of the people around you, moving can almost be pain free — good luck!