5 Tips for Moving on a Budget

Packing up and moving house can be a stressful life event for any family. Your schedules can be uprooted, your kids may feel uprooted, and no matter what your reasons for moving, you may feel as if you don’t want to do so by the time it’s all said and done. While moving might be a stressful thing, the one thing it does not have to be is expensive. With a little careful planning, your move can be done within your budget to make things a bit easier on your wallet.

5 Tips for Moving on a Budget

Set a Realistic Budget – Obviously before you move, you’ll need to set your budget. Make sure that you take into account things like vehicles, supplies, gasoline and meals on the road if you’re moving move than a few miles. After you’ve done this, it’s only a matter doing your research. After you have your budget number set, go ahead, and pad that number by a couple of hundred dollars at the very least. This will give you a buffer just in case something happens that you weren’t planning on.

Start early – If you know that you’re planning to move, it just makes sense to start planning as early as you can. Doing so will allow you to do more than have a better organized move. It will also allow you to find boxes without having to purchase them, price out moving companies or vehicles and search for any other deals that you may want.

Call around – If you’re planning on renting a moving truck or using a moving company, start calling early to get their best deals. Most rental places actually charge more the closer you are to your moving date so by checking them and by comparing rates, you will find the best deals.

Take advantage of discounts – Most rental companies, moving companies, and supply chains offer multiple discounts for various reasons. If you’re a veteran, you may qualify for a veteran’s discount. Active military can usually qualify too if the military isn’t moving you. Seniors can usually get a pretty decent savings as well. You’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Enlist Your Friends & Family – Know someone who has a truck or van? Offer them a few bucks to help you move instead of paying for a moving truck. Yes, you’re still paying out of pocket, but the cost will be considerably less than paying a moving company or renting a moving truck. Even kids can be a big help! They can pack things like small boxes (be sure that they aren’t packing anything fragile) and can carry small bags and boxes to and from the vehicle.

Moving on a budget is tough for anyone, but if you give it the attention it needs, you can pull it off without too much issue. Just remember to take it slow, get started early and to of course, go for any discount you can find.

Stacy Barr is the face and brain behind the frugal living and personal finance blog, Six Dollar Family. She lives in East Texas with her husband, daughter, 2 cats, and 2 rescued pups that are almost as tall as she is. Stacy loves helping others save and build a better life for themselves as she has done for herself. In her off time, she can frequently be found in front the television making fun of “B” class movies with her hubby, belting out bad karaoke with her daughter, and of course, saving every dime that she possibly can. Find more personal finance tips, tasty recipes and or to learn more about Stacy visit her at www.sixdollarfamily.com