Moving to a new home can be an expensive process. But most people could actually have saved a lot of money had they made sure they’d done a few things before the moving date. Want to know what those things are? Lucky you - they’re listed for you below.
Downsize before you move
Don’t be tempted to put the process off until the last minute. Yes, I know it seems easier to just throw everything into containers and deal with it at your new location. But not only does this usually induce more stress, but it also induces more cost. Let’s face it - you probably don’t need to move everything, do you? You should find time to downsize before the moving day. This will, of course, greatly reduce the amount that you need to move - and the more you have to move, the more you’ll have to pay! It will also make your home more manageable in the meantime.
Be smart about packing
Do you really need to send so much money on all those ultra-strong plastic boxes? Seriously, cardboard boxes are a lot stronger than you may think. Still, you may even fall into the trap of paying more for cardboard boxes than you need to! There are actually loads of places where you can grab yourself some free cardboard boxes. Still, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t invest in some stronger material if you’re dealing with something very heavy or oddly-shaped. If a cardboard box does break and your item is damaged, then the money you saved getting cardboard instead may not seem worth it!
Think about insurance
Insurance is a word that sends alarm bells ringing in the mind of many a penny-saver. It often signifies something that you don’t really need, much in the same way “warranty” often does. But this isn’t really an accurate way of looking at things. Insurance is often very useful when it comes to personal items - and this is especially true when you’re moving. Moving insurance isn’t really as expensive as you may think. Take a look at your options and see if it would be beneficial to you. Because if something does go wrong, you may end up having to pay for replacements!
Work with reputable help
You should alway research every moving company you consider carefully. There are, of course, many movers out there who have great reputations and can be trusted. But there are also people out there with vans who are happy to pose as movers in order to steal your stuff! And if theft isn’t on the cards, then simple ineptitude very well could be. Making sure your items are actually in safe hands is vital if you don’t want expensive mistakes occurring.
Get an accurate estimate
You should know as precisely as you can just how much you’re going to end up paying for the help of the movers. However, you should also understand that most estimates will be non-binding, since there are so many things that could change between the quote and the completion of the move itself. However, as long as you’re as accurate as possible with your information, then the final price shouldn’t stray too far away from the estimate that you’ve been given. Using a budget planner at the beginning of your move may help you keep things on track.
Book things way ahead of time
Yes, we’re still talking about movers. But the actual move itself is where so much of the cost comes in, so it makes sense! You need to understand that most moving companies are extraordinarily busy. While it is possible to book something a few days in advance, you’re probably going to end up paying quite a bit extra for booking something so late. Once you know what day you’re going to move out, get on the phone with a moving company. The earlier you book, the less you’re going to have to pay to book that specific time you need.
Make sure people know you’re moving!
So who exactly needs to know that you’re moving? Your immediate family and friends should probably know, of course. But unless any of them owe you cash, I doubt that not letting them know is going to do you any financial damage. You need to let your bank know that you’re moving. You should also alert the government, especially if you’re moving to a new state. Your bank, insurance companies, credit card companies, and anyone you have a credit agreement with will also need to be informed. Otherwise, you could be hit with fines eventually. And that will certainly do some damage to your finances!
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