How to Save Money on your Cross-Country Move

Moving long distances is a very stressful experience. There is a lot of planning and budgeting that needs to go into making the move a success. Proper scheduling is important to make the process easier and save money while doing it. The final cost will depend on the distance you are going to be travelling and the amount of staff you are moving.

If it is a permanent move, you will have a lot of stuff compared to a temporary one. It is important to find ways to make the process more affordable. Here are some tips to help you out:

Choose the Off-Season

Believe it or not, there is an off-season for a cross-country move. The off-season is usually the time when the rates are significantly less because the work is slow. If you try to book movers for a time when other people are doing the same, there will be a spike in the rates. The peak season goes in the summer months, from May to September.

If you can schedule ahead, try to plan the relocation at a time when rates are competitive. If you can find flexibility, try to move anytime between October to April. Apart from choosing the off-season drive to move in the middle of the week. Compared to the weekends, the weekdays are less expensive and easy to book. Movingb.com offers you value for money services for your cross-country relocation.

Do It Yourself

The do-it-yourself trend expands to managing your cross-country relocation as well. If you want to save money, the most considerable expense you need to eliminate is hiring professional help. While it is practical to hire professionals to save time, you also need to understand whether you would be able to pay the bills that come with it. If it is possible, make sure you take leave for a few days to get everything done.

Try to engage in packing your belongings yourself because you will save on the cost of professional packers. You will not only save a lot of money but will also be able to make decisions on what to take and what to leave behind. If you do it yourself, you will only have to pay the bills for the moving truck. This will save up on a lot of money, especially if you are running on a strict budget.

Clear all the Clutter

You will only be able to clear the clutter if you are actively engaged in the process of packing your belongings. Clearing the clutter might not seem like a strong budgeting tip, but it helps in ways that are less apparent. Clearing the clutter is recommended to reduce the amount of baggage you will be carrying across the country.

If you have been living in a place for a long time, you tend to accumulate certain things. Many of these things have emotional value, which is why they are kept in the garage even if they are broken or not used. If you will be moving long-distance, some of these things need to be removed from your home to make the relocation easier to manage.

Removing obsolete things will reduce the amount of weight you will have to carry. Your stuff might even be fitted in just one truck if you decide to let go of some things that do not have any use anymore. So you will save money that would have been spent on hiring multiple trucks. You can even sell your old things at a great sale to get a few bucks.

Do Not Neglect Discounts

Discounts and promotional offers are highly beneficial if you want to save some money. Newer companies will offer promo codes and first-time customer discounts. The discount is also reliant on the season you are shifting in. If you find a good company, ask them at the time of signing the contract. There are discounts based on the location you were shifting from and the location you are shifting to.

You are also liable for discounts if you are getting multiple trucks. There might also be the provision of getting referrals from friends and family members who have used similar services before. Doing some research on discounts and promotional offers beforehand can save you even more money than you might be anticipating.

Consider Shipping

You can ship your belongings if you do not have a lot of things to put in the moving truck. If you are not in the habit of collecting things, your belongings might be better off being shipped rather than in a moving truck. Typically, shipping would cost you less if your belongings are sent through roadways.

You are more likely to get cheaper prices with shipping companies, given the amount of stuff you will be sending. Shipping might save you money even with long-distance moves because trucks have a fixed price, while shipping is dependent on how many things you are transporting. Try not to pick airways or Express shipments because that will cost you more than a moving company.

Be Frugal with Packing Supplies

Since you are planning the move on a strict budget, you will have to be frugal with small decisions related to packing. For instance, if you have the option of getting the packing boxes for free, go for it. Contact the local grocery stores or hardware stores to get cardboard boxes. Spending some amount of money on packing supplies is understandable, but if you can get something for free, do not hesitate.

The Takeaway

Planning a long-distance relocation on a strict budget is not too difficult if you know how to efficiently manage the entire process. Be open to a flexible schedule and try to find promotional offers. Ask for references from people who have made similar moves. Try to be as frugal as possible to save up money. Even if making small savings does not seem significant, it will make a big difference later on.