Moving Across The Country - Check Out These Money-saving Tips

 

A Dallas moving company is saying, moving across town can be stressful enough, but moving across the country can be a nightmare. Packing up everything you own and hauling it across the country is stressful and costly, and while this journey can tax your emotions and your wallet, there are a few tips to consider to make it a less expensive endeavor, which might take some of that stress away.

Let’s take a look at how you can save some money when moving across the country.

Eat on The Road

Depending on where you’re moving to, you might be spending three to five days on the road, which means hours in the car. During the trip, you’ll be tempted to stop for fast food or maybe stop for a relaxing dinner at a nicer restaurant. If you’re on the road for a significant amount of time, you could end up spending a lot of money on food alone.

To save a few bucks and help you get to your destination quicker, try packing a cooler with your favorite beverages, snacks, and sandwiches to keep you going when you get hungry. Also, since this is a stressful time, it’s okay to treat yourself and include some of your favorite, non-healthy snacks to give you a boost. You’ll have plenty of time to count calories again when you arrive at your new home.

Instead of stopping at restaurants, stop at a grocery store or deli to stock up on food for the remainder of your trip. You might be surprised, but if you eliminate eating out at restaurants (and that includes grabbing fast food), you can save between $60 and $300 depending on how long you’re in the car and how large a family you have.

Get Rid Of Things BEFORE You Pack

If you’re renting a moving truck, the cost is mainly determined on the size of the truck, and some moving companies will even charge you based on the weight of your stuff. You can save money by whittling down the number of things you take with you, which could result in you getting a smaller, cheaper truck.

The best way to handle this is to start a few months out before you move. Take honest assessments on the stuff you’re planning on taking and decide if there’s anything you can part with. Do this especially with furniture and determine if you would be better off getting a new sofa or coffee table when you arrive at your new home.

If you go through every piece, you may find that you’re taking fewer items than you anticipated; this means less stuff you have to pack and move, which can save you money.

Also, getting rid of stuff can earn you some extra cash which will also help with your move. Consider selling your lightly used furniture and appliances at a yard sale, on Facebook or Craigslist. If you have items that are still in decent shape, but you don’t think you could sell for much, consider donating them to charity. Most charitable organizations will even come and pick up your items for you. The bottom line is that the more you can get rid of, the more you can save when it comes time to move.

Get a Reliable Mover

Unless you’re planning on moving everything yourself, you’re going to have to hire a moving company. When planning such a lengthy trip, you’ll need to do your homework. Initially, you’ll be tempted to get a moving company that’s cheap, but in many cases, the adage that you get what you pay for is true. An inexpensive mover might cut corners, which could result in some of your items getting damaged or lost. And, with some cheaper movers, you may not even be compensated for the loss.

So, be diligent and investigate all the moving companies you have your eye on before deciding. Also, keep in mind that most people move between May and September when the kids are out of school, which means that movers are in higher demand, and you’ll probably pay a higher rate. Also, avoid moving on a weekend if you can because weekday moves are often cheaper. Especially when doing a long distance move.  Lastly, make sure your moving company has good reviews and has a favorable rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Move It Yourself

One of the best ways you can save money when moving across the country is to move everything yourself. You rent the truck, you pack your stuff, and you haul it. While there’s a ton of work to doing it all yourself, it will save you in the long run.

Also, when moving everything yourself, you can save money on packing supplies by gathering up boxes instead of going to the office supply store. Hit up your local grocery stores and hardware stores and see if they have any boxes they’re throwing out. You can also use shirts and socks as packing material, which not only saves you money but is better for the environment. Or, start asking friends, neighbors, and family to save the packing material they might get when they get orders from Amazon or other online retailers.

When it comes time to rent your truck, go to a reputable company. Make sure the truck is in condition to withstand a trip across the country, and ask them for some documentation or guarantee that the truck is mechanically sound.

If you have a car to move, don’t drive it, but rather, rent a trailer and haul it because it will save you money in gas and put less wear and tear on your vehicle.

With a little planning ahead, and getting rid of items that you no longer want or need, you can save a nice chunk of change when moving across the country. And while it won’t eliminate all the stress you’ll deal with; it can lessen it just a little, and put a little money back in your pocket in the process.