7 Ways to Save Money on a Move

This story comes from Move.org.

Life doesn’t stop because of COVID-19. Nearly a quarter of Americans have either moved since the pandemic began or know someone who has.

And it can be expensive.

If you’re packing up a big home and moving across the country, it can cost thousands of dollars. Smaller homes and shorter distances still aren’t cheap.

But there are things you can do to trim your costs. From avoiding surprises and finding free supplies, to qualifying for moving grants and using moving containers, we’ve put together a list of ways to save money on a move.

1. Make a plan

Moving is about more than just taking your stuff from one city to another. It’s also about how you get ready, what kind of moving service you use and how you move in.

Because there’s so much to do, you can save money by using a moving checklist.

You’d be surprised how much you can save by transferring your utilities at the right time, making an inventory of your belongings, or purchasing moving insurance.

It might even be a good time to buy a new mattress when you get to your new home.

2. Find free moving boxes

You can’t move without boxes — a lot of them. The more stuff you have, the more moving boxes you need.

And the costs can add up. A set of 30 moving boxes on Amazon can set you back about $60. If you end up needing 90 boxes, that’s nearly $200.

The good news is that it’s easy to find free moving boxes. Many stores will give you free boxes if you ask:

• Car repair shops
• Furniture stores
• Grocery stores
• Liquor stores

You can even post requests for free boxes on social media and community bulletin boards.

3. Get paid to move (seriously)

It’s not available in every situation, but you can get paid to move.

Here’s a list of eight places that will pay you to move there. From Kansas and Michigan to Vermont and Ohio, many cities and towns offer financial incentives to movers.

Organizations like Move.org also offer moving grants in return for your candid feedback on your experience.

It’s worth spending a few minutes to potentially save hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars on your move.

4. Rent a moving truck

If you have loads of cash, you can hire professional movers to do everything for you. But if you’re looking to save money, you can lower your costs by renting a moving truck.

Instead of paying the pros, you pack your boxes, load them into the truck, and drive it to your new home. You also unload the truck yourself.

It’s a lot of work, but the savings add up fast.

5. Use a moving container

If you’re looking for something in between a DIY and full-service move, moving containers can be a cost-saving option.

Moving container companies drop large containers off at your home and give you time to load your stuff. When you’re ready, the company picks up the containers and transports them to your new home. Then you unload them, and the company picks up the empty containers.

You pay for the containers and the shipping, but not the costs associated with packing and unpacking or loading and unloading.

If you know where to look, you can save almost $400 on your move.

6. Get multiple quotes (and ask about price matching)

It’s easy to pick the first moving company that comes to mind, but you’ll often save money by getting quotes from several companies.

If you like one company, but it has high prices, ask if the company price matches. Because the industry is so competitive, many moving companies will match a legit quote from a cheaper moving company.

You could end up with a perfect mix of high quality and low prices. All it takes is 10 or 15 minutes to shop around.

7. Ask for discounts

It’s not uncommon for moving companies to offer discounts of up to 20%. Most moving discounts fall into the following categories:

• AAA discounts
• First responder discounts
• Military discounts
• New customer discounts
• Online discounts
• Seasonal discounts
• Senior discounts

Taking a minute to look for discounts could save you hundreds of dollars.