Are you planning a long-distance move? You are not alone. Nearly 3 million people make this type of move each year. While you may be new to the process, there are several ways that you can save money on your upcoming long-distance move.
We will discuss these tips in detail below!
Right Time to Move
The cost of moving depends largely on the availability of movers, the price of gas, and the season. However, it would help if you also considered your circumstances when deciding on a time to move. If possible, try not to plan your long-distance move during school breaks or around holidays to save money on lodging and other travel expenses for yourself as well as family members—one of the cheapest months to move in December. The cheapest day of the month would be the first Monday of the month. And for a move in winter, select one that’s not on or near Thanksgiving and Christmas when rates skyrocket due to increased demand.
De-clutter to Save Money
To reduce the cost of a long-distance move, you should take time to de-clutter your home. This saves money on packing supplies and the price of the actual move as movers will have fewer items to pack up for them to come to get your boxes from you.
De-cluttering also helps to give you some breathing room when deciding what furniture pieces to keep or sell before moving into a new place.
Before tossing anything out, ask yourself if it’s just one item that could easily go out with the trash rather than wasting space and adding weight while transporting it long distances.
Compare Estimates of Moving Companies
While finding the best moving company, it is important to compare estimates of movers for you to save money on your long-distance move. Moving companies know that they are competing against each other and often offer discounts or special rates if they agree to upfront instead of taking bids from different providers.
The best way to get a good estimate is by asking family, friends, and professional movers who have had experience in this area before. You can also try getting an online quote from one company then requesting another price comparison.
Do not forget about hidden costs such as travel expenses when comparing quotes from various service providers.
When getting a quote for relocation services, always ask if they provide free packing supplies, which will make it easier on all parties involved since no one wants to spend more than necessary during an already stressful time of their lives.
Ask Friends and Family For Help
It is always advisable to ask for help from friends and family when looking to save money on a long-distance move. These people may be willing to help you with packing, driving the truck, or even just providing moral support while going through this transition in your life.
If possible, try asking friends or other professionals who have had experience in moving before for advice and estimates instead of relying solely on online resources like Yelp reviews that can be misleading at
Get free Packing Supplies
One of the ways you can save money is by getting free packing supplies from the moving company. Just call them and ask what they have available for you or any stores in your area that offer these services.
If this is not an option, try asking friends or family members to donate items such as boxes and bubble wrap so don’t have to purchase them yourself.
Packing is a time-consuming process before the move, which can be very tedious without proper equipment like shrink wrap or Ikea bags. Therefore, it’s best to take advantage of anything free when possible!
Pack Yourself
It is best to pack everything by yourself to save money on a move. In addition, you will have more control over what is packed and how much space you are using, saving you the cost of hiring someone else for this job.
DIY Packing allows you to pack items in the size and number of boxes you want to use.
There are many benefits when packing yourself, especially the cost savings! It will save money on a move for people who plan ahead and those waiting until the last minute or with limited funds.
The time saved from not paying someone else is another bonus while ensuring everything is done correctly without risking any damage during transit.
Take Advantage Of Tax Deductions
Moving expenses are tax-deductible if the move is due to a new job, health reasons, or another major life event.
Do not forget that these expenses MUST be shown in your tax return and reported on IRS Form 3903 – Moving Expenses for Individuals.
When it comes time to file taxes, make sure you are reporting all of your moving costs, as this can result in significant deductions from income!
What qualifies? You may deduct any expense incurred solely because of the move, such as packing supplies, rental trucks, and vans, gas mileage, etc. Make sure you get receipts for everything, so there is no confusion when filing an itemized list at the end of the year with your taxes.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to save money on moving your stuff, the only thing left is to schedule your moving date. If you’re looking for help with any of these steps or have questions about this process, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below! We’ll be happy to detail more ways to make sure your next move goes smoothly and saves you as much money as possible.