Tips for Moving Yourself Cheaply
Moving can be a stressful, difficult, expensive and time-consuming chore. If you are doing it on your own without the help of a moving company, then it can be even more daunting. But when you're looking to save money on the transition, self-moving is tough to beat. While cutting out the professionals saves you a bundle, you can still make moving even less costly by following a few tips that will save a few bucks here and there during the process.
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Reduce Your Inventory
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When you are moving on your own, it can require repeated trips back and forth from the old place to the new one if you simply have a lot of items to move. This can get pricey with the cost of gas and the time you are spending taking care of it. Sometimes you can simplify the process and make fewer trips --- possibly even preventing the need for getting a rental truck --- by getting rid of the unnecessary items in your home. Reduce your personal inventory by taking the time to go through everything you own in the weeks leading up to the move and set aside everything you don't need. Donate it or dump it. It'll save you time and the cost of multiple trips.
Recruit Your Friends
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Unless you are leaving with a suitcase and nothing else, you shouldn't try to do a move by yourself. You need help lifting, loading and packing. Professional movers are the simplest and most stress-free way to do this, but they are also the most expensive way. Save your money, your back and lots of time by recruiting a group of friends to help you pack up, clear out and unload on the other end if possible. They will usually be happy to help and the process will be much more relaxed and even fun --- possibly. Instead of paying an hourly rate to pro movers, you probably only need to treat your buddies to lunch and offer some cold drinks.
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Truck Rental
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If you absolutely need to rent a moving truck, plan ahead so that you can save as much money as possible. Rental trucks usually cost a significant rental fee plus mileage and fuel. Be sure you check with several companies for the best deal on rates and find out if the day of the rental makes a difference in price. Often the rates go up significantly on the weekends, so try and get a truck during the week for a better rate. When packing the truck, make sure you do it strategically to get everything in one load if you can. Making extra trips means more fuel and more mileage fees. If you are going a long distance, it is probably best to book a one-way rental and tow your vehicle or have someone else drive it. The round-trip drive often costs more than the one-way rental.
Utilities
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Don't spend money on utility costs in a house you aren't living in. Make plans ahead of time with the utility companies to shut off the power or other utilities the day after you expect to be out of the house. Likewise, schedule for the utilities to be turned on the day before you arrive at the new place to prevent unnecessary energy use.
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References
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