Moving to a new place is all about new beginnings and a chance to hit the reset button. Some of us are looking for that after a rocky patch (looking at you, 2020). But moving is also expensive, especially if you are relocating to another state. You can’t make a couple of trips with your best pal’s pickup truck if you’re moving far away rather than around the corner. You might even need to hire a moving company, especially if you have a lot of furniture. So, how do you save money during your relocation? Let’s explore some money-saving tips before you start planning your big move.
Tip 1: Do Some Downsizing
The first step to saving money might seem counterintuitive, but it’s downsizing. Get rid of the clutter and all the furniture you don’t want in your new place. If you haven’t used it in a year (aside from seasonal items), then you likely won’t use it. If the item has sentimental value or if you aren’t sure how much you’ll miss the item, consider giving it to a friend or family member to keep for you. Ask them to toss it for you if you don’t ask for it back within a year. The fewer items you need to move, the cheaper it will be! Yes, you might have to replace a few things, but you can do that slowly over time. If you aren’t sure about something, ask yourself, “Is it worth the cost to move this?” Perhaps you’re tired of that old sofa (the one with the wine stain on the arm and the slight tear where your cat likes to scratch). Do you really want to pay to have that old, worn couch moved to your brand-new, shiny apartment?
Go through each room of your apartment and look at large items, like furniture, first. Keep in mind that moving companies often charge by the pound (around 50 cents per pound) and by distance (about 75 cents per mile) for long-distance moves. Look carefully at your items and determine how useful they will be in your next apartment. While your washer and dryer are in good condition, if you don’t have hook-ups in the new place, or your new apartment comes with a washer and dryer, then selling them makes more sense than paying all those cents to move them!
After you get rid of the large items you don’t want from each room, go back through and look at the smaller things. All those little items have to be packed in boxes, and those boxes add up fast (and so does the price to move them).
It’s important to do your research and know how moving companies charge. For example, most moving companies will charge you by the hour for local moves, and the average is roughly $50 per hour, per mover. You might find that the moving company will require you to have one more mover than you have rooms, so if you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay for a two-person moving crew, which would be roughly $100 per hour.
If your move isn’t local (usually any distance over 100 miles), you’ll have to hire long distance movers. Much depends on the moving company, so be sure to get several quotes. The moving company should never give you a quote over the phone — this is a moving company red flag. They should want to see how many rooms you have and the type of furniture to be moved before giving you a quote.
Tip 2: Consider a Moving Truck Rental
If you don’t mind doing the heavy lifting (or getting some friends to help), then consider renting a moving truck rather than hiring a moving company. Depending on how much stuff you have, this can be a very economical way to move (aside from your pal’s pickup truck). A small truck (10-12 feet long) is ideal for a one- or two-bedroom apartment, and it should cost you between $100-$300 to rent, on average. A mid-sized truck will cost about $200-$600, and a large truck (20 feet or more) will cost about $700-$3,000, depending on distance and the number of days you have the truck. Some truck rental companies charge by the mile, while some charge by the day. You’ll want to do your research and get prices from several rental companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
To rent a truck, you’ll need a credit card, a driver’s license, and you’ll have to meet certain requirements, such as age (in most cases, you must be at least 18). The credit card is used to reserve the truck (no deposit is required). If you don’t have a credit card, you might be able to reserve in person with cash but be sure to ask the company.
Tip 3: Know the Difference Between Shared Load Moving and Exclusive Moving Trucks
When moving across the country, most moving companies will carry more than one load at a time. After all, it costs a lot to travel a long distance, so it is more cost effective to have several loads on the truck. Some moving companies offer exclusive moves, where you have the entire truck, but this option will cost more since you will pay all the mileage instead of sharing it with others.
If you aren’t moving a long distance (100 miles or less) but you would rather hire movers instead of renting a truck and moving yourself, you could consider load sharing. This is where more than one customer, all going in the same direction, share one moving truck. If you are just moving to a different city, this could save you as much as $200 to $300 (versus having a private truck). Just be aware that your items could be jostled around a bit more and it will take longer to get your items. But if you have some flexibility and are willing to wait, sharing a truck could be worth it.
Tip 4: Move During the Off Season
When you choose to move can have a big impact on your wallet. For example, you can get a nicer apartment for less money if you move in the fall or winter. It’s also a better time to try and negotiate a lower rent rate, since demand is down during the off season and the landlord might be more willing to work with you.
Even the day of the week could impact how much you pay. For example, it might cost more to move on the weekend rather than during the week. Since fewer people choose to move mid-week, moving and truck rental companies are less busy and often run special deals during this time.
Most people tend to move in on the first or last of the month. If you can schedule your move in the middle of the month, you might be able to get prorated rent, and it is also cheaper to hire movers/a truck because there are fewer people moving mid-month.
So, when is the optimal time (read: cheapest time) to move? In the middle of the month, during the months of October through March, early in the morning (between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.), on a Tuesday.
Tip 5: Look for Free Packing Supplies
Don’t buy boxes! If you plan ahead, you can start gathering boxes for free from local supermarkets and big-box (there’s a joke in there somewhere) stores. Call and ask what day they have boxes available and where you can go to collect them. Don’t buy wrapping paper or bubble wrap. You can use what you already have. Towels, socks, and blankets are all terrific for wrapping delicate items, and there’s no waste since you want to move these things anyway. It’s a frugal win-win! Coffee filters are an inexpensive packing material, as well. They work great between plates.
Tip 6: Get Friends and Family to Help You Move
From borrowing your friend’s pickup truck to having your sister help you pack, enlisting friends and family in your move is a great way to save money. Yes, it’s a lot to ask, so offer to return the favor! If you are moving a long distance and will need to stop, contact friends or family members along your route and ask if you can stay overnight. It will save you the cost of a hotel and you can visit with your old friend from high school or your favorite aunt.
Make sure you feed your friends! Moving is difficult, so if you have help loading boxes, make sure you provide drinks and order takeout for lunch or dinner. Or make some sandwiches and store them in a cooler for later. This will use up perishable food items you can’t move, and it will feed those helping you at the same time.
Tip 7: Shop Around for the Best Rental Rates
Sometimes, just a few miles can make a huge difference in the cost of rent. The hippest, trendiest neighborhood in the city will have higher rents because those apartments are in high demand. But while location is everything, be willing to consider all locations — even those that are a little farther out than you’d like. Sure, you can’t walk out the door and be in the middle of the action, but a short drive to the action might be worth the savings you get by renting in a less expensive neighborhood.
When you search, find the average rent in the city. Use that as your baseline and try to find neighborhoods at or slightly below the average. Look at neighboring cities and towns, especially if you have some flexibility with your location. For example, if you don’t have to commute, you might be more comfortable living in a larger suburban apartment for less rent than in a smaller apartment in the heart of downtown.
If you can go anywhere at all, try looking at some of the country’s most affordable cities like Oklahoma City, where the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $782, or Tulsa, where the average rent is $763. Compare that to New York City, where the average rent is $4,450. Of course, if you want to live in New York City, some neighborhoods are less expensive than others, so make sure you do research to find the right place for you.
Tip 8: Find the Best Rates for Utilities
If you have a choice of providers, call and get the rates for each. Ask if the cost is negotiable and if any specials are being offered. Also, check and see if the apartment community has any preferred providers, as these could offer a discount by partnering with the apartment community.
Your most expensive utility will be electric, so try to negotiate that rate down if you can. Always look over your bills and mark any odd charges. Call to ask about them and try to get those fees removed.
Your apartment will come with appliances. When searching, look for apartments that provide energy-efficient appliances. This will help reduce the amount of your electric bill every month.
While some utilities are necessary (electric and water), some you might be able to do without (like cable). Make sure your necessary utilities are set up before your move-in day (there will be a day or two of overlap, since you don’t want your utilities shut off at your old place before you move out and you’ll want the utilities turned on at your new place before you move in).
Some apartments provide utilities, such as water and garbage, in the rent. While your rent may be slightly higher than at a community that doesn’t provide utilities, it may work out in your favor if the apartment community has negotiated a lower rate with the utility company. Also, you won’t have to pay deposits and connection fees when the utilities are included in your rent. However, if you are rarely home and don’t use that much electricity or water, you’ll be paying the same rate regardless since many apartment communities charge all tenants a flat rate to cover the utility costs. If this is the case, it may be cheaper to find a place where utilities aren’t included in the rent.
Ask the utility companies about their payment plans. There could be several options. For example, your gas company could offer a fixed or variable rate. Usually, companies will sign you up with a variable rate unless you request otherwise.
A variable rate fluctuates with the market, meaning you’ll sometimes pay more per kWh (kilowatt hour), depending on the season. When it is cold, the demand for heat is higher, so the rates go up. During the summer, when there’s less demand for heat, the rates go down.
When you sign up for a fixed rate, you agree to pay a set price per month and that price won’t change for the duration of the contract. This is great if you tend to crank up the air conditioner in the summer and would rather not pay higher bills through the warmer months. However, during the winter months, you’ll still be paying that same amount, even if you aren’t using the air conditioning.
Decide if a fixed or variable rate is better for you by looking back at how much you paid every month for a year, then compare that to the fixed rate the electric or gas company is offering. Add these amounts up and compare the one-year total of each. The option that is more cost-effective for you should be obvious.
Tip 9: Plan Ahead for Supplies and Meals
If you are moving a long distance, you won’t be able to keep your perishables. Plan for this in the weeks before your move by cutting back on the amount of groceries you buy and using up whatever is in your refrigerator and freezer. After you move, stock up slowly and keep an eye on grocery store ads for specials and sales.
Dollar stores and discount warehouses are great for stocking up on cleaning supplies, so consider looking at these places first to get some of your necessities after moving. Also, don’t be shy about asking friends and family for donations. For example, dishware. If someone recently purchased a new set of dishes, they might be willing to let you have their old set. The same applies to furniture and other items, so go ahead and ask. Also, don’t overlook thrift stores and garage sales. This is a terrific way to find items like side tables, lamps, and other décor for very low prices (and you’ll get to know your new community, as well).
Be aware of changes in the tax code. While it is true that you could claim moving expenses on your taxes if you had to move for work in the past, that is no longer the case. The IRS changed the law in 2018 and now you can only claim your move if you are an active member of the military and you are moving due to a permanent change of duty station. This suspension is in effect until 2025.
Moving provides a fresh start, but it doesn’t have to empty your bank account. By planning ahead, doing some research, and being willing to negotiate, you can save money during your next move.
