9 Money Saving Tips for Relocating

Moving to a new place is exciting until you consider the price tag. When you’re moving hundreds of miles, you can’t just make a few quick trips in a friend’s pickup truck. You may need to hire movers, ship your belongings, and cover travel costs on top of everything else. So how do you keep your budget in check while you relocate? Let’s walk through some smart ways to save before you start planning your move.

Tip 1: Do Some Downsizing

Moving is the perfect excuse to take less with you, and that’s one of the easiest ways to save money. Most moving costs are tied to how much stuff you have and how far it’s going, so every extra chair, box, and side table adds to your bill.

Start with the big pieces. Walk through each room and decide what actually deserves a spot in your next apartment. If a sofa is stained, sagging, or doesn’t fit the style or size of your new place, don’t pay to move it. The same goes for bulky items like extra dressers, bookshelves you don’t love, or that treadmill you haven’t touched in months.

Then tackle the smaller things. As a rule: if you haven’t used it in a year (seasonal items aside), it’s a candidate to sell, donate, or give away. For sentimental pieces you’re unsure about, ask a friend or family member to hang on to them for six months. If you don’t ask for them back during that time, you have your answer.

The fewer items you move, the less you’ll spend on packing supplies, truck space, and labor — and the easier it will be to settle into your new place without drowning in clutter.

Tip 2: Consider a Moving Truck Rental

If you’re willing to do the heavy lifting yourself (and recruit a few friends), renting a moving truck can be cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. You’re essentially trading labor for savings.

Before you book a truck, think through a few things:

• Distance: For short- and medium-distance moves, a truck rental often beats hiring movers. For very long distances, once you add fuel, mileage fees, and extra days, the gap can shrink.
• How much you own: After downsizing, you may realize everything fits into a smaller truck size, which usually means a lower rate.
• Your comfort level: Driving a large truck through city streets, tight parking lots, or long stretches of highway isn’t for everyone. If that thought stresses you out, the savings may not be worth it.
• Extra costs: Factor in rental insurance, gas, mileage or day rates, tolls, and any gear you’ll need (like a dolly or furniture pads). Compare that total to at least one quote from a moving company.

Most truck rental companies will require a valid driver’s license and a major payment method to reserve your vehicle, and many have minimum age requirements. Check these details and shop around before you commit, so you’re choosing the option that actually saves you money, and not just the one that looks cheaper at first glance.

Tip 3: Decide Between a Shared-Load and Dedicated Moving Truck

If you’re moving a long distance and hiring professionals, your belongings won’t always have a truck to themselves. Many companies offer two basic options: a shared load (or consolidated) move and a dedicated truck. Knowing the difference can help you choose the option that fits your budget and timeline.

• Shared load / consolidated move: Your things share truck space with other customers who are moving in the same general direction. Because the company spreads fuel and labor costs across several households, this option is usually cheaper. The trade-off: you’ll get a wider delivery window, and your items may take longer to arrive as the truck makes multiple stops.
• Dedicated / direct truck: Your belongings are the only load on the truck. This typically means faster, more predictable delivery and fewer handoffs along the way. It also costs more, because you’re paying for the full trip yourself.

If you’ve downsized and can be flexible about when your things arrive, a shared-load move can unlock meaningful savings. If you’re on a tight schedule or moving a lot of furniture you can’t be without, a dedicated truck might be worth the extra cost.

When you’re getting quotes, always ask whether the price is for a shared load or a dedicated truck. Compare options with your timeline and flexibility in mind.

Tip 4: Move During the Off-Season

When you move can be just as important as where you move. Timing your move around slower seasons can save you money on both rent and moving costs.

• Season: The busiest (and usually most expensive) time to move is late spring through summer, when demand for rentals and movers is highest. If you have flexibility, aim for the off-season, which is roughly October through early spring. Fewer people are moving, so you may see lower rents, more move-in specials, and better rates or availability from moving companies.
• Time of month: Most leases start on the first of the month, so movers and trucks tend to book up around the first and last weekends. If you can move mid-month, you’re competing with fewer people, which can mean more flexible scheduling and sometimes better pricing.
• Day of the week & time of day: Weekends are peak moving days. If your schedule allows, a weekday move can be easier to book and may come with lower rates or occasional promotions. Morning slots are often ideal since you’ll have more daylight, cooler temperatures in summer, and a buffer if anything takes longer than expected.

You can’t control everything about your move date, especially if it’s tied to a job or lease end. But if you have any wiggle room, prioritize:

1. Off-season over peak season
2. Mid-month over the very beginning or end
3. Weekdays over weekends

Those three things together can shave a noticeable amount off your total moving costs without you lifting a single extra box.

Tip 5: Look for Free Packing Supplies

Before you spend money on boxes and bubble wrap, see how much you can get for free. With a bit of planning, you can cover most of your packing needs without adding a line to your budget.

Start with boxes. Ask at grocery stores, liquor stores, and big-box retailers if they have boxes they’re planning to recycle. You can also check local community boards, neighborhood apps, or social media groups. People who’ve just moved are often grateful to give their boxes away instead of breaking them down.

For padding, skip the fancy wrapping paper. Use what you already own: towels, socks, T-shirts, and blankets are perfect for wrapping fragile items and filling empty space in boxes. You’re moving these things anyway, so they might as well do double duty.

For dishes, inexpensive items like coffee filters or paper napkins work well as separators between plates and bowls. The goal is simple: reduce what you buy, reuse what you already have, and let other people’s “trash” become your free packing supply stash.

Tip 6: Get Friends and Family to Help You Move

One of the easiest ways to cut moving costs is to bring in your support crew. Ask friends or family to help with specific tasks like packing, loading and unloading, watching kids or pets, or lending tools such as a dolly or hand truck. Be clear about the date, time, and how long you expect the work to take so no one feels trapped in an all-day project.

If you are moving a long distance and driving to your new place, reach out to friends or relatives along your route and ask whether you can stay overnight. Even one or two free stops can save you a noticeable amount on hotel costs. Give them plenty of notice, show up on time, and offer a small thank-you, like covering a meal or bringing coffee and snacks.

And yes, you need to feed your helpers. Moving is hard work, so plan to provide water or sports drinks and an easy meal such as pizza, sandwiches, or a big takeout order. Use up anything perishable from your fridge first so it does not go to waste. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way toward making your budget move feel less like a chore for everyone involved.

Tip 7: Shop Around for the Best Rental Rates

Rent can swing dramatically from one neighborhood to the next, and sometimes even from one side of the street to the other. If you’re willing to be flexible on location, you can often cut your monthly costs without sacrificing too much on lifestyle.

Start by setting a realistic budget, then use it as your filter instead of fixating on one area. Look at several neighborhoods in your target city and compare:

• Average rents for the unit size you want
• What you get for the money (square footage, amenities, parking)
• Your commute and transit options
• Noise, walkability, and access to the places you frequently go

If you’re not tied to a specific city, widen the map. Nearby suburbs, neighboring towns, or smaller cities can offer more space and lower rent than the hottest downtown zip codes. You might trade a five-minute walk to nightlife for a 15-minute drive, but you’ll cut a few hundred dollars off your monthly housing costs.

As you search, use the average rent in your target area as a baseline, then focus on neighborhoods that fall at or slightly below that number. Save and compare listings across different areas so you’re looking at the full picture: rent, fees, parking, and utilities; not just a flashy building in a trendy location. Once you've found the right place, try negotiating. You could score a better deal on rent or another perk.

Tip 8: Compare Utility Options and Plans

Utilities can quietly turn a “great deal” on rent into a monthly budget headache. Before you sign a lease or set up new accounts, take time to understand how utilities will work in your new place and where you can save.

Start with the basics:

• What’s included in your rent? Ask which utilities you’ll pay directly (electric, gas, water, trash, internet) and which, if any, are bundled into your rent. A slightly higher rent that includes water, trash, or even heat might be cheaper overall than a lower rent with a long list of separate bills and deposits.
• Are utilities individually metered or flat-fee? If the building charges a flat rate per unit, you’ll pay the same amount no matter how much you actually use. That can be a good deal if you’re home a lot, run the AC, or have roommates. If you travel often or barely use power or water, paying your own metered utility bill may be cheaper than a flat, one-size-fits-all charge.

If you have a choice of providers (for electric, gas, or internet), shop around:

• Compare rates, fees, and contract terms from each provider.
• Ask about new-customer promotions, autopay discounts, or bundled services that actually make sense for you.
• Only sign up for services you’ll truly use; you might not need cable if you mainly stream.

In some areas, utility companies or suppliers offer different plan types, such as:

• Fixed-rate plans: Your rate stays the same for the length of the contract. This makes bills more predictable and can be helpful if you use a lot of energy or prefer stable monthly costs.
• Variable-rate plans: Your rate can go up or down based on the market or season. You might save in some months, but you’ll need to be comfortable with occasional spikes.

If you have access to past bills from your current place, glance over a year’s worth to see how your usage and costs vary by season. Use that as a rough guide: if big swings stress you out, a fixed rate may be worth a slightly higher average; if you can handle some fluctuation, a variable plan might save you more over time.

Finally, plan your utility overlap smartly when you move. Make sure essentials like electricity and water are turned on at your new place by move-in day, and shut off at your old place right after you leave. You want a short, intentional overlap, not weeks of double-paying.

Tip 9: Plan Ahead for Food and Basic Supplies

The weeks before and after a move are prime time for unplanned spending: takeout every night, wasted groceries, and emergency runs for basics you forgot. A little planning can keep those costs under control.

In the weeks before you move:

• If you’re moving a long distance, you probably can’t bring much from your fridge or freezer. Start buying fewer groceries and plan meals around what you already have. Use up frozen foods, pantry items, and condiments so you’re not throwing money in the trash on your last night in the apartment.
• Skip big stock-up trips. Focus on finishing what’s in your kitchen, not adding to it.

Right after you move:

• Restock slowly. It’s tempting to do one giant shopping trip, but that’s how you wind up with a huge bill and a bunch of things you don’t really need. Start with a simple grocery list for a few days’ worth of meals and basics, then build from there.
• For cleaning and household supplies, check discount and dollar stores, warehouse clubs, or generic brands first. These are great for trash bags, paper goods, and cleaning products.

Furnishing on a budget:

• Before you buy new, ask friends or family if they’re offloading dishes, cookware, or small furniture. People who have recently upgraded often have perfectly usable sets they’re happy to give away.
• Thrift stores, online marketplaces, and yard sales are ideal for inexpensive pieces like side tables, lamps, and decor. You can furnish a lot of your space for a fraction of retail prices while you get to know your new area.

Moving to a new place is a fresh start, but it doesn’t have to drain your savings. By cutting what you bring, choosing the most cost-effective way to move it, timing your move wisely, and being strategic about rent, utilities, and everyday expenses, you can keep more money in your pocket while you settle in. A little planning before you pack the first box can make your next move feel like an upgrade, not a financial setback.