Moving is a significant event in anyone’s life. However, it requires a lot of time and money, from planning, preparing, and executing the move itself. Things get stressful even when everything is under control. Now, think about having a tight budget.

Moving in this scenario adds to your burdens with an extra dose of stress and uncertainties piling up. You gradually think about doing everything by yourself. But when you do a reality check, you don’t even know how or where to start. Honestly, it is a very exhausting battle.

But worry not. There’s always a solution to any problem. Whether it’s your first move or your tenth one, the art of being resourceful will serve you well. That said, even the most basic stuff contributes to saving money for your relocation.

If you want to know these tips, here is the ultimate cost-saving checklist for you!

Plan Ahead

Moving without a plan is like driving without a wheel. You don’t have control, so you’re headed for disaster. Sooner or later, you’re going to exceed your budget and break your wallet. Obviously, you don’t want that to happen, right? So don’t cut corners and give yourself time to come up with a solid game plan. To get you started, ask yourself these questions:

• How far am I going to move?

• Should I hire movers to do everything, or can I ask them to take care of the labor only while I do the packing?

• How fast do I need to get this operation over with?

• How much is my budget? And if I ever exceed, how much can I tolerate?

Asking yourself these questions will give you an idea of the services you need and your budget limitations.

Declutter

Now that you’ve already determined your needs, it’s time for the first entry in the checklist. Declutter. You probably have plenty of belongings. It’s understandable if you want to bring everything with you. However, this can be costly since the heavier your luggage, the more movers will charge.

So the ultimate solution is to downsize. Choose a few items precious to you, then pick the most useful ones in the house. For the rest of the old stuff or extra belongings, you can donate them to charity or sell them online.

This dramatically narrows down the number of packing boxes and reduces the movers’ time to do their job. As a result, you pay less, and everything gets done quicker. Isn’t that just nice?

Sadly, it’s time to part ways with some of your stuff.

Choose the Appropriate Date and Time

Like any business, the moving industry has seasons too. And if you think about it, deciding to move when the demand is high will be disadvantageous for your budget. When hiring professional movers, timing is everything. Generally, summer is the most expensive season due to high demand. On the contrary, winter is the cheapest, but you’ll have to consider risky road conditions. That being said, fall offers the best of both worlds since the demand isn’t sky-high while the weather is still benevolent enough to relocate.

Establish a DIY Move

If hiring a moving company is out of the budget, a DIY move isn’t really that bad. However, you’ll have to brace yourself for this massive undertaking. You can start with packing, one room at a time. Don’t force yourself. You’re not superman. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends to assist you. But as much as possible, it’s better to entrust this job to the professionals.

Check on Your Bills and Keep Up Before and After Your Move

All the chaos that surrounds a move can often get to your head. The stress might make you forget things, including your bills. So before you hit the road, make sure to keep track of your accounts and subscription renewals. It will prevent you from paying additional charges. You can also cancel any unnecessary memberships and use the extra money you save to add to your moving budget.

Pack Strategically 

Isn’t it better to do things as early as you can? It can reduce the stress that’s been piling up. Knowing this, since you have a lot of extra time, dedicate it to properly organizing your belongings. Be systematic on this one.

Pack things in order of their weight, shape, or size to save space. It’s also helpful to categorize them accordingly. And to avoid extra hassle at your new home, color code your boxes according to the room the contents belong to.

Don’t just pack and pack and pack, it really makes things much harder.

To Wrap Things Up

Moving is a process that requires a great deal of time and effort, especially when you’re on a budget. It can be very nerve-wracking. Finding ways for a cheaper move only requires common sense and a tad of creativity. Wishing you a happy and smooth move!