4 Tips to Help Conserve Cash on Your Upcoming Long-Distance Move

Many people think that once a long-distance move is in their foreseeable future, so is an expensive moving bill. However, this is not necessarily true. It is possible to keep your moving costs down even if you're moving across state, several states over or even across the country. Here are four tips that will help you minimize the cash you spend on your move:

Tip #1: Get Your Hands on Some Free Boxes.

When moving, you are going to make a list of items that you need, such as for packing. One thing that you should not add to this list is boxes. Boxes can add up to quite the pretty penny, and there are a number of places that you can get boxes for free. You can look online at Freecycle and Craigslist. You can also check your local market, liquor stores, and family and friends who have moved. There is just one thing when getting boxes: make sure they are of decent quality and sturdy. Otherwise, they're of no use to you and could end up leading to damaged personal belongings.

Tip #2: De-Clutter and Sell What You Don't Need.

This tip works in a few different ways. First, you'll get rid of items that you don't need. Second, you can sell them to generate some additional cash for your move. Third, you will free up space on your moving truck, which will save money that you have to pay to the movers. If there are items that you have been hanging onto for years, or items that you haven't seen in years, get rid of them. All these items are going to do is cause you to pay more than necessary for your move. You might as well sell them to recoup a fraction of your moving costs.   

Tip #3: Pack Your Own Boxes.

While moving companies will often offer packing and unpacking services, which can be very tempting, you can save a lot of money by doing this yourself. The best thing you can do for yourself to limit the stress is to start as far in advance as possible and limit the packing to a single room at a time. Don't forget to label your boxes either with a marker or a color-coding system. Also, don't make them too heavy or they may end up breaking and damaging your items. 

Tip #4: Book with the Movers in Advance.

The moment you know that you are going to move, it is a good idea to go ahead and call a few moving companies to get estimates. The sooner you can select a moving company and schedule a date, the cheaper your rates are going to be. The closer it gets to the date of your move, the more money you are going to pay. 

For more moving tips, talk to a professional like those at Warners Moving & Storage.