Saving Some Cash With Your Next Move

With the increase of inflation and housing cost skyrocketing, it's tough for Raleigh and Wake Forest homeowners to save money. Especially, with the cost of fuel these days.  As expenses add up, where can you save?  The moving process has gotten even more expensive so how can we combat that a bit?  Moving is necessary to the selling and buying process but can you save money there? There are the obvious cost saving ideas.  Some of those are moving during the offseason or renting a moving truck and trying to do it yourself with the help of friends.  But many times we have no control over the time we move or have the time to do it ourselves. Thankfully, there are other ways to save money.  If we dig a little deeper in the process we can see some of the expenses that really add up.   Here are some ideas to minimize those cost. 

The first, packing expenses. If you simply do the math you can spend $500+ on boxes pretty quickly.  Many folks keep their old boxes or have recently moved and have not gotten rid of them yet.  If you’re doing an in town or a local move ask to borrow them.  Many boxes can be used over and over again if handled properly. Some of the wardrobe boxes can be quite expensive.  If you are moving out of the area see if anyone has boxes to give away.  You can check facebook marketplace where you will usually find a collection from someone who “needs them gone”; often times they are free or a fraction of the original cost.  Another idea is to hit up some of your favorite stores.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Try to get a few here and a few there and over time you can build quite the collection.  Boxes break down easily so you can store them until you need them.

Tip 2 applies to saving money on actual supplies.  Why pay all that money on packing paper? Start collecting newspapers or other type of papers and use them instead.  On recycling days you can sometimes see stacks of papers ready to be picked up.  Tape is another big expense.  Go ahead and buy a tape gun. The money you will save by buying packs of tape rolls will definitely make a difference.  If you don’t want to buy a tape gun borrow one. Don’t be afraid to ask.  The tape guns make sealing up the boxes so much easier.  

An unexpected area that always gets us is food. You will wind up eating out a couple days before, during, and then a couple days after the move.  Prepare a bunch of meals like chili and spaghetti. Have sandwiches ready the day of the move.  Put the hot meals in individual containers so you can just microwave and eat with plastic utensils. Also, buy some Gatorade and bottled water to avoid those 5 buck cold drink runs. It's possible to save a couple hundred dollars at least this way. 

The fourth idea is pare down. Start acting like you are going to move right from the start!  The majority of people you speak with after a  recent move wish they didn’t move as much stuff as they did. Fewer things to move will save you money! Go ahead and start donating now. Those precious knickknacks are probably ready for a new home.  Another tip is pull all the clothes out before you pack them.  Try them on.  If you haven’t worn that sweater in 5 years chances are you won’t for another 5. We are a family of 5 and I feel like half of the moving truck was clothes. Also, try to pare down furniture.  That nightstand you never could find a place for? There is a good chance you’re not really that in love with it in the first place. It will be future garage clutter. 

You can actually make money during your move.  Yes, garage sales aren’t for everyone but you can make an easy $200-$500+ selling  your current garage clutter. Also, Facebook marketplace is an easy place to sell items.  Look around and see what items you just don’t see fitting in the new house.  If you don’t want to sell them donate them.  It can be very cleansing to trim the junk out of our lives.

Moving is stressful enough. Having to move and spend a lot of money is even more stressful.  Do yourself a favor and try to plan ahead as much as possible.  There are very few unexpected expenses with a move.  Try to create a budget so you won’t over spend thinking it’s ok out of convenience.  There are ways to save money if you look hard enough.  Shoot me, Matt, a message if you'd like to chat about your next home and how to get you there!