Save Money When Moving
We all dread moving house because it takes so much planning and can end up costing you quite a bit of money, let alone being a chaotic time. But there are some tricks out there to avoid being left with empty pockets, and to make the experience of moving the best it can be.
Here are some of the top money saving tips when moving house.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
If you’re moving house, one of best ways you can save money will be with your removal company.
Learning to negotiate (properly!) can end up saving you 20% of the final cost. So don’t agree with the first quote you get. Compare with others and get familiar with what services they give out, such as storing furniture, packing and assembling.
Another thing to remember is there’s plenty or removal services out there, so if the one you were planning on using is asking for too much – find one that’s cheaper. Just bear in mind that the smaller the company is, the more chance you have at negotiating a good price.
Stay organized
Organizing not only helps keep on top of things, but it can save money too. If you note down all the jobs that need doing, and all the services you will need, along with how much that will cost you – you can figure out what you will be paying. You may find after writing things down that you can do a few of the jobs yourself, or you can get help from your friends. Resulting in not having to pay for someone to do it for you.
Decluttering your house
Before you move, it’s a very good idea to declutter your home. Decide on what you will be taking with you, and then focus on what you need to get rid of. Doing this in advance will save you a lot of time and even stress.
There are many companies like www.dirtcheaprubbishremoval.com.au who will come and take all your junk for a small fee. Whether that be old beds and mattresses, carpets, and even garden waste.
Don’t forget a lot of items can be recycled by giving them to your friends, family or even a local charity.
If you have some valuable stuff like a TV or a relatively new sofa, why not consider selling it?
Move during the week
Weekends will not only be more expensive with removal companies, but the roads will be a lot busier, which tends to add to the stress. So when planning your date, try and stick to a day between Monday and Thursday if possible. (Fridays tend to be a typical moving day for people.) Don’t be afraid to ask if they give any discounts as it’s an ‘off-peak’ time.
Use your own packaging
Don’t use the packaging that removal companies offer you. It may seem easier to do everything through them, but it’ll bump up the costs a lot more than you’d think.
Ever gone past a shop and seen empty boxes outside? Well, these can be taken, and you don’t have to pay a penny. If you’re not sure, you can always ask the shop owner beforehand. But if they’re left outside, it’s because they’ll just be dumped in the recycling. So take what you need.
You can also shop online with sites like eBay and Amazon for ‘moving boxes.’ They sell in bulk so you can get a whole bunch, even different sizes, and it’ll barely cost you anything.
Pack your things yourself
If you’re happy enough to pack up your own things – do it. It doesn’t have to be a stressful job. Call your friends and family, and have a packing party! Invite everyone over, play some music, and start packing. Assign jobs for everyone, so one person covers the kitchen, while another sorts out the bathroom.
Make sure you list all the boxes clearly, so you know what’s in them. And whatever you do, don’t forget to pack an ‘essentials’ box with things like your toothbrush, change of clothes, shower gel, blankets, snacks, tea bags, and mugs, etc.
Otherwise, you’ll be left having to open everything to find what you need.
Change your address details
If you want to avoid random bills popping up, claiming you owe them money, it’s a good idea to let all the important people know that your address has now changed.
If you pay for your internet or any other utility, make sure you cancel them and let them know you will no longer be at that address. Otherwise, they will keep billing you for something you’re no longer using.
Plan what you’re going to eat
Many people that have just moved house tend to live off of takeaways for the first few days, as it’s easier that unpacking all the utensils straight away, let alone having to do a huge food shop to fill up your fridge. But ordering food everyday will end up costing you a lot of money, so it’d be better to plan some quick and easy meals that you can make without all the hassle. Plus it’s also a good way to get to know your kitchen.
Don’t buy brand new furniture
Before you spend any of your money, ask around and let your friends and family know you’re looking for a table or a wardrobe, etc. You never know who might be looking to get rid of one. It’s also a good idea to look around in your local charity shops or car boot sales. You may find a beautiful piece of furniture for next to nothing, and all it may need is a little polish, and it’ll be as good as new.
Now you know how easy it can be to save up your precious coins. All you need to do is take a little time out to evaluate things. Once that’s done, you get to focus on the excitement of moving into your new home, and creating new memories.