The Big Move: 4 Money Saving Tips

Whether this is your first move or your fifth, you probably already know—moving can be expensive! Not only do you have to factor in the costs of moving and often taking time off work—you’ll likely have a host of new furniture and items to purchase, and if you’re upsizing you will often have to pay more in rent or mortgage payments per month.

But here’s some good news… moving doesn’t have to be the expensive event we’ve come to know it as! By following a few money saving tips, you can keep a sound mind (and bank account) throughout the entire process.

Sell old or unwanted belongings

You may find that in the weeks or months leading up to your move, there are lots of items you don’t want to bring along—whether they’re old and unused or they simply don’t have a place in your new home. While the process of deciding what to keep can be daunting, it comes with an added perk: you may be able to sell the things you no longer want or need!

There are a few ways to go about this. You can host a good old fashioned garage sale and invite neighbors to rummage through your belongings… or, if you have bigger ticket items you’d like to sell, consider listing them online. While you may not see huge profits with these methods, they are handy ways of earning a little extra cash—which we can all use during a move!

Move on a weekend

If you can help it, moving on a weekend is a great strategy to save money. By doing so, you won’t have to miss out on valuable work time, which is a big plus in our book. Just be sure to consider your options carefully—for some, the cost of missing a day or two of work is worth the convenience of a weekday move. Decide what’s best for you.

Budget before the move

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during your move is not budgeting before the big day. As soon as you know where you’ll be moving and are able to do so, start budgeting to account for new monthly costs (like rent, utilities, etc.). This will allow you to transition more smoothly into your new home, since there will be less surprises in your monthly expenses.

Before a move, it’s also important to set aside some funds (when possible) for surprises and unexpected events. Last minute repairs, furniture, and other common costs can sneak up on you in your new home, so expect these and prepare for them when you can.

Stick to the necessities

Finally, stick to the necessities before and after your big move. Don’t feel the need to decorate and furnish every nook and cranny of your new home right away… rather, focus on the necessities (like bills, food, and other household items) until you are more able to take on new expenses.

Moving may be expensive, but there are ways you can make it a smoother process. We hope that you can use a few of these ideas to make your move easier and more enjoyable.