Moving home is quite the investment, and can be especially trying if you’re moving on a tight budget. Getting everything arranged in time and figuring out the best, most efficient way to move can be a burden, so it helps to cut costs as much as possible throughout the entire process.
In this article, we’re looking at some top tips to help save you money during your move – and to make things much less stressful for all involved!
Declutter
To maximise your budget for the move, it makes sense to declutter as much as you can so you’re not forking out to move a bunch of unnecessary stuff. Fewer things to pack means greater leeway in your budget.
Cast a ruthless eye over every room and decide what you can and can’t do without. Prime targets include old clothes, old toys, excess furniture, and whatever items you have stored away in the attic, shed or garage. Moving home is a great chance to create space, so tackle those areas first and clear them out well in advance of your move. A few ways to deal with clutter are:
- Donate to charity – directly to charity shops or in charity collection bags.
- Give/sell to friends and family.
- Have a garage/yard sale – not only will you save money, but you’ll be raising funds for the move too!
Think about food
We spend a lot of money on food. Weekly shops can eat up a large chunk of our budget, but when you’re moving home it helps to adapt your routine. In the week or two before the move, try not to overload your fridge, freezer or cupboards. Take a look at what you already have and plan around that.
Try to be as lean as possible and design meal plans to accommodate for whatever you have in the house. In the week before the move, do a brief shop for the essentials. Steer clear of perishables until you’re settled into your new place, and try not to rely on takeaways.
Begin fishing around for grocery coupons and loyalty schemes well before the move, and save them for nearer the move date itself. This way you’ll be able to save on the shopping without having to make do with the bare minimum.
Monthly subscriptions
We’re getting more and more used to subscribing monthly to different services, with much of our entertainment in particular coming via these channels. Some of these services will fall into the ‘nice to have’ category, and can help to save some cash if you’re on a tight budget.
Review your accounts to see how much you spend monthly on various subscription services, then cancel or pause subscriptions in the run up to your move. A couple of months without Netflix, Spotify or Amazon Prime could raise some funds for the actual removal itself. Every little really does help, and you can simply restart services as you need once you’re back on firm ground in your new home.
Talk to your removals firm
Removals firms are here to help you. Reputable firms will be able to tailor their service to your needs, so have a chat with them to discuss the best option for you. Decide what part of the removals you need most help with and focus on that. Think you can handle packing on your own? Save some money by hiring out a firm to only handle the transport for you.
A reputable firm will provide fully insured transport. This can be a lifesaver should any of your valuables be broken during transit. DIY moves won’t afford you this luxury, and you could find yourself out of pocket replacing electronics or furniture if you’ve opted for the cheapest possible rental van.
Discuss the options with a few firms and see what is best for you. Arranging your move in advance will likely find you the best deal, as will booking the removal during the week or away from peak times (fridays and bank holidays, for instance).
Two Men And A Truck are proud to be one of the largest removals firms in the world. Our dedicated movers cater to your specific requirements, whether you need expert packing services or a reliable, safe moving truck to transport your belongings. We carry out moves of any size or scale, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to discuss your move!