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The average American will move 11.3 times over the course of their life.
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There are many different reasons: finding a better home, getting a cheaper home, getting a new job, getting married, going to college, getting evicted...
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Whether it's a happy reason or a bummer, I don't know anyone who actually enjoys the process of moving.
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The planning, the packing, the cleaning, the expense.
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But we've got your back!
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No, we can't actually help you load the truck. Sorry.
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But we do have nine hacks to help you save money on your move.
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You may have to break your back, but you can avoid breaking the bank.
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Look around your house.
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How many individual things do you think are in it?
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If it's the average American household, that number is 300,000.
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The idea of transporting 300,000 items from one location to another is... daunting.
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And the more you have to move, the more expensive it will be.
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So, let's get that number down, shall we?
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When you're a month or two out, make a list of all the rooms in your house and focus on one per week.
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Your job is to pick up every item in that room and ask yourself if you really still like it.
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This is not the time to be precious.
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Aunt Helga will never find out if you got rid of her lamp.
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You can sell the unwanted items online or just donate them to a local charity.
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As long as it's not broken or filthy, Goodwill will take just about anything!
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For a lot of different reasons, summer is the most popular time to move.
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More than 30 million Americans move during the summer, and another 30 million are traveling for vacation, which means the highways are packed, and so are movers' schedules.
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If you can wait until the fall or early winter, it can save you money.
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Movers are less busy, so they will sometimes lower their rates by up to 30%.
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And less traffic on the roads means more efficient travel times.
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And if you're loading the truck yourself, wouldn't you rather do it when it's not 100 degrees?
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If you're a renter, there are a variety of reasons that a landlord can refuse to give you your security deposit back, so reread your lease terms to make sure you're in compliance.
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Getting a check for a couple thousand dollars can be a huge help in offsetting your moving costs.
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You can hire movers to do everything ⏤ pack, load, drive, unload, unpack ⏤ but it gets expensive!
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An inter-city move of a two-bedroom apartment would cost us about two grand here in Austin, Texas.
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Maybe that's why only 21% of people use professionals from start to finish.
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Instead, if you pack your own things, rent your own van, and drive it yourself, suddenly, you're only paying 500 bucks for the load-in and load-out, which, let's be honest, is no one's favorite part of the job.
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One out of ten moves are for work, and if that includes you, you should definitely inquire about a relo package as part of your contract.
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39% of all moving shipments are actually paid for by corporations.
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And, unlike salary, it's a one-time expense that often comes from a different part of the company's budget, so they might be more open to it than you think.
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Remember, if you don't ask, the answer is always "no".
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Why spend money on packing material when you already have closets of soft stuff at hand?
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Wrap your dishes and other breakables in clothes, towels, and linens to protect them and cut down on waste.
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Sure, it's a little heavier than styrofoam or bubble wrap, but you're bringing this stuff along anway!
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As my uncle Olav used to say, "Only a sucker pays for cardboard boxes."
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Okay, I don't have an Uncle Olav, but, seriously, there are so many places to get them for free:
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Craigslist, Facebook, Nextdoor, Freecycle, or drop by your local grocery or liquor stores ⏤ they may be happy to let you take them off their hands.
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And, yes, I have personally pulled boxes out of recycling dumpsters behind a hardware store.
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It's actually pretty common for people to leave the fridge and pantry till the last minute, and then decide they'd rather throw everything away than worry about perishables going bad.
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This is such a waste of food, especially considering it can cost hundreds to restock a pantry from scratch.
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So, in the weeks before your move, commit to consuming as much as you can from what you already have.
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The things you can't eat will probably fit into one or two plastic tubs that you can transport yourself.
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Honestly, a bottle of olive oil can cost 20 bucks!
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That baby is coming with me.
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This is probably the most important money-saving tip we can give you.
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Wanna sell your furniture instead of giving it away?
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That takes time.
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Wanna find free boxes instead of buying them?
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That takes time.
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Wanna properly clean your apartment so you can get your security deposit back?
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That takes time.
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Moving always takes longer than you think, and the more rushed you are, the more it'll cost you.
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So, kick off your moving plan at least two months in advance of your last day in your old home.
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It will also make the experience safer and more pleasant.
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Oh, and chiropractors are expensive, so lift with your legs, not with your back.
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- And that's our two cents. - And that's our two cents.