Moving is a big change but also a big expense. Most people won’t have enough saved up to be ready to move at any moment, so it’s important to know how to save money to move. That requires good discipline and organization, and we’re here to help you achieve your goals and guide you through everything you need to know about saving money to move.
Figure Out How Much Money You Need
Whether you’re moving internationally or a couple of houses down the street, it can get pricey. The only difference is you will most likely get the funding faster in the second case than you would if you were moving overseas. After you’ve decided where to live and what home you want to buy, it’s time to do some serious math and see what exactly it is that you can afford.
Ask yourself this question – how much money should I save if I want to move? Once you get to the total amount, don’t start crying at the number on the calculator. It’s not that bad. Whatever the number may be, it’s not out of reach, even if you’re relocating across the world. You just need to put in some effort and listen to our tips for a pre-location budget. Remember, whether relocating on a low budget or a large one, it requires some patience and sacrifice.
Don’t Forget About the Post-Move Expenses
Be sure to factor in your post-move expenses. The point isn’t to just move and find yourself flat broke after. There are still things to do after the move. You have to pay for storage and living costs with something. So set aside enough so you can live comfortably in your new place. That doesn’t mean you should go crazy with decorating and fully furnishing your new place. Pace yourself. There is no need to do everything at once. Get the essentials, and add new furniture once you can afford it.
How to Save Money to Move – Start Planning on Time
The key to any efficient move is planning ahead. Even if it’s a last-minute move, start planning and organizing as soon as you can. It will mean you will have more time to get the money. That way, you won’t have to be as frugal because you will be able to spend more on a monthly bases, unlike if you needed to save the same amount of cash over a shorter period.
Save Money by Packing Fewer Items – Declutter
The most important relocation hack to remember is the less stuff you have – the less it will cost you. So start going through your stuff and declutter. Figure out what to keep and what to toss. Donate unwanted items or sell them if you can. Keep in mind there are items movers won’t move, so it’s best to just sell those. When packing to move abroad, pack only the items you actually need. A good rule to follow is if you didn’t use it at least once in the last year, get rid of it.
A Garage Sale Is Always a Good Option
A great way you can earn a few extra bucks, all the while you’re decluttering, is to organize a garage sale. Invite everyone you know to come and have fun. Do a little friendly trading. By the end of the day, you will have saved up a lot. And on top of that, you decluttered.
Pack for Cheaper – Use Free Moving Supplies
Since you’re trying to cut back on expenses, don’t go running to buy boxes and packing supplies and get packing services. Boxes can easily be found for free, and you can pack your own stuff. Ask your friends and neighbors, and take them from your workplace if you can. They don’t have to be new – someone is always trying to get rid of boxes. If you need guidance when it comes to packing, this video could be helpful.
Get Rid of Everything You No Longer Have Use For
In our day-to-day life, we rarely stop to think about everything we pay for – from insurance, garbage pick up, and phone bills. After a while, we can’t even notice the hidden expenses. But take a day to go through all of your bills in the last few months. There are certainly ways you can cut back. Cancel those unnecessary subscriptions and memberships. Even cable has to go. Who are we kidding? You haven’t stepped into the gym or turned on the TV in the last two months.
Be Careful When Cancelling Utilities
Be mindful of the timing when transferring utilities. One of the most common relocation mistakes people make is they transfer utilities way too soon or way too late, without a clear date in mind. Then, they end up either paying utilities for two households for a while or relocating to a new home without any electricity or water.
How to Save Money on Moving?
While there aren’t many affordable moving options out there, there are ways to pinch a few pennies when it comes to dealing with relocation companies. A hack not many people know about is you’re never supposed to move in the summer if you’re trying to cut back. Also, avoid relocating during the holidays, weekends, and at the peak of the season. It’s cheaper to move during winter and on weekdays. Long story short, if you’re broke – move on a cold Tuesday.
One of the most common reasons to move is for a new job. And if that’s the case, we might have an instant way to relieve your financial burden. Most companies offer relocation packages that will cover all of your relocation expenses, or at least the majority of them. If your employer hasn’t offered it to you yet, feel free to ask for one. It’s perfectly normal. You can even haggle a little bit. You might be embarrassed to ask, but it beats eating leftovers and buying generic food brands for months.
Moving Doesn’t Always Require Hiring Movers
The number one reason why relocations cost so much is that the cost of hiring an international moving company is so high. So, what is the most cost-effective way to move? Do it all by yourself. If you were to move on your own without any help from the movers, you would be able to salvage a couple of thousands of dollars. The few costs you would have would be to rent a van and pay for the fuel. Although moving on your own will save you a lot of money, it’s very time-consuming and difficult.
Unfortunately, if you were planning on living overseas, you will have to hire an overseas moving company. The same goes for car shipping overseas, you need to hire an overseas shipping company. Moving abroad isn’t the same as relocating to a new city within the US. You won’t be able to do everything on your own – you need help. But we would strongly advise you against choosing a relocation company solely on the fact that it’s the cheapest. It’s a sure way to run into moving scams. Look at reviews and ask for recommendations, that way, you’ll find a reliable one.
Get Extra Work
The faster you have enough saved up to move, the faster you will get back to your old lifestyle. Think long and hard about any ways you can speed up the process besides cutting corners and shopping on discounts. Being proactive will get you to your goal a lot quicker. Part of the solution to your problem is quite simple – if you want more money, work more. If you’re determined to make this work, try to find another source of cash flow. There are so many ways to earn a few extra bucks. For example, you can:
- Book double shifts,
- Ask for a raise at work,
- Find a passive source of income,
- Do remote work online,
- Find a part-time job or a gig.
Don’t Splurge on Unnecessary Costs and Luxuries
Ask yourself this – how can I save money to move away? Take a look at your habits. If you start your day with coffee and a muffin at Starbucks every morning, you spend around six bucks, and the day has barely started. That amounts to almost 200 dollars a month for an unnecessary cost. You need to learn how to prioritize your spending and make changes that will require a lot of effort.
Change your habits and lifestyle for a while. Simple life pleasures you wouldn’t take a second to think about, like your morning coffee, can make the biggest difference. Avoid buying takeout or eating out in restaurants. Instead, go to the supermarket and buy groceries that will serve you for a longer period of time. Remember, eating in for a few months is better than asking yourself is it ok to move home to save money once you realize you’re flat broke.
It’s Okay to Be a Little Frugal Sometimes
Going through financial issues is perfectly normal, it happens to the best of us. But what really defines a person is the way they start acting when trouble hits. It’s okay to change your lifestyle suddenly, people will understand. If you had to be the big shot when going out and treat everybody, now you’ll have to split the bill evenly. Explain to people you’re trying to cut back for a move and that you need to be a little more frugal. There’s no shame in that, your friends will understand.
Since they understand your situation, they will probably offer to help in any way they can. If one of your friends owns a van, borrow it. If you’ve helped them out in the past, ask for a return favor and have them come and help you pack. It’s fine to be frugal, but don’t turn into a cheapskate. There is a fine line that you shouldn’t cross, or you’ll lose the respect of people.
Never Give Up or Lose Hope
Even though they happen to everyone at some point, financial troubles are difficult. With the added stress of relocating, it could be easy to lose your spirit. But remember, it won’t last forever – you have a clear goal and date in mind. Don’t fall off the wagon and have cheat days all the time. Cheat days are fine in moderation, but if you constantly treat yourself for “being good this week,” you’ll get nowhere. Just keep on track of your plan, be persistent and it will pay off. Be disciplined, follow our relocation tips, and you will be ready to move into your dream home in no time.
