Moving to a different country brings new opportunities and gives you a chance at a fresh start. Even though researching your future home will provide you with an idea of the cost of living, you should put some money on the side, just in case. If you’ve emptied your pockets and your bank account on the house closing, you might consider alternative ways to save money when moving to a big city. Many people are unaware that the moving process doesn’t have to cost as much if you have all the information. You can make your interstate relocation as affordable as possible if you plan, organize, and get resourceful in saving and earning money at the same time.

Have an early start

Moving a house doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan and organize the steps in time. Thus, start as soon as you can. Possibly, right after you decide to move. You will have time to explore your options and estimate the relocation budget. Luckily for you, most of the information you can find on the internet, especially about the moving price and storage options. Some relocation services have a free moving estimate and discounts if you book their services online in advance. Also, as experts from Spyder Moving advise, you should always get several estimates and then choose the most affordable option.

Moreover, find about off-peak moving season benefits and other ways to cut your costs. For example, many removalist companies have lower prices if you move mid-week. If you can postpone the relocation for the autumn and winter months, you’ll manage to hire a crew for less.

Woman calculating moving expenses
Estimate an approximate sum for each expense of the moving process. Then assume extra costs even if you might not have them. Eliminate every unpleasant surprise that could make it more stressful

Earn money while relocating

One of the best ways to make your interstate relocation as affordable as possible is to earn some money during the moving process. Relocating to a new place is exciting and scary at the same time. In such cases, familiar items bring comfort. If possible, we’d transfer every single thing we own with us and create that old, cozy vibe our old home provides. Still, when starting fresh in a new house, start light. Bring only the essential things with you, and get rid of the extra stuff. 

With the fewer things, your moving costs will be lower. In addition, you can earn a lot of cash by selling some items. Make a list of your entire inventory and decide what belongs to the garbage and what you can sell. If you’re downsizing, you might not fit all items in your new home anyway. Therefore, consider finding affordable solutions for keeping your possessions safe until you need them again.

Find low-budget storage

You’d be surprised how much you can earn if you research the items you no longer need and put them in the online ads. If you start early, the moment you decide on the move, you’ll have enough time to sell everything. However, if you don’t have the time to get rid of everything on your “sell inventory,” explore the cheapest solution for storing items. Nowadays, you can find very affordable storage options that will match any demand, whether you have a couple or a hundred boxes to store. You’ll still need to spend some time measuring, photographing, and packing items, but you can put a friend or a family member in charge of shipping your items after being sold. Alternatively, rent a portable moving container. That way, you can have all of your things in one place until you no longer need the mobile storage unit.

Different types of packing boxes
Make your interstate relocation as affordable as possible by saving money on package supplies 

Save on the packing supplies

One of the easiest ways to make your interstate relocation as affordable as possible is to get resourceful with finding free packing materials. Before gathering the necessary supplies, you need to estimate how many boxes will be enough to fit your things. Therefore, measure all the things that need a box, or any other protection, so you’ll know how much materials to get. Even though moving services could save you time and trouble by bringing the essentials and packing the items for you, being creative when obtaining the supplies can save you money instead. You can try to:

  • Reach your friends through social media. Some of your friends and acquaintances might have had relocation or remodeling processes in the past months. Usually, people keep the boxes as they might need them in the future.
  • Contact some of the many online communities that support recycling and sharing things they no longer need. You’ll be able to find a part if not all boxes and supplies you need online.
  • Visit local supermarkets, furniture stores, liquor stores, or any nearby shop. If you get a box or two in each of them, you’ll have your supplies in no time.

Pay extra attention to the quality of the boxes and thickness. Every cardboard box can be useful, but make sure not to make them too heavy because the bottom might break. If you have delicate items for transfer, protect them with old newspapers, towels, sheets, and clothes when packing. It’s less expensive to wash the fabric after the relocation than to buy wrapping paper you’ll have no more use of.

Organize a DIY transport

If you’re considering transferring the stuff yourself, renting a cargo van might be the right thing. It’s much easier to navigate them in the city traffic, and you can park them almost anywhere. At the same time, it’s a smaller vehicle, meaning it will spend less gas and save some money. While DIY moves cost less, you’ll need to do the heavy lifting yourself. 

The biggest downside of such relocation is a potential mishap in transport. You need to know how to move, pack, and fix appliances and boxes in the truck. If you’re not sure you can handle it, perhaps opting for professionals will be a better option. And it might cost you less. The rent truck or a cargo van are usually charged by mileage, so not much of a difference there. Estimate the costs in advance, and see if it pays off.

Sometimes paying more for the moving services will save you money. Mishandling the boxes and appliances can cause damage that will cost you more. If you decide to do it yourself, rest well before sitting behind the wheel. Keep in mind that you’ll be doing a lot of heavy lifting before you start your journey. Ask a friend to lend you a hand and help ease the burden of physical labor.

Two men moving a sofa across hardware floor
Take special care when moving the items across the floors because hardwood floors scratch easily.

Conclusion

To make your interstate relocation as affordable as possible, you will need to do thorough research about moving services, storage fees, packing supplies resources, and other factors that will influence your finances. You’d be surprised how much you can save with simple planning and organization. Alternatively, you can lower your expenses if you get rid of the extra stuff in your home. Fewer items – fewer moving boxes, plus you’ll earn some money through sales. If you start on time, you can tick one thing at a time from your moving list, distributing the moving budget evenly.

Mindy Davis is a 42-year-old database developer who enjoys reading, coffee tasting, and documentaries. Since busy city life can be overwhelming, trekking and blogging are her ways to vent and get rid of stress.