My absolute number one tip and lesson learned?
Know your costs.
Seems like such a no-brainer, huh? Create a budget? Well, it's true for a reason.
The fastest way to run out of money is to not know how much you needed in the first place. My first big move was poorly estimated, but I survived. Costs of the moving process include:
- transportation: are you packing up your compact car or renting a moving truck? Both of these have expenses tied to them (namely gas), and these are costs that should be estimated before you hit the road. I moved from Minnesota to Colorado in a rental car, an SUV that carried everything I wanted to bring with me. As a note, one-way rental cars are typically more expensive than a rental car you pick up and return at the same place. It’s a viable alternative to a moving truck (especially since gas will be cheaper), and it’s worth exploring as an option.
- meals while in transit: Are you going to pack a cooler for the trip, or use restaurant breaks to also stretch your legs and walk around? Either of those are fine, but knowing (and budgeting!) ahead of time makes this so much easier. The more frugal option is obviously to pack your own food, and a small cooler for sandwich meat and fruits/veggies, with a stash of energy bars, water bottles, and bread/tortilla shells can be just what you need to power through long drives (and avoid the temptation to stop at restaurants!)
- lodging between Point A and Point B: This is particularly true if you're moving long distances and your road trip might need an overnight. That's fine, but knowing when/where you're going to stop before you get there (and finding a deal on a hotel ahead of time) can save a lot of money. The more frugal option? If you can plan your route to include a stop at a friend or family member's house, not only do you save on a hotel but you get to catch up!
- security deposit: It’s likely that when you get to your new place, you’re going to need to hand over more than just the first month’s rent. Security deposits are often the same as your monthly rent, so Day One in a new place can cost you twice your monthly rent expenses. Plus, if you own pets, have storage, or want a parking spot, these expenses should be considered as well.
These are the absolute basics, but you should also have an idea in mind of cost and budget of Things to Buy Once You’ve Arrived, including: cleaning supplies, Internet service, and the set-up of basic utilities (such as electricity).
Choose a money-saving location.
This isn't necessarily an option for everyone, but if you can - choose a location that helps keep other long-term costs low.
Live close enough to work to walk or bike. Find a neighborhood with a grocery store within walking or biking distance. Get to know your bus routes (and choose an area with easy access to a buses that go to city centers and shopping centers).
Get rid of things you don't need.
The pre-move purge can be awesome for two big reasons:
- Less stuff to move. Fewer bags/boxes, less space needed to transport your stuff. Fewer things to unpack (major bonus!).
We packed everything we owned into a Budget rental truck, and had all kinds of room leftover since the smaller truck we'd reserved wasn't available when we went to pick it up, and they "upgraded" us to this larger one instead. That was nice and all, but we totally didn't need it!
- Extra cash. Selling furniture, electronics, clothes, and books you no longer want or need prior to a move is an amazing way to make a little extra cash before you pack up. My boyfriend cleared and extra couple thousand dollars before we moved by shedding sports equipment and some electronics that were collecting dust in closets.
This is especially useful if you’re moving within the same city or state, and paying your friends in pizza, beer, wine, or returned favors (like helping THEM move next time) is a much cheaper (and way more fun) alternative to hiring professional movers. I've paid friend for cross-city moves in pizza and their favorite local beers, and am so grateful for the friends who have helped in the past.
Doniree Walker is a freelance writer/blogger based in Portland, Oregon. She spends her free time frequenting Portland’s farmers’ markets, training for a 5K, and daydreaming about the places she plans to travel. She blogs at doniree.com and nomadicfoodie.com, and you can follow her on Twitter @doniree. Freelance clients include UMoveFree, a service helping renters find Little Elm, TX apartments.
