5 ways to save money when moving

Today’s guest post comes from Dixie Somers is a freelance writer and blogger for business, home, and family niches. Dixie lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the proud mother of three beautiful girls and wife to a wonderful husband.

She is sharing with us ways 5 ways to save money when moving.
I hope you find them helpful!

5 Ways to Save Money When Moving
Moving can be an expensive experience, from buying a new house, paying for gas to move and buying take-out food more nights than not after your pots and pans are packed away. However, some of the biggest expenses come in the actual boxing up and moving of your belongings. If you are moving on a budget and are looking for some smart ways to trim costs, look no further than this money-saving guide.

Get Rid of Belongings
The more you take with you, the higher your costs will be. This is particularly true if you are hiring a moving company, which often charges by the pound. You should get rid of anything that you have no plans for using in your new place. Consider holding a rummage sale to make a little cash on the side, or donate your used belongings to a non-profit organization to get a tax deduction at the end of the year.

Gather Your Own Packing Supplies
Early planning can really trim costs for you. As soon as you know you are going to move, start asking around for boxes, newspaper, bubble wrap and other packing supplies that your friends may have. Head to the grocery store, liquor store or bookstore, all of which normally have a supply of great boxes that they are throwing away.

Do the Packing for the Moving Company
It can be tempting to get the moving company to do most of the work for you, especially when it comes to packing bulky items. However, it may nearly double your moving costs to have someone else do the packing. Do all of it if you can, but if you feel like you need some help, get just the breakables packed by professionals.

Move during the Off-Season
Your biggest cost savings may not come from whether or not you hire a budget company but rather from when you choose to make your move. You can save small amounts if you ask movers to load and unload on weekdays rather than on weekends and if you are flexible with your moving days. However, the biggest savings can come from moving during the school year rather than during the summer when the majority of families move.

Get a Written, Binding Estimate
You will certainly be surprised at the expense of moving if you do not get an estimate from the moving company first. Make sure that you have the estimate in writing and that it is labeled as a “binding” estimate, which means that the company will not be able to charge you more than they estimated even if they guessed incorrectly on the weight.

A great deal of money can be saved simply by planning and staying organized during your moving time. Disorganization can lead to last-minute purchases, which can ding you big-time when it comes to your bottom line. Instead, find ways to cut costs by doing as much of your packing yourself and by refusing to pay for boxes, padding, and other packing materials.