Moving can be a very stressful life event. Adjusting to an unfamiliar place is tough, and moving expenses can add to the stress and your consumer debt. Luckily, we have some tips to help keep those costs down!
ACCC’s advice is to save for moving expenses ahead of time.
5 Tips to Minimize Moving Expenses
The costs associated with moving can add up fast, but moving on a tight budget isn’t impossible. I recently moved to Massachusetts from Albuquerque, New Mexico where I was living with my family. Here are some tips that I used to keep my expenses down when I moved out.
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Start saving money.
Once you know for sure you will be moving, start saving up for moving expenses right away. This will help prevent credit card debt later. I was able to do this by putting aside money from a side-hustle I had for several months. I knew my moving expenses would include big purchases like furniture, in addition to a deposit for an apartment. By saving the income I had from my side-hustle specifically for these expenses, I knew I would be able to afford everything I needed when the time came to move.
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Change your address on the U.S. Postal Service website and opt-in for coupons.
You will want your mail forwarded to you at your new address, which you can do on the U.S. Postal Service website. You can opt-in to get coupons sent to your email for stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Lowe’s, Crate & Barrel, and other useful stores for people that are about to move. I saved quite a bit of money at Bed, Bath, & Beyond with a coupon for 20% off the entire purchase!
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Take advantage of airlines that allow for free checked bags.
Because I was moving out of my parents’ house in New Mexico into a new apartment in Massachusetts, I was not taking any furniture with me. I did not have to worry about costs associated with shipping furniture. However, I was bringing everything else, such as clothing, books, and sentimental items. Southwest was the airline I chose, not only because it was one of the cheapest options, but because they allow for 2 free checked bags. I took advantage of this and used the largest bags the airline allowed to fit all my things. (Extra tip: Roll your clothes, don’t fold!)
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Determine if a car will be necessary for your new area.
In New Mexico, I needed a car to get to and from work and around Albuquerque. There was no bus or train that I could take to work. When I moved to the Boston area, I applied to jobs that were close to where I live and accessible by public transport, so I did not need to drive every day. These alternatives have been much cheaper than having a car. The parking fee at my apartment is on the pricey side, and all the expenses that go along with having a car were just not worth it for me when there was reliable public transport available.
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Find out what furniture stores are within your budget in your area.
If you need to buy new furniture, compare the prices between different furniture stores online before you even set foot in a physical store. It’s better to know ahead of time what stores have within your budget rather than wasting time looking out of your price range (and possibly getting pressured into buying something by salespeople!). If there are any holidays coming up, check to see if there are any special sales. I moved here around President’s Day, so I saw plenty of ads for President’s Day sales.
Moving across the country can be stressful, but if you save money in advance and keep your expenses as low as possible, you’ll have fewer things to worry about!
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
