Want to save money? Stop Moving. Tips to Save Money During Your Move

              Somehow since it had been 7 or 8 years since I moved I apparently forgot how expensive it is to move.  There are the movers (or moving truck), the boxes and packing materials, the cleaning supplies for both the old and new place, the replacement of all of the stuff you threw out in preparation to move and then wish you hadn't thrown out....and that's just the beginning.  Few people move into a house that is just the way they want it.  Most think the previous owners did a bad job of keeping it up and want to paint, landscape, change out the countertops, etc., to make the new house their home.  And perhaps one of the biggest.  FURNITURE.  Have you been to a furniture store lately?  It basically costs as much to furnish your home as it did to buy it.  I literally saw a few coffee tables that cost about $2,000.00.  Are you kidding me?  Is it leafed in gold?  So in celebration of my recent move I thought it would be beneficial to discuss some tips for saving money while moving.

1.  Protect the things you already own:  the last thing you want to do is spend money replacing the stuff you already owned when you moved, but was damaged during transit.  Although it is a pain, it is important to wrap your items so that they can get to your new home in one piece.  I even bought kits for dishes at the store where each dish was individually wrapped and glasses were also separated from each other in a grid pattern.  Although the packing materials cost money, they cost less than replacing your dishes.

2.  If possible, use a cooler to transport condiments, frozen foods, etc.:  Before a move everyone stops going to the grocery store so there is usually little food to move.  However, there are always going to be condiments, salad dressings, etc., that are left when it is time to pack up the truck.  Instead of tossing a bag full of perfectly good condiments in the trash I got a bag of ice and put them in a cooler.  This tip will make that first trip to the grocery store after getting into the new house a bit less painful for you wallet.

3.  Don't feel as if your new house must be perfect overnight:  When you move to a new house there are usually a lot of things you want to do right away.  Unless you are a gifted handyperson, there is a good chance you are going to have to pay some to get these projects done.  So if your house needs to be painted on the exterior, landscaped and you need a new roof on the detached garage you are talking some real money.  Prioritize which projects are most important to you and what order makes sense.  In this example it might make sense to rip out the old landscaping (which you can do yourself) and then have the exterior of the house painted.  This way, the painter can get to the house to paint it without having to fight through the overgrown bushes, which could save you money on the time it will take him to paint.  After the painting is done it would be a good time to bring in the landscapers.  This will make the exterior of the house look great since you have already had it painted.  You can also talk to the landscaper about ways to save money such as planting the plants yourself after they lay out the plan.  In our example you may decide to hold off on the roof for the garage.  After all, you are spending a pretty penny on painting and landscaping, so something will need to wait.

4.  Take it slow with furniture:  Chances are that you already own some furniture.  It may not be your dream furniture that you always pictured in your new house, but it is functional.  Keep this furniture for the move to your new home.  Do not be tempted by the 10 years same as cash offers from the furniture stores....okay, I am exaggerating the amount of years that they give you but my point is do not buy furniture on credit.  Save up for each piece of furniture that you want and buy it when you can pay cash.  Not only will this make you think long and hard about each piece and how much you want it before you buy it, it will also keep you out of credit card debt.

What methods have you used in the past to save money while moving?  I would love to hear about them so feel free to post them in the comments section of this blog.  As always, call Halcomb Singler, LLP if you live in central Indiana and are struggling with debt and want to explore your bankruptcy or debt settlement options.  There is no fee for the consultation.  Give us a call at 317-575-8222 to schedule your appointment.

Halcomb Singler, LLP, is a debt relief agency.  It helps people file for bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.  No attorney-client relationship with the firm of Halcomb Singler, LLP, is created through this blog. Also, please note that Erika Singler is an attorney licensed in Indiana and does not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so.  The information contained in this blog is general in nature and should not be relied upon for the circumstances of any individual(s) or businesses.