Moving to a new house can become an expensive thing to do as well as being stressful. Even though you think that everything will go to plan, there are always challenges that crop up. If you are also trying to move on a budget, it can make the whole thing a lot worse. However, there are a few ways that you can try to stay on budget while still getting everything packed and moved.
Plan Your Budget
If money is tight, then you need to plan your budget for the move. If you have a set amount of money set aside for the moving, you are more likely to stick to it rather than just trying to save money. List all the things that will cost you money including the moving van, packaging, gas, and storage if you need it. When you have planned all the outgoings for the move, add an additional 20 percent to cover any emergencies or unexpected bills. That way, you can always allocate it elsewhere if you don’t need it. Once you have your budget done, don’t exceed it unless you have no choice.
Plan Your Move
Planning your move can save you money, that’s because you can then choose the best times and companies to work with on the day. Choose your moving day at a time when you are normally off work means you won’t have to use your paid holiday leave, which you may want to save for vacation. Coincide the moving day with the days that as many of your friends and family are available to help you, then you can get things done quickly, and it will be less stressful. If you have animals, it is advisable ask a friend to look after them for the day, it will be cheaper than putting them in kennels and less stressful for the animal.
How Will You Move?
How you plan to move is a big decision and one that needs to be carefully thought out. Although you might think that would be cheaper to hire a van and do the move yourself, there are many things that you need to consider. Although you may have friends to help you, it will still be a lot of hard work to move everything, and you still must unload at the end. Perhaps you cannot get a van big enough to fit everything in, so you then must make multiple trips. Lastly, if you damage anything or hurt yourself, you won’t have any insurance that will cover you. It could be more cost effective and easier to hire a removals company to do all the work for you. Click here to find out how a removal company can help you.
Sell Things You Don’t Need
While you have been packing to move home, you have no doubt come across things that you no longer need. Rather than throw them away, or take them with you, why not sell them to make some extra money. There are many sites that you can place them on such as eBay and Facebook, and you can then put the money you make towards the moving budget. It is also a great way to clear out some junk and save yourself some space in your new home.
Have a Cleaning Party
When it comes time to clean up your old house, there can be a lot to do, so why not ask a few friends to help you? You can organize a cleaning house party where you provide the drinks and food, and they provide the help. If you have enough people, you can assign them a room each so that it will be quicker, and they can also patch up any paintwork while they are there. Having your friends’ help will save you a lot of time, and it will be cheaper than hiring someone to come in and clean for you.
Make Do Instead of Buying New
It would be nice to have new carpets or furniture in your new home when you move in, though this might not be possible. If money is tight, then take the furniture from your old house instead. Even if it doesn’t fit properly or looks out of place, it can always be replaced when you have the money. The same applies to the kitchen appliances; you may have to take the old ones with you until you can afford to buy new ones.
Buy Food Before You Travel
It might sound like a small thing, but try to buy any food you need for your new home before you move. It will mean that you can still go to the regular store instead of having to buy things when you get there. If you don’t know the new area, you might not be buying at the most cost-effective store. You should also try to take as much food with you from your old house as possible. If you have a long way to travel, then frozen or chilled food might not be a good idea, so have cans of food and dried food available for the first few days. It is also important to pack toilet tissue and other essentials, so you don’t have to get them on the day.
Avoid Getting Take Out
It can be so easy just to think that you won’t cook on your first night in your new home. After the stress of the day, it is probably the last thing you want to do. However, ordering a takeout will cost you more than cooking yourself, and that’s not good if you are on a budget. Remember to pack some supplies ready for your first night, and try to make it easy to make in the microwave, so you don’t have to spend much time making it.
By developing a plan and keeping to it, you can move home well within your budget. Remember to find out if doing something yourself might seem cheaper but is it easier in the long run?
Photo by Christin Hume
Mia Guerra
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