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Moving homes is a stressful process, especially when you are forced to do it on a tight budget. However, this does not mean that you cannot do it or that you cannot find affordable housing. It just means you need to be more resourceful and strategic about your options.
As with any significant life change, moving comes with its fair share of stressors and expenses. Whether you’re moving to a new house or apartment, uprooting your life and possessions will cost you money in one way or another. When moving homes on a tight budget, there are some things that you should keep in mind when making plans. Thankfully, there are ways to save money when moving houses, and it does not have to be so expensive that it breaks the bank. Here are some valuable tips on moving homes when on a budget.
1. Research Your Potential Moving Costs
You want to know the exact cost of moving your things from one place to another before you start to plan your move. Moving costs depend on several factors, such as the distance of your move and the size of your belongings. You should keep in mind that there are different options when it comes to hiring a moving company and that each option comes with its own price.
You also need to consider the cost of your new home in your moving costs. Renting is a good option for those who are on a budget as it is typically less money upfront. You could also look up how to get a loan for a rental property, as this can help you if you have less money to spend upfront. Getting a loan from the bank can help you immensely with moving costs and can help you stay under your budget. Whether you’re renting or buying, you should ensure that you stay within budget.
2. Make a List of What You Need to Buy for Your New Home
Before you start packing your stuff, make a list of everything you need for your new place. You don’t want to forget anything, and it would be a good idea to write a list of things you need before you start packing your belongings. You will want to make a list of items such as furniture, a new bed or couch, appliances, decorations, and other necessities. You should also ensure that no renovations are needed for your new home. If renovations or upgrades are required, make sure that it fits your budget to fix those things before you decide to buy a home. Even if the price of the house is in your budget, having too many things you need to purchase or fix can throw you far from your budget.
3. Check the Resale Value of Your Belongings
Before you throw out your old belongings, you should check the resale value of your stuff. You never know; you might actually be able to make some money from your old things. Some items you can sell for a reasonable price are books, CDs, DVDs, and clothes. You can visit websites such as eBay or Craigslist to sell your items. Selling old things you do not want to take with you will not only eliminate excess stuff for you to move, but it will also give you some extra cash that you could put towards your moving budget.
4. Ask for Help from Friends and Family
If you need additional help with your move, you should ask for help from friends or family. This could save you a ton of money as it would eliminate some costs for moving and packing services that you otherwise may have needed to hire for some extra help. Also, having your friends and family help you would save the stress of having strangers handle your things as you can have people you trust help you with your move.
5. Do Not Go Over Your Budget
You should know how much money you can spend on the entire moving process. If you have a certain amount of money set aside for your move, you should do everything you can to stick with it. The best thing to do would be to make a list of all your moving expenses and ensure that you have enough money to not go into severe debt once you start living in your home. Going over your budget can have severe consequences in the future, making it highly important to know your limits when it comes to buying a new home.
6. Find Cheap Furniture and Decor
If you find that you need new furniture, you should look into cheap furniture and decor options for your new home before you move. You can find affordable furniture for your new home by visiting a nearby second-hand store, garage sales, or thrift shops. You can also visit online stores such as Amazon or eBay to find cheap furniture and decor for a reasonable price. If you want to buy brand new furniture, you can look for furniture sales or clearances at furniture stores.
7. Declutter Before you Move
You should declutter your house before you move. You will want to get rid of all the things you don’t need or can get rid of. You can visit your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store and donate old stuff if you do not have the time to sell it. Decluttering your home can save you time and money regarding your moving expenses, as you will have less stuff that needs to be moved to your new home.
8. Set a Moving Date and Stick with it
You should set a moving date and stick with it. If you want to move on a specific date, you should set a moving date as soon as possible. Moving on a particular date will allow you to plan ahead and will help you save money. If you choose a date but decide to change it, you may need to cancel services you’ve hired to help with moving, which can cost you extra money with cancelation fees.
Wrapping It Up
Moving homes is an expensive process, but there are ways to save money when moving. Moving with a strict budget can be challenging, but it is not impossible. As long as you know your budget and stick to it, you can move with as little stress as possible and be able to enjoy your new home as soon as you move in.
