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No one likes the thought of moving. The packing, the garage sales to get rid of the stuff you don't want to move, and the endless boxes. Moving can be a very stressful endeavor, as well as an expensive one, especially if you are moving out of state. I have moved quite a few times in my life and many of my friends joke that I should be a professional mover, but through the many moves there are a lot of tips I have learned to make the move a little easier on both your nerves and on the budget.
Moving Trucks
There are many different companies offering rental trucks for moving and at least one usually has a special going on. Check out their websites for special deals and rates. Be flexible with your dates and try entering a few different ones to see what rates you can get. It may mean you need to move in the middle of the week, but it can end up saving you some money. The rental companies will try to talk you into all the extras, but you really don't need anything more than a utility dolly to help with moving appliances and some furniture pads to protect television screens and wood furniture from being scratched.
Boxes
The rental companies will try and talk you into purchasing their boxes, but for something you are going to use once and then recycle, this can be a huge expense depending on how much you have to pack. Instead of purchasing boxes, do a little shopping around. Visit your local grocery stores and liquor stores and ask if they have any boxes. Liquor stores are great because they usually come with the dividers that make packing glass much easier. Check your local Craigslist free section as many people will advertise that they have boxes available from their move. This is also a good way to get rid of your boxes after your move is over.
Butt or End Rolls
Many people will use old newspaper to wrap breakable items like dishes and glasses. However, the ink from the newspaper can get all over the glass and you will have to wash them once you get moved. Instead, call up your local newspaper office and ask them if they sell what are called "butt" or "end" rolls. These are the ends of the paper rolls that they print the newspaper on. They give you the same packing protection but have no ink to make your items dirty. Some newspaper companies give them away free or charge a small amount. For my current move, I purchased a good-sized role from my local newspaper for under $3.00 and it was more than enough to pack with. The remainder makes a great roll of paper for the kids to color on when you are done and all their other stuff is packed.
Book Hotels in Advance
If you know the route you are taking for your move and will need to stay in a hotel one or more nights, try to plan out your trip so you can book your hotel in advance. By booking it ahead of time, you can usually get a cheaper rate than when you walk in. If you are unable to book in advance, do not just stop at the first hotel you find while driving. Find an area with numerous hotels and park in a local parking lot. Make a couple of calls to the hotels in the area and see which one has the best rate. If you have Internet access from your phone, see if you can get a discounted rate online.
While moving can be very stressful, these tips have helped me make it through many moves without adding too many gray hairs.
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