Moving day is a force to be reckoned with. The days before the move are not only stressful; they’re also bound to get expensive.  But guess what? Moving doesn’t have to put a massive strain on your budget. With these few tweaks and tricks, you can save some of your hard earned money for better things.

Schedule the move during off-peak seasons

One of the easiest ways to hire affordable movers is simply picking the right moving date. Moving companies charge more during peak moving seasons which is typically around May to August. Instead of jumping in and joining the crowd of relocating families, pick a date anywhere between September and April and enjoy the cut in professional moving costs.

If you’re really looking to save on the expenses but moving during the off-peak season is simply not an option, you can organize a DIY move. Of course, it’s going to be a bit more of a challenge for you, but it’s definitely cheaper.

Purge your stuff

We’re all guilty of wanting to keep things we don’t even need – or use. Movers are charging you by the pound and distance covered, so there’s really no sense in paying extra for something that will just gather dust in your new house.

Here’s a great idea: Why not organize a garage sale for all the things you’ll leave behind? After the sale, you can use a reliable rubbish removal Sydney service to dispose of any unsold items. This way, you’ll declutter your space efficiently and make some extra cash in the process. Or if you’d rather just pay a company to get rid of your unwanted items, call a junk removal service.

Pack up by yourself

Hiring professional packers is an extra expense you can do partly without. Personally pack anything that does not require special packing skills like books, clothes, linen, shoes, etc. You can also ask friends for help if they’re available!

However, when it comes to furniture and fragile/ sensitive items, you should still consider enlisting professional packers just to be sure nothing breaks or gets damaged.

Save money on packing supplies and moving boxes

Sometimes, saving money during a move means looking at the little things. It may not seem like it but moving boxes and packing supplies actually make up a significant chunk of your moving costs.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to find boxes big enough to stuff your belongings in. You can start by asking your friends and colleagues if they have some cardboard containers lying around.

As for packing supplies, the trick is to use alternative protective materials that you already have at home: towels, blankets, clothes, newspapers, and the like.

Get quotes from different moving companies

Pick at least three movers and get a quote from each of them before making the final pick. Moving companies in Atlanta usually perform an inspection before giving you an estimate. If it’s a long distance move, you’ll probably get charged by the weight so make sure the inspector knows which stuff you’re taking and which ones you aren’t for a more accurate quotation.

More importantly, only go for insured moving companies!

Purchase moving insurance

You might be wondering what this one’s doing here when you’re looking to save more money, but this is actually a piece of great advice.

Even the best and most recommended movers are only human. They can still make mistakes. And when they do, you have to make sure it won’t cost you. Mover’s insurance won’t be enough to cover the loss or damage especially there are plenty of valuable items involved.

Check if you’re eligible for tax deductions.

There is a way to get some of your money back after the move – tax deductions. If you happen to be entitled, you can claim the cost or a part of your moving expenses as a deduction by the time you fill out your federal income tax return.

To find out whether you’re eligible, touch base with a tax consultant after the move. Just be sure you have all the receipts and documents saved up for reference.

We hope these tips help you cut moving costs in one way or another, but don’t limit yourself with this list. There are many more ways you can save if you get creative.

Good luck!