Moving
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Apply AAA membership discounts to lower the price of renting a Penske moving truck.
The discount might offset the cost of the AAA membership.
4 people, independently
Roll clothes tightly and fold sleeves behind the shirt before rolling to get the most from box space.
This method allows you to fit a full box of shirts, shorts, and pants that would otherwise occupy two dresser drawers.
one person who lived it
Wait about six weeks after moving before buying household items.
It allows you to determine what you really need in the house.
one person who lived it
Use backhaul services from trucking companies to ship bins at a reduced price.
Trucks traveling without a load on the return trip may accept items at a lower cost.
one person who lived it
Discard worn-out, cheap, or unwanted items before moving rather than transporting them.
Moving unneeded items often leads to unpacking things you do not want or need.
3 people, independently
lower, moving, move, vehicles15
Rent a moving truck to transport belongings if their total value exceeds the rental cost, rather than selling everything.
The value of existing possessions may be higher than the cost of moving them.
one person who lived it
Consider using ABF ReloCubes for moving.
One person found them cheaper than U-Haul or other options they could find.
- This is based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Negotiate for higher moving expense reimbursement from your employer.
Replacing skilled labor costs more than the standard allowance due to recruitment and training expenses.
- If you are on an H1B visa, protesting too much could result in being sent back to your country.
one person who lived it
Secure a job before moving, as income is required to fund housing, transportation, and education.
A job funds the other essential needs.
one person who lived it
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Cut down on car usage to save money on gas and repairs.
Reduced use leads to fewer repairs and lower fuel expenses.
one person who lived it
Plan your route on a map and identify safe hotels in advance before driving a moving truck.
It is dangerous to search for accommodation while exhausted.
one person who lived it
Provide lunch for friends or family who help you move.
It is expected etiquette; failing to do so reflects poorly on your character.
one person who lived it
Buy walkie-talkies to maintain easy contact between vehicles during a cross-country move.
They allow communication within ~500ft range, which is useful for coordinating rest stops, food, and gas on highways.
one person who lived it
Pack vehicles full of belongings before shipping them to get the most from utility, accepting potential extra weight charges as a possible savings on the overall move.
It may save money on the overall move despite potential extra weight fees.
- Carriers may charge for extra weight.
one person who lived it
For DIY moves, consider Penske trucks, which reportedly offer lower prices and newer vehicles compared to U-Haul and Ryder.
Newer vehicles are less likely to break down during the move.
one person who lived it
Hire movers only for loading and unloading the truck, while packing and driving the truck yourself to reduce liability costs and overall expense.
This approach saves on company liability fees and is cheaper.
one person who lived it
Consider leaving cheap or free furniture behind when moving, as transporting it can be more expensive than replacing it.
Moving furniture gets expensive.
one person who lived it
Bring an air mattress to ensure you have a place to sleep immediately upon arrival during a move.
Moving is stressful and chaotic; having immediate bedding helps.
one person who lived it
Do not choose a moving company solely based on the lowest price, as cheap movers may be irresponsible and deny claims for damaged goods.
The cheapest options are not necessarily responsible and may damage items without compensation.
one person who lived it
Verify internet availability and options by asking neighbors or checking lines before committing to a rental.
To avoid being stuck with limited or undesirable service providers like Comcast or DSL.
one person who lived it
boxes, items, avoid, furniture22
Set up your bed immediately upon arrival at the new place before doing anything else.
If you must drive to work because housing is not close enough, choose a location east of your workplace.
This avoids driving directly toward the sun.
one person who lived it
Ask IT professionals for spare server boxes.
They are described as the best boxes by far and very durable.
one person who lived it
Use credit to access funds for self-improvement if you lack savings.
It allows access to money you do not have yet so you are not limited by financial means.
one person who lived it
Repair minor damages like broken blinds yourself before moving out to avoid installation fees.
Landlords may charge extra for the labor of measuring, buying, and installing replacements.
- Specifically mentioned regarding renting.
one person who lived it
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Shop at Habitat ReStore for cheap furniture.
One person found it to be a favorite store for very cheap furniture.
- This is based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Leave behind flat-pack furniture like IKEA when moving.
It does not travel well.
one person who lived it
Load boxes first into the truck, placing beds and couches last to act as a buffer for other items.
Furniture prevents boxed items from shifting and provides a soft surface if they do fall.
one person who lived it
Find rideshare opportunities with travelers or truckers heading your way who may take some of your stuff.
Truckers returning empty or with smaller loads may help out.
one person who lived it
Refurnish your new home using thrift stores and sales to keep costs low.
one person who lived it
Hold yard sales or donate items you do not absolutely need before moving to cut costs.
Selling or donating reduces the amount of stuff to move, saving money, time, and effort.
one person who lived it
Zip tie important cords together and store them in a backpack or ball bag to prevent loss during a move.
Cords are easily lost when moving; bundling them keeps them secure and together.
one person who lived it
Pack a 'first night box' with essentials to avoid searching through all boxes after a tiring move.
You will be exhausted, so having essentials immediately available is key.
one person who lived it
Shrink wrap pallets and furniture using industrial shrink wrap, not household plastic wrap, to secure items during transit.
The material contracts to get tighter; loose wrapping is very bad.
one person who lived it
Keep high-quality kitchen items like stock pots and knives rather than selling them cheaply.
Selling expensive items for a low price often leads to the regret of having to replace them later.
one person who lived it
Place blue painter's tape over emptied cabinets and drawers as a visual cue that they are done.
It prevents the tendency to re-check empty spaces repeatedly.
one person who lived it
Double tape boxes and avoid making them super heavy.
Heavy boxes are difficult to carry and often fail to hold together.
one person who lived it
Record utility meter readings at the old place before leaving and the new place upon arrival.
To avoid overpaying for utilities.
one person who lived it
Set up your bed immediately upon arrival at the new place before doing anything else.
Packing and moving is very tiring, making it unlikely you will prepare a frugal packed meal.
2 people, independently
Use container shipping services like U-Box to transport all belongings if rebuying everything is too costly.
Shipping existing items can be cheaper than purchasing replacements from scratch.
one person who lived it
Buy uniform-sized boxes rather than collecting random ones.
It makes packing a truck more efficient in terms of time and capacity.
one person who lived it
Label boxes with specific contents like 'toiletries' or 'kitchen utensils' rather than broad categories.
This prevents opportunistic theft and helps you locate items quickly upon arrival.
one person who lived it
Wrap dishes in towels instead of newspaper to avoid cleaning newsprint off plates later.
Newspaper leaves residue on plates that requires washing.
one person who lived it