When you’re a student, money is always in short supply and if you have anything left you don’t want to spend it on expensive removal companies or professional packing materials. That is why it is important for you to take a little bit of extra time to plan your house move and to make it as cheap as you possibly can! If you only have a small amount of things to move then saving money is even easier to do.
So don’t throw your money away in the heat of the moment, follow these money saving tips instead.
• Shop Around
If you’re hiring a removal van or other moving service then make sure you shop around to get the best deal. Some moving companies may charge a lot more than others, while some may even offer special student moving deals. Check out an online comparison site or ring around at least 4 or 5 local companies before you book one in, that way you should have a good idea as to whether you’re getting a good removals deal. If you’re not using a removal company but need to buy some packaging materials then you should also spend some time shopping around for these as well.
• Use Second Hand Moving Boxes
If you want to cut out the cost of packing materials altogether then there are plenty of companies out there who will be happy to give you second-hand boxes. Giving them to you can save the company from high waste disposal costs, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved. If you don’t want to ask anyone then you should also be resourceful with things that you have in your home. Use any draws, containers, bags or chests in a clever way and you can cut your need for extra storage boxes in half. If you’re concerned about how to keep fragile items safe then newspaper is a great, low-cost packing option that can also be used as a box filler.
• Have A Clear Out
Before you move it always pays to have a clear-out of anything that you don’t need. Lugging around old notes, books, clothes and shoes is not only a time-consuming and back-breaking process, but it can also add to your moving costs. With fewer things to move, you can spend less money on storage boxes and packing materials and may even be able to hire a smaller van and save on transport costs. If you’re moving your boxes by yourself then doing fewer trips can save you fuel and help to save you money in the long run!
• Make a Moving Checklist
While writing a checklist might not sound like a money-saving scheme, it can help you to plan out your move in a sensible and cost-effective manner. Sitting down to work out how many boxes you might need, or what size van would be best, can help you to get a good understanding of things. This sort of plan can then help you to identify areas where you may be over-spending, and how you might be able to make cost-savings.
• Ask For Help
When it comes to moving house, it is nigh on impossible to manage everything yourself. Even if you only have a small load to move, organising your packing, transport and unpacking can be a nightmare. That is why asking your friends or family for help is always a good idea. If you were planning to hire a moving van then asking a friend for help could even save you money especially if they have a car which you could use instead.
