In 2018, 32.4 million Americans moved.
That’s a whopping 10.1% of the population. It’s stressful and involves packing and carrying tons of heavy boxes.
And it can get expensive.
The average cost for a family to move long distance runs somewhere around $5,630. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep more cash in your pocket. Read on to learn the cheapest way to move long distance.
The Secret Behind the Cheapest Way to Move Long Distance
The best way to move across the country involves intense preparation. That’s all it really boils down to.
Too many people underestimate how long it’ll take to pack up their clothes and belongings, or how much money it’ll cost for all the little things like gas and food. Expenses like this add up fast.
If a bit (and by a bit, a lot) of research and planning is used, essential costs can be factored, and extra costs weeded out.
7 Steps to Slash Moving Costs
The cheapest way to move cross country involves several steps. If you follow all of the tips provided, your savings should begin to stack up.
Step 1: KonMari your belongings in advance.
Sort through your overstuffed closet, dust-ridden storage, and mountains of toys your kids have outgrown. Fewer boxes mean a smaller moving truck, which in turn leads to a less expensive ordeal.
Step 2: Sell, sell, sell.
Put money back where it belongs to help fund the move. Sell any unwanted belongings that hold monetary value. Facebook Marketplace is a great resource to sell your items locally and quickly.
Step 3: Choose a move-out date that’s during slow times.
The holidays, weekends, and the end of the month are the most expensive times to move. Also, from May to September, the moving industry tends to be busier, inflating costs. Instead, aim to move on a weekday during the off-season, like late winter.
Step 4: Use a professional moving service.
Pro movers know how to make everything go smoothly and can contend with issues you might overlook. President and CEO of the American Moving & Storage Association, Scott Michael, says a professional mover will save you valuable time and effort, and also afford protection for your precious belongings.
Step 5: Be a smart shopper.
Don’t just settle for the first moving company your Google search pulls up. Compare at least three different companies to find the best price. Also, look for certification to make sure they’re legitimate, like what Small Movers of Wichita KS has mentioned on their About page.
Step 6: Research discounts.
Sometimes, long-distance moving companies run exclusive deals on their prices during the off-season. Also, if you’re a veteran or an active military member, some moving companies offer discounts.
Step 7: Eat cheap.
Driving cross-country can work up quite the appetite. If you dine out for every meal after several hours or days on the road, that can add up to quite the hefty bill.
Instead, invest in an ice chest and pack food and drinks. There are plenty of rest stops with beautiful scenery to take advantage of.
Settle in and Enjoy
Follow these steps, and you’ll attain the cheapest way to move long distance. Furthermore, you’ll be far less stressed and have more time to handle other tasks.
Moving is a pain. But with a little careful planning and the use of a professional service to handle possible costly difficulties, it’ll be far more bearable and cheaper.
Be sure to check out other articles to discover all the ways unexpected costs and missteps can pop up out of nowhere.
