Four Ways To Save Big Money On Your Move
Posted on: 18 May 2017
Moving can get very expensive very quickly. There are a lot of little ways to cut corners and save, like gathering used boxes instead of buying them and using newspaper rather than bubble wrap to protect your dishes. But trimming a few dollars here and there does not always cut it when you're on a tight budget. Here are four ways to save big money on your move.
Negotiate with your new employer.
You're likely moving for work. If your employer has not offered you a refund for moving expenses or any type of moving compensation, that does not mean you can't negotiate to get these costs covered! It never hurts to ask. Be honest with your new employer; tell them you're on a tight budget and that you were really hoping their compensation package would include some type of moving reimbursement. Even if they don't cover the entire move, even $1,000 or $2,000 towards the move can help out.
Save all of your receipts for tax time.
If you are moving for work, you can claim a tax deduction for all of your moving expenses at the end of the year. This can add up to a pretty substantial amount. Even if you're in the 15% tax bracket, 15% on $3,000 worth of moving expenses is $450 you'll get back on your taxes. Save receipts for everything from hotel fees (if you have to stay overnight partway to your new home), to moving boxes and truck rentals.
Move during the week.
Whether you're hiring a moving company like Sunshine Movers or just renting a moving truck and packing it yourself, try to schedule your move during the week. Since demand is higher on the weekends, both movers and truck rental companies tend to have lower rates during the week in order to draw in customers. If a weekend really does work best for your schedule, contact a few moving companies in your area and ask if they have any discounts available that you qualify for. Some companies offer discounts for students, military personnel, public service workers, and even families—but they may not give you the discounts unless you ask.
Avoid the storage unit.
It's common for people to put all of their extra things into storage when they move. But then you end up paying for that unit month after month—which really adds up. Why not sell those items you were going to put in storage instead? You'll make some money to put into the move, and you'll save on the cost of the storage unit. You probably don't really need those things if you were sending them off to storage, anyways.
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