moving

Are you planning on moving to a new apartment?

Before you spend money like it's going out of style, consider these four ways to save. You can move with ease of mind—and have pennies to spare!

Be Frugal with Your Furnishings

'Nice enough' is all you needi1.wp.com

"Fancy" is overrated. You can create a charming and welcoming ambiance without racking up your credit card bills. Use your flair for style sensibly by seeking out sales or even going for the "minimalistic" look. Less can be more after all, particularly in a pint-sized apartment.

Another tip? Get thrifty. As Unpakt suggests, "Scour the local yard sales, consignment stores, and sites like Craigslist to score quality furniture for less." You may not be able to pass down the pieces to your grandkids one day, but those tables and chairs will do just fine for where you're at right now.

Mull Over the Movers

Check around to get the best ratesdes.az.gov

Moving all your stuff from Point A to Point B can be a challenge, and it's so easy to call in a moving company to do your dirty work. After all—they'll do everything from packing your things to trucking them to your new pad. Strong men will unload, and some will even unpack your fifty-pound boxes. Sound tempting? I understand, but movers don't come cheap. There are other, more affordable ways to move your items to your new place that don't involve writing a huge check.

Rent.com has a smarter solution: "Renting a truck or van and moving your furniture yourself may be a much cheaper alternative. Self-service rental truck companies such as U-Haul have locations all over the country and offer affordable rates for daily rentals of their equipment." Put your muscles to task and money to better use!

Efficiency is Essential

Lights outwww.mediashower.com

Along with rent, your monthly budget is sure to include electric and other utilities. Not only will being mindful of your daily routine be kinder to your wallet, but your eco-friendliness will also pay off in more ways than one. Shut the lights off when you're not home. Limit time in the shower. Do you really need to run the dishwasher every night? And why is the television on 24/7?

A few simple changes to the way you operate will start adding up to significant savings. Key Renter recommends, "You can invest in compact fluorescent light bulbs. These light bulbs are energy-efficient, and they last longer. You may also want to invest in a programmable thermostat." Two more ways to whittle down your spending.

Round Up a Roommate

Cut the rent in half and have double the fun www.baymgmtgroup.com

Now this plan won't work for everyone, but if you're single and seeking companionship (or at least someone to split the bills), hunting for a housemate can be a huge way to save. Even for a short-term arrangement, having a roomie can make the rent much more affordable. You may even be able to move into a larger or more glamorous apartment if you have a roommate to split the costs.

If you don't personally know anyone able (or willing) to move in with you, go online. Smart Asset lists the 9 Best Roommate Finders on the Web, from Craigslist to Facebook and a bunch of others for matches all over the country. And don't forget to ask friends, family, and co-workers if they know of anyone who needs a place to live… and a new buddy, too!

Good luck with the move. Scratch "How can I save?" off your to-do list.

PayPath
Follow Us on

The average American is expected to move a total of 11.4 times in their lifetime: that's a lot of U-Haul trips to be paying for. Here are a few essential things you'll need to know before (and after) you pack those boxes.

Sell the Junk

Or just junk it. Anyone who has read (or talked to somebody who's read) Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, knows that there's nothing healthy about hoarding. And most moving companies base their fees on cargo weight. So, all those souvenirs, books you haven't quite gotten to yet and swag from that job three jobs ago? If they're worth anything, someone else will buy 'em.

Plus: if you can't sell it, most charities will come on by and pick it up as a donation. They'll will even give you a value on your donations, allowing you to write it off your income taxes! Learn more about that here.

For an idea of how much your things are worth, here's a great donation valuation guide from Goodwill.

Never Pay For Boxes

Companies will try to sell you boxes: U-Haul sells them anywhere from $0.99 to $2.45 or in bundles that can go up to over $300. Forget about it. If you live in a city, or even any kind of small town, most businesses—particularly liquor stores and print shops— will be abundant with boxes they are desperate to get rid of. Just don't wait until the last week.

If you're feeling timid, check out freecycle to find out what people are dying to give away.

Another big secret: some boxes at the post office are free.

Move at the Right Time

According to an analysis from Unpakt, a comparative pricing company for moving services, the cost of actually moving from one-bedroom apartment can cost anywhere from $840 to $4,460, depending on what time of the year and the month you plan it. Try to get as much moving as possible done before the end of the month. And if you have any choice on what time of year, pick a time of that's not between the middle of May and the middle of September. It may be cold out, but your pocket will thank you.

Get Tech

The world is bigger than U-Haul and now. Don't stop yourself from getting an estimate from the big boys, but there are so many new app-based moving companies out there; check out bellhops, ghostuck and zootly, just name a few of the bigger ones. Zootly will put you in touch with the closest and most reliable movers in your immediate vicinity while bellhops employs college students to move your things on the cheap. And don't forget, you can always take your lower estimate to U-Haul and they just might match your price!

IRS Stuff

Finally, make sure you let the IRS know you've moved—even if you've set up a forwarding address. A lot of mail stops getting forwarded after 60 days: especially mail like tax returns. Another tip: if your move can be tied, in any way, to your job you might be able to write the whole thing off.