Whether you're moving across the country for a job or just for fun, there are many ways to keep expenses low before, during, and immediately after your move. These can be summarized as: Plan ahead, think creatively, take calculated risks, and set realistic goals.

PLAN AHEAD

When you're preparing to move, the biggest challenge will be weeding out the junk you've accumulated. The less stuff you move, the less money you'll spend hauling it to your new home.

If possible, start going through your belongings several months in advance. If that's not possible, pace yourself so that you don't hit burnout and throw everything into boxes--or into the trash--in frustration. Either extreme can be very expensive.

Most decluttering experts recommend the 15/10 work schedule. Set a timer for 15 minutes, and work on sorting through your belongings. When the 15 minutes is up, set the timer for a ten minute break, and be sure to take that time to relax or do something totally different. Return for another 15 minutes of work, followed by another ten of relaxing, and so on. Two hours is usually the most that people can handle if they own a lot of stuff. Here are another pair of numbers to keep in mind: The 80/20 rule, which says that 80 percent of the time, you're using only 20 percent of your belongings.

If you can distill your stuff down to that important 20 percent, you'll save a bundle in moving expenses. As you go through your belongings, you'll need three kinds of containers. First, you'll need trash bags, and probably lots of them. Second, have a stack of grocery bags and boxes on hand, for things that you're giving to friends or to charity. Finally, you'll need moving boxes. If you are going to use a rental truck to move, or a moving service that charges you for space as well as weight, it's important to use the truck’s space efficiently. One of the best ways to do this is to use mostly identical boxes. Fortunately, most office supply stores carry storage boxes in standard sizes.

For moving, you will be very happy if you use "banker's boxes," which are 10" x 12" x 15" boxes--usually white--with separate lids. They come in packages of five or six, and you assemble them yourself. They're a good size for most belongings, they're inexpensive, and they have openings on two sides to make them easy to lift when it's time to pack the truck.

If you are moving to or from an area where cockroaches, silverfish, or other bugs can be a problem, line the boxes with plastic bags. These bags won't prevent determined bugs from getting into your belongings, but they'll significantly reduce the problem. You can use regular trash bags for this, but it's better to use clear bags intended for recycling cans and bottles. They're usually sold in the grocery store in the same section as the plastic trash bags. You can tape the bag closed when the box is full, and still see what's inside if you've used clear bags.