When you’re moving a long distance, there may be other ways that you
can reduce your expenses. For example, if you’re moving to a warm
climate from a cooler one, you probably won’t need so many winter clothes.
If you are a smart shopper at yard sales and flea markets, it may be
smarter to sell your furniture rather than move it.
There’s always a tricky balance between the wisdom of selling heavy and
bulky belongings—expecting to replace them for the same price as you
sold them for—and hauling items that could be expensive to buy again,
even secondhand.
If you have friends at your new location, you can ask their advice.
It’s also smart to get a copy of the weekend newspapers from that area,
to study the prices in display and classified ads.
You probably won’t be able to replace your favorite antique oak table
at the same price if you’re moving from Massachusetts to southern
California. But, if you’ve always wanted to furnish your home with 1950s
kitsch and you’re moving to Florida or parts of the Midwest, you may be
happily surprised at how little it will cost to shop at thrift stores and
yard sales.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
If you have a limited budget or a short amount of time to prepare for
your move, it may be wise to ship the necessities first, get settled,
and then return for the rest of your belongings. However, this is smart
only if you can leave your stuff with a friend or relative who won’t be
inconvenienced by this.
It’ll be far harder than you expect, to return
for that second batch of goods. In fact, many people leave their
belongings for years, and some never pick them up. So, use this only as a
last resort.
It is never smart to leave belongings in a paid storage unit.
This is
why storage centers have so many auctions, to get rid of abandoned
goods when the owners stop paying the rent for them.
When it’s time to get on the road, keep your goals simple. Whether
you’re loading the truck or movers are, it will always take far longer and
be more exhausting than you’d planned. Plan to spend that night with
local friends, or—if you’re eager to get on the road—expect to drive no
more than four hours.
If you’re driving across country, set specific daily goals.If you
start each day knowing exactly where you’ll stop for the night, you’ll
save money. Having your room reserved ahead of time means that you won’t
end up in an overpriced motel because a convention filled the less
expensive choices.
And, if you don’t drive to the point of exhaustion each day, you’ll
save gas—and sometimes tolls--because you won’t miss exits or make wrong
turns.
If you’re staying in motels, select one brand, register for their
frequent visitor program, and always stay at that chain. By the end of your
trip, you may have earned a free night.