6 Saving Tips When Moving
|
Moving households, whether it is due to a job transfer or upgrading your home, and whether moving across country or across town, is an expensive proposition. Even when a new employer sponsors a relocation, there are hidden or un-thought-of expenses such as tipping or registering your vehicle in a new state. Here are six ways to reduce expenses during your next move:
1. Boxes, boxes, boxes
Asking your local grocery, drug, or liquor store for their empty boxes is certainly one way to save money. You could easily spend $100 or more when buying new boxes. Consider visiting an apartment complex the first weekend of the month when new tenants are likely to move in. Tenants will be eager to rid themselves of their unpacked boxes and you can score by taking them off their hands. If your employer is paying for the move, be sure to save and store your new boxes for future use.
Buy your packaging tape at a hardware store instead of a grocery store or office supply store. It can save you up to $5 per roll! And remember to be nice to whomever is helping you move, pack books in a few smaller boxes instead of one big box!
2. Truck Rentals
If you are ambitious enough to move yourself, be sure to comparison shop weeks in advance of your move to get the best prices on truck rentals.
At the time this article was written, the following online price quotes were researched from well-known companies offering truck rentals. Be careful to investigate how the company charges for mileage. Another hidden charge that you may not be aware of is that of dropping off the truck in a different city/location from where it was rented. Inquire with the truck rental store or website if there are special promotions or discounts for being a AAA or AARP member. Do call your insurance agent before you reserve any truck to determine if your homeowner's insurance will cover any damage to your furniture and if your auto insurance will cover the truck. This will save you worry and money, if you don't need to purchase additional insurance from the rental company.
As an example, you could expect to tpay the following charges for a 400-mile move:
? Uhaul, www.uhaul.com, 14' Truck, $109 + $.40 per mile after the first 476 miles
? Penske, www.penske.com, 15' Truck, $429 for unlimited miles, receive a 10% discount for reserving the truck online and another 10% for being a AAA member
? Budget, www.budget.com, 15' Truck, $452 with a $100 refundable deposit, 515 miles are free
Each of these companies does a great job of up-selling boxes, tape, hand truck rentals, and moving quilt rentals on their websites and in their stores. The boxes and tape can be purchased much cheaper if you plan in advance.
In this scenario, Uhaul is the clear winner, but this is NOT always the case. Prices will vary due to availability, timing, and distances.
And, don't forget ? you are responsible for paying for the gas in the truck, which can be an exorbitant cost with current gas prices. Ask the rental company for the average mile-per-gallon of the truck when you are reserving it to estimate this cost.
3. Storage
Temporarily storing your belongings may be a necessary expense. There are a lot of options with storage facilities and you will want to weigh each aspect carefully. For example, if you are always strapped for cash, and there is the slightest chance thay you will not be able to make the payment in a timely fashion, your belongings may be confiscated! Don't risk signing a contract with a storage company if you aren't confident you can make the payments. An alternate option here is to use your credit card for the recurring monthly costs, but ONLY if you pay off the balance in full each month.
When choosing a storage facility, consider the companiy's reputation, whether they have climate controlled units (if this is important to you), and what security the company can promise. Having easy access 24 hours a day may also be a key attribute for you depending on your circumstances.
If you are renting a truck to move your belongings, be sure to ask what partnership pricing they have with a local storage facility. Sometimes storage can be obtained for as little as $1 for the first month with a 2-month minimum contract when you rent a truck at the same time. Buy a padlock for your storage unit at your local hardware store to save spending 3-times the amount at the facility.
4. Packing Fragile Belongings
As with boxes, packing materials to protect fragile belongings can be expensive. A cost effective and space efficient tip is to pack these breakable items in your bathroom and kitchen towels, throw rugs, blankets, bed linens, and even shower curtains! This is a much better alternative to newspaper, which leaves ink residue behind. All of your linens can be washed and folded once you have moved into your new home.
In an easily identifiable place such as a drawer of a piece of furniture, be sure to pack a complete change of clothes for you and your family members, toiletries, a complete set of bed linens, and toilet paper. This way, you won't be panicked trying to find the necessities when your first apprive at your destination.
5. Utilities and Address Changes
Remember to cancel your old utility services, start new utility services, and change your address. You may uncover some forgotten money when canceling services if you were required to pay a deposit when you started your service. Be sure to end the services the day AFTER you move out. This may incur a few dollars of extra costs, but typically these companies can not ensure a cut off time, and you don't want to be stuck without electricity or hot water while you are still in your place. On the same note, you may wish to schedule set-up of your utilities at your new residence the day before you arrive to be sure everything will be working when you arrive. Here is a list of common utility companies to contact. The property management company or Chamber of Commerce in the area where you are moving can give you local company numbers.
? Electric
? Gas
? Water
? Phone
? Cable
? Garbage
Also, if you are moving into a subdivision or condominium complex that has a private trash collecting service, you may be charged for the pick-up of your moving boxes! This cost can be $25 or much higher, depending on the number of boxes. Check this out before putting your boxes out at the curb. You may want to consider donating your boxes to a new neighbor with a 'For Sale' sign in front of their home.
In addition canceling and starting new utility services, don't forget to change your address with your:
? Bank
? Credit Cards
? Utility Companies
? Insurance Companies
? Doctors
? Magazines
? U.S. Post Office (at your old location)
6. Save ALL Moving Receipts
If your move is not being paid for by an employer, the incurred expenses may be tax deductible. According to the IRS website, www.irs.gov, "You can deduct your allowable moving expenses if your move is closely related, both in time and in place, to the start of work at a new or changed job location." The IRS has an interactive questionnaire, which determines whether your move may be deducted on your taxes. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=132125,00.html Contact the IRS or your tax preparer if you have specific questions relating to your move.
Moving even the simplest of households can be expensive. Save yourself a lot of stress and money by planning far in advance of your move.
ABOUT ONE PAYCHECK AT A TIME, INC.
One Paycheck at a Time Inc. is the leading source for sensible debt reduction solutions. Its products include the One Paycheck at a Time paperback (ISBN: 1591133327), as well as an ebook format, and the eTools program. The author of the book and president of the company, Kimberly A. Griffiths, has been through the vicious cycle of debt herself and has made it her personal goal to share her experience to help others. More information can be found about the company and its products at http://www.OnePaycheckataTime.com
|
|
|
Family Fun ? Is Swimming In A Safe Pool
Family fun is one of the most important things you can strive for to give your children some lasting memories they will always cherish; even into adulthood. Your children will always remember the times you spent together as a family on vacation or at home. If you are fortunate enough to own a swimming pool, you are well on your way to giving the kids fun family memories. The kids will be able to invite their friends and this way you know where they are; enjoying the water right under your...(related: Home Improvement)
Patios: The New Trend In Home Remodels
In years past a patio was sort of a throw on to a home. It was typically a concrete slab to keep your feet clean on your way in or out. Then you'd plunk down a couple of chairs and a table and enjoy your patio when the sun went down. More recently, covered patios have become very popular. Adding a patio or "outdoor living area" to your home is both a great inves...(related: Home Improvement)
Your Building Your Dream Home, But Where Do You Start?
You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood of your choice, and at a price you can afford. Now you have to decide what type of house you want built. In fact you may even know the house you want, be it a big rambling farmhouse, with a wrap-a-round porch reminiscent of your grandmother's home, a rustic log cabin or a more modern luxurious home. Whatever you choose, the first thing you will need is a set of house plans.An architect can draw up plans to your exact specifications, but this ...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Select Exterior Shutters
Installing exterior shutters is a relatively quick way to add style and color to the outside of a house. Historical and modern houses alike benefit from the timeless style of shutters. As with any home improvements, the quality and longevity of an addition should be evaluated before proceeding.Exterior shutters are available in many shapes and materials. Vinyl shutters are easily available at most home improvement stores, and they can be a cost-effective option. However, vinyl shutters often look like plastic, they are not useful as operable shutters, and they cannot be stained.Shutters are also made out of many types of wood. The best wood for exterior use is cedar because of its outstanding durability and resistance to decay. Cedar gives long service wit...(related: Home Improvement)
Easy To Follow Tips For Keeping Energy Costs Down
When it comes to cooling our homes and businesses, the cost of air conditioning just seems to keep going up and up. This year is no different. We like the cool comfort of dryer less humid air and we are willing to pay for it. However, there is no reason to just give your money away to the utility company...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Like A Pro
Jack Frost is nipping at our nose and Santa Clause has just left. The eastern seaboard has just received their third blizzard for a total of over 125 cm (56 inches) of snow in one week. So, who in their right mind would be thinking about window air conditioners at this time of year?Call me crazy, but I am.It is a good time of year to start this project. Firstly, it keeps ones mind sharp for the coming spring. Plus, it allows you to try out those new tools you got for Christmas. Mainly though, it is a good winter project because by the time spring arrives you will be too busy to think about this job.Very little is required to clean a wind...(related: Home Improvement)
Microwave Convection Ovens - Double Benefits
Microwave convection ovens have both microwave and convection facilities. Microwave ovens cook the food with amazing speed by heating the food only and nothing else. The convection facility provides fans and a certain 'airflow' circulation that cooks the food by using much less electricity...(related: Home Improvement)
Traditional Interior Design
Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in a home. From the ceilings to the floor; including the trim, the wall finishes--all the way to the window treatments and the furniture.The careful designer must focus attention on each of these items in order to create the ideal design. Lighting, wall tre...(related: Home Improvement)
Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows On The Second Floor
If you have a two story house, and you are going to replace the windows on both the first and second floor, there are little tricks that you can use to make the upper floor job a bit safer and easier. If the windows are replacement style frames, you install them from inside the house, so the only thing that you will do different than the first floor windows is to use an extension ladder to caulk the exterior. So, let's talk about doing retrofit ...(related: Home Improvement)
Home Furnishings And Shelving
Its spring time and that means we start working on our homes. Cleaning, organizing, purchasing new things to spruce the place up are just some of the home furnishings we do. Why do we go to all this effort? Well, that's simple! We want our homes to be comforta...(related: Home Improvement)
Building A Backyard Play Structure
A child's dream backyard includes a play structure complete with a slide and swings just like the one at the neighborhood park. Once you have made the decision to make your child's dream come true then you have several avenues from which to select depending on the amount of money and time you can invest.One of the most economical means of obtaining a play structure is to buy a used one. Since children eventually outgrow their play structures you can often find a used one at a fraction of the cost. Your time investment will require disassembling and reassembling the structure. To make the task of reassembling easier, you should take a photo of the play structure prior to disassembling. Check ...(related: Home Improvement)
The Right Bathroom Light Fixture Will Brighten Up Your Bathroom
A bathroom light fixture may be just what the doctor ordered to brighten up a dark and gloomy bathroom. House lighting is important in every room in your home, but especially in the bathroom. House lighting using too few lights in any room, especially your bathroom not only makes the bathroom look gloomy, but also may be a potential health hazard.On the other hand, too many lights may make your bathroom seem harsh. Fortunately, a bathroom light fixture will provide your bathroom with the perfect amount of light.There are many bathroom light fixture styles to choose from, including Modern, Craftsman, Tiffany, Classic, and many others. Regardless of what lighting style you choose, be sure that it wil...(related: Home Improvement)
Hiring A Waterproofing Contractor
According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), consumers can take several steps to ensure they find the right contractor for their job. A leaky roof, basement or unprotected foundation can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage and significantly decrease a home's value. Finding out exactly what repairs you need and then comparing the services and costs of local contractors can save you tons of money. Finding a waterproofing contractor to fit your needs is very important.
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement