Paying for a move can be more stressful than the move itself. Here’s how to move without going broke.
Time it right
If you use a professional moving service, avoid the popular summer months and the last weekend of each month, when prices often are higher. Compare at least three estimates from local, reputable movers.
Be wary of lowball offers, which could lure you into a bait and switch with an unscrupulous company and end up costing you more.
Pro Tip: Ask the companies whether you’ll pay less if you shift your dates. A company may charge less on certain days or weeks based on its workload.
Lighten the load
The cost of long-distance moves usually depends on the weight of the shipment and the number of miles to the destination. Even if you move a short distance or without professional help, downsizing makes the move less pricey. This could be a good time to organize, donate and sell some of your belongings that you no longer need or that you haven’t used in a while.
Pack and ship cheaply
Packing your own items will save you money whether or not you hire movers.
For items that can’t fit in your car, consider Amtrak or Greyhound. They offer shipping services that can be cheaper than package delivery companies or the Postal Service. Rosenberg once shipped a bicycle by train using Amtrak Express Shipping. (You’ll have to drop off your boxes at an Amtrak station, then pick them up at your destination.) Compare quotes using your individual shipping load and timeline.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to buy boxes. Reuse boxes from liquor stores: They’re sturdy and small, which means you can’t make them too heavy to carry.
Take the tax deduction
Moving for a new full-time job may mean gaining access to a generous, slightly under-the-radar perk: a tax deduction for moving expenses. You can lower your taxable income by the amount it costs to move your stuff, your car and yourself to your new home.
But you have to meet some specific requirements to get the deduction.
- Your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your previous home than your old job was.
- The expenses must take place within a year of starting work in your new location.
- And you can’t take the deduction if your employer reimburses you for moving expenses.
When you meet those criteria, the stress of uprooting your world might be happily overshadowed by the money you save.