Moving is an expensive undertaking, and it’s no secret that most people are unprepared for the amounting costs that include mover fees, truck rentals and packing supplies. Even if you’re just moving your family to the other part of town, the amount of money it takes to move can be significant. If you know where to spend and where to save, the entire move can cost much less than you thought.
Set up a moving budget
Before you start creating the budget, make sure you go through the remaining five tips, and see where your savings lie. On the other hand, there are a number of tested budget templates online which can help you determine the costs. Many homeowners make the mistake of taking only the actual moving costs into account, such as renting the truck and paying the movers. However, there are also post-moving costs that wait for you once you move in. Make sure you calculate the hidden costs as well and build them into your budget.
Get free moving boxes
If you tick the packing service with the moving company, they’ll charge you a bit more but take care of the packing materials. In some cases, you can 
pay only for the packing materials and pack everything yourself, which will also be charged, albeit less. However, if you don’t want to spend anything on packing, you should look for secondhand and free packing boxes. Browse the local forums and Facebook groups, as oftentimes someone in your community has moved recently and has got a load of boxes they want to get rid of. In some cases, warehouses and local supermarkets have stacks of boxes they’ll happily give away too.
Skip the moving company
Although much faster and more stress-free, hiring a moving company can cost you between $800 and $4000, depending on when and where you’ll be moving. Tackling the move yourself will definitely take time and energy, but it’s the best option if you need to save money. On the bright side, the entire family can take part, with everyone sharing the load of responsibility. If you still decide that hiring a company is the best way, find out about all the extra fees they might be charging. You can use that to bargain the price or even move in the off-season.
Save on the rental truck
Renting a moving truck is much more straightforward than hiring a moving company. Moving all the furniture, appliances and other belongings is not only stressful when using your own car, but also expensive and time-consuming. Just consider the number of rounds you have to make and the 
amount of gas you need for schlepping all your household moveables to the other part of town, let alone intercity routes. Even if you commandeer your friend’s vehicles, the favors you’ll have to return might turn out even costlier. Once you decide on what size and type of vehicle you need, call a reputable company like Budget truck rental and ask for their quotes. They operate a large fleet of various trucks, vans and utes, so you’ll be able to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Get rid of the clutter
Dispensing with items you don’t have a use for anymore is one of the easiest ways of making your move more manageable and reducing the load that goes into the moving truck. Get rid of all the items your family members don’t need, haven’t used recently, or anything that is hard to fit into your new 
home. Make a tour of the rooms and think about which items are worth the time and effort and which are not. Not only does it reduce the moving cost but it also gives you more of a clean slate to begin with in your new home.
Check eligibility for tax deductions
If you need to move your family across country for a full-time job, with your new workplace located less than 50 miles from your new home, it’s possible you’re eligible for certain tax deductions related to your packing, transportation and storage expenses. This deduction is a financial bonus you shouldn’t refuse, especially since you’re looking for the cheapest way to complete your move. Make sure you keep all the receipts and documents that are connected to your cross-country move, and once you arrive at your new home, contact a qualified tax consultant to check your tax deduction eligibility.
People who jump into moving without a solid budget often find themselves shocked at the amount they have to pay in the end. Although these real-life tips aim at reducing the cost of your move, keep in mind that sometimes time and a stress-free move are more valuable than actual money.
About the author: Mike Johnston is a home improvement blogger, DIY enthusiast and sustainability buff from Sydney. He is a regular writer at Smooth Decorator and contributor on several interior design, real estate and eco blogs, always on the lookout for new ideas and the latest trends in these fields.
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