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8 Easy Ways to Save Money When Moving

Cardboard boxes and potted plants in a brightly lit house foyer with hardwood floors

1.    Free moving boxes

Many local places such as post offices, liquor stores, and offices have lots of empty boxes lying around that they are most likely going to recycle.  It doesn’t hurt to ask them if they have any extra boxes that they don’t mind giving away to help you save on moving boxes.

2. “Reusable” packing material

Instead of packing up your delicate items in packing peanuts, pack up your items with your linens. Using your towels or t-shirts, wrap up your fragile items to protect them from the move, all while saving money and packing space.

3.    Pack smart

Large items should be packed within big boxes. But try to fit small items inside these big items when applicable. An easy example would be packing your clothes inside your suitcase when packing your bag.

4.    Sell your items

Having a garage sale or offering any miscellaneous items to neighbors is an easy way to make a little extra cash and free up moving space (save money on having to purchase fewer boxes or moving trucks). Ebay or Craig’s list is also an easy way to earn money on any items large or small.

5.    Consider age

If you have any old appliances that are almost at the end of their lifetime anyway, consider not moving them. You can replace them once you get to your new home.

6.     Free babysitter/dogsitter

Rather than paying to put your child in daycare or your dog in a kennel for the day while you move, ask a friend or relative if they wouldn’t mind taking care of them to help you save.

7.    Load up a cooler

Rather than throwing away all of your groceries from your home, fill them in a cooler to help keep them fresh until they make it to your new home. This will help you save by not having to buy all new groceries at your new location.

8.    Portable storage units

Contact Zippy Shell today to get a quote on our portable storage units. You load up your belongings however you please, and we will simply move them for you! Then you can unload your items at your convenience.

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Preparing Your Home For Fall

Check for drafts

Check around windows and doors if there are any spaces where cold air could leak in.  Seal these spaces with new frames, drapery, insulation, etc.

Turn off outdoor faucets

To prevent water from freezing within your pipes, turn off your outdoor water faucets.  Disconnect hoses and sprinklers so the remaining water can drain out.

Put away all seasonal furniture

If you haven’t done so already from summer, clean off and stow away all outdoor furniture.  This will ensure they will not be moldy or pest infested in the spring.

Inspect your chimney

If you have a wood fireplace, and use it often, consider having it cleaned out to have it in good shape for when it gets cold.

Stock up on snow gear

Buy salt for your driveway and sidewalks so that you are ready for when the first snowstorm of the season hits.  If you live in an especially cold area that receives a lot of snow, consider buying a snow blower.

Inspect trees

Look around to make sure none of your trees have weak branches that could result in thousands of dollars of roof repairs if they were to land on your house.

Clean your gutters

As the leaves start falling from the trees they are going to fill up your gutters.  Make sure to get up there and clean them out, so that when it rains water does not overflow onto the foundation of your home.

Fertilize your lawn

After fertilizing your lawn in the fall, it stands a better chance to survive the winter with minimal damage to your yard.

Drain your lawn equipment

Any machines you use for your yard that require gas, such as your lawnmower, should be drained.  Keeping excess gas in the tank can lead to a messy buildup and make it hard for the machine to return to work in the spring.