Moving to a new city is an experience filled with emotion. There is the sadness of leaving all the people you know behind, mixed with the anticipation and excitement of all the new people you are soon to call new friends. Then there is the stress and the worry of packing up your life and the thrill of unpacking on the other end and finding a new home for all of your things.
If moving a long distance is anything, it is an adventure. And the one thing about adventures, is that they are full of twists and turns, and can be quite costly. In order to minimize the surprises that might come up from moving and to keep the costs down, especially when you are moving long distances. We at Estevan Rental Properties have come up with a list to make your long distance move a little easier, and save you a little money while we’re at it.
Trade your stuff for money.
That is, have a yard sale or list your unwanted and unneeded items online for others to purchase, for example craigslist or kijiji. Not only does this get you a few extra spending dollars, it will also save you space and money as you will have fewer things to move. One good thing about moving is that it forces you to confront what you have accumulated over time, those things hiding in the corners of the closet that you haven’t looked at or thought about in years, and it is a great opportunity to get rid of what you no longer use. Anything that doesn’t sell can be donated. Remember, less is more when it comes to moving!
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Find free boxes.
Sure, you can purchase boxes, but any fruit and veggie store usually has a back log of sturdy, pre-used boxes that most store owners are happy to pass along. Not only is this good for the wallet, it is good for the environment, too.
Pack carefully.
It is a feat, and dare I say almost impossible, to move to a new place without anything getting broken or damaged. But the more carefully you pack by taking care to wrap fragile things, the more you’ll save in not having to replace those broken dishes and picture frames.
Ask for help.
If you are moving a long distance, your friends and family are going to want to spend as much time with you as possible before you go. You can use this to your advantage and ask your nearest and dearest to come over and help with some of the heavy lifting so that it saves time and money when the professionals show up and charge by the hour.
Shop around.
Moving companies offer different rates and services depending on the size and distance of the move so take the time to find the company that is right for you. Or perhaps you are happy and able to drive the truck yourself across the country so you can save money by simply renting a moving truck alone. Either way, it is a good idea to look at several options and ask for estimates before hiring a company to help you move.
Consider how much your time is worth.
It might seem like a good idea to tackle every aspect of moving on your own, from packing to cleaning to driving across the country. However, this is time out of your day, and time that might be better spent doing something else like making memories with your friends and family. Consider the cost of hiring professionals like cleaners or movers who not only have the proper equipment but will free up your time so you can spend it preparing in other ways.
Check into tax deductions and reimbursements.
Depending on the reason for you move, there is a chance you will be able to write some of it off or get reimbursed for some expenses if you are relocating for your job. It’s a good idea to save all of your receipts from packing supplies to meals on the road to filling up with gas so that at tax time, you may be able to use them to your advantage, your accountant will be able to help sort it out.
Here at Estevan Rental Properties, we see people moving in and out all the time and know the stresses and excitement that comes with moving. We hope this helps take some of the weight off and the next time you are in Estevan, Saskatchewan, even if you’re driving through on the way to your next destination, stop in and say hi.