Are you planning a move? Watch out for these hidden expenses that can leave you short!
There is no doubt that moving is an expensive thing to do. Not only do you have the normal costs associates with a move, such as movers, truck rentals, etc., but a few other “hidden” expenses can crop up. Be aware of these expenses so you can find frugal ways to reduce your moving cost.
Boxes
Yes, you can pay more than $100 to buy boxes and packing supplies. Of course, you can get these boxes for free. You can read all about that in this article: The Frugal Move: Free Packing Boxes
But the hidden expense I am talking about is for the box removal. If you are moving to a new place that has private trash collection, you may get charged $25 or more for the company to haul away the boxes. This includes apartment or condo complexes and even some neighborhoods. Check first. A better way to rid yourself of your empty boxes is to break them down and post them on freecycle or craigslist. Someone else can benefit from your boxes, and you won’t have to pay a fee!
Movers
You may have budgeted for professional movers, but did you allow for tips? The standard tip for a professional mover is $20. Since most of the time you’ll have two, three or four movers, that can add up to a $40-80 expense you might not have anticipated. Frugal or not, don’t skimp on the tip if the movers worked hard and were courteous.
If you have friends and family doing your moving for you, don’t forget a budget for feeding them. We had 15 teenagers from a local church youth group help us. We were so blessed to have them! However, they did manage to consume $90 worth of pizza and soda. We don’t begrudge that expense at all, but it was an expense we forgot to allow.
What are some of the ways you have saved on moving?
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