Comments on: Ask the readers: Tips for frugal moving? http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Thu, 24 May 2012 22:57:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Susannah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280709 Susannah Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:41:20 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280709 I'm sure this has been said (haven't read through the comments), but I tapped Freecycle for moving boxes and got a ton, and met some really nice folks in the process too (they gave me even more stuff than the boxes, actually). I’m sure this has been said (haven’t read through the comments), but I tapped Freecycle for moving boxes and got a ton, and met some really nice folks in the process too (they gave me even more stuff than the boxes, actually).

]]> By: Elisarose http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280708 Elisarose Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:50:00 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280708 My husband is in the ministry so we have moved around quite a bit. One of the hazards of ministry moves is that you may or may not have people offer/want to help based on their current attitude towards you! Two memorable moves have been when I was 8 months pregnant (yes, 2 times I was 8 months pregnant and we had to leave the churches we were at and move across the country)! The first time this happened, my husband drove me and our son to the new state, then he flew back packed and loaded the U-Haul all by himself. No help. Miserable. The second move while pregnant, the church we were going to offered to pay for a moving company to move us. Needless to say, with 3 young children and a big old belly ready to pop with a baby, this was a complete Godsend. The moving company experience wasn't flawless, but it was definitely a lot less stressful and much physically easier. If we had not gone that route, the church we were leaving would not have offered help, so we would have been in the same predicament as before. So for us, the moving company was definitely worth the extra bucks. My husband is in the ministry so we have moved around quite a bit. One of the hazards of ministry moves is that you may or may not have people offer/want to help based on their current attitude towards you! Two memorable moves have been when I was 8 months pregnant (yes, 2 times I was 8 months pregnant and we had to leave the churches we were at and move across the country)! The first time this happened, my husband drove me and our son to the new state, then he flew back packed and loaded the U-Haul all by himself. No help. Miserable. The second move while pregnant, the church we were going to offered to pay for a moving company to move us. Needless to say, with 3 young children and a big old belly ready to pop with a baby, this was a complete Godsend. The moving company experience wasn’t flawless, but it was definitely a lot less stressful and much physically easier. If we had not gone that route, the church we were leaving would not have offered help, so we would have been in the same predicament as before. So for us, the moving company was definitely worth the extra bucks.

]]> By: Morgan http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280707 Morgan Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:06:44 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280707 I have made MANY moves in my lifetime. I've moved across town about 3 times, to a neighboring city about 2 times and from Georgia to California, California to Georgia and Georgia back to California. Whoa! Tips: 1) NEVER pay ANYTHING for moving boxes. They are ALWAYS available for free on Craigslist or at grocery stores if you ask or even local businesses. 2) Have a yard sale. Simplify your belongings and make a little money at the same time. Saves time, moving expenses and packing efforts. 3)Instead of buying bubble wrap (unless you got it for free from Craigslist) wrap your breakables in your dishtowels, t-shirts, sweaters, recylced newspapers, whatever you can find. Talk about killing two birds with one stone! 4)Suitcases double as moving boxes. 5) BIG MOVING TRUCK TIP: When we moved from California to Georgia, we bought a used U-Haul truck from Craigslist (private owner) in California. Then we got to take our time in filling it up because we weren't paying by the day. Once we got to our destination, we resold it on Craigslist there for about the very same price we bought it for. So we ended up just paying for the GAS! 6) The last time we moved (Georgia to California), we sold everything except for the essentials and filled my Honda Civic to the brim to make the drive. We haven't missed any of the stuff we left or sold. Our friends here have graciously donated their used furniture here and there. -Morgan mvalencia@astoneagency.com I have made MANY moves in my lifetime. I’ve moved across town about 3 times, to a neighboring city about 2 times and from Georgia to California, California to Georgia and Georgia back to California. Whoa!

Tips:

1) NEVER pay ANYTHING for moving boxes. They are ALWAYS available for free on Craigslist or at grocery stores if you ask or even local businesses.

2) Have a yard sale. Simplify your belongings and make a little money at the same time. Saves time, moving expenses and packing efforts.

3)Instead of buying bubble wrap (unless you got it for free from Craigslist) wrap your breakables in your dishtowels, t-shirts, sweaters, recylced newspapers, whatever you can find. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

4)Suitcases double as moving boxes.

5) BIG MOVING TRUCK TIP:
When we moved from California to Georgia, we bought a used U-Haul truck from Craigslist (private owner) in California. Then we got to take our time in filling it up because we weren’t paying by the day. Once we got to our destination, we resold it on Craigslist there for about the very same price we bought it for. So we ended up just paying for the GAS!

6) The last time we moved (Georgia to California), we sold everything except for the essentials and filled my Honda Civic to the brim to make the drive. We haven’t missed any of the stuff we left or sold. Our friends here have graciously donated their used furniture here and there.

-Morgan
mvalencia@astoneagency.com

]]> By: Jennie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280706 Jennie Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:55:54 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280706 We're currently going through a move right NOW! The cheapest route for us from AZ to MI was www.upack.com. I was shocked when they're quote was going to be cheaper than us driving a moving van and paying for all the gas. With Upack, you pack all the boxes and load it up yourself, then they drive it across country to your destination. Upack also has a blog with great tips on moving in general and how to consolidate space with how to use the least amount of space while packing! Look on craigslist for boxes under FREE section. Good luck! We’re currently going through a move right NOW! The cheapest route for us from AZ to MI was http://www.upack.com.

I was shocked when they’re quote was going to be cheaper than us driving a moving van and paying for all the gas.

With Upack, you pack all the boxes and load it up yourself, then they drive it across country to your destination.

Upack also has a blog with great tips on moving in general and how to consolidate space with how to use the least amount of space while packing!

Look on craigslist for boxes under FREE section. Good luck!

]]> By: Amanda http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280705 Amanda Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:53:49 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280705 Thank you everyone for all of your answers!!! I absolutely got my boxes for free--from behind a TJ Maxx dumpster. Everything is packed and in storage (I am hoping that when I find a new employer, he/she will pay to relocate me); my car is in another storage. I did this to get out of my costly FL apartment so that I could find another renter and get out of my lease, and because storage units usually offer one month free or for application fees (ended up spending about $90 on both storage units, and I have until Sept. 1 when I owe more on these). I am debating whether to fly back to FL and get help loading everything into a Uhaul and dragging my car behind me, or a moving service. With airfare, gas, hotels, etc., the price actually seems almost the same for if I were to do all of the labor myself. But I do have some great tips from EVERYONE and will be looking deeply into these. In the meantime, please cross your fingers for me that my new employer will pay or help me out--I have my first interview next Wednesday! Thank you all. Thank you everyone for all of your answers!!!

I absolutely got my boxes for free–from behind a TJ Maxx dumpster. Everything is packed and in storage (I am hoping that when I find a new employer, he/she will pay to relocate me); my car is in another storage. I did this to get out of my costly FL apartment so that I could find another renter and get out of my lease, and because storage units usually offer one month free or for application fees (ended up spending about $90 on both storage units, and I have until Sept. 1 when I owe more on these). I am debating whether to fly back to FL and get help loading everything into a Uhaul and dragging my car behind me, or a moving service. With airfare, gas, hotels, etc., the price actually seems almost the same for if I were to do all of the labor myself. But I do have some great tips from EVERYONE and will be looking deeply into these. In the meantime, please cross your fingers for me that my new employer will pay or help me out–I have my first interview next Wednesday!

Thank you all.

]]> By: Jessica http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280704 Jessica Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:34:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280704 Another great resource is Freecycle. It's a yahoo group in your local area (just search for your city, or nearest large city). You can post "wanteds", so this is a great place to post that you need some boxes. Simple rule for freecycle is that it has to be free. Also, if you have a lot of stuff that you want to get rid of, post it here to give away to someone who could put it to good use, instead of throwing it away. The purpose of freecycle is to keep things out of landfills. You may think it is junk, but someone else may not. Another great resource is Freecycle. It’s a yahoo group in your local area (just search for your city, or nearest large city). You can post “wanteds”, so this is a great place to post that you need some boxes. Simple rule for freecycle is that it has to be free. Also, if you have a lot of stuff that you want to get rid of, post it here to give away to someone who could put it to good use, instead of throwing it away. The purpose of freecycle is to keep things out of landfills. You may think it is junk, but someone else may not.

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280703 Amy Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:41:30 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280703 We have moved way too much too... lots of good advice here! The best way we found to get a good deal on a moving truck is to think about the law of supply and demand. Their prices are flexible, so when the demand is high, so is the price. Check into different pick-up/drop-off locations, as well as different dates. The result may save you hundreds! We have moved way too much too… lots of good advice here! The best way we found to get a good deal on a moving truck is to think about the law of supply and demand. Their prices are flexible, so when the demand is high, so is the price. Check into different pick-up/drop-off locations, as well as different dates. The result may save you hundreds!

]]> By: Anna http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280702 Anna Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:56:38 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280702 We just moved two weeks ago. I was shocked when I looked into the price of moving vans for going across the country...it would have been cheaper for us to just sell all our furniture and buy it again once we arrived (since it was mostly free or garage sale stuff). But, trailers are much cheaper than moving vans. So, we got rid of lots of stuff and the rest we loaded up in the trailer/van. To save on food costs I made up meals in advance for the busy days I knew we would have while packing. We just moved two weeks ago. I was shocked when I looked into the price of moving vans for going across the country…it would have been cheaper for us to just sell all our furniture and buy it again once we arrived (since it was mostly free or garage sale stuff).

But, trailers are much cheaper than moving vans. So, we got rid of lots of stuff and the rest we loaded up in the trailer/van.

To save on food costs I made up meals in advance for the busy days I knew we would have while packing.

]]> By: FrugalFelicia http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280701 FrugalFelicia Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:49:22 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280701 I recently moved from out-of-state. I posted a bunch of frugal moving tips in July on my blog. You can also click "frugal tips" in the archive. I've moved so many times, I'm almost a pro! Check it out and Good luck! I recently moved from out-of-state. I posted a bunch of frugal moving tips in July on my blog. You can also click “frugal tips” in the archive. I’ve moved so many times, I’m almost a pro! Check it out and Good luck!

]]> By: LeAnna C http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280700 LeAnna C Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:26:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280700 We are in the process of moving from WI around the lake to MI but it will be a good 12 hour move with 2 little ones. We are downsizing so we aren't hanging onto much so a 16ft box truck works for us. When I was looking around at trucking companies I realized the two main competitors for individual use unless using a huge semi truck are Penske and U-Haul. I got quotes online and Penske called me right away with great, English speaking customer service. They gave me a pretty good deal but I wanted to talk it over with my husband so she put my quote on hold and I gave her a time to call back. So the next day before she was to call, I gave U-Haul a fighting chance and told them exactly what Penske's offer was, to my surprise, they beat Penske by a lot...so I had them put my offer on hold and I talked to the Penske lady and after telling her about U-Haul's offer she talked with her manager and have us a great deal, slightly more than U-Haul but because of the CS we went with Penske. So for around $522 we got packing pads, a dolly, 4 days, 24/7 roadside service, insurance from them protecting us against any damage to the vehicle from us or anybody else, that also includes their environmental fees. The truck does get 8-10 miles per gallon but most of them get that or worse. We are in the process of moving from WI around the lake to MI but it will be a good 12 hour move with 2 little ones. We are downsizing so we aren’t hanging onto much so a 16ft box truck works for us. When I was looking around at trucking companies I realized the two main competitors for individual use unless using a huge semi truck are Penske and U-Haul. I got quotes online and Penske called me right away with great, English speaking customer service. They gave me a pretty good deal but I wanted to talk it over with my husband so she put my quote on hold and I gave her a time to call back. So the next day before she was to call, I gave U-Haul a fighting chance and told them exactly what Penske’s offer was, to my surprise, they beat Penske by a lot…so I had them put my offer on hold and I talked to the Penske lady and after telling her about U-Haul’s offer she talked with her manager and have us a great deal, slightly more than U-Haul but because of the CS we went with Penske. So for around $522 we got packing pads, a dolly, 4 days, 24/7 roadside service, insurance from them protecting us against any damage to the vehicle from us or anybody else, that also includes their environmental fees. The truck does get 8-10 miles per gallon but most of them get that or worse.

]]> By: Shayleen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280699 Shayleen Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:00:21 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280699 I would definitely move myself especially if someone could help drive either the moving truck or your car. One other thing...$2000 sounds like a great price for a moving company. Make sure they are reputable though. You can also look at the break-down they charge to load each box, etc. It can come out to be $9 per box and you know they fill half the boxes they pack with paper to increase the cost! So...if you can pack most of the boxes yourself and then just have a company load it all up and move it for you, that will save you lots too! I would definitely move myself especially if someone could help drive either the moving truck or your car. One other thing…$2000 sounds like a great price for a moving company. Make sure they are reputable though. You can also look at the break-down they charge to load each box, etc. It can come out to be $9 per box and you know they fill half the boxes they pack with paper to increase the cost! So…if you can pack most of the boxes yourself and then just have a company load it all up and move it for you, that will save you lots too!

]]> By: Karen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280698 Karen Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:49:12 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280698 Penske trucks are the way to go! They don't limit you on mileage like the U-Haul trucks do. When we were moving back to Alabama from Florida, we drove over the FLorida line into GA to pick up a truck because it was over $1,000 cheaper!!!! Yep...that is not a typo! And because they don't count mileage it was cheaper to drive the distance!!! Hope this helps! Penske trucks are the way to go! They don’t limit you on mileage like the U-Haul trucks do.
When we were moving back to Alabama from Florida, we drove over the FLorida line into GA to pick up a truck because it was over $1,000 cheaper!!!! Yep…that is not a typo! And because they don’t count mileage it was cheaper to drive the distance!!! Hope this helps!

]]> By: Coupon Artist http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280697 Coupon Artist Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:30:03 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280697 We used ABF UPack. You rent space on a trailer. This was more cost effective for us than driving a UHaul. We used ABF UPack. You rent space on a trailer. This was more cost effective for us than driving a UHaul.

]]> By: Gina http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280696 Gina Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:21:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280696 You can get boxes and packing materials free from Craigslist or Freecycle. Don't pay for them! You can get boxes and packing materials free from Craigslist or Freecycle. Don’t pay for them!

]]> By: Cynthia http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280695 Cynthia Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:17:23 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280695 Try your local freecycle.org - there are often posts for free moving boxes and you can all request boxes. Try your local freecycle.org – there are often posts for free moving boxes and you can all request boxes.

]]> By: Sienna http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280694 Sienna Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:09:16 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280694 People often post their moving boxes for free on Craigslist - beats begging the stores for them. People often post their moving boxes for free on Craigslist – beats begging the stores for them.

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280693 Amy Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:55:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280693 I just went to our local small town newspaper and asked for the end rolls of newsprint. They gave me two large ends for FREE and I used that to wrap all my breakable items and to use as extra stuffers in boxes. I just went to our local small town newspaper and asked for the end rolls of newsprint. They gave me two large ends for FREE and I used that to wrap all my breakable items and to use as extra stuffers in boxes.

]]> By: Ace1234 http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280692 Ace1234 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:31:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280692 My husband just reminded me that we gathered boxes from Starbucks in the weeks before our move. The boxes were very strong, a uniform size, and FREE! yeah! My husband just reminded me that we gathered boxes from Starbucks in the weeks before our move. The boxes were very strong, a uniform size, and FREE! yeah!

]]> By: Emily http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280691 Emily Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:25:31 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280691 Meh! Don't ever BUY boxes! Freecycle or grocery stores are the perfect places to get them. We recently moved about 100 miles, and had a group of family there to help load the truck. We had help unloading the truck due to our horrific experience with buying our house, so I can't really give much advice other than do it yourself! Meh! Don’t ever BUY boxes! Freecycle or grocery stores are the perfect places to get them.

We recently moved about 100 miles, and had a group of family there to help load the truck. We had help unloading the truck due to our horrific experience with buying our house, so I can’t really give much advice other than do it yourself!

]]> By: Chelsey http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html/comment-page-2#comment-280690 Chelsey Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:21:08 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/ask-the-readers-2.html#comment-280690 I didn't have time to read through all the comments, but when we've moved my mom has always gotten boxes from hospitals and grocery stores. They're free, sturdy and you can get them as big or as small as you need them to be. I didn’t have time to read through all the comments, but when we’ve moved my mom has always gotten boxes from hospitals and grocery stores. They’re free, sturdy and you can get them as big or as small as you need them to be.

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