Move with Barely Any Money

Moving can be exciting but also stressful. And expensive. Hiring professional movers saves you a lot of time and effort, but adds to the cost of your move. The typical house move nowadays ranges from $690 to $2,240 depending on how far you’re moving, how many belongings you have, and the time of year. Even if you do it yourself, a long-distance move can cost $1,550 or more, depending on the cost of renting a moving truck and moving supplies.

What if you have to move but find yourself short on cash? Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs in moving and resources that can help with the financial aspect of relocation.

This post provides some suggestions for moving when you’re short of money. Many people are having financial difficulties in the present economic environment. If you’re planning to move for work, school, or other reasons but need some help, this information may be helpful.

How Can You Move with Barely Any Money?

If you have to move, but your bank account is running low, you can look for ways to lower the cost of the move. You can also apply for financial help from various government and private organizations.

Reduce Moving Costs

If you’re flexible about the timing of your move, one way to minimize costs is to move during the off-peak season. This is when movers and moving truck rental companies have lower demand, so many decrease their rates to bring in business. Most relocations take place in the summer. So if you can schedule your move between October and April, you’ll likely save significantly. By booking a moving company during the off-season, you could save as much as 30 percent compared to during the summer.

Another way to minimize the cost of your move is to declutter your home before moving. Movers typically charge by weight and how much time they spend loading and unloading your possessions. If you have furniture, appliances, clothing, or other items you no longer need or won’t need at your new home, you can save on moving costs by selling, donating, or discarding these items before you move.

You can also move many items yourself if you’re driving or moving locally. This will save the movers’ time and save you money. You can ask friends and relatives to help you move smaller furniture items.

Although moving boxes and packing supplies can be expensive, you can save hundreds of dollars by getting free boxes and reducing your use of packing tape and paper. Many stores that receive shipments have leftover cardboard boxes. Your local U-Haul may also have boxes donated by others. You can also check online for free boxes available and ask friends and neighbors if they have any boxes, especially if they recently moved.

Instead of using bubble wrap and packing paper, consider wrapping dishes and glassware in clothing items, towels, and linens. You can also use magazines and newspapers and save bubble wrap from items you receive in the mail.

Apply For Assistance

Financial help may be available through government agencies and private organizations, depending on your situation and where you live.

For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service provides grants and loans to people in rural areas of the U.S. These may be used for moving costs. The service also provides relocation assistance. You can apply for a grant or loan at a local service office.

If you’re a U.S. military veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs officer relocation assistance to military members who are leaving the military. Also, many commercial moving companies offer discounts to service members and veterans.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration provides moving assistance to those whose homes were destroyed in a federally declared disaster. You will need to live in an area that qualifies for assistance and provide proof of damage.

On the private side, 211.org is a free phone hotline and website, supported by The United Way, that can refer you to resources you qualify for. The hotline’s trained operators can help you find organizations that assist with moving costs and provide other moving assistance. If you’re looking for assistance with moving- or housing-related expenses, the operators can help you determine the type of support available.

The Salvation Army provides short-term financial resources to families in need through its Housing Now program, which offers housing assistance. The YWCA provides financial moving assistance to low-income individuals, especially women buying homes. Modest Needs is a private organization that gives short-term financial assistance to families suffering from a temporary crisis. It provides grants that can be applied to moving supplies, trucks, or other expenditures.

Although moving can be expensive, there are ways to minimize the costs and organizations that may help. You might also contact your state and local government agencies for resources in your area.

We hope you found this post, How to Move with Barely Any Money, useful. Be sure to check out our post, Helpful Resources for Low-Income Families on the Move for more great information.


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