Do as much as possible by yourself. This means packing and preparing your furniture all by your lonesome. If you know friends or family who are willing to help, don't be afraid to ask. Be sure to provide food, and if possible, a small cash stipend for your helpers. This is a good way to show your appreciation.
Downsize as much as possible. Take only the furniture items that you feel strongly about keeping. If you rent a truck from a company like U-Haul, eliminating unnecessary furniture will allow you to rent a smaller, less-expensive truck. Be sure to address issues such as where you'll return the truck, mileage and gas concerns.
Use moving pods to your advantage. Shop a minimum of three moving pod companies. In most cases, you can save money if you have the moving pod company drop off the pod to your home, where you can load your furniture items at your leisure. After you've loaded all your furniture into your moving pod, the moving pod company will come and pick up your moving pod, and take it to your ending destination. In many instances, if you haven't secured a place to stay in your new city, you'll be able to leave your furniture in storage with the moving pod company.
Storage fees vary from company to company. Furthermore, some moving pod companies may charge either a flat monthly fee or a daily storage fee. To avoid this additional expense, you may have your moving pod company deliver your pod to a cheaper storage facility. Using moving pods may be a little more expensive than renting a truck, but it's less of a hassle.
Move in the fall and winter months. The best month to move may be October. Depending on your location, it won't be too cold or too hot. Moving rates are much higher in the summer months, and availability may be limited as well. Most moving companies are willing to negotiate rates in the winter or fall, because business is slower.
In general, more people choose to move in the summer months, particularly if they're moving long-distance. If you plan to drive your own vehicle or rent a truck, take advantage of the fact that gas is usually a little cheaper in the winter months, as well.
