Moving On A Budget 2023

Plan ahead

The first step in moving house on a budget is to plan ahead. The more time you have to plan, the more you can save. Start by setting a budget for your move and stick to it. Make a list of all the expenses you'll need to cover, such as removalist costs, packing materials and utility connections.

Lucky for you, HOOD has a few other articles to get you started, like our all-in-one Best Ever Moving Checklist and our Change of Address Checklist. You can even use the HOOD Chatbot to generate a budget for the cost of your move!

Compare removalist quotes

One of the biggest expenses when moving house is hiring a removalist. To save money it's important to compare quotes from different companies. Look for removalists that offer a flat rate or hourly rate, as this can be more cost-effective than paying for a full-service move. Also, consider hiring a smaller, local company as they may have lower rates than a big moving company.

Conveniently, the HOOD Chatbot can also help you find instant quotes from local removalists.

Do it yourself

Another way to save money on your move is to do it yourself. This means packing and loading your own belongings. You can hire a removalist to transport your things, but you'll save even more money by doing the heavy lifting yourself. If you're not comfortable doing it all by yourself, see if your friends and family are willing to help.

It's important to consider safety as a factor - if you're not sure if you'll have the physical strength or stamina to complete a full day of moving, it might be worth spending some money on professional movers. The last thing you want on moving day is to not finish moving, or worse, injure yourself.

Sell or donate items you don't need

Before you move, take the time to go through all of your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. This will not only save you money on moving costs, but it will also make the moving process easier and less stressful. You can sell items you no longer need through online marketplaces like eBay, Gumtree or Facebook. You can also donate items to charity or give them to friends and family.

Use free packing materials

Packing materials can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. You can use items you already have at home, such as suitcases, laundry baskets and plastic containers, to pack your belongings. You can also ask local stores if they have any boxes they're getting rid of. Many supermarkets, liquor stores and other retailers often throw away boxes and you can ask them if you can take some of them for your move.

Utilise free moving services

There are some free moving services available that can help you save money on your move. These services include free storage, free moving boxes, and free moving truck rentals. Check with your local council or community organisations to see if they have any free moving services available.

Research utility providers

When moving to a new house, you'll need to set up new utility connections. Research different providers and compare prices to ensure you're getting the best deal. Bear in mind that energy pricing in particular can be a little difficult to decipher as some providers can hide costs in 'on-peak' vs 'off-peak' pricing or daily supply charges.

If you're looking to save some time on your move, the HOOD Chatbot can get your utility services connected in minutes. Choose your plan from a panel of Australian suppliers and sign your contract within Facebook Messenger - easy!

If you're looking to move, be sure to connect with HOOD.

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