After buying a house, many families try moving on a budget to avoid further draining their bank account after already making the largest purchase they’ll make in their lives.
We at Partin Real Estate in Bolivar, MO completely understand! We’ve been helping families in the Bolivar and Southwest Missouri area buy and sell their homes for over 30 years now so we’ve picked up some helpful tips.
Keep reading for a few pointers for moving on a budget!
Planning is king when moving on a budget
Planning ahead is the name of the game when you’re trying to move on a budget. All of the following works much smoother when you are working on it before the week you’re moving.
A good rule of thumb is to start prepping two months before you need to move. That doesn’t mean all packed up and ready to go! But the more you can get accomplished now, the less stress that builds later.
Moving on a budget is easier with less stuff
Well, duh! As obvious as it sounds, some people still need a (kind) reality check. If you are trying to move on a budget, this tip can help you twofold.
Be honest about what you really need to follow you to your new house. And then you can sell the things you don’t need to help with moving expenses!
You can have a garage sale, list items on Facebook Marketplace, different Facebook community sale groups, eBay, etc.
Anything left over you can donate to places like Big Brothers Big Sisters or other nonprofits. In fact, you can even get a receipt from your donation that you can use to write off on your taxes next year!
Find cheap or free packing materials
Moving on a budget can be difficult if you have to buy lots of boxes and packing materials. The good news is you can save on your packing materials with a little searching and outside-the-box thinking.
Call customer service at some of your local retailers or locally-owned businesses and see if they have some boxes you can pick up for free. Check Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, and similar sites’ free sections to see if people are giving them away.
As for packing supplies, you can save on bubble wrap by using socks, towels, or clothes you’re just going to throw away.
Call in favors when moving on a budget
Hey, what are friends for? Seriously though, if your friends are capable of moving your heavy furniture you should ask if they can pitch in on moving day. Just be honest about the amount of work that needs to be done and be sure to return the favor however you can.
However, if there are valuable pieces to move that you would be upset if they got broken, consider hiring an insured moving company. Similarly, if there are overly heavy or otherwise complicated pieces you’re not sure how to move, you may be better suited to hire movers.
Buy sensibly when moving in
Buy only what you need immediately for your new home. Do your best to avoid impulsive spending right now even though it’s tempting to decorate.
Instead, begin making your new house feel like yours by putting up your old decorations and utilize your new kitchen, if possible. If money is going to be tight for a while, spend sensibly and meditate on the feeling of what a big accomplishment buying a new house is when you need a pick-me-up.
Compare prices for all your new services
Moving on a budget is easier when you aren’t saddled with a bunch of unexpectedly high bills your first month in your new home.
Price out all of your services and make sure you aren’t locked in at high rates after introductory offers end. In addition, cancel any services early before you move out and bank that money for unexpected expenses.
Partin Real Estate has been committed to our clients for 30 years
For over 30 years Partin Real Estate has helped families in the Bolivar, MO area buy and sell residential, commercial, and farming properties. We strive to use the honest approach in every interaction we have and try to take as much stress out of the home buying/selling process as possible. Give us a call at 417-326-4270 and let us know how we can help you today!
