6 Frugal Moving Tips From a Reluctant Expert

Whenever I tell someone how many times I've moved house (35 times), I usually get a shocked reaction -- and then the correct assumption that I've gotten good at this. It's true -- I'm really good at packing, unpacking, making lists, and staying organized while uprooting my life.

I'm hoping my next move (into a house I've bought) sometime in 2024 will be my last for a while, but you can bet that I'll be using the following tips. If you've got a move coming up, keep reading -- expert moving advice can save you real money.

1. Consider all your moving options

Moving truck, moving trailer, container moving (like PODS), cargo van, and a friend's station wagon -- I have moved with all of these methods, and often using more than one at a time. If you're hoping not to empty your savings account during a move, price out every option you have.

In my experience, the cheapest options for a move are using your own vehicle (or one you borrowed from a friend), followed by renting a moving trailer that's connected to your own vehicle. If you don't already have a trailer hitch, you'll pay to have one installed on your vehicle.

Forbes reports that the current average cost of trailer hitch installation for a Class 2 trailer (a 12-foot cargo trailer of the type rented by U-Haul is one of these) ranges from $130-$475. I made two moves of over 1,000 miles apiece using a car trailer, and it was more economical than renting a giant truck and paying to gas it up.

I don't have space here to cover all of your options, but you should know that you have them. Do some research to find out what will work best for your move and your budget -- don't assume the only way to move is via a huge moving truck.

2. Start saving ASAP -- and pad your budget

Once you know a move is on the horizon, it pays to start putting money aside for it, if you can. Looking back on all my many (many) moves in adulthood, the ones that went the smoothest were the ones I had some time to plan for, and part of that plan involved working up a realistic budget.

It's good to know what you'll pay for needed supplies, a truck or trailer, and potentially help in the form of professional movers. Whatever figure you land on, pad it by an extra $500 -- because moving is always more expensive than you think it'll be.

Pro tip: If you move often, invest in reusable plastic totes -- don't rely on cardboard boxes.

3. Declutter, declutter, declutter

This is a tip I wish I'd been able to implement more often -- and it's one I'm leaning on hard for my next move. Packing everything you own is a great opportunity to throw out, donate, or sell items you don't need. As you're digging into closets and drawers, if you find items you haven't used (or maybe even seen) since you moved into your current place, do you actually need them in the new place? Having less to move equals less hassle -- and less time and money spent.

4. Prioritize utility shut-off and change-of-address for mail

There are so many things to do when you move, but you absolutely don't want to forget to have your utilities shut off and switched to your new place. I caught a surprise bill of $150 after one of my two moves in 2020 -- I had remembered to have the electricity/gas service switched to my new rental, but neglected to shut it off at my old one.

And don't forget to fill out your change-of-address form with the U.S. Postal Service! This is easy to do online these days. Forget this task and you could miss bills, important financial paperwork (like credit card statements), and more.

5. Empty your fridge and pantry

If this is an in-town move, it likely won't be a big deal to pack up whatever food is left in your fridge, freezer, and pantry and drive it to your new place. But a good way to save some money during your last few weeks in a home is to make as many meals as possible out of food you've already paid for. I promise, it's going to feel so good to go grocery shopping for the first time to stock your new fridge -- and it'll feel even better if your last few weeks at the old place came with smaller grocery bills.

Pro tip: Pack your kitchen near the end of the process.

6. Don't forget to clean

This is more of a money concern if you're leaving a rental home behind. But even if you've sold your house and are moving out of it, it's still nice to leave a clean space for the new owners (and you may be required to leave it "broom clean," per a purchase contract). But if you're moving out of a rental, getting your security deposit returned is likely at least partially contingent on how clean you leave the space.

So leave a little time after the truck has been loaded to run a broom or vacuum through your former home, give the bathrooms a scrub, and make sure all your garbage and belongings are removed. Getting your security deposit back can help relieve some of the financial pinch of moving.

I sure didn't ask to become a moving expert, but I gotta play the hand I was dealt! I hope these tips help you save money on your next move, be it just across town or halfway across the country.