5 Clever Ways to Cut Moving Costs and Save money

The cost implication is one of the prime concerns for the people who relocate, and therefore it is imperative that we find ways to curtail it. That is what we aim to elucidate you in this write-up. There are numerous ways to help you save bucks while moving. However, very few of them are clever and effective. Those of you planning to avail services of adroit domestic removals would find this article very useful.

This write-up would guide you about clever strategies like booking a removalist at a strategic time, decluttering, self-packing, shared moving, shipping heavier items in advance. Peruse the below sections to get a clear insight on how to cut moving costs and save money. 

Top 5 Clever Ways to Help You Cut Moving Costs and Eventually Save Money

We have shortlisted some of the smartest techniques that you can consider to help you save your hard-earned money during the relocation. 

1. Book the services of removalists at a strategic time

If this is your first move or relocation, you would probably be unaware that booking the removalists on specific days of the week or month can help them save huge sums of money. 

Let us give you a brief insight into how the removalists' booking charges work. Booking the services of movers or packers for a weekday move would be cheaper compared to availing their services over the weekend. It will prove to be cost-saving if you take a day off to plan your move during the weekday. 

Also, if possible, you should try to move during the off-season and not on public holidays. These are busy periods for movers, and hence they charge more during seasons like Christmas or New Year. 

2. Declutter much before your actual moving date

If you are aware of your move dates and have a few weeks before that, it would be smart to start decluttering your stuff. This is important as it can help you save the money you pay to the packers (who charge by the hour). 

You can start giving away or disposing of the things that you do not plan to carry along to your new destination. You would be astonished at the quantity of unnecessary stuff you have, and that can be given away. 

Imagine that if you still carry such stuff to your new place, you end up paying additional hourly charges to packers and additional moving charges to the removalists. Rather you can choose to be smart and start decluttering when you have time to save money. 

3. Self-Packing your items to save money 

Now, this is a no-brainer! One of the smartest methods to curtail the moving cost is by doing the packing yourself. It requires additional effort from your end and would surely consume more time, but it would be worth it. There is a substantial cost associated with the packing services. And this could be completely avoided if you can pack your stuff on your own. 

You can procure the moving boxes from the large bookstores or libraries that are literally looking to dispose of them. Few stationery items like tapes, labels, scissors, etc., must be purchased to help you with quick and easy packing. Self-packing can help you keep a track of items you pack and also save money. 

4. Consider heavy shipping items like books 

Heavy items such as books take up a lot of space and bear heavyweight. It will be a clever step if you decide just to use UPS or FedEx to ship them to your new destination. Your movers and packers would charge you much more than these shippers. Once again, just compare the costs so that you have a better insight into the actual cost. 

5. Shared moving is another good way to save money

Not many are aware of the option of shared moving. It is a clever way to help you cut down the cost of your move. If you are planning a long-distance move, then you can use the services of a shared load moving company. These companies usually have large freight trailers that can haul huge household items in large numbers at one go.

Understandably, it would take a little extra time compared to a dedicated mover company, but it surely helps to save a lot of money. If you are not in a hurry, then availing of the services of a shared load moving company would be a clever decision.

Concluding Thoughts

Moving can take a financial toll on many, and therefore, one must plan to save wherever and however they can. There are numerous ways by which you can save money on relocation. 

However, this write-up focused on some of the smartest shortlisted ways to help you cut moving costs and save money. Hopefully, the details of this article help you save on your move and make your relocation simpler. 

What to Do When You Think You Have Mold in Your Home

Mold is a type of fungus that releases spores into the air that can be harmful to people with allergies or asthma. The first thing is to review what mold looks like and where it is usually found in your home so that you can then start inspecting it. Next, make sure that the moisture problem has been dealt with because mold will not grow without moisture. After that, find out if there has been any structural damage done by water or other moisture problems by contacting a contractor to assess the property. Finally, it will be helpful if the residents of the house who are on medication for asthma or allergies do not try to deal with the mold removal on their own as this could lead to an allergy attack when exposed to the mold. It is best to call in a mold expert.

Mold is a potential health hazard, but it can be hard to know whether or not we are dealing with mold at home. It is important to inspect the area and make sure that the mold spores were not introduced by outside sources. If you believe you do have signs of mold in your home, then it's time to take action.

Create an Environment That Can Help Kill Any Existing Mold

This means opening windows and making sure moisture isn't trapped in any parts of the house. Also, scrub down any surfaces that might have been exposed to water or moisture before they dry out--this includes floors, vents, window frames, sinks, and countertops. If these steps do not work, then experts recommend removing all porous items from the area and discarding them.

Hire a Professional for Inspection and Removal of Mold

Mold can grow and thrive in moist environments, and it is important to remove it as soon as possible before it spreads. Contact a local company, like 1-800-BUSY-DOG, to safely handle the mold. A professional will be able to find the source of the mold and remove any visible portions using bleach or other safe resources. In some cases, they might recommend that you replace any materials that were exposed to moisture or mold spores.

It is important to remember that some fungus types are toxic when ingested (and for some people allergic). If you have any concerns about this process or about your personal medical history, consult your physician before deciding whether or not to engage in this process.

Ways To Maximize Space in a Shared Kids’ Room

One of the most challenging parts of having your kids share a room is finding adequate space in it. Read on to learn about ways to maximize space in a shared kids’ room.

Double-Duty Pieces

Finding pieces of furniture that have multiple purposes is necessary for a shared room. Look for pieces that can perform a minimum of two functions. Toy chests are brilliant options because you can use them for storage and add a cushion on top to use them as seats against the wall or the end of a bed. In the same vein, wall units with shelves and dressers or desks for the kids are useful.

Loads of Shelves

Shelving is fantastic because it removes things from the floor and gives them specific places. It’s also streamlined and typically shallow, so it won’t make the room feel bulky. Keep your children’s heights in mind when choosing shelves. If you place items too high up, your kids won’t be able to reach them or put them back. As they grow, you can change the shelving to use more of the vertical space.

Shelving serves a double purpose because it can be functional and aesthetically appealing. Coordinate colors and shapes to keep the room cohesive. Breaking it up will make it feel smaller.

Bunk Beds

There are some fabulous bunk bed options out there for every style and budget. Not only will the kids appreciate them, but they’ll save a ton of space. They’re fantastic for making use of vertical space. Often, bunk beds also offer extra storage around or within their frames.

Under-the-Bed Storage

The space under the bed is a fantastic spot to store the kids’ items that they don’t regularly use. Seasonal items are great examples of this. Some companies specially design plastic storage bins for under-the-bed placement. You can purchase a bed with built-in drawers instead of using those as well. Alternatively, you can create the drawers yourself if you’re handy.

Optimize Closet Space

The closet is an essential space in a shared bedroom. Optimizing the storage space in the closet alleviates dresser space in the bedroom. Invest in a great closet organizer with shelving and drawers and approach it systematically. Do your best to use up every square inch in that closet effectively. Optimizing closet organizing maximizes the space in a shared kids’ room.

Having kids share a room may seem like a hard mountain to climb at first, but with the proper knowledge, you’ll be well on your way to organization city. Giving the room the functionality it needs will allow your children to grow and thrive.

5 Steps For Organizing Your Finances

From organizing the living room to getting the kitchen in order, there are a lot of things that beg for your attention on a regular basis. It’s easy to spend all our efforts focused on the things we have to look at every day, but there are other areas of life that deserve just as much attention. Your finances being one of them. 

By spending adequate time getting your finances in order, you’ll be better able to pay bills on time, you’ll stress less, and you’ll have more time to spend focused on what matters most. There are many ways and methods for organizing. First look through the Enneagram chart below to get a better sense of what you should focus on based on your personality type. 

Once you understand how you best organize, follow the following five steps.

1. Gather All Your Financial Documents

Knowing where your important financial documents are can lessen stress during emergencies. Be sure to organize both your paper documents and your digital documents. You can arrange them by date, category, or whatever other way helps you. 

You may also want to consider scanning paper documents and uploading them onto a hard drive. You’ll then want to put this drive into a safe for protection. This will help you get rid of excess paper storage while also protecting your confidential documents. 

2. Set-Up Automatic Bill Pay

By setting up automatic payments, you won’t have to spend the extra time worrying if you’ve forgotten to pay your bills. Utilizing automatic payments is one of the most effective ways to organize your bill-paying system. 

Not all your bills may have an automatic payment option. For the ones that don’t, consider marking the day they need to be paid on a calendar you look at often. It can also be helpful to set up reminders in your phone. 

3. Set a Recurring Date to Review Your Finances

By designating a specific date each month to review your finances, you’ll be able to better protect yourself from fraud and overspending. Doing a regular check-up will help you see where you’ve spent your money and how much you have left in your budget. 

Set up reminders in your phone or project management app so you don’t forget. You can also use a paper calendar if you use it often and it will act as an efficient reminder. 

4. Use a Finance App

Most people have more than one account to keep track of. From your checking account to your retirement accounts, it can be difficult to know what’s happening with each one of them. By using a finance app, you can better keep track of your overall financial picture. Many of these apps even have additional features that can help you track your net worth. 

5. Create An Income Timeline

Creating an income timeline can help you set goals for your financial future. This is an especially beneficial way to organize your finances during retirement, as you’ll likely have access to different funds at different times. 

Use this free printable from Annuity.org below to create your income timeline.

Getting your finances organized can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking the plunge and getting started is often the hardest part, but knowing exactly what you need to focus on can help you break through the mental barrier and get your finances in order once and for all.