7 ingenious tips for moving house on a budget
Andrew Stuckey • May 18, 2020
If you’re soon to be or are looking to move into rented accommodation, you might be surprised by the additional costs involved.
From hiring a moving van to buying new furniture, the cost of moving to a new rented home can soon rocket, leaving you in the unfortunate position of panicking about whether you can comfortably afford it or not.
Luckily, the 118 118 Money boys are on hand to provide you with some quick, easy to follow tips which can save you some cash, and reduce a lot of the stress of moving into new rented accommodation.
Plan ahead
Before thinking about packing up those boxes, have a think about how much the move might cost. Work out what budget you have and make a list of what you need in order of priority. Our budget planner is a good place to start. A new set of curtains or TV are not things you need to buy right away, but the first month’s rent, deposit and potential agency fees most definitely are.
Other essentials things you’ll have to consider before you move are:
- A moving van or petrol for your car – depending on how far you’re moving of course
- Groceries – food, drink and household items to keep you going until payday
- Bills – do you owe money on gas, electricity or council tax? If so, make sure to consider them in your budget. You might need to factor in your new bills for the following month too
- Transport costs – consider your new route to work and how much it’ll cost
With an organised checklist on hand, you’ll be better prepared for the big move.
Check the rent
Your rent is almost certainly going to be the largest of your monthly outgoings. With this in mind, consider how much you can realistically afford before you commit to any contract with a landlord or letting agency.
Nowadays you can compare almost anything online, from flight prices to car insurance – and now rent prices are no different. Companies such as Zoopla and Rightmove have introduced super cool apps on both iOS and Android to keep you up to date with rent prices in your area.
Compare rent prices from millions of houses, flats and apartments all over the UK with these easy to use apps and find a suitable solution to suit your budget.
Find Free Furniture
If you’re moving into an un-furnished flat, there are ways you can save money on necessary items such as sofas, beds and kitchen appliances for your new abode.
Sites like Freecycle give away furniture for absolutely nothing! Made up of thousands of groups around the UK, Freecycle is a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to keeping perfectly good household items out of landfill sites, which in turn, gives you the chance to grab comfortable furniture for nothing.
Other sites like Gumtree also offer furniture, sometimes for free, but mostly at a reduced price.
Compare your bills
If you’re paying too much on your gas and electricity bills, then moving to a new house could be the perfect opportunity to switch to cheaper alternatives – but make sure you’re up to date with any old bills you may have, or consider them in your budget beforehand.
There are plenty of sites where you can compare the best energy deals for you. A quick Google search for “compare energy deals” is where you’ll find them.
You don’t have to stick to the same energy company that’s already providing the property you're moving in to with gas and/or electric. When you first move in and decide to switch, always evidence the meter readings with both energy companies.
You could even compare your TV and internet bills and reduce your monthly expenditure on those.
Get your mates to help you out
If your mates can drive, then kindly ask them to give you a lending hand when moving your stuff…even better if one of them has a van! Rather than paying for a removals van, consider first whether you actually need one. You might be able to fit all of your belongings into a few cars or journeys.
If you have large items of furniture or are moving a long way, then hiring a removals van might be the best solution for you. If this is the case, phone around a few companies and ask for a quote – and go for the cheapest one.
Save on packing
Get hold of anything that’s good and strong enough to put your items in. Ask your local shop or your work if they have any cardboard boxes, milk crates or bubble wrap lying around – most of the time they’ll be happy to part with them as it saves them work on recycling.
If you’ve got items lying around that you have no use for anymore, you could make a quick buck selling them on sites like Gumtree, Music Magpie or Shpock.
Share your bills
If you’re moving into shared accommodation, then besides getting to know your new flatmates, have a sit down with them and organise a fair system for sharing the cost of the necessary outgoings.
A good idea is to write down a full list of the bills that go out each month and draw up a spread sheet to organise who pays what and when – it’ll save you all money and time in the long run. If you aren’t a wizard with a spread sheet, then try out this new handy app from Settle Up.
Moving to a new home can be an exciting time but can also be quite stressful, especially when it comes to affording it. With these easy to follow budgeting tips, you can be sure to spend a little less on your move and reduce the stress along the way.
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