72 Ways to Save


ELIMINATE RATHER THAN RELOCATE
While you’re organizing or packing for your move, sift and sort.  Use a heavy   hand toward the trash can, and let common sense and these tips be your guide.

1. The Floor Plan
If possible, get a floor plan of your future residence, or make one to scale on graph paper.  Then try to fit your furniture in.  If it won’t fit on paper, it won’t fit when you arrive.  Get rid of it.

2. Color-coordinate Your Move
If the sofa just won’t match, don’t move it.  Often you can replace furniture and appliances more cheaply than you can re-upholster or refurbish and move them.

3. Ignore the “I Might Need It Someday” Syndrome
Don’t move the riding lawn mower to an apartment.  Part with tools you won’t have a place to use.  And remember, junk is junk.  You don’t need a furnished attic.

4. Book Learning

Condense your library as much as possible.  Then investigate the cost of mailing treasured volumes compared to the cost of moving them.  The special postage rate for books may save you money.

5. Plan For Plants

Check with your mover.  In some cases it may be illegal to bring plants into a particular state.  Even if it is possible, it may not be sensible.

6. It’s Not Dirt Cheap
If you’re determined to take your huge outdoor planters, fill them with miscellaneous items instead of dirt.  Same goes with the sandbox.  There will be dirt and sand where you are going.

7. The Shirt Off Your Back
While one dress or one suit doesn’t weigh much, the average full wardrobe carton weighs 75 pounds.  So if you’re never going to wear it, don’t move it.  Contact your local Goodwill agency and make a donation—there may be tax benefits.

8. The Sound of Money
Hundreds of CD’s can make for a heavy box.  If your taste has changed from rock to Bach, purge you collection accordingly.  Some music stores will buy back your used CD’s for cash or store credit.  Wrap CD’s in a large piece of heavy paper, starting at the paper’s edge and alternately folding the paper over one CD and stacking another on top (CD-paper-CD-paper).  When you have run out of room on the paper, place the bundle upright in a packing carton.

9. Toys –The Kid’s
Now is the time to clean out the toy box.  If the kids are old enough, give them incentive.  Let them stage their own garage sale and keep the profits to buy something special –after you’ve moved.

10. Toys – Yours

If your treadmill hasn’t gone a mile in a month, moving it won’t help.  Consider selling weight lifting equipment and replacing it at your destination.  Remember, weight equals cost.  Sell any hobby equipment you no longer enjoy.

11. Food for Thought
Frozen foods cannot be shipped so eat up.  Consume can goods and food staples, and don’t replenish them.  Plan menus to make the most of what you have.  Be sure to empty your refrigerator completely and clean thoroughly to prevent odor problems.

12. Handyman Heavies
The workshop is a storehouse of heavy, bulky items.  Evaluate them carefully—from the tool table to the tools.  It might be advantageous to replace the massive workbench, etc.

13. Rugs
Unless they are valuable, and you’re sure they will fit and flatter your new residence, get them out from underfoot.

14. The Swing Set
You’ll probably come out ahead with your back, your kids, and your finances if you replace it rather than move it.

15. Firewood
Don’t take it with you.

16. Cue Clues
A pool table requires special handling. Your best shot might be to sell it and then replace it at your new destination.

17. Musical Notes

Pianos and organs also require special handling and should be tuned after a move.  If they are an enjoyable part of your lifestyle, move them.  If they are just impressive trimming, you might want to trim your moving costs.

18. Bah Humbug
Be Scrooge when it comes to special holiday decorations.  Don’t move what you can’t or won’t use.

19. Don’t Be Fuelish
Do not under any circumstances move flammable items.  Empty fuel from the lawn mower, power tools, and kerosene lamps.  Don’t take paints (oil base), bleach, cleaning fluids, lighter fluids, matches, ammunition or any other type of combustible.  Check the kid’s chemistry set.  Butane and propane tanks CANNOT be loaded into a moving van.  If you have doubts, don’t take it.  Better safe than sorry.

20. Can Your Aerosol Cans

A seemingly innocent can of hairspray could explode and endanger your entire shipment.  Eliminate all aerosol cans—hair sprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, car cleaners and others.  If it sprays it stays.

LIQUIDATE OR DONATE
Once you decide what you are going to part with, decide how.  If you’re selling a home, the buyer may be your best customer.  Some items that can be advantageously sold with the home are listed in the next section.  There are other ways to make good riddance—and a profit in the process.

21. Have a Garage Sale
Organize it, advertise it, manage it.  You’ll be amazed how fast your trash can become someone else’s treasure.

22. Advertise in the Classifieds

For more valuable items, it pays to put an ad where the interest is – in the appropriate classified section of your metropolitan and neighborhood newspapers.

23. Donate to Your Favorite Charity

Itemize the items and keep a receipt.  It may help you qualify for a tax deduction.

SELL IT LIKE IT IS
Before you even put your residence up for sale, carefully consider extras that can be included to increase the appeal and the value of your home – and to cut moving costs.  Discriminating buyers may want everything but your family portrait.  Many extras add more value to the house than they cost in the first place.  This is even true for apartment dwellers, who may find the future tenant a ready and willing buyer.

24. From Chandeliers to Ceiling Fans
Most buyers assume that such fixtures are included with the home.  Unless there is a special sentimental reason, they probably should be.  Bulky, fragile ceiling fixtures require special  packing and handling.  And this cost money.

25. Appliances
Consider the age, size, and color of your appliances.  These are very heavy items and usually require professional servicing before the move and special installation upon moving in.  So, if your stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer or freezer won’t fit or match in your new home, perhaps it’s time to start anew.

26. Verify the Type of Power

You can prevent wiring damage caused by temperature changes by unplugging all electronic items 24 hours before loading  and waiting 24 hours at your new residence before plugging them into an outlet.  Check to be sure that you have the proper power connections and sources for your appliances in your future residence.  Don’t move a gas stove or dryer  to an all electric house.

27. Hearth and Home

They go together.  Special fireplace screens and tools are hard to move and may not fit where you are going.  Sell them with your home.

28. Shelving Systems
If you have a built-in shelving system, leave it that way.  No new owner will appreciate holes in the wall where the shelves use to be.

29. TV Antenna
Re-mounting it is more bother than moving it.

30. From Flag Poles to Basketball Goals
We’ve been asked to move them before.  Sell them with the house and save yourself time, trouble, and money.

VALUABLE INFORMATION

31. Arrange for the Transfer of Valuables
Start with the contents of your safe deposit box.  Carry with you or send by insured or registered mail, small valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents, stamp collections, etc.  Items of such unusual value should not be included in your shipment.  The same is true for important computer diskettes which can warp and become unreadable.

MISCELLANEOUS MONEY, TIME AND HEADACHE SAVERS
Once you’ve organized your belongings, it’s time to organize your move.  The things you don’t do can cost you both money and time.  Here’s a listing of small details that can save you dollars and headaches.

32. Coordinate Your Move

Give your mover plenty of notice and, if possible, arrange occupancy dates in your new residence to avoid storage or delays.

33. Notify Telephone, Electric, Gas, and Water Companies
Discontinue service on a specific date.   Request final meter reading.

34. Write Each Utility in the City to Which You’re Moving
Tell them when you will want service started.  Otherwise, you might have to pay hotel rates while you wait.

35. Notify Laundryman and Newspapers to Discontinue Service


36. Notify Security Company, Lawn Service, Garbage Disposal, or Any Other Type of Regular Service

37.Check Your Bank and Savings Accounts
Arrange to transfer deposits so that you don’t lose interest.  Use your bank as a credit reference.

38.Notify your Post Office, Publications, and Correspondents in Advance


39.Notify Former Employers and the Social Security Administration

This will simplify obtaining information for income tax purposes

40. Collect Any Deposits

Whether it’s the landlord or utilities, it’s easier to get deposits back in person rather than long distance.

41. Check with Orthodontist, Obstetrician, etc.

If any members of your family require ongoing medical or dental treatment for which you have paid, arrange with the practitioner to pro-rate with a professional in your destination city.

42. Check Your Homeowners Insurance
It may be possible to have it applied to your future residence, or reassigned to the future owners and pro-rate payments.  If not, possibly you qualify for a partial refund.  Be sure to coordinate insurance so that you are covered in your new residence immediately.

43. If You Sold It, Don’t Move It
Be on hand on moving day to be sure that anything that was sold with the home does not get loaded on the moving van.  Should you accidentally take items, the new owner might not be understanding.  And it costs to return items.

44. Membership Fees
Depending on the clubs or organizations to which you belong, you may be able to sell memberships or get a partial refund on dues.

45. Lockers and Cleaners
Be sure to collect all your belongings at club or school lockers and at the cleaners.

46. Call Toll Free
If you are stopping along the way, use the toll free numbers of major hotel chains  to make advance overnight reservations.

47. Check on Car or Installment Loans
You may be required to notify the lending company of your move.

48. Transfer All Insurance Records

Verify that your car insurance is adequate, as rates vary from city to city.

49. Close any Revolving Charge Accounts with Department Stores or Specialty Shops not located in your Destination City.

50.Notify National Credit Card or Charge Card Organizations

51.Try to Complete Closing and any other legal matters before you move.  It’s costly to make a return trip to take care of details.

52.Arrange for Payment of Your Mover at Destination

Unless charges are to be billed to your employer or the cost of your move has been charged to your personal credit card, payment by cash, certified check or money order is required at your destination.  Professional packing is an added expense, but it often pays for itself in convenience and safety.  Your mover has the expertise and materials to pamper and protect all your possessions.  Even if you have the time and energy to pack, consider leaving your delicate or fragile items (china, crystal, glassware, silver, clocks, etc.) for the professionals.  If you are a determined Do-It-Yourselfer,  do it right.  Ask about specially designed containers and materials.  You can buy them at minimum cost to assure maximum protection of your belongings.

53. Don’t Use Newspaper for Packing
Newsprint smears and fades easily and could ruin the items it was supposed to protect.

54. Pack Toilet Articles and Medicines separately in small containers.  
Be sure tops and caps are secure.

55. Don’t Pack Too Compactly

Give fragile item “breathing room” to avoid breakage.  You can leave clothing in drawers, but remember overstuffing can cause drawers to warp.

56. Arrange for Proper Servicing of Your Appliances

Contact a professional or ask your agent to arrange service for you.

57. Leave Fitted Sheets on Mattresses to Protect Them


58. Spread Your Linens Around
Instead of packing them all in one carton, use them as fillers to cushion other items

59. Put Heavy Items on the Bottom and fill them up with Lighter Things
Use smaller cartons for books, cast iron cookware, weights, etc.

60. Pack Your Current Phone Book

It’s not always possible to remember old phone numbers that you may need or old friends or acquaintances.

61. Indicate Contents and Rooms on the Outside of Cartons

If possible designate which room the carton should go in.  It’ll simplify things at your destination.  Be sure to indicate on the outside of the carton if the contents are especially fragile.

62. Combine Items You’ll need Immediately Upon Arrival in one box.  
Designate it “Unload First”.  Include necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, cups, a can opener, soap, etc.

SAVE ON TAXES

63. When You Donate Items to Charity, request and keep an itemized receipt.  T may help you qualify for a tax deduction.

64.Keep a Detailed Record and Receipts of Your Moving Expenses—including transportation, lodging,  meals , etc.  If you are moving because of a change in your principle place of employment, such reasonable expenses are deductible.  Check with the Internal Revenue Service or your accountant for specifics.

65.Keep a Record of the Costs of Improvements made in your Home through the years and any expenses associated with the Sale of your Home. These include Realtor fees, home staging fees, marketing or classified costs you used to sale your home.

66.And 67.  Insurance and Inventory - The two go together.
 
Your possessions are worth as much in transit as they are in your home.  Make sure they are insured accordingly.  Talk to your insurance agent if you have any questions.  Your Agent will be glad to give you a complete inventory form.  It can save you money moving—and afterwards.  The ideal time to prepare this inventory is while you organize for your move.  List your possessions and their approximate value.  Photograph or videotape your items room by room.  You’ll probably be amazed to realize what your possessions are really worth.  Keep your completed inventory in a safe place.  Then if you have extensive household damage in the future (fire or flood, etc.) you can establish accurate and comprehensive insurance claims.

67. Pick Your Mover Like You Picked Your Possessions.  Very Carefully.


GET OUR FREE SPECIAL REPORT—5 BIGGEST MISTAKES CHOOSING A MOVER
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3715 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311