A Smarter Way to Move this Summer
Article Overview:
- Plan early, schedule movers, and avoid peak weekends to save money
- Budget for movers, deposits, supplies, travel, and unexpected costs
- Pack smart, reuse materials, and protect items from summer heat
- Stay organized, track savings, and avoid relying on credit cards
_______________________________________
Summer is the most popular time to move due to more flexible schedules, but it is also the most expensive. The good news is you can move when it’s the best time for you and still not overspend with these money saving pointers.
Planning a Summer Move? Here’s How to Save Money + Stay Cool
- Plan early and lock in dates
- Budget for hidden costs
- Beat the heat with smart scheduling
- Save on supplies and services
- Download apps that can help
Why is moving in the summer more expensive?
Summer moving demand drives up prices for moving services, truck rentals, and even housing—making it important to plan ahead and budget carefully.
How can planning early help you save on a summer move?
With summer being the peak moving season, what this means is increased costs on trucks, overs and even storage units. Get ahead of higher costs by planning ahead to avoid unnecessary stress when following these best practices.
- Book Movers Early: Schedules fill up quickly during the summer break so book at least 4–6 weeks in advance for better rates. Also, do your homework by comparing multiple moving companies to make sure you’re getting a fair, affordable price. Some options are U-Haul, Dolly or Lugg.
- Lock in Your Rates: Summer rates can be a moving target as they fluctuate with demand, but you can ask our moving company about guaranteed rate options. Pre-paying also helps prevent last minute price increases.
- Avoid High Volume Weekends: We’re already aware of potential summer price hikes so stay away from the busiest and most expensive weekends. This can be determined by researching and booking early. You can also consider moving on a weekday to save even hundreds of dollars.
Planning ahead using the best practices will help you avoid unexpected expenses and price hikes so you can continue to best budget and not rely on credit. A little forward thinking can make a big difference. Make your move even smoother with these tips.
Breakdown Moving Costs Into Key Categories
- Movers or truck rental
- Deposits (rent, utilities)
- Packing supplies
- Travel costs
- Unexpected expenses
Be Mindful of Summer Heat
- Move early morning or evening
- Stay hydrated
- Protect items from heat
How You Pack Matters to the Bottom Line
- Save grocery bags and other delivery materials for packing fragile items
- Use free boxes from work, grocery stores or friends
- Reuse containers
- Pack efficiently by using the full space of boxes and containers (make sure they’re secured)
Do It Yourself or Hire Movers
- Personal preference that matters is time vs. money
- Compare costs
- Go hybrid by doing half yourself and the other half that may be best with movers for heavier items
Make Moving Less Stressful
- Make a to do list (Use apps like Trello or Shortly)
- Calendar your packing to stay on schedule
- Pack essentials separately
- Label everything clearly
Avoiding Debt as Much as Possible
- Create a savings account
- Automatically transfer savings to stay on track
- Keep budget top of mind to guide all decisions
- Refrain from using credit cards
Whether you’re moving across town or starting fresh somewhere new, having a plan in place can make all the difference. At Kelly Community, we’re here to help you stay on track financially—so you can focus on settling into your new space.
