With the advent of permanent remote working and the use of applications such as Zoom to conduct day to day business interactions, more and more people now have the opportunity to live wherever they want and they are taking advantage of this change. People are moving from high cost locations to more suburban, environmentally focused and higher quality of life destinations. As with any change, this involves spending money on the move to save living expenses in the long-term. I recently made such a move myself. This post highlights key cash savings ideas and is an excerpt from the upcoming book The FinancialVerse Guide to Savings – 600 Cash Savings Ideas.
Here are six ideas on how to save money on your Zoom Town move:
Understand your new location. Be sure you understand all of the costs of living in your new Zoom Town. Research the cost of living, tax laws, housing market, school systems and local economic conditions. This research will pay you dividends as you settle into your new living arrangements and avoid any major negative surprises.
Find as many free boxes as possible before moving. You will discover that moving boxes are expensive and that you will need more than you think to get your possessions packed. Before you start packing, seek out free moving supplies from various stores, online marketplaces, community groups and friends. This is a great way to save hundreds of dollars on moving expenses. You can find potential free or deeply discounted moving boxes on Craigslist, Freecycle, U-Haul Box Exchange, Nextdoor and local Facebook groups.
Choose a cheaper date and time to move. One of the easiest ways to save money during a move is to simply choose the right moving date. When hiring a professional moving company, you can save money by being flexible with your move date. First, avoid moving during the "peak moving season" from May to August. Instead, opt for a mid-week, mid-month moving date between the months of September and April. Second, ask the company when the best time for them would be. You may find that the moving company has a partial shipment headed for your new location that you could benefit from.
Get quotes from at least three movers. Each mover's estimate will require an in-person inspection, phone interview or a video survey of your belongings before giving you a quote. If you're moving out of state or a long distance, the move cost will be determined by the weight of your items. To obtain the most accurate quote, be sure to tell the person quoting the estimate which items you will be moving on your own. Always check out the Internet reviews for each company to ensure you are hiring a reputable mover.
De-clutter before packing. Whether you're downsizing or simply looking to de-clutter, getting rid of your unused items is one of the easiest ways to cut costs during a move. By eliminating worn clothing, out-of-date electronics, unnecessary furniture and the boxes you still have not unpacked from last move, your move will weigh less—making the relocation less expensive. There is nothing worse than paying to move items you throw away or donate upon your arrival in your new location.
Carefully review your moving contract. Be sure you understand how you will be charged for the move, the cost of replacement insurance coverage, packing costs and financial limitations on the moving company's liability. Taking the time to perform an in-depth review of your contract can save money, time and misunderstandings on billing matters.
Summary
The pandemic has brought about a generational change in how and where we work. It has accelerated the use of new technologies to allow organizations to improve the quality of life for their employees. The change has seen a groundswell of people moving to new locations that afford them the opportunity to create a higher quality of life for their households. Making these moves requires spending up-front cash to achieve long-term living expense savings. If you are contemplating making a Zoom Town move it will pay to carefully plan the details of your move and to take actions such as those mentioned in this post to save money.
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