From Moving Truck Rental to Unloading the Truck:
A Beginners Guide to Cheap Moving

Moving is a necessary evil; and like death and taxes, for most of us it is inevitable. For the fortunate few who have yet to have to go the hassle of transitioning from one location to another, when the time comes to do so, the process can seem daunting. While moving can be a very exciting process, the opportunity to move into your first dorm room, first apartment, or maybe even your first house, there is a lot to consider. And while moving can be both a daunting and costly process, it doesn’t have to be.

For so many of us, using a professional moving company is simply not an option. Professional movers are expensive and while convenient, are not guaranteed to treat your items with the care and respect you may feel they deserve. After moving between states several times, I have found that the key to an easier, more pleasant moving experience is to simply move yourself. Below, I will share with you a few tips that will make even your first moving experience less painful.

One thing to keep in mind about moving is that, if you let it, it can become a very expensive project. The most important way to keep your costs down is to shop around and find a cheap moving truck rental company. Looking for a moving truck rental is as easy as plugging that phrase into Google and shopping online. Once you have found moving truck rental companies in your area, compare prices, call them, and reserve your truck.

When you are reserving your truck, check out what other moving supplies the company has for sale or rental. Often times by doing your own truck rental, you can simply get packing paper, bubble wrap, boxes and other moving supplies the same day you pick up the truck, saving you time and making it more convenient. If you want to start packing early, you can pick up these supplies the night before.

On the day of your move, pick up the truck as early as possible. Truck rentals are often by the day and you save no money by waiting until later in the morning to start. The sooner you begin, the sooner you will be done. Recruit friends and family to help you and the process should go fairly quickly. Remember to thank and feed your free labor! Be sure to mark boxes with their location and whether the items within are delicate. This ensures that nothing important will be broken during the move and that once you arrive to your new location, boxes can be put in the proper room.

Once you have finished loading up the truck, get two other people to ride with you to your new location. With three of you, this guarantees you can get even your largest pieces of furniture into your new home. Before you begin unloading the truck, if you are moving into an apartment that is not on the ground floor and has an elevator, measure your largest item before you carry it to the elevator and try to make it fit. It is easier to drive a truck to the stairway entry than to try and maneuver a couch through a building to the stairs.

Get all your furniture and boxes into your new home and return the truck before you begin unpacking. This is so you do not get caught up in settling into your new home and forget to return the truck. You do not want to unwittingly get charged for a second day because you forgot about the truck parked in the alley. Learn from my mistake. Once you have returned the truck to the rental company, you can head home and start making your new space yours!

Moving doesn’t have to be costly or painful. With the help of family and friends and a cheap moving truck rental, getting into your new space can be inexpensive and easy.