Moving from one place to the next may be a good decision for you and your family, but most people don’t realize just how expensive moving can actually be. You need to figure the cost of moving boxes/storage, truck rentals, moving companies, and even the time you need to take off work. Instead of spending as much as your mortgage payment on moving, it’s important that you instead learn how to cut the bill. Avoiding some common moving mistakes will help, as well as the following tips.

1. Save boxes and storage.

Moving requires boxes and other forms of storage in order to accurately move your belongings from one place to the other. However, most people don’t realize that buying new cardboard boxes or storage bins can actually add up. At most home improvement stores, a large cardboard box will run about $2. Consider how many of these you would need to pack your house, and you will be in the hundreds of dollars range when it’s all said and done.

Instead of wasting this money, start saving boxes and bins early. If you order something from a store and have it delivered, save the box. These can be reused with new tape. As you’re going through closets and other storage units to purge items, you should try and save empty bins you come across too. Another way to save is to ask local grocery stores or retail outlets if they have any boxes you can have. Most of the time, you can snag these from companies who are going to throw them out, and this will save you a fortune.

2. Use empty space.

Another way to save on moving is to use as much space as you can when it comes to packing. For example, instead of throwing laundry baskets or trash cans in the truck, make sure you fill these items with stuff from your home. This will save you from having to spend money on a bin or a box, and this will add up to a nice savings.

Along with the large items like laundry baskets and trash cans, you should also maximize storage in smaller items too. Put small seasonings inside a crock pot. Place non-breakable items inside a microwave. The more space you can maximize, the less money you’ll need to spend on moving boxes and bins.

3. Go local.

If you are hiring a moving company, make sure you try and stick to a local company. Most moving companies will charge you based on the location as well as the amount of items that need to be moved. If you choose a local company, you can save a significant amount. For example, if you live in Los Angeles, choose a high-end moving company in Los Angeles to help you, such as PureMovers.com. Since they don’t have to go far, the cost of using them will cost less than it would if you chose a moving company located far away.

4. Cash in favors.

The best way to save money on moving is to do as much as you can yourself, and then cash in favors from friends and family members to assist you. Renting a truck or two and doing all the packing and unpacking yourself will cost much less than using a professional moving company. Simply repay your help with food and drinks, and you’ll be amazed at how much money you can keep in your pockets.

5. Plan correctly.

Sometimes the expense that comes with moving has to do with the amount of time it takes. If you plan your move correctly, you can save money. For example, if you can pack and unpack a truck in one day, it will save you money on the truck rental, as they tend to charge by the day. You should also make sure you can move out and move in in a timely fashion. Doing so can reduce the amount of money you’d need to spend on a hotel or other living accommodations.

Using all of these tips will help ensure that you have a smooth moving experience that doesn’t cost a fortune.