16 Feb
2019
By / OVM TEAM
5 CREATIVE WAYS TO SAVE ON MOVING AND STORAGE COSTS IN OTTAWA
When moving becomes too expensive, it can take the fun out of the whole experience and replace it with what might seem to be a never-ending headache. However, wanting to save an extra buck or two should not come at the expense of having a good quality moving experience. At the end of the day the main priority is to ensure your belongings arrive safely and unharmed in your new home.
Moving and storage costs in Ottawa can be steep; check out these 5 creative solutions:
- Plan Ahead
Before you start packing, it’s crucial that you find out where and how you will spend your money when moving. We recommend outlining a budget. Next, having a clear and detailed plan for your move. A plan can help prevent you from packing too much or too little, over spending, and forgetting important details or deadlines that can lead to more debt and stress.
A good plan of attack is to divide your moving plan into the months, weeks and days leading up to your moving date. This system will ensure that you’ve consider every factor, to avoid surprises when the big day arrives.
- Declutter
Decluttering can be a long and stressful process, especially for those that have never done it, or for people who find it difficult parting with items. Check out the wildly popular Netflix series ‘Tidying Up’ with Marie Kondo. So, give yourself time to slowly go through every item you have and ask yourself “do I really need this?” or “how often do I use this?” etc. to help pare down what you have to carry forward to your next place.
Decluttering doesn’t automatically have to mean throwing things away. Even though that is one of the options, you can always donate or plan for a garage sale before moving. The profit that you make from reselling your belongings can be used to decrease the cost of your move.
- Free Moving Supplies
On average moving boxes and other materials can cost between CAD$100 to $200. Luckily you can save money on moving materials if you plan ahead and know where to find them.
You can start by asking your family and friends, and ask at your local Starbucks and grocery stores, which usually have reusable boxes or extras every week from deliveries.
Avoid wasting money on bubble wrap or packing peanuts, as neither are recyclable. Instead, use towels, clothes, blankets and pillows to pack your fragile items. These methods will surely help you save a lot of money and reduce waste.
- Compare Companies
There are plenty of moving and storage companies available in Ottawa, but the trick is to find the perfect one for you. It’s recommended to get quotes from at least a couple of Ottawa moving companies. You’ll need to make sure you look at whether they provide insurance, how long they’ve been in business, as well as what their past customers are saying about them online. Click here for tips on finding the best Ottawa moving company for your next move.
- Claim Moving Expense
By including the amount of allowance or reimbursement you received from your employer, you are eligible to claim the deduction for moving expenses. This can compensate the money you had to pay out of pocket for your move.
Nonetheless, we recommend that you don’t spend a lot of time stressing about your move. By giving yourself enough time to plan everything out, we guarantee that you will have an easy and stress-free moving experience. If you need more tips and trick on how you can save money, or for a quote, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
