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Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
Last post Sat, May 14 2011 2:25 PM by Teatrpusk. 14 replies.
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Tue, Apr 5 2011 12:06 PM
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KDuckster


- Joined on Tue, Apr 5 2011
- Posts 2
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Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
Hi All,
I have searched the archives of posts on great moving tips and tricks but realized I am in a unique situation. I'm single, 50 years old, no kids and am contemplating a move from Minnesota to Southern California. I know the cost of living is higher there and I'm planning for it. What I need to know if there's any really great deals for renting movers or trucks that I don't know of. I've moved around enough locally that I'm good at getting rid of unwanted stuff first, pretty good at organized packing, but the cheapest price I could find for renting a moving truck and a trailer for my car is around $2000. Based on that chunk of change, I definitely know I couldn't actually hire movers - that will be too prohibitive. Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have.
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slk2042


- Joined on Thu, Oct 9 2008
- Posts 2,330
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
It was several years ago when our family moved ourselves (as opposed to having the military do it for us), but I seem to remember that my DH put the local U-Haul, Budget Rentals, etc. in a pricing war with each other. They had a "meat or beat" pricing policy, so my DH used that to our advantage, Eventually the price got so low that the companies couldn't go lower, but they threw in freebies such as a moving dolly for free use, furniture padding, towing trailer for our car, etc.
You might see if similar "meat or beat" programs are available in your area. It can definitely be used to your advantage.
Stacie
http://holdinghandswithmyhoney.blogspot.com/
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aloha_from_cali



- Joined on Mon, Mar 24 2008
- Northern Cali
- Posts 599
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
We just last week moved my mom from Arkansas to Northern Cali. We mailed most of her possessions parcel post (this meant no furniture). We flew to pick her up and flew her back out here with us. Not a very thrifty way to do it, I can tell you.... but mailing some of your boxes might help wth the cost of a UHaul? Just an idea.
SAHM to 2 toddlers and 2 cats! Happily married to my soul mate! How could life get any better!?!
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JP Mommy


- Joined on Wed, Apr 6 2011
- Posts 1
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
Depending on the time of year you are moving, the rates will vary. Summer time is more expensive, you will get a better deal in Winter.
Try calling around and get quotes from moving companies, it may be comparible to the rental truck. You can also look into UPack or PODs, a portable storage container that you would load yourself and they can deliver to directly to your home?
If you are looking just for help to load your truck or storage container Elite Moving Labor or Moving Staffers has nationwide Professional Labor that can assist.
Good Luck on your move and enjoy Sunny Southern California!
JP Mommy
www.steadfastlaborpros,com
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Maggie Trudeau


- Joined on Fri, Dec 17 2010
- Idaho
- Posts 1,011
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
I've had good luck shipping things too. If you pack books separately, they can go "media rate" even though the post office rarely mentions that. It's the new "book rate". For my last move, I got by with the smallest moving truck. I drove the car out (I started a job) then flew back on a round trip ticket (cheaper than one way), and drove the small truck of stuff 1500 miles in 4 days. Driving out first got the necessities there and allowed me to rent a place to send/bring my stuff too. good luck with the move.
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Juneflower


- Joined on Tue, Aug 26 2008
- Posts 2,470
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
If you can afford it, buy a cheap cube truck, take it across country, wash it, paint it, detail it, and sell it for more than you paid. The bidding war is another great idea. Car dollies aren't all that expensive to buy and they always sell fast, or you can loan it out for money. One of my cousins has one and shadetree mechanics are constantly borrowing it for cheap parts or project cars. Could be a way to get in good with local auto repairmen.
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marianne


- Joined on Thu, Oct 16 2008
- Posts 28
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
Is your stuff worth as much as it would cost to move? If not, sell it all and just take stuff in your car and use the money you would have spent to replace things when you move. There are garage sales all the time and people wanting to get rid of things. You could replace them rather inexpensively if you wanted to.
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MeanestMomEver


- Joined on Thu, Feb 3 2011
- Posts 3
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Re: Moving Almost Cross-Country on a Budget
Moving from the the middle of the country to the west is always more expensive than the reverse. The rental trucks don't come back to the midwest as often as the the trucks go west. You don't necessarily need movers to move you, you can hire a truck and car trailer and drive the truck yourself. At each end you can hire day labors to load and unload your truck. One area I would like to suggest is to see if you can fill a couple of pods storage units and have those moved with a national mover it may or may not save you money. Also your moving costs are deductible on your yearly us tax return. Good luck.
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