Homeowner's Self-Moved Residence Accompanied by a Packing Celebration
**Saving Big on a Cross-Country Move: A Case Study**
In a recent cross-country move from Texas to Florida, a group of friends banded together to make the transition as cost-effective as possible. The move, which began at 2:07 pm on Sunday, was a testament to the power of planning, decluttering, and enlisting help from loved ones.
**Planning and Starting Early**
Andy, a close friend, arrived on Friday night to lend a hand with the last-minute tasks. By 7:00 pm on Friday, January 27, the house was about 80% packed into boxes. The group had started planning and ordering supplies around 5–6 weeks before the move, following the advice of experts who recommend this approach to stay organized and meet deadlines.
**Decluttering Before Moving**
The group took the opportunity to get rid of unwanted items, reducing what they had to transport and lowering the costs of fuel, rental, and truck space.
**Budgeting for Hidden Costs**
The total cost of the move, excluding the budget for moving, came to $1,420.36. This figure accounted for fuel, truck insurance, moving equipment rentals, packing materials, meals for helpers, hotel stays or tolls during travel, and the cost of a steam cleaning company for the dryer vent, which cost $85. A dryer repairman was called to fix the broken dryer, charging $50 for a diagnosis.
**Involving Family or Friends**
Friends including Katy, Will, Marcus, Rachelle, and Annie, provided invaluable assistance during the move. Katy and Will brought Corona and limes, Rachelle provided Little Ceasars hot and readies, Bota Boxes, and Grandma's hummus with pita chips. The group also made use of practical items such as paper products, trash bags, zip lock bags, Clorox wipes, scissors, tape, paper towels, magic erasers, and a vacuum for last-minute preparations.
**Preparing an Organized Moving Checklist**
The group used a moving checklist to track their progress, important dates, and tasks, helping prevent last-minute expenses and oversights.
**Optimizing Truck Rental**
To save on costs, the group chose the right size truck to avoid paying for unused space or needing multiple trips. They also researched rental companies for options with lower mileage fees or insurance included.
**Using Professional Help**
For fragile or valuable items, the group considered some professional packing help to ensure their safety during the move.
**Flexibility in Timing**
The group took advantage of their flexibility in timing, avoiding peak moving times and potentially saving on costs or reducing stress.
By thoroughly planning, budgeting realistically for all expenses, decluttering, and pacing their move, this group of friends managed to make a cross-country move a cost-effective option. Their story serves as a valuable example for others considering a DIY move.
After the move, the group decided to transition to a new lifestyle, focusing on home-and-garden projects to create a welcoming ambiance in their new abode. Meanwhile, they sold or donated their decluttered items, monetizing their efforts towards funding home improvements.
