27 Jul
2010

At this time of year, many families are packing away a son or daughter for college. You don’t want to spend your whole student loan on moving costs. College moving costs can easily add up to the hundreds of dollars, but there are ways to save money:

1) Check out used dorm room items. Everything needed for the dorm – such as desks, chairs, mini fridges – can often be found at great prices if you look for used items.

2) Move less. The less you move, the less it costs, since most moving companies charge by the pound. Find out exactly what your dorm or apartment offers so that you know what you really need.

3) Consider buying most of what you need locally. If you need furniture or other large items, it is usually less expensive to buy these items used locally than arrange to have them shipped over long distances.

4) Move early. Moving in earlier (before all the students arrive) allows you to get cheaper moving rates (since movers are not overwhelmed) and allows you to buy any used furniture items you need in the area at yard sales at cheap prices (and less competition from other students).

5) Do it yourself. Moving yourself (using a rented truck or your own car) is always less expensive than hiring movers. If you need movers (because you are traveling far away), it is easier to move with a friend. Having at least two people use the same movers means a discount.