Money-Saving Apartment Moving Tips for the College Student

As a college student, you’re probably looking for some apartment moving tips that will cut down on expenses. Moving is hard enough as it is without having be thrifty at the same time. Fortunately, there are several things you can do before and during your move to save some money.

Find Boxes for Free

There’s no point in paying for what you can obtain for free. As you’re preparing for your move, start making late night trips to stores like Walmart, where boxes are available to take at no cost as store employees restock the shelves. Boxes are generally available at midnight or after, so round up a friend or two and go. While you can’t be picky or expect to find any special kinds of boxes for free (like the ones you can purchase for glassware and clothing), saving money is more than enough compensation. 

Forgo Hiring a Moving Company

One of the great things about being a college student is not having a house full of belongings to move. Having a manageable amount of belongings means you can get by without having to pay a moving company-or even having to renting a Uhaul, for that matter. If you have a friend or relative with a truck, van or SUV, see if you can borrow it for a day or two as you move. At this point, anything you can borrow will equal major savings.

Enlist Volunteers to Help with the Move

While money is a limited resource for those in school, college students often have the advantage of having friends and relatives who are willing to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of this resource while it’s there! When you graduate and become a young professional you’ll find that this kind of free help is typically much more difficult to come by. Ask friends and family in advance (i.e. several weeks before your move at the very latest) if they can help you move. Waiting until the last minute to ask for help could backfire-people will either be busy or annoyed to be asked so last minute.

A good idea is to get several people with large vehicles to load up your belongings and transport them. If you aren’t renting a moving truck, you’ll save a lot of time moving things this way. It’ll cut down on excess trips and also make the loading and unloading process much more efficient. Obviously, if you’re moving long-distance the situation will be different. In such a case it’s best to only pack and take one car load of belongings. You can buy the other items you need when you get to the new city. If you need a larger vehicle, it’s worth it to still see if someone you know is willing to lend you a truck or van.

Moving is stressful, but you can keep it from being expensive. The money you save will be useful as you begin decorating your new place.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.