| By :
Stephen Daniels
Moving, even if it's just a few miles away, can be a real pain - for your peace of mind, your muscles and your pocketbook. Here are some ways to cut the pocketbook distress with the help of reliable, local movers: * Make your possessions audition for the chance to make the move with you. First, be ruthless in sorting things into move, trash, sell or donate piles; then hold a garage sale or make your favorite charity happy. * Avoid purchasing packing supplies from local moving companies. Instead, find out your local liquor store or grocery delivery day and score some boxes from them. * As your friends to save up their packing peanuts, bubblewrap and boxes for you. * Use reusable wardrobes to move clothing. Often, local moving companies provide these at no charge. * Use your less delicate clothing, such as coats, or some bedding, to cushion breakable items such as decor. You could also use sheets and towels. When you research local movers, be sure to get at least three estimates and while you're at it, ask some detailed questions, such as, do they charge extra for stairs? What about heavier furniture? Speaking of furniture, not all of it needs to be coddled with shrink wrap, especially if your moving day is sunny and your destination is local. Not having your movers take the (expensive) time to do this extra wrapping, not to mention the cost of the material, is a real saver. Part of your pre-move sorting could be setting aside your more precious items such as jewelry or fragile china. Packing and moving your own valuables can save on insurance and labor costs and also give you peace of mind. Moving can also be a good opportunity to literally think outside the box. Use what you already have to pack your stuff, like empty suitcases and plastic totes. If your sorting and selling has emptied your child's toy bin, there's another container to fill. And the more you can pre-pack your belongings yourself, the less you'll have to pay the moving company for time and materials. Certainly hiring a local mover to help you do the heavy lifting is an excellent and efficient way to get from local point A to local point B. But here's a suggestion: make this a bit of a do-it-yourself project. In other words, while you're sorting and packing, identify what portion of your worldly goods you and friends and family can pack and haul yourself. Save your appliances, larger furniture and lawn care equipment for the professionals, who are trained, fit and have the right equipment for the job. They can also let you know if any of your larger items will require extra assistance or more money to transport. Local moves can be as much of a project as cross-country relocations. With sufficient planning and willingness to do some of the work yourself, they can also be cost-effective and relatively painless.
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