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1. Plan ahead. It’s a simple fact of life: The more rushed you are, the more you will have to pay. If you have the luxury of planning out your move, you can choose the time of year and even day of week that you will move – avoid the dog days of summer or the rainy, cold season. At Apache Moving & Storage, we keep our prices the same year-round for your convenience!
Planning will also keep you from making costly mistakes, such as forgetting to find a sitter for your pet or giving 30 days’ notice on your gym membership to avoid paying for an additional month. These small fees and expenses add up — and most can be avoided with proper notice.
2. Negotiate or barter. Just because your new landlord quotes you $100 for an extra parking space doesn’t mean you have to pay $100. Always, always, ALWAYS ask for a better deal. You won’t lose anything by asking, and you could just score a lower price. The same goes for the furniture store, landscaper, and your new gym.
Think about bartering for services, too. If you have skills in a certain profession, such as graphic design or carpentry, maybe you can swap your talents for other services in your neighborhood. Swap personal training services for a haircut. Whatever your skills and talents, someone else wants them!
3. Look for discounts. Many communities welcome newcomers with open arms — and plenty of discounts. Check in with the post office, your real estate or rental agent, the city’s newcomers club, or the Chamber of Commerce for a welcome packet. A typical haul might include coupons to local restaurants, a discount at the housewares store, and more. Ask for discounts when approaching membership-type organizations such as gyms and kids’ after-school programs. They may be dying for members and be willing to cut you a deal.
The key here is to ask. Ask to barter, ask for a discount, ask for a better price. You won’t always get one, but it’ll work enough to make it worth the effort.
Want to see more tips for moving on a budget and getting settled into your new home? Follow Apache Moving & Storage on Twitter.