You know that moving can be expensive, but did you know you can actually make money during the process? Yup, it’s true. Moving can add a little something back in the family budget if you follow some of these cash-generating strategies:

Get your rental deposit back. If you’ve been renting, you’re entitled to your security deposit — plus interest! — provided that you leave the property in the agreed-upon state. Check your lease for details, and if you have trouble getting your landlord to cooperate, contact your city’s or state’s tenant advocacy board. Click here for rental deposit refund laws in Texas.

See if you’re entitled to other deposits or balances. If you pre-paid your gym and are unable to continue with your membership due to your move, you may be entitled to a refund of the balance. The same is true for classes, programs, and other pre-paid memberships. You’ll need to check your membership agreement for details, but it’s worth a call.

Think about short-term sublets or house-sitting. If you have a few weeks left on your rent and your apartment will be vacant, think about subletting it. Someone who needs a short-term place to crash may be willing to pay you a few hundred dollars just to have a place to call home. Likewise, if you are looking for a place to stay, consider hiring yourself out as a house-sitter. You get all the benefits of home AND a paycheck!

Purge, purge, purge… and sell! Get rid of everything you can before you move. Not only will it make the move itself less expensive, it can bring in quite a bit of spending cash. If you have enough time, hold a garage sale. Make sure to market it as a “moving sale” so people know to expect large and small items. Let go of furniture, clothing past its prime, and toys and games for the kids. Books are also great yard sale sellers. If you have just a few large items, list them on Craigslist.com. Designer or name-brand clothing will go well on eBay. Put all your cash into a moving fund and use it to splurge on dinner out on the arrival end.

Offer your courier services. Sometimes cars, animals, or important documents need to be transported from Point A to Point B. Offer your courier services if you have the flexibility or room in your suitcase. You may even be able to offer a ride to someone looking to travel in your direction. Colleges and universities usually have a “rides needed” bulletin board. Warning: Make sure you know exactly who — and what! — you’re transporting.

Sell your packing materials. Many moving companies use second-hand materials — and charge for them! Undercut them by selling all your discarded materials at a bargain-basement price once you’ve unpacked. You won’t make a mint, but why throw that potential cash in the recycling bin?

Look for cash bonuses for sign-up. Banks, gyms, credit unions… many establishments will give you a cash bonus just for opening an account. Look for these types of deals when in search of service providers at your new locale. You need a new bank anyway; might as well get paid for it!

Keep selling. Even when you think you purged before you moved, you will find additional items on the far end of your move that you will need to dispose of. If you’ve got more time, try a consignment service for home furnishings and furniture. Find out if your new area has a kids’ resale event, and start saving those outgrown clothes and baby items.

The key to making money when you move is to question everything, and see how you can turn your expense into a profit-center. The ideas are out there, if you think outside the box.

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Looking for more tips on how to make money while moving? Check out our helpful moving and storage blog! If you are in the greater Austin, TX, area and getting ready for a move, contact us, your Austin movers at Apache Moving and Storage, for all of your boxes and other packing materials. Call (512) 452-4799 to speak with us about your next move or browse our Austin Storage page to learn more.

Moving to new house is both exciting and confusing. It is exciting because you will live in your new house with new neighbors, view, and surely experiences. On the other hand, it is also confusing because you have to bring all of your belongings to your new house and that’s a big job, and quite stressful.

It’s also very frightening for cats and dogs, and it’s not uncommon for the pet to experience intense fear and anxiety during and immediately after the move. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can help dog owners and cat owners to ease the transition when moving day finally arrives.

The key is to plan ahead and allow the cat or dog to adjust at his or her own rate and be patient. Patience is key and before too long, the new house will feel like home in no time for both human and pets.  Dogs and cats find routine comforting and reassuring. So it’s best to establish a strict pet care schedule right away after moving into a new house.

There are various things you can do to minimize the stress to your pet during the move and help your dog or cat settle quickly into their new home.

• Talk to your veterinarian at least three weeks before the move to determine if your pet will need medication for nervousness or car sickness.
• Gather the supplies your pet will need during the move – food, water, medications, medical records, bedding and toys. It also helps to bring along some of your dirty laundry because the familiar scent of these belongings is comforting to your pet.
• Keep your pet away from the moving-day activity by confining him to a room where he feels safe, otherwise, your pet could become frightened and bolt out the door unnoticed. It’s difficult to pack, move furniture, and keep an eye on your pet at the same time. Maybe you have a friendly place where your pet can stay during the packing and moving, like a neighbor, friend or boarding kennel. As much as possible, try not to disrupt his daily routine.
• Be sure your dog or cat has a tag with your new phone number or the number of a friend so there will be someone to contact if your pet gets lost during the move.
• Move small animals, like birds and hamsters, in their cages, covered with a lightweight fabric. Remove water and any other objects that might loosen and injure them. You must keep the temperature constant for these small friends to survive.
• Unpack and settle in a bit before turning your pet loose in the house. Keep the doors to your extra rooms closed and slowly give your pet access to them as they become accustomed to their new home.
• Orient your dog or cat to the new surroundings. If possible, try to place their favorite resting place (dog bed, chair or cushion) in the same position or area, as it was in your old home. Put their food and water bowls and toys in familiar places as well.
• If you have a dog, walk him around the house, yard and block. If you have a cat, sit quietly and pet her, preferably while sitting in a familiar chair. Provide a place for your cat to hide (she’ll do this anyway). Make sure she’s eating, drinking and using her litter box.
• Be patient, loving and reassuring with your pet, and they’ll adjust quickly to their new home.

Apache Moving does not offer personal pet relocation services, but if you need help moving your pet professionally, you can go to www.petrelocation.com for more information.