Hi everyone!!
I'm not moving out until May, but I'm trying to figure out how much I need to save up for moving costs etc. I graduate in May and am moving back home temporarily to save money. I plan on bringing almost EVERYTHING in my apartment with me, and then leaving it boxed up etc at my parents house until I move back out. I'm doing this because I don't plan on being home for too long, and it makes no sense for me to donate/sell the stuff because I'd have to buy it again.
And (preparing for people to hate me), I poured ridiculous amounts of money into my apartment. I was very fortunate in that my parents paid the rent on a MASSIVE studio close to campus. I took care of utilities/bills/furnishing and decorating it, they paid the rent. And so, because it was my first place and I (unfortunately) am used to the finer things in life, I spoiled myself. I have SO MUCH STUFF crammed into my studio. Just so you get the idea:
-enormous solid wood kitchen hutch -high top kitchen table + 4 bar height chairs -Futon -Tv stand -coffee table -full size bed+mattress -nightside table -bookshelf -free standing storage mirror -2 small ottomans
And that's just the furniture. I also have 2 closets (1 walk in clothes closet, 1 linen closet) full of tons of other stuff. My kitchen is my favorite room in the "house", so I have an air fryer, instant pot, rice cooker, 2 blenders, a food processor... just so so so much stuff. And I also have about 792 pictures framed and hung on the wall. Plus other wall decor that isn't pictures such as huge mirrors etc. Then I have all my dishes and clothes and shoes and linens and the rugs and a bunch of gym equipment (punching bag, bosu, yoga ball, weights).
Anyways, the point is, I have a ton of stuff, and a wide variety of it. The good news is, I've moved 10x in my life. I moved a lot as a kid. But I was a kid. I didn't handle the finances and packing of stuff beyond what was in my bedroom. Almost everything I have came in boxes that I had shipped in etc. So I didn't pack the dishes in the first place. Or the gym stuff. Or the furniture.
I'm resigned to the fact that I have to hire movers. I can't ask anyone to take this on, it's not fair. I live on the 4th floor. I have heavy furniture and tons of stuff. I could rent a truck and try and get guy friends to help, but I'd rather just pay someone than spend time worrying about someone I love getting injured etc. I know a mover can handle 4 flights of stairs. My Dad? No.
I'm trying to figure out the most frugal way to do this. I know movers charge more for more stairs etc. I live up on the 3rd floor, but the way it works out (my building is weird) there are 4 flights of stairs equaling something like almost 70 steps. I counted once but can't remember off the top of my head! And then I need to move this stuff approx. 50 miles back home. So I'm trying to figure out how to find the cheapest movers/if anyone has any recommendations for an affordable moving company? I'm in the Midwest, if that helps.
Also, what's the best way to pack this stuff in an inexpensive way? I started saving boxes every time I get a shipment of anything, that way I can pack stuff up with those. I've seen the "get boxes at a grocery store" thing, and I'm also able to get boxes for free from work. But nothing huge or heavy duty. Also packing tape/paper/bubble wrap? Where is it best to get that stuff?? I have a ton of framed stuff and then I also randomly have a collection of glassware on display in my hutch (I'm the most extra college student in existence), so I do have lots of fragile stuff to pack.
Tl;dr : I'm moving out of a 4th floor walkup with a ton of stuff. What's the cheapest way to do this (besides moving it myself)? I'm looking for recommendations for good, affordable movers. Also recommendations on where I can find things like packing tape/bubble wrap/boxes for super cheap or free. Thanks!
Thanks in advance, any advice/tips would be awesome!
September 27, 2019 at 10:58PM
