Moving to a new place with new activities and opportunities is exciting! But if your new place of residence is abroad, the process can be costly – thousands of dollars, for example.
Don’t let the cost of moving abroad discourage you. With a few tips and tricks, you can move on a budget.
Let’s look at how you can move abroad without spending too much.
Reduce your assets
You probably don’t need to take everything that you have with you. The more stuff you take, the more money it will cost you. So, if you’re trying to save on moving costs, it’s time to cut down.
As hard as it is to part with your belongings, you need to be ruthless enough to make the move efficient. Get rid of things you don’t use 80-100% of the time. Think quality, not quantity.
Selling your stuff will add more money to your moving budget. Or donate the rest to those who need it more than you.
Do your homework
Treat your moving budget like looking for the best deal on a new computer or kitchen appliance.
Write down all the options. Research the cost of each. Then choose the one that’s within your budget.
If you’re hoping for help, don’t forget to check out the reviews! You’ll want to entrust your property to someone who has a proven track record of providing the best service.
Moving into the low season
Summer is the most expensive time of year to move across the country. It’s the time when most people move before school starts, which drives up prices. If you move during the school year, you can save money.
Most people also move at the end of the month or on the first of the month. Weekends are the most popular times. If you can move mid-month during the week, you’re likely to get lower prices.
Search for discounts
Are you a member of AAA or a similar organisation? You may already have access to moving platforms that make your decision to move to another country much easier.
AAA offers its members discounts on moving services. Moving companies also offer special rates to AAA members, especially during the off-season.
If you have a veteran or active military member in your immediate family, check out the special discounts for military members. Many moving companies help military members and their families with discounts on shipping, storage and moving.
Learn more about relocation benefits
If you move abroad for work, your new employer may cover all or part of your moving expenses. Employers often offer this benefit when they recruit candidates from other countries.
Ask your HR department about their relocation assistance policy. It never hurts to ask if you can have this qualification . They may even arrange it for you.
If they give you the green light, be sure to keep all your receipts. You need the right documents to get the benefit.
Don’t forget the costs along the way
When calculating your moving budget, don’t forget to factor in all the little costs that will be incurred between point A and point B. Things like eating out, fuel and hotels add up quickly and threaten to eat up your budget.
To save money, bring your own food instead of eating out. See if hotels, AirBnB or camping cost less. And take steps to make your car more fuel efficient.
If you have travel credit card points, you can also redeem them for free hotel stays or fuel costs.
Do it by yourself
Hiking across the country on your own is the cheapest option. If you hire a van and pack your belongings in it or your car, you don’t need to hire people to do it for you.
Of course, moving on your own requires more work, but the cost is not excessive. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it .
Send your belongings
If you don’t want to drive across the country by truck, consider sending your belongings to Denmark. If you don’t have a lot of stuff to move, this is a cost-effective solution.
Freight companies help you find the best price from reliable carriers. They offer different shipping options to suit your needs, and they even have insurance to cover the cost of your belongings in case something happens.
If you’re flying to your new destination, you can send your stuff as extra luggage. Of course, you’ll have to pay extra for the luggage and weight, but it’s still cheaper than having someone carry it for you.
