Tips to Lower the Costs of Moving Boxes and Packing Supplies Prior to Your Move
Blink, and your moving day will be here before you know it. The average move can cost anywhere between $1,170 and $5,630, so why not save anywhere you can? If you haven’t thought about it yet, there are actually quite a few places that are likely to give you free boxes of various sizes and help you keep your move under budget.
A grocery store is usually your best place to start. Go to the produce department and ask a store employee if there are any extra boxes in the back that you can have.
A few other great places to get free boxes are big-box department stores like Sears or Best Buy. Convenience stores like Walgreens, CVS and even your corner gas stations are great places to check as well. All of those beverages and snacks get shipped to the stores in large boxes and most employees are willing to hand them off to you at no cost. All you have to do is ask!
The following is a list of places you can possibly find free moving boxes:
- Freecycle.org
- Craigslist.org
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- Facebook Community Groups
- Friends
- Family Members
- Department Stores
- Liquor Stores
- Fast Food Restaurants (Frozen foods, like fries, come in plastic bags inside the boxes, so they’re clean and a great size.)
- Grocery Stores
- Office Supply Stores
- Bookstores
- Banks or Offices
- Electronic Stores
- Near Dumpsters in Apartment Complexes
- College Dorms
If you plan to get your boxes from a store or other place of business, it’s recommended to call ahead to find out when shipments come in and if they will hold boxes for you.
Good luck with your move (and happy savings!)