Moving is one of those life events that can quietly drain a family budget. Between boxes, truck rentals, takeout dinners and the inevitable "we'll just buy a new one" purchases, costs add up fast. Add kids to the mix and things get even trickier.
The good news: with a little planning, you can keep your move affordable and keep everyone (mostly) sane. Here are nine frugal moving tips that work for real families.
Every item you move costs you time, packing material and, if you hire help, money. Before you pack a single box, go room by room and sort things into keep, sell, donate and recycle.
Kids' rooms are usually the biggest opportunity. Outgrown clothes, broken toys and duplicate craft supplies can go to a local buy-and-sell group or a consignment shop. Let older kids keep part of what their own items sell for. It turns decluttering into a game and teaches a great money lesson.
Buying new boxes can easily cost $100 or more. Instead:
- Ask grocery and liquor stores for sturdy boxes (liquor boxes with dividers are perfect for glasses).
- Check community marketplace groups. People who just moved are often happy to give boxes away.
- Use towels, bedding, socks and kids' soft toys as padding instead of buying bubble wrap.
- Pack in laundry baskets, suitcases and reusable bins you already own.
This is the tip most families overlook. Moving costs depend heavily on when you move. Weekends, the last few days of the month and the summer peak (June to August) are the busiest and most expensive times.
If your lease or closing date gives you any flexibility, choose a weekday in the middle of the month. Many moving companies offer lower rates then. For example, Ottawa-area mover UpMove lists discounted weekday rates between the 5th and 25th of each month. A few days of flexibility can mean real savings.
Doing it yourself looks cheaper, but add up the real cost:
- Truck rental, kilometre charges and fuel
- Dollies, furniture pads and straps
- Pizza and drinks for the friends who help
- A day (or two) of lost work
- The risk of injury or damaged furniture
For a small apartment, DIY can make sense. For a family home with heavy furniture, hourly movers are often closer in price than you'd expect, especially if you do the packing yourself and only pay for loading, transport and unloading. Ask for a written estimate and check whether travel time is included.
Packing is where hired help gets expensive, so do it yourself and do it well:
- Label each box with the room and a short list of contents.
- Keep boxes under 50 lbs. Heavy books go in small boxes.
- Take photos of electronics before unplugging them so you remember how to reconnect everything.
- Tape screws and small hardware in a zip-top bag to the furniture it belongs to.
Well-packed, clearly labelled boxes also make loading faster, which matters when movers charge by the hour.
Nothing blows a budget like a late-night run to the store because nobody can find pyjamas or the phone charger. Give each person a clearly marked box or backpack with:
- Pyjamas and a change of clothes
- Toothbrush and toiletries
- Chargers
- A favourite stuffed animal, book or small toy
- Medications
Add a family box with toilet paper, paper towels, a few plates and cutlery, snacks, a kettle and basic cleaning supplies.
In the weeks before your move, plan meals around what you already have. It saves money, lightens your load and means less food going to waste. Get the kids involved with a "use it up" challenge and see who can come up with the most creative pantry meal.
Moving day is chaotic, and little ones underfoot slow everything down. That costs money if you're paying by the hour. Options include:
- Swapping childcare with a friend or neighbour
- Setting up one "kid zone" room with snacks, tablets and activities
- Giving older kids a real job, like guarding the first-night boxes or checking off box numbers
Kids who feel involved usually handle the transition much better.
Budget for the small things that sneak up on you:
- Utility connection fees at the new place
- Change-of-address mail forwarding
- Parking permits or elevator bookings for apartment buildings
- Cleaning supplies for move-out (or a deposit you could lose)
- Basic insurance for your belongings during the move
Write these down early so they don't come as a surprise.
A frugal move isn't about cutting every corner. It's about spending money where it matters and saving everywhere else. Declutter early, collect free supplies, stay flexible on your moving date and get the kids involved. You'll start life in your new home with your budget (and your sanity) intact.