Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone — but it can be surprisingly expensive. Here are six smart strategies to keep more cash in your wallet on moving day.
None of these require much effort — just a little planning ahead of the truck showing up.
Moving company pricing spikes between May and September. If you can, plan your move between October and April — and consider a weekday instead of the weekend for extra savings.
The more you move, the more it costs — especially with movers. Clear out what you no longer use, starting with bulky furniture, then books, clothes, toys, and tools. Don't forget to empty storage units and return borrowed items.
Buying brand-new boxes from a moving company adds up. Check online marketplaces or ask local stores for sturdy, clean boxes. Or rent reusable moving bins — stackable, durable, often delivered to your door, with some companies including pickup after your move.
Packing your own belongings saves money — just do it carefully, since movers may repack boxes that aren't secure. Label each box with its destination room and a short description to make unpacking far easier.
If your move is job-related or military-ordered, save every receipt. Moving-expense tax rules have shifted in recent years and depend on your situation — notably, active-duty service members moving under orders may still qualify when most others don't.
Don't settle for the first quote. Get written estimates from multiple licensed movers, read reviews, and check the Better Business Bureau. Look into insurance options too — your existing homeowners' policy may even offer coverage for your move.
That off-season tip pulls double duty here: moving between October and April means lower mover rates and dodging the intense summer heat and the July-to-September monsoon — easier on you, your helpers, and your belongings. And with so many military families near White Sands, Fort Bliss, and Holloman, keep tip #5 in mind — active-duty members moving under orders may have moving-expense options others don't. Getting ready to move is also step four on the road from contract to closing.
As an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), I help homebuyers navigate every step of the journey — right through moving day. Want trusted local recommendations or a few more resources? Just ask.
Moving company pricing tends to spike between May and September, so if you can, plan your move between October and April. Moving on a weekday rather than a weekend can save money too. In Las Cruces, the off-season has a bonus: you also avoid the intense summer heat and the July-to-September monsoon.
Packing your own belongings saves money, but do it carefully — movers may require boxes to be repacked if they aren't secure, which can erase the savings. Label each box with its destination room and a short description so unpacking is faster and easier.
Buying brand-new boxes from a moving company adds up fast. Instead, check online marketplaces or ask local stores for sturdy, clean boxes. Another option is renting reusable moving bins — they're stackable, durable, often delivered to your door, and some companies even pick them up after your move.
For most people in recent years, moving expenses have generally not been federally tax-deductible, though active-duty service members moving under military orders may still qualify. Tax rules change and depend on your situation, so this isn't tax advice — keep every receipt and confirm current rules in IRS Publication 521 and with a tax professional.
Whether you're still house-hunting or already counting down to moving day, I'm happy to share local recommendations and help you plan ahead. Reach out anytime — no pressure, no obligation.