There comes a time in anyone’s life when the right decision is to move. Away from a specific past, towards novel opportunities or seeing what it’s like living in a different place. You’ve likely already asked yourself how much do movers cost for a local move and been surprised with just how high the costs can get. If you’re considering moving long-distance, those costs can run you up even higher. It’s true; moving can get very expensive, very fast. But that also depends mostly on some critical choices you make along the way. Here are some ways to save money whenever you’re planning a move.

Before the move

1) First and foremost – set a budget

If you’ve ever been on a budget, you know how efficient it is for limiting your expenses. Limitations also tend to bring out the creativity in people. Study up on the whole moving process and construct a checklist. Try to attach a precise estimate and the maximum amount of money to spend on each action.

2) Find the right moment to move

While some opportunities won’t wait, it’s wise to delay until the off-season. For example, while looking for a local mover in Washington DC, your best bet is to do so during the winter months. Peak seasons can see an increase of up to 40% in prices, due to higher demand. Early reservations work wonders for money-saving purposes!

3) Assess your options

Try to look around for the different options on the market. What services are available, which are necessary for you and an estimate of how much they cost. The price differences between all the firms may vary considerably, so you should get your local moving quotes sooner, rather than later – those tend to change the most.

During the move

4) Show initiative

Another great way to save money is by taking charge. Assess the parts of your moving plan that you can do yourself and only hire local movers with a truck for transportation. Packing, disassembling furniture – these are all things you can do on your own. You can use towels, and leftover bubble wrappings to protect fragile items, for example, instead of splurging on moving supplies.

5) Pack smartly

Take steps to declutter your home and either sell, donate or throw out the things you don’t see as useful, anymore. Remember that when you’re paying for long-distance movers, you’re effectively paying them for the items they have to transport. Fewer things result in reduced costs, both for the packing materials as well as transportation costs.

6) Organization is key

Most moving services charge by the hour. The more organized and well prepared you are when your movers arrive, the quicker and as a result, cheaper the entire thing will be. Some of the things to take into consideration for an efficient move on your part are disassembling your items beforehand, elevator reservations and free parking spots.

After the move

7) Look for reimbursement opportunities

Both local and long-distance moving may present tax deduction opportunities, so keep your receipts. In case your move is job-related, your employer may have a policy that would see you gain back some of the money you spent on the move.

8) Give it some time

Try not to overspend after the move, even if it was a financial success. Don’t rush into buying new furniture or eating out at expensive restaurants. Since you’ve moved to a new place, the expenses will be novel to you as well; give yourself some time to adjust.

9) Decrease the chance for preventable mistakes

If you don’t update your paperwork on time, you may incur a fine. Things like the registration for your car, your driver’s license and various documents related to your insurance need to be updated as soon as you move. Change your postal address as well, so you don’t miss any vital mail directed to you.