With every move, there are a number of ways to cut costs without cutting corners. The general themes are reducing the number of items you have to move, mapping out a plan to prevent unwelcome surprises, and taking advantage of packing tricks to reduce your overall transit footprint.

Below is our team's list of the best money savers that we've used personally and have seen others have success with. Take a look to see if they can do the same for you.

Donate Non-Essential Items

Goodwill is a lifesaver. If there are things that you're not certain to keep, donate them before the move instead of arriving and then deciding.

It will dramatically reduce the number things you have to transport, which directly puts money back in your pocket.

Find a donation center near you: https://www.goodwill.org/locator/

Maximize Your Living Space

Marie Kondo is an expert at maximizing space. Skimming this concise summary of her best-selling book will show you a number of practical ways to make the most of your new accommodations.

As a direct result, you will have a need for less overall space, will reduce the amount of storage-related furniture you have to buy, and will end up moving fewer items, which will save hundreds of dollars.

Get the book here:
‍https://www.amazon.com/Summary-Life-Changing-Japanese-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/B08VCL54PZ/

Use Vacuum Seal Bags

Bulky items like clothing, towels, and bedding take up a lot of space during transit. A simple trick is to vacuum seal these and reduce the number of boxes they occupy six-fold.

This compact storage doesn't just save you money, it also keeps your items protected. Go with the Amazon Basics brand, there's no need to pay more for other options.

Pick them up here:
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Compression-Storage-15-Pack-X-Jumbo/dp/B07RP7TJVT/

Use Wardrobe Boxes

Another packing supply we always recommend is wardrobe boxes.

This is by far the most efficient way to move your clothes. They reduce your moving footprint and help keep your clothes protected. Go with the Amazon Basics brand for the best value.

Pick them up here:
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Wardrobe-Clothing-Moving/dp/B07RR55KGW/

Use a Moving Checklist

Jenny Cogan's moving checklist is an excellent resource to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. It will give you practical tips that we're not able to duplicate here but are well worth the price of the book.

View the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Your-Move-Checklists-Worksheets/dp/B08GFYF4NR/