7 Helpful Tips for Moving On a Budget with Kids

You are facing a residential relocation, but the combination of taking care of your family and moving expenses may put a strain on your budget. So how can you save a little money when you must move with children? Here are a few tips. 

1. Enlist the Help of the Kids

If your children are old enough, you can lighten the burden on yourself by enlisting their little hands to help. Whatever small tasks the kids can handle will be tasks you won't have to do, which may mean less time off of work. A few things to consider assigning to kids, according to age, include: 

• Packing toys 

• Light housework (e.g., dusting, vacuuming, taking out the trash) 

• Assembling and labeling boxes 

• Collecting give-away items 

• Preparing pets for the move 

2. Create a Meal Plan 

Make a goal to use up as much from your food cache as possible before the move. This will mean less spoilage, less to throw away, and less to have to pack. In addition, creating a meal plan using what you have on hand can save money down the road because you won't be opting for what's fast and convenient. 

3. Host a Yard Sale

Some estimates claim that a good, well-planned yard sale could garner you a profit of anywhere from $500 to $1,000. So, if you have quite a bit that you prefer to eliminate before the move, a well-thought-out yard sale may be enough to give you some extra wiggle room in your budget. 

4. Pack Snacks and Drinks for Long-Distance Travels

If your move means spending a lot of time on the road, pack a small cooler with snacks and drinks. Some standard items can have an incredible markup at a smaller store like a gas station compared to the grocery store. For example, a pound of bananas can be as little as .29 cents a pound at a grocery store and as high as $1.93 per pound at a small food store. 

5. Plan for the Unexpected

Make sure to set aside a little wiggle room in your schedule. Unexpected things can always happen when you have kids and put a strain on your schedule and your ability to go to work to make much-needed funds. For example, if one child comes down with a stomach virus on the week of the move, it will be beneficial if you already have some extra time off available to handle the situation. 

6. Sell What Large Items You Can

Large items take up more space on the moving truck and weigh more, so they might increase the cost of your move. It can be a wise financial move to liquidate more oversized items in some cases instead of moving them. 

7. Source a free sitter or helping hand

When your budget is tight, don't be shy about enlisting the help of friends, family members, and neighbors. For example, find someone you trust to watch the kids for free instead of paying a sitter, call in a favor from friends for help with packing, and be open to offers from people who care that want to step in with a helping hand. 

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