When planning a move, there are a lot of logistics and costs you have to plan for. Sometimes you have to buy new home furnishings, hire help, rent trucks, and put deposits down. When you consider all the costs that can stack up, its important to define and stay within the budget.
Whether you’re going the DIY route or hiring helpers, there are ways you can save money by getting some free packing supplies. Here are some ways to do just that.
Freecycle Groups
Freecycle is a nonprofit movement that is making waves across the country. The group encourages people to join a community where they exchange all sorts of items for free. On these groups you can post a ‘wanted’ request with details about the type of packing supplies you need. Members also post offers for things they no longer need from boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape.
Contact stores going out of business.
Anytime a business is closing its doors, there are likely packing materials they’d love to give you to take off their hands. Some may even be happy to set aside packing peanuts, packing paper, and bubble wrap for you.
Check-in with Book Stores
Books are heavy and are shipped in sturdy boxes. Check with your local bookstores to find out when they have shipments delivered and if they will hold boxes for you.
Talk a Look at UHaul Box Exchange
UHaul has created an online platform for community members who have extra moving supplies to connect with those in need of moving supplies, Check there to find free supplies in your area.
Check with Local Furniture Stores
Furniture stores are another type of store that often has an excess of large boxes and other packing supplies. Many of these items are needed when packing smaller and more fragile items. Give them a call to see if they have anything available and to schedule a pickup if they do.
Check-in with Grocery Stores
Grocery stores, similarly to furniture stores, also have an abundance of boxes and packing supplies. They typically just through them away, but some do find a way to reuse them. Sometimes stores even set them aside for community members that may be in need of moving boxes. Call around to find out if any of your local stores have any available. Be sure to ask about delivery schedules because boxes are most often available on or the day after delivery day.
Take a Look on Craigslist
While Craigslist is more popular in some areas than others, it’s still a great place to find freebies. They even have a section titled ‘Free Stuff’. Check there, or even post a wanted article requesting moving supplies.
Reach Out To Breweries, Liquor Stores
Liquor stores and breweries are known for their sturdy boxes when it comes to moving, and they’re almost always happy to hand those boxes off to members of the community when they’re done unpacking them.
Contact Automotive Repair Shops
Care parts make their way to body shops and automotive repair shops daily. These items are often shipped with great care, which means there’s a lot of packing materials. You can use these types of boxes to back up small electronics and computers.
Request on a community board
Often, smaller communities or neighborhoods have a community board where members can post requests and advertise events, If you live in an area that has a community board, check it out and post a request there. You never know if someone recently moved and has extra supplies they’d love to get rid of.
Post on Facebook
Facebook has been a great tool for connecting not only with friends and family but also with your local community. Posting the need on your profile, and in local groups is a great way to find free supplies.
All in all, as you can see there are a lot of places you can look for free moving supplies. If, after all your attempts are exhausted and you’re still in need of some extras, contact us for a free quote on the supplies you still need!
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