boxes for cross country moving overlay

How to Get Cheap Moving Supplies When Moving Cross Country

Posted in How-to,Planning the Move on November 9, 2022

Are you relocating across the country and dreading the high cost of packing and moving supplies? Don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to get cheap moving supplies without sacrificing quality or quantity. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the best options for getting affordable materials for packing.

There are a few ways to get cheap moving supplies when you’re making a long-distance move. One way is to ask family and friends if they have any boxes or other materials that you can use. Another way is to check with local businesses, like grocery stores, to see if they have any boxes that they would be willing to give away. Finally, you can check online websites and forums dedicated to helping people move. There are often people on these sites who are willing to give away boxes and other materials for free or for a very low cost.

What Cheap Moving Supplies Do You Actually Need?

There are a lot of talks out there about which different packing materials and supplies you actually need when moving across the country. While it certainly depends on your specific circumstances and whether you’re relocating to a new state or somewhere nearer, we’ve compiled a list of five must-haves that will help make your transition smoother.

  • Boxes – You’ll need plenty of boxes to pack up all your belongings, so it’s important to find a good source for affordable boxes. If you’re wondering where to buy cheap moving boxes, you should try checking out your local grocery or liquor store.
  • Packing peanuts – These are essential for protecting your fragile items during the move. You can usually find them at your local hardware or home improvement store. Packing paper is also a great option, but peanuts will offer more protection when packaging fragile things.
  • Packing tape – You’ll need plenty of packing tape to seal up all your boxes. Look for heavy-duty tape that will hold up during the journey.
  • Furniture blankets – These will help protect your larger pieces of furniture from scratches and dings during the move. You can usually find them at your local home improvement store.
  • Furniture dollies – These are a must-have for relocating heavy pieces of furniture. You can usually find them at your local home improvement store or borrow them from friends or neighbors.

With these five affordable materials and tools, you’ll be well on your way to making a successful cross-country move. Be sure to pack everything carefully and label all your boxes, so you know where everything is when you arrive at your new home.

Tape and carton
While you can use some of the household items during the packing process, some materials are essential

Where to Get Cheap Boxes for Moving

Although receiving free boxes would undoubtedly be great, the time required to locate them is not. It can take weeks to look for second-hand materials which you simply don’t have. On the other hand, buying inexpensive boxes and supplies requires no time at all. There are many sites to purchase what you need, both online and offline, from big websites like Craigslist to social media platforms such as Facebook.

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Check Out the Facebook Marketplace

People can post their free secondhand boxes and packaging supplies on Facebook Marketplace. Most people are more than happy to get rid of their relocation supplies and are willing to offer them all away for free. People may easily buy and sell products locally, thanks to Facebook. Facebook Marketplace is a terrific location to see what residents have to offer, whether you’re seeking used containers and packing paper or trying to sell your used boxes, bubble wrap or packing paper, and other goods.

Craigslist Might Be Able to Solve Some of Your Problems

One of the best locations to find free boxes, as well as other cheap packing supplies, is Craigslist. You should be able to gather boxes and other goods gradually until you have enough if you check local listings daily before you throw a moving away party. Make sure you look at the posts’ photographs to determine whether the boxes are of adequate strength for your move. There are occasions when you can find boxes that were only opened once and are otherwise nearly brand new.

Local Stores Can Also Have Some Extra Containers

If you’re wondering where to get cheap boxes additionally, keep in mind that many types of stores typically recycle a ton of cardboard boxes each day. They will probably let you take some if you walk in and ask the supervisor if you may get some of their discarded cardboard boxes for the move. However, avoid doing this in the grocery store because food residue frequently makes grocery store boxes unfit for transporting.

a pile of boxes
Ask around your local retailers whether they can give you some of their used packagings

Can Hiring Cross-Country Movers Solve Your Supply Problems

Long-distance moving is a big task no matter how far you’re going, and it can seem insurmountable. It is a big undertaking, there’s no doubt about that – but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or stressful as you might think. That’s where professional cross-country movers and their cross-country moving services come in.

Not only will they transport your belongings from point A to point B, but they can also provide a number of other benefits that make the relocation process much less stressful. You’ll benefit from their experience, expertise, and attention to detail. But above all, with their help, you won’t have to worry about obtaining packing materials.

They Will Bring Their Own High-Quality Packing Supplies

One of the biggest benefits of investing in packing services provided by professional cross-country movers is that they will bring their own packing supplies. This means that you won’t have to worry about buying or renting boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other materials. Professional movers will have everything they need to safely pack up your belongings, and they can even pack your TV safely, as well as other electronics.

Professionals Can Measure Everything and Make Custom Crates

When dealing with large or oddly-shaped items, it can be tough to figure out how to pack them properly, so they don’t get damaged in transit. That’s where professional cross-country movers come in. They have the experience and expertise to properly measure everything and create custom crates for even the most difficult items, from your pots and pans to your instruments. This way, you can rest assured knowing that your belongings will arrive at your new home safe and sound.

Experienced Movers Are Trained and Versed in Handling All Kinds of Items

From china cabinets to grand pianos, professional cross-country movers have seen it all and know how to properly handle all kinds of items. This is important because certain items require special care when packing and transporting. For example, if you’re about to move a piano, it needs to be upright at all times, or it could be damaged beyond repair. But if you hire professional cross-country movers, you won’t have to worry about this because they’ll take care of everything for you.

How Can You Save Up Even More

There are some additional tips that will make packing for a cross-country relocation a relatively stress-free experience. With a little planning and preparation, the entire process can be completed smoothly and efficiently. Here are some more examples of saving up on materials:

  • Purchasing in bulk. Sometimes purchasing boxes in bulk is less expensive than getting a few here and a few there. If a shop offers bulk alternatives, calculate the cost-per-box by dividing the total cost by the number of boxes. Then compare the costs to determine which is less expensive.
  • Use a relocation kit. Packs of boxes, packing materials, and tape are included in these kits that are designed for residences of various sizes. A kit can be an excellent solution if you need a variety of boxes.
  • Cash-back websites. Members can conduct online orders and receive cash back on eligible purchases through websites and mobile applications like Rakuten and Ibotta. Registration for these services is quick and free.
  • Find alternatives for free shipping (including in-store pickup). Relocating items like boxes might weigh a lot. Finding a free delivery alternative can significantly help you save, as packing paper packages can weigh up to 25 lbs.
piggy bank
Saving a bit of money on your relocation can be very beneficial

Use Everyday Household Materials and Items to Pack

Packing for a cross-country relocation can be a daunting task, but with a little creativity and resourcefulness, it can be done relatively easily. One way to make the packing process easier is to use household items and materials that can double as packing materials. For example, old newspapers or blankets can be used to wrap breakable items, while towels can be used to protect furniture from scratches. Additionally, using luggage or duffel bags to pack books and other smaller items can help to save space.

Tips on How to Secure Packed Items

One of the most important aspects of packing for a cross-country move is to use sturdy, reliable materials that can withstand the rigors of travel. This means using items such as luggage and garbage bags to protect your belongings. Here are some tips on how to use these common household items when packing for a cross-country relocation:

  • Use socks and other fabrics to wrap items that are breakable, such as delicate glasses and some types of dishes. This will help to protect them from being damaged during the move, so use them freely to pack your china.
  • Garbage bags can be used to pack items that are not fragile but that you don’t want to get dirty during the move. This includes packing clothes and bedding.
  • Use both luggage and garbage bags to pack items that you need to access during the move. This includes items such as bathroom items, medications, and other relocation essentials.
  • Make sure to label all of your luggage and garbage bags so that you know what is inside them. This will make it easier to find things when you arrive at your new home.

By following these packing tips, you can use household items to pack for a cross-country move and make sure that your belongings arrive at your new home safely.

The following video shows you how it’s best to fold your clothes to take up less space.

Using Affordable Materials for a Relocation Will Significantly Reduce the Costs

If you’re planning a cross-country move, one of the best ways to save money and reduce your relocation budget is by using free or affordable packing supplies. By using them, you can significantly reduce the overall cost of your relocation. However, one of the most important things to remember when using secondhand or inexpensive packing materials is to make sure they’re durable. By taking these precautions, you can rest assured knowing that your belongings will arrive at their destination safely.

Still, the best way to securely pack your belongings and save up at the same time is to let the professionals do it. If you invest in a packing service, long-distance movers will bring their own high-quality materials and pack everything efficiently. If you bundle up this service with other options, such as the car shipping service, you may even get a discount.

Kate Holland

A true grunge and rock music fan born in Seattle, Kate has moved across the country and started writing about her experience.

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