Tips to Help You Move Without Breaking The Bank

Are you moving soon and feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Moving can be a very stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. In this blog post, we will give you tips to help make your move go as smoothly as possible. We’ll also provide some information on moving and storage options, so that you can choose the best one for your needs. Let’s get started!

1. Plan Ahead

One of the most important things you can do when moving is to plan ahead. This means creating a budget and sticking to it. There are a lot of moving expenses that can add up quickly, so be aware of what you’re spending.

Some moving costs to keep in mind include:

  • The cost of renting a moving truck or storage unit
  • The cost of hiring professional movers
  • The cost of packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc.)
  • The cost of food and lodging if you’re moving out of state

If you plan ahead and budget for these expenses, you’ll be less likely to break your bank when moving.

2. Purge and Donate What You Can

Before you start packing up your things, take some time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore. This will not only lighten your load, but it will also save you money on moving costs.

If you have items that are in good condition, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store. Not only will this declutter your home, but it’s a great way to give back to the community.

And if you have any items that are in poor condition, see if there’s someone who can use them for parts before throwing them away. This is a great way to recycle and save yourself some money in the process.

By purging your belongings before moving, you’ll be able to save yourself time, money, and stress in the long run. So take some time to go through your things and get rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore.

3. Shop Around for the Best Rates

Consult with different moving companies to get the best rates for your specific move. Make sure to get quotes from at least three different companies so that you can compare prices. Also, be sure to ask about any hidden fees or charges that may not be included in the initial quote. This way, you can be prepared for any unexpected costs that may come up.

Another way to save money when moving is to do it during the off-season. The summer months are typically the busiest for moving companies, so if you can avoid moving during this time, you’ll likely be able to get a better deal.

The fall and winter months are typically slower for moving companies, so they may be more willing to offer discounts or promotions. If you have some flexibility in when you move, consider doing it during the off-season to save yourself some money. The team project lead at Landscapers Newcastle is moving houses sooner and she has had some quotes from three different companies sent to her office so she can compare the rates.

4. Pack Strategically

When it comes to packing, there are a few things you can do to save yourself some money. First, try to pack as much as you can on your own. This will save you from having to pay for professional packing services.

If you’re moving long-distance, consider sending items ahead of time via UPS or FedEx. This can be cheaper than renting a moving truck and will save you the hassle of packing and unpacking a truck full of your belongings.

Finally, make sure you get rid of any unwanted items before you move. The less stuff you have to move, the less it will cost you in terms of time and money.

5. Get Help from Friends and Family

On moving day, having an extra set of hands is always helpful. Ask friends and family members to come over and help you out. Not only will they be able to lend a hand with the heavy lifting, but they’ll also be there to provide moral support.

To conclude

Moving can be a daunting task, but by planning ahead and using the tips we’ve provided, you can make the process a little less stressful. Purge and donate what you can, shop around for the best rates, pack strategically, and get help from friends and family. When it comes time to unpack, take your time and enjoy your new home!

Packing in Australia

Properly packing of good or items before sending and transporting them is essential. If it’s not sealed correctly, there is a big chance they will be damaged in transit significantly due to improper handling or accidents. To make sure your items are in tip-top shape when it reaches its destination, here are some tips you can follow. 

Packing Suggestions

  1. Use of cushions

Items or goods being pack should have enough cushioning around them to ensure it will not be damaged. Cushions also protect the staff, especially if the goods your sending are a bit hard. Pillows can be in bubble wraps, foam fillers, foam wraps, kraft papers wax papers or newspapers. But it’s more recommended to uses recycled materials, so you don’t have to add more waste during the packing process. 

  1. Using the right type of packaging 

There are several packaging options you can use in packing your items. You can use pouches, padded mailers, recycled padded bags, tough bags, mailers, gift bag, and many others. This article will discuss the specifications and descriptions of these type of packages. 

  1. Marking items as fragile or Handle with care

Placing a note or marking your items as fragile remind handlers to take extra care of your items. Of course, realistically you don’t know 100% of everyone who handles it will follow your request, but it’s an added reminder and safety measure for your item. 

  1. Avoid sending sharp and hard objects in soft packs. 

Sharp and hard objects can hurt the people, mostly delivery personnel handling your package. It is very important to pack them properly with cushions and inside a rigid box. Placing them in soft packs like envelopes might be dangerous for delivery personnel and the recipient of your package. 

  1. Do not send hazardous or illegal goods.

The law does not allow anyone to send hazardous or illegal goods through the package or delivery. Shipping these items is against the law and violators can have severe repercussions, including large fines or possible jail time. 

Packaging Options

Australia Post offers several packaging options for Aussie consumers. Suppose you send a package under 5 kg within Australia their several packaging options from small to extra-large. These options are all entitled to the new “If it Packs, It Posts” national flat postage rate. For example, the guys at Decking Newcastle manage to sent 24smq of composite decking board over the post from the Hunter Valley to Adelaide with this service.

Here are the other Packaging Options:

  1. Parcel Boxes – they are more rigid and give parcels more protection compared to other packaging options. They are strong lightweight, and easy to assemble. The parcel boxes’ size range from a small box, which is eligible to the national flat rate postage, to an extra-large parcel box with enough space to fit larger items. 
  1. Padded Mailers – they are water-resistant, lightweight, strong, and have bubble cushioning that protects your package. They are also fully recyclable and are available in stores across Australia. 
  1. Recycled Padded Bags – they are all-purpose paper mailers that have excellent cushioning and rigidity. They are made from recycled materials and can be 100% recyclable. They can be used to mail certificates, photos, and documents. 
  1. Tough Bags – are very economical and have no cushions, so they are usually used to ship non-fragile items. They are also 100% recyclable. 
  1. Tubes and rigid mailers – they are made from heavy-duty cardboard materials. Tubes are ideal for shipping posters, plans, and other large prints. Rigid mailer envelopes are suitable for transporting important documents, photos, and other printed items. 

Moving from one state to another in Australia

Moving can be very stressful, especially if you are moving to a different state. But with the right preparation and planning, moving can be manageable. You have to make sure you consider all possible options and weigh them accordingly. 

A recent survey suggests that younger Australians are more likely to move. The survey indicates that one-third of people aged between 20-29 and a quarter of people aged 30 to 39 had lived differently in 2016 compared to 2015. This page can be a good source of information for them.

In particular, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said that 85,500 people moved interstate in 2020. It’s a large number, although it is 14,800 less compared to 2019, maybe due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Queensland gained the most number of people due to interstate migration at a net gain of 6,800 people. Greater Brisbane was second with a net income of 3,200 people. On the other, Melbourne had a net loss of 8,000 people, which means more people moved out of Melbourne to other states. 

Each state will have different regulations and laws, so it’s wise to check the rules of the condition your moving into. 

Preparing for your move

Moving to another state within Australia is a big task, so it takes weeks of preparation. Here are essential step-by-step guides that you can follow to make your move as smooth as possible. 

  1. Notify the bank, electoral office and other government agencies of your new address. Make sure to update your address in your Drivers License and car registration. 
  2. Prepare an inventory of the things in your home, including their present condition.
  3. Dispose of things that you don’t need. You can also try having a yard sale and earn a little from the things that you don’t nee anymore. You can use these funds to supplement the cost of moving. 
  4. Make sure that your mail will be redirected to your new address.
  5. Coordinate with schools, Pre-schools or College on transfer requirements to have a smooth transition to another school.
  6. Returned all borrowed items and pay all the bills and inform biller like credit cards of your new address. 
  7. Arrange boxes and packing materials; make sure each one has a proper label. Make sure fragile items are marked and are secured with bubble wrapping. 
  8. Make sure to secure large furniture, beds, cabinets, appliances and large objects. Place protective packaging to ensure that they will not be damaged. Small items like remotes should be placed in a separate box and properly labelled. 
  9. Pack your luggage and documents and make sure you take them with you. The moving company can transfer the other household items. 
  10. Organized the new and old house keys, then return them to the real estate agent or new tenant. 
  11. Make sure to coordinate to the moving company on the details of the transfer. Make sure you’re covered by insurance for any damages or loss items. Get their contact number and email. Check your items if their things missing and report them right away to the mover. 
  12. Check your pets and make sure they are adequately hydrated and fed during the move. 

There are three ways of moving interstate either by plane, road, or rail, but it all depends on the state’s distance, how quickly you want to reach your destination, and your budget. For worry-free moving, you can hire a professional removalist who will take care of all moving your needs. But if you are on a budget, the help of family and friends is always welcome.

Pet Transport in Australia

According to Animal Medicine Australia, there are more than 29 million pets in Australia in 2019. They also reported that 61% of Australian households own pets. Of these number, 40% are dogs, and 27% are cats. Most consider their pets as part of their family. 

So in moving interstate, transporting pets safely is essential. Your pet’s welfare and safety are paramount when you’re transporting them interstate. 

The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA)

IPATA is an international organization of concerned pet shippers with many years of service and experience in transporting and caring for animals. It started in the U.S. with only six shippers and now has grown to more than 440 members in 84 countries, including Australia.

It is essential to get the services of IPATA members because they are registered and follow the rules and regulations concerning animals’ transport. 

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Interstate Pet Transport.

  1. Is it safe to transport pets interstate? 

Transporting your pets by air is the fastest and convenient way to move your pet. Your pets are placed on special create in a pressurized cabin with a comfortable temperature of 18 degrees. The plane’s compartments will be dimly lighted to not see the things around them and not get stressed. 

  1. How much does transporting a pet cost?

There is much to consider in computing the price of interstate pet transport. These include the destination, distance as well as the size of your pet. So it’s best to contact professional pet movers to get the lowest quotes. Accountant Singleton can take care of all the payment processes and any taxes involved so you don’t have to worry about it.

  1. How to prepare pets for transport?

Your pet should have a kennel or crate, but this can be arranged with the transporter. You should also have your pet’s updated medical records. Make sure your pet has their identification collar on and microchip. Provide your emergency contact number to the transporter. It’s best to ask your transporter about other requirements they need before the date of transport. 

  1. Does my pet get fed? 

When pet transporters collect your pets, they usually provide them with food based on the owner’s instruction. This may include multiple meals since there is a waiting time before the actual flight. The pets are not given a meal before the flight to avoid mess from motion sickness. The crates are usually provided with a water dish o your pet can have water during the duration of the flight. There will be no food on the container during the flight itself. 

  1. Are Pets going to be sedated? 

The pets are not going to be sedated. They will all be conscious and fully aware of what is happening during the flight. This is to ensure that the pets are safe and have proper body temperature regulation. If your pets are a bit nervous, ask a vet to give them Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats. You can ask the professional pet movers to arrange it with their vets. 

  1. What happens when the pets soil while on the flight?

The crates used in transporting your pet have absorbent materials to keep your pets clean and dry during the trip.

Contact any IPATA certified Pet movers for your other questions and quotes.

Different types of storage in Australia

Whether you are moving, renovating, repairing or just run out of space, extra storage space can be convenient. Having extra temporary storage space is essential in these situations. There are two general types of storage in Australia: 1. Warehouse Storage, and 2. Personal storage. We will explain both of them in this article and other kinds of storage under each category.

Warehouse Storage

A Warehouse Storage is a large building which keeps manufactured goods or raw materials before distributing or manufacturing. Warehouses are usually used by businessmen, wholesalers, transportation, agriculture, customs, manufacturers and many other industries for their large storage needs. Many companies in Australia offers professional and reliable warehousing and distributing services for different clients across Australia. There are many types of warehousing available in Australia. Here are some of them:

  1. Private warehouse – these warehouses are usually operated and owned by private suppliers and reseller and used by their business to distribute their products. A large manufacturer of goods would usually have large warehouses to store their finish products before distribution.
  1. Public warehouse – these warehouses are usually managed by professional warehouse companies and are open to the public. It means they can store products for multiple companies and multiple products. Unlike private warehouses that keep their products exclusively, these public warehouses are more flexible and rented by other companies. When large companies run out of space in their private warehouse, they usually rent public warehouses for their excess stocks. 
  1. Automated warehouse – these warehouses used machinery and computer applications in their operations. They have varying degrees of automation. Delivery hubs for extensive distribution companies often have automated warehouses to monitor, store and deliver products. 
  1. Cold Storage warehouse – they have climate control that can be adjusted to meet the customers’ needs. They are designed to handle frozen storage, flowers, plants, computer parts, medicine or food. They usually have automation they need for inventories and movements. 
  1. Dockyard warehouses – most of these warehouses are located in shipping docks or a close distance to them. They are used for the storage of goods that were loaded or unloaded to ships. They are also designed to have an inventory system due to the significant number of ship cargoes they store. 

Personal Storage

These smaller type of storage are often used to store personal belongings temporarily. They are also called self-storage. You can also use this type of storage when you are renovating, repairing or moving to another house. Small business also uses them for the temporary storage of their goods. Personal storage comes in many size and sub-types; here are some of them:

  1. Outdoor Self-storage – unlike other storage types, they can be accessed directly from outside the building. They are very convenient since you can drive the car in front of the storage space for easy access to the stored items. But it’s not recommended for goods that are sensitive to changes in temperature. 
  1. Indoor Self-storage – These storage are found inside a larger structure or warehouses. They are usually more secure than outdoor storage since you have to pass an extra gate or entrance before accessing the storage. Since they are inside some facilities, have climate control for good sensitive to changes in temperature. Access to can be a bit limited since a car won’t fit near the storage. 
  1. Mobile Self-storage – they allow more flexibility to the customers since they can bring them to any location. Some companies offer mobile indoor or outdoor storage for the convenience of their customers. They can be used to store household items when you have a house repair or renovations. You can also use it for house moving and just asked the freight company to bring them to your new house. Mobile Self-storage may be advisable if you do not have an open yard or space in your home to place them.