Change in Your Pocket: Saving on Moving | Video

Joel Porter | 1/17/2013

Moving out typically means a lot of heavy lifting, but even if it`s only a cross-town move, there`s no reason your wallet has to get light. "Planning in advance will definitely help you with boxing, totes, stuff like that. Because a lot of people have more than what they think they do," Lowe`s assistant manager Charles Reed said.

Your neighborhood grocery store can be a great source for sturdy boxes. Stores typically receive shipments at night, which means leftover boxes are available the following morning. "If you call ahead, that`s the best way to do it because if you want a specific box, like banana boxes or apple boxes or large paper boxes, we can save you some," Mandan Central Market store manager Terry Elsberry said.

If you`re moving out of an apartment, one of the things you`ll be responsible for is cleaning the carpets. In most cases, your landlord will just take the money out of your deposit and hire a professional. However, you can save money by renting a carpet cleaner and doing the job yourself.

"Bissell carries a great product that we rent out. $24.95 per 24 hour rental, and then you can get the job done yourself. That way, you don`t have to spend $200, $300 on your own to get it clean," Reed said.

Finally, if you`re trying to lighten the load, you can donate your furniture to charitable groups like the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Workers will make house calls and do the lifting for you. "I always tell people to call at least a day or two in advance, because we may be booked up for the day that they want," warehouse manager Mark Woodworth said.

Just a few ways you can take some of the stress out of moving while leaving a little change in your pocket.

The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch will not pick up any mattresses if the tags have been torn off. Federal law requires that tags be left on to protect people from the risk of fire.

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