This was the first question in my mind, and the main one I've been boiling over (and over and over) for the past few months.
I know there are many options for moving. I could:
- Rent a trailer
- Rent a U-Haul or similar moving truck
- Hire movers
- Get one of those Pod storage unit things
- Make multiple trips
- Throw everything away that doesn't fit in the car
- Mail stuff
I investigated each of these options thoroughly.
1.) Rent a trailer:
I went so far as to look up quotes for small trailers to tow behind our car (Subaru Outback) and even started comparing prices. But then I looked at the back of the car and realized that, no, our car does not have a trailer jack or the space to install one. Plus, when I started thinking about it, did I really want to pull a heavy trailer around dangerous roads when neither of us has any experience with towing things? Noooo. That's out.
2.) Rent a U-Haul or similar moving truck:
I got e-quotes from various companies, like U-Haul, Penske, and Budget. They were all pretty close in range, I think. If memory serves, the cheapest was Budget, for about $750. U-Haul and Penske were closer to $800. But I don't really remember and could totally be making those numbers up. I am sure, however, that the cost would have been at least $650, not including gas.
"Alright," I thought, "That miiiiiiiight work." So I brought it up with the boyfriend, and he helpfully reminded me that gas costs and arm and a leg, too, especially on a huge truck that doesn't get good gas mileage. We did a little number crunching and estimated that the actual cost involved with renting a truck would be about $1000.
Are you crazy? I don't have that much money; I barely make enough to cover rent and buy groceries each month! I started thinking of all the reasons not to rent a truck and came up with excuses such as: neither of us knows how to drive something that big, something that big could be difficult to control on dangerous roads, I once saw something on 20/20 about U-Haul horror stories, dontuseuhaul.com, $1000 seriously, and I would probably have to drive the car home by myself. Eventually, I convinced myself that there must be other options.
Plus, the truck rental was for a week to ten days, and I only needed the truck for four, tops. Out!
3.) Hire movers:
I looked into this half heartedly. I mean, I despise packing but I can do it. Why would I pay someone to pack for me. There are options where I pack everything up and they come get it, but even then, this was the most expensive option. My lowest estimate for hiring movers was in the vicinity of, I believe, $1600. Nope!
4.) Get a Pod or portable storage unit thingie:
This one was the most attractive option to me. I just pack everything up, they drop off a unit, I fill it up, they come get it and do the dangerous work of driving my heavy junk halfway across the country in winter. I just have to worry about getting us, the pets, and the car home safe. Much easier!
I still like this option, and look at it fondly when I think of all the boxes around me. However, I do not like the price. My estimates are all about $1200, which seems like quite a bit more than the moving truck until I factor in gas. Plus, the convenience......Still, there has to be another way. I don't even NEED all of the space in a storage pod -my boyfriend and I combined don't have all that much stuff. I'm not counting this one out completely, but it's pretty unlikely for me to ever go with this option.
5.) Make multiple trips:
With one trip in summer costing about $500 one way, forget about it. Winter means slower going, more gas wasting, more unnecessary risk. This is actually the very worst option.
6.) Throw everything away
This is my favorite option... Screw it all, I'll just buy everything new when I get home! But, because of some old textbooks and my extensive personal collection of books (mostly manga), it would cost more to re-buy everything. It just doesn't make sense.
This turned itself into, "what if I can sell it?" and I decided that, yes, selling stuff is an excellent idea! However, I can't sell everything. I'll sell what I can -such as furniture, dishes, and the dog run, donate things like clothes, linens, books, toiletries, etc. to homeless shelters, and give the usable junk (ie Halloween decorations) to Goodwill. I'm lucky that I don't have to sell most of my stuff because my roommate will still be living here for a little while, and can use a lot of it.
So, this is one option that I am taking, at least part way. And let me be the first to say, I am getting rid of 80% of my things.
7.) Mail it:
By the point that I was freaking out over the $1000+ I'd have to spend to move, of money I don't have, I realized something. US mail service exists!!! I calculated the cost of shipping some boxes, and...awww it's expensive too! Crap! Then I realized that my heaviest belongings, books, count as media mail. Hello! Ding ding ding! We have a winner!!!
Media mail is way, way, way cheaper than any other option for heavy things like books. Unfortunately, most things simply don't count as media mail. All in all, it looks like we'll be spending around $600 to mail everything back.
The most troublesome item I have is an heirloom tea cabinet (fairly small, actually) that was made for me by my great-grandfather. It was the last thing he ever made before he went blind, so you can imagine the significant weight of its sentimental value. The thing takes up so much room in the car, too, that it would be quite difficult to schlep home. I don't really want to mail it, but because I want to make it home safely, I looked at all my options, and I still can mail the cabinet for about $120 through FedEx.
Moving is such a hassle, and I know there are other options, such as shipping stuff through bus services and Amtrak. I looked into these as well, but I think that mailing stuff is the best option that I have right now. At the moment, I am just trying to pack everything up. Which leads me to my next post....
