So, you're moving? Save money and stay sane with these quick tips.

Couple moving into new home
Couple moving into new home

Moving can always be a stressful and expensive time. By staying organized, you can keep anxiety levels low and save yourself a few bucks along the way. One of the best ways to get the most out of your dollar is to start your planning as early as possible. That way you can shop sales and compare quotes for things like a moving company, your energy supply and more! To help you get started, here are a few tips to keep your move within budget and a little less stressful.

  1. Make a list: Whether it’s on paper or your iPad, make a list of every task you need to accomplish. TheMovingBlog.com has a great checklist to help guide you through your move week by week. There are also a lot of great free apps, like Home Move Pro, to keep your move organized and in one place.
  2. Get packing supplies for less: As soon as you know you are moving, start collecting boxes and spread the word to friends, neighbors and family to see if they have extra boxes on hand. Facebook or Twitter is an efficient way to get the word out. If you start your planning early enough, you can clean house and have a garage sale to make a few extra dollars for the move (plus you’ll be packing and moving less boxes). Use clothing or socks to help keep valuables safe during the move. You’ll save money on bubble wrap or other materials. Also, take advantage of the extra space in baskets or suitcases.
  3. Start packing as soon as possible: It’s easy to procrastinate, but the sooner you get started packing, the less frantic you may be later. Start with a room or choose items that you don’t use very often. For those essentials you will need first, pack them last and in clear plastic containers. These items may include toiletries, flashlight, pliers, a screwdriver, paper towels, cups and plates, shoes, and an extra change of clothes. Make sure to label your boxes by what room they will go in, including the contents.
  4. Change your address: Visit the U.S. Postal Service at moversguide.usps.com to change your address. Also, be sure to notify other service providers about your new address, including your bank, mobile phone carrier, brokerage firm, employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, credit card companies, doctors, library and your insurance company.
  5. Contact your local utility and other home services: You’ll want to set up new service for such necessities like your electricity and natural gas. Once you contact your local utility to get the lights on, you can select an energy supply provider, like AEP Energy. If you are unsure if your state offers an energy choice program, visit resausa.org/states. Or head straight to AEPenergy.com, plug in your zip code and browse through our low and competitive price plans. Don’t forget to contact your cable, internet and/or alarm system companies too!

 
Buzzfeed Life, 33 Moving Tips that will make your life so much easier, Peggy Wang
AEP Energy is a certified Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) provider. While it is an affiliate of AEP Ohio, AEP Energy is not soliciting on behalf of and is not an agent of AEP Ohio. AEP Ohio customers do not need to purchase any competitive retail electric service from AEP Energy to receive or to continue to receive non-competitive retail electric services from AEP Ohio.

AEP Energy does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, freedom from error, or value of any information herein. The information presented is provided “as is”, “as available”, and for informational purposes only, speaks only to events or circumstances on or before the date it is presented, and should not be construed as advice, a recommendation, or a guarantee of future results. AEP Energy disclaims any and all liabilities and warranties related hereto, including any obligation to update or correct the information herein. Summaries and website links included herein (collectively, “Links”) are not under AEP Energy’s control and are provided for reference only and not for commercial purposes. AEP Energy does not endorse or approve of the Links or related information and does not provide any warranty of any kind or nature related thereto.

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