Top Tips | How to Be Good With Money while you move house

Moving house can be a really stressful but exciting time. It can also prove to be costly, so we’ve pulled together a few tips on how you can watch the dollars in the process.

The Planning Stage

• Contact your service providers about three months ahead of your move out date to cancel your services on the day you move out, and avoid unnecessary costs.

• Avoid the cost of redirecting your post by letting all your contacts know well in advance and giving your new address to the new tenants so they can send the mail on. It could save you up to $90.

• Align your move out and move in date to avoid temporary accommodation and storage costs.

• Storing your goods can be an expensive ongoing cost, so start thinking early about what you really do and don’t need any longer. Sell unwanted belongings , book in a date with the local charity shop, or head to the dump.

Moving Day

• Sourcing boxes from your local supermarket is a great way to save buying them. It may seem small, but boxes can cost around $6 each and depending on how many you need, this can add up quickly.

• Consider how much you can accomplish with a group of friends or family members instead of paying movers. For instance, by hiring a trailer and asking some mates to help, you could save hundreds.

TIP: If you do use movers, plan to avoid moving at the end of the month. Most leases end then, so companies tend to charge a bit more.

After You Move In

• Prioritise what you need to buy now versus what can wait. Tell friends and family what you’re looking for as they may have something spare to tide you over.

TIP: When buying appliances for your new home, talk to retailers about the possibility of a discount if you buy several items at once.

• Get to know your neighbours – you never know when you might need a cup of sugar or a last minute babysitter!

We want to hear from you

GoodHome should be an enjoyable and worthwhile place to visit filled with information that helps you to be the smartest homeowner you can be. We want to hear about anything you found useful or anything you didn’t, and anything you want to see more of that would help make this the perfect site for you - email us at goodhome@bnz.co.nz

This article is intended as a general discussion only, and is based on selective information which may not be suitable for your purposes. BNZ strongly recommends the recipients take independent legal, investment and financial advice prior to making any investment decisions.