5 Tips To Move With No Money (Even To Another State)

Moving to a new city can be a challenge, but it can expand your horizons and open up more job opportunities. You may be ready to take the next step in your journey and move to a new location, but don’t have the funds to cover it. 

Moving with no money can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. If you set your mind to it, you can make it happen. 

It takes some creativity and resourcefulness to get yourself and your stuff from point A to point B without cash to pay for moving. Here are our best tips to help you navigate the move and spend as little as possible in the process.

How to Move With No Money

Let’s be honest; moving can be a big and often scary change. Even if you’re excited to be going to your new location, you still have to go through all of your stuff and box it up.

If you can, plan before your move, so you’re not left doing everything at the last minute. Packing all of your stuff is overwhelming, and doing it in a short period creates unnecessary stress.

Do you have a few weeks before your move? Consider getting rid of things you don’t need or can easily get again for free or cheap. The less stuff you have, the less you have to move, which will cut down on your costs. 

Consider making extra money to help offset some of the costs of the move.

When you don’t have the money to move, you need to rely on other people to help you out. The earlier you can start planning your move, the more success you will have in pulling it off. 

1. Ask People to Help

The first big move in my adult life was going from my home in Texas to college in North Carolina. Even though I was moving many states away from where I grew up, I never considered hiring movers.

My family and I loaded as much as possible into my parents’ four-door sedan and started the 20+ hour drive to North Carolina. Being wedged between boxes, coolers, and bags in the back seat of the car wasn’t comfortable, but I survived.

When I was in college, I moved to a new place every school year, but I never paid for movers. There was no money in my budget to pay for someone else to help me move my stuff.

This is where the power of your network can really help. Ask your family, friends, and even co-workers if they would be willing to help you with the move. Even if they can’t lift or carry heavy things, they can help in other ways.

For example, ask a friend or a family member to help you with packing your belongings. This process can be lengthy and tedious, and having someone else’s help will be beneficial.

Also, another set of eyes will help you determine what you can get rid of or sell before the move, and what is a good idea to keep.

Get a few friends and family to help you with loading and unloading the boxes and bags of stuff from your place into the car and/or truck. Many of my friends would often joke that they would help anyone move for free food and some beers.

From helping you pack to loading the car and even driving, helpers can make your move go smoother. 

2. Don’t Pay for Moving Supplies

Another budget line item that can be costly is moving supplies. Keep in mind, there are plenty of free moving supplies if you know where to look in the first place.

Your first step should be to ask your friends, family, and co-workers. If someone in your circle has moved recently, they should be your first stop for leftover moving supplies.

Ask around your office or place of work to see if there are any empty boxes you can have. Always check to make sure you’re allowed to take them before carting them home.

Check Craigslist and Offer Up since people often post moving supplies on those websites when they’re looking to get rid of them. Don’t forget to check Facebook Marketplace and yard sale apps in your area.

You can also post on Facebook, asking friends if they have any moving supplies you can take off their hands. Most people are ready to get rid of their moving supplies as soon as they unpack the boxes and settle in.

Another place I had luck finding moving supplies was asking at grocery and retail stores. Many of the items on their shelves come in boxes that would be perfect for moving. Ask an associate if they can check in the back for extra boxes you may have for your move.

If you have a friend who works in a retail store, see if they can set aside some boxes for your move. It never hurts to ask, just make sure you have permission to take them.

When it comes to fragile items such as glass and picture frames, use newspapers to wrap them up and protect them. You can also use table linens, towels ,and smaller clothing items to keep them safe. 

3. Find a Friend with a Truck

If you have bulky items or furniture, finding a truck to move them without renting one can be difficult. If any of your friends or family live nearby, ask if any of them have a truck or an SUV you can borrow for the move.

Finding someone with a truck can take some time, so start asking around early. You will also need to make sure the person is available on the day when you need to use their vehicle.

If you have an SUV (or access to one), you can also ask if someone has a trailer you can borrow. Since they are not used for commuting, it may be easier to find one for the day of your move.

Be sure to offer to pay for the gas and avoid scratching your friend’s car. Having a truck can help the move go faster since you can load more things in it, including furniture. It can also save you money since you won’t have to get rid of bulky items before you move.

Break down as much of the bulky furniture you have as possible. For example, if you have a bed, break down the bed frame into headboards and railings to make it easier to transport. Just make sure you know how to put everything back together, and you have all the pieces.

To avoid damaging bulky items such as dressers during the move, find some old blankets and towels you can use for padding. They can also help with loading and unloading big things from the truck since they help the furniture slide. 

4. Supplies as Housewarming Gifts

When you move to a new place, you will inevitably need to purchase new items for it. While something may have worked fine in your old home, it may not work in your new residence.

If you have family and friends who’re asking how they can help, consider making a registry. Let people know what you need so they can get it for you as a housewarming gift.

When money is tight, every little bit helps. Check out the free section of Craigslist daily for a few weeks after your move. People post all kinds of things for free since they want to get rid of something quickly.

Another great resource for supplies and free household items is your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. These groups are located all over the world and focus on the local aspect of the sharing economy.

People who want to pass along something to another person, such as a lamp or moving boxes, can post on there, giving it away to neighbors in their community.

You can also ask for something that you need, such as a slow cooker or a rug.  

Don’t be afraid to get creative and use what you already have. Sometimes we think we need something specific, but we can make do with what we already have.

Attempting to find a replacement item will tell you if something is really a need or a nice-to-have.

5. Employee Relocation Funds

Some employers offer relocation funds, especially if you have to move across state lines.

Don’t be afraid to ask your employer if they offer any relocation help. If you plan, you may be able to negotiate this as part of your job offer.

An employee relocation package usually covers reasonable moving costs for an employee and their family. It can also include other work-related expenses connected to the move.

Contact the Human Resources department at your job to find out what they have in place for employees who are moving.

Even if they don’t have a program in place, ask if they would consider reimbursing you for some of the expenses, especially if you are moving across the country.

An employee relocation package may include features such as:

• Packing and unpacking services – A crew comes to your house, packs up your belongings and unpacks them at the new location.
• Moving services –  A moving company with quality movers who will transport your packed belongings from your current residence to your new home. 
• Help with a home sale or breaking a lease – Help with the sale of a home can vary depending on the package, but can include buying the home outright to reimbursement for loss because of a quick sale. If you’re a renter, the company may cover any penalties for breaking your lease early.
• Home search trip – Many companies will cover the costs of a trip to your new location to find a new place to live, to buy or rent. 
• Temporary housing – You may be provided a place to live temporarily after your move.

If you’re moving to a new location for a job, you can use the list above as negotiating points after you receive your salary offer.

Having a company help offset some of the costs can help you complete a move with little to no money out of pocket.

Summary

Even if you have little to no money for a move, you can pull it off if you’re willing to be creative and resourceful. The earlier you start getting ready for it, the better chance you have of finding all the things you need for little or no money.

Ask your family and friends for help with boxing up and moving your belongings. Find moving supplies for free online, from retail stores, or by asking family and friends.

Check around to see if anyone has a truck and will let you borrow it for the move.

With a little legwork, you should be able to find a way to move your belongings for free or really cheap.