Creative ways to save money while moving

Moving can be quite expensive. With all the expenses of relocating to a new house, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to fit everything into your budget. It becomes even trickier if your budget is limited. And everyone’s is in 2025, when the inflation rate is 2.3% according to the most recent info. However, don’t despair in advance. With reputable province to province movers, you can have professionals by your side at an affordable price. You can have a seamless relocation facilitated by the help of some of the best moving experts, and not go bankrupt. To make things even better, we are sharing some creative ways to save money while moving. Make your relocation memorable and enjoyable with ease! 

There are many simple yet creative ways to save money while moving

If you feel like the usual money-saving tips aren’t going to work for your situation, try some new ones! We are sharing some creative ways to move on a budget, with or without moving services. Hiring long distance movers Canada has is your safest bet as always, but you can get professional services at a more affordable price if you know some handy tips and tricks. Here are some ways to save your hard-earned cash when moving:

• Return books, save space, and feel lighter
• The “Take My Stuff” curbside trick
• Share the ride, split the cost
• Make moving fun with a viral challenge
• Move on a weekday in the middle of the month
• Change your address well in advance
• Check local stores for spare boxes or save your own from online shopping
• Save money on cardboard boxes and check your local store to see if they have any they don’t need.
• Sneak around the dollar store for some cheap (but great) packing supplies
• Be creative when packing for a move

Learn some fun ways to save money while moving and have a seamless relocation.

Return books, save space, and feel lighter

If you’re moving long-distance, those forgotten library books might be weighing more than your conscience. Between 2017 and 2021, over 33% of Canadians used public libraries, and many still have borrowed books tucked away at home. Before you start packing, check your shelves—returning those books through public library return bins can free up space and cut weight from your load. Thanks to Canada’s interlibrary networks, even if the books came from another branch, they’ll usually find their way back.

This trick is especially useful if you’re embracing the advantages of moving from Calgary to Moncton, NB, where a fresh start might include exploring new library systems or swapping prairie titles for East Coast stories. Reducing your load saves money and hassle, while your returned books can find new readers. It’s an easy way to declutter, give back, and lighten both your boxes and your mind.

The “Take My Stuff” curbside trick

Before moving day, turn clutter into kindness with a “Take My Stuff” curbside event. Lay out gently used items on your lawn with a clear sign and share the event on platforms like Facebook, Nextdoor, or local buy-nothing groups. You’ll be amazed how quickly your old blender, toys, or kitchenware vanish—saving you space and cash on moving expenses.

This approach is especially practical if you’re moving from Alberta to Ontario, where smaller living spaces are more common and clutter becomes a problem fast. On average, the purchasing power in Ontario is 25% lower than that in Alberta, so many newcomers downsize and live more modestly. Why pay to haul items you won’t have room for? Let others benefit from what you no longer need. It’s a win for your budget, your neighbors, and your new life—minus the unnecessary baggage.

Share the ride, split the cost

Renting a moving truck solo across provinces can be a serious hit to your wallet. A smarter option? Create a shared truck pool with someone heading in the same direction. This is one of the cheapest ways to move from province to province! By splitting the rental fee, fuel costs, and even driving duties, you cut expenses dramatically. Use platforms like Reddit, Kijiji, or local Facebook groups to find a potential match. This option is gaining traction—especially as more Canadians relocate due to affordability. In many cases, the cost of living affects moving decisions, prompting people to leave pricier cities for more budget-friendly regions.

A shared truck helps stretch every dollar during that transition. It also reduces your carbon footprint by keeping an extra vehicle off the road. Just be sure to agree on how space and timing will work. Once settled, this collaborative approach makes long-distance moving more affordable—and maybe even a little fun.

When you share costs, it turns out cheaper for all parties involved.

Make moving fun with a viral challenge

Why not turn your moving chaos into an opportunity for community fun and small-scale fundraising? Crowdfunding your move through a silly social media challenge can be both entertaining and effective. After all, as of January 2025, 79.4% of Canada’s population—about 31.7 million people—had active social media accounts.

Ask friends and followers to donate $5 each—and in return, you’ll complete a funny packing task, like wrapping dishes blindfolded or bubble-wrapping your entire outfit. These short, engaging clips can be shared on Instagram or TikTok, giving your circle a reason to support you. While it won’t fund the entire move, it might cover boxes, gas, or pizza for your helpers.

Move on a weekday in the middle of the month

If you didn’t know by now, moving services can cost more or less depending on the time of month or week you choose to move. Relocation services Canada offers are the most affordable if you choose to move on a weekday around the middle of the month. Since the weekends and the beginning or end of the month are somewhat busier for moving companies, they charge their services more during those times. Moving mid-month on a weekday can save you 10–20% compared to end-of-month weekend rates. For a local move costing CAD $1,500 on a peak weekend, you could pay around CAD $1,200–$1,350 mid-month. Long-distance moves can yield even bigger savings, often over CAD $300.

Move on a random weekday to make the most of your hard-earned money. Of course, not everyone has this option, but if you can choose the time when you’ll move, this is a win-win situation. There is less traffic and you’ll save some cash while still getting the best quality moving service.

Weekdays are very unpopular in the moving industry.

Change your address well in advance

Changing your address early isn’t just about getting your mail on time—it can actually save you money. Many service providers offer move-in promotions or transfer discounts if you update your address ahead of time. For example, switching utilities early in cities like Vancouver or Halifax can help you avoid rushed setup fees or overlapping billing periods. Some internet and cable companies also waive activation charges when changes are scheduled in advance. Beyond the convenience of having everything you need set up, once one of the moving companies Canada offers drops you off, this small task can help you avoid double payments and last-minute premium service charges, especially during busy moving months.

Check local stores for spare boxes or save your own from online shopping

It might seem like boxes don’t make a big dent in your budget, given the cost of a single cardboard box is around 3.40 CAD, but considering how many you need to pack your entire household, it’s not a bad idea to try to find some for free. The average person in Canada needs about 50 to 60 boxes for a standard move. With an average cost of 3.40 CAD per box, the total comes to approximately CAD $125 to $150. Specialty boxes can increase this total slightly depending on your needs.

Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can look for free boxes. You can check the local stores and ask if they have some spare boxes they were planning to recycle. It’s also a good idea to check with your friends if they have any leftover packing materials if you know they’ve moved recently. And the best thing you can do is to save your own boxes from online orders. Surely you buy something online now and then, and when the order arrives don’t throw away the box! As small as it might be, save the box and you can find a use for it when you start packing.

Save money on cardboard boxes and check your local store to see if they have any they don’t need.

Sneak around the dollar store for some cheap (but great) packing supplies

Contrary to popular belief, you can find excellent packing supplies at the dollar store. If you’re not getting professional packing services, make sure to check out the dollar store first before heading to the moving supply store. You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for packing paper, packing tape, bubble wrap, and fancy boxes. You can find them at your local dollar store for much less. If you’re relocating on a budget, this is a great money-saving tip for your move.

Be creative when packing for a move

Another way how to save money when moving is to use your own belongings instead! Of course, you can’t apply this tip to your entire household, but it can decrease the total amount of money you spend on packing supplies. Make good use of all the suitcases you have, as well as laundry hampers, baskets, and other similarly-shaped things. You can use them to pack your clothes, books, shoes, and even bedding. When it comes to fragile items, don’t reach for the bubble wrap just yet. Use your towels and pillowcases to protect dishes. You can put your socks (clean, of course) inside your glasses and save extra space. Just make sure you also wrap each glass in a towel.

A hamper can be very useful when you move.

Relocating on a budget is easy if you know the best creative ways to save money while moving

Hopefully, our tips have been helpful and you learned some interesting money-saving tips for your relocation. Moving on a budget is far from mission impossible. There are great creative ways to save money while moving and still hire professionals to help you. Saving on some parts of your move, like packing supplies, can come in handy and you can redirect that money into getting the best quality movers. Good luck with your relocation and enjoy the fun journey that’s about to start! And if you want to skip the hacks and still stay within budget, hire our team—our affordable moving options mean you won’t need to get creative just to save.