I know, I know, I'm usually a lot more frugal than this...
I bought moving boxes this week.
Yes, get your chin up off the floor. I know it sounds like the most unfrugal thing ever to do, however, I'm pregnant, sick, and unable to go run around to 15 different stores trying to beg off enough mismatched and ill-sized produce boxes to get the job done. If that weren't enough to keep me from doing it, I'm currently trying to find the bottom of my laundry pile so we have clothes to wear for our Christmas gatherings, I still haven't wrapped any of the presents (hey, at least I have them all purchased... well, almost!), nor made any of the homemade mixes I have all neatly planned out to make as gifts for the rest of the people still on my gift list. In other words, I'm out of time and I'm supposed to get my entire house packed up next week.
So, yes, I splurged and bought boxes. But, let me tell you a little secret, I didn't pay an arm and a leg for them. Here's why, I bought them on eBay.
I didn't have all the time in the world to go dig up free boxes, but I did take 45 minutes to research the best deal on buying boxes. Buying them from the local moving store was ridiculously expensive, especially since I'm such a clutter-free nut that I'll most certainly throw them out as soon as they are unpacked. I checked into buying them through Uline and the prices were better, but when I went to check out, the shipping was going to be $44! That was almost as much as I was paying for the boxes. Nope, miserly me couldn't stomach that charge.
And so, I continued my search on eBay and - voila! - I hit the jackpot. They had many, many diferent sizes and kinds and types to choose from, all for quite reasonable prices. Best of all, a number of the places which specialize in moving/shipping supplies (and have great eBay ratings), also offer free next-day shipping. Just my thing.
I ended up settling for 60 large sturdy boxes for a total of $53, including shipping. More boxes than I was planning on getting from Uline, for less than half the price. And about a fourth of what I'd pay from the local moving company. I'll take it - that works for me.
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:13 AM
17 Comments:
first off..as a french canadian i mean no offence..but VOILA!!...ok i can now continue..
second----you are frugal so that in times like this...you can save time and way more important energy....
also when you are done freecycle them..i did ours...company paid our move and provided boxes...i had a several willing to take them off my hands for their move...
third....its ok....you spend money CASH you had to still have time to i dont know LIVE and CELEBRATE the season...
way to go on a good job and the foresight to do it....
lucky you get next day delivery...its so nice moving with same sized boxes..they are so sturdy when you stack them....i loved it...
Joyeux Noel.....and good packing...
Celina in Canada
Oops, spelled that wrong, Celina. Sorry! Fixed! :)
This is a great idea. I'm torn with moving boxes. I mean you really don't want to put your nice belongings in old used boxes but then you only use these things once in a blue moon. Ebay is great for many things. Since we hope to be moving soon thanks for the tip!
Brilliant!
Great idea! Happy Holidays =)
Crystal,
depending on how far you are moving, the federal government offers a tax credit for most moving expenses, including boxes, truck rental, and gas. go to www.irs.gov and search for "moving credit". And remember to save your receipts! It's a huge bonus in April!
Good Luck!
Suzy
I know you don't, Crstyal, but if anyone else needs moving boxes, you can typically get them for free on craigslist - here in Austin there are at least two or three postings every day for moving boxes. Freecycle would be a great source, too, if you have one in your area.
In 7 years of our marriage we have moved 5 times and the last time my husband wised up and instead of buying/getting boxes he bought plastic tubs! The best thing EVER to have while moving. When done I just used them to put the children's clothes in. I can not do without them anymore.
THAT is what worked for me. :o)
By the way, Sean has told me about the possibility of your family moving down here, so if it's true let me know how we can help. :o)
Also, we are starting a book study " When I Don't Desire God" at the beggining of next year, so I am inviting you to participate if you would like. It will be over the internet and meeting maybe once a month.
My pregnancies are HORRIBLE, so I feel your pain, but you know it is a good sign. :o) So, be encouraged!!
You don't have to post this. :o)
Cristina
I certainly hope you don't feel guilty for buying boxes! No excuses are needed! You are in a season of your life right now where there are strong physical demands. It's ok to buy boxes. It's ok to buy paper plates. It's ok to buy more "convenience" type foods than normal. It's ok to go into survival-mode. In time, you will have moved and settled into your home. In further time, you will be snuggling with a precious new baby and the constraints of pregnancy will be lifted. I think the Lord often uses pregnancy (and sometimes physical illness) to keep us humble. We can't do *everything* *all* of the time. We just can't. And that's ok. Taking care of that growing baby inside of you and snuggling up with your other little one are far more important than wearing out your body, scrounging up boxes. OK! I'll step off my soapbox now! I'm just speaking as someone who has a strong frugal bent and has struggled with guilt during my pregnancies. :-)
dont feel bad! all the money you have saved in the past has allowed you to be able to buy these boxes and if you really think about it they were kinda free with your savings money... YOur health would be much more expensive (obviously)spending a half day looking for boxes... dont forget the hassle and the gas too... and taking little K in and out of stores at this busy shopping season time!
Great idea! I'll file that one away...
Agh, I meant to say that I know you don't really have an active Craigslist. :)
I really hope that you have some good friends from church who are going to help you all with packing/loading stuff. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about packing up and moving an entire household in such a short time, and I'm not even pregnant!
You are such an amazing wife and mommy! Just remember this chaos is only temporary,lol!
Those moving boxes could still turn out to be a frugal move. They are the best boxes; we still have many of ours from 10 years ago.
Because of their uniformity of size, you may decide you want to keep them for sorting and storing clothing for your kids to grow into. They will stack much better than random boxes from here and there.
:D
Taking care of your health and well-being in any way possible is the most frugal thing of all to do. So I say...go for it! Buy more boxes! The trade-off is worth the few bucks they cost you.
Good deal on the boxes and GOOD Luck with the move!
Speaking of boxes, for anyone who does a lot of shipping you can get boxes from the post office delivered right to your door. AS MANY AS YOU NEED and if various sizes too!
Just visit usps.com for all the details.
Good for you! I'm pregnant as well and had to come to the point where I realized that I wasn't and couldn't be superman this holiday season...there was just too much to do. Sometimes you have to take shortcuts.
Anyway after you move, check with local moving places...when we moved here (ontario) there was a local company who paid to take your used moving boxes providing that they were in good condition. Perhaps you can recoup some of your cost that way at a later date.
Jennifer
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