HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I know a few people that are struggling due to lack of employment. Others are more comfortable, but are just living way above their means in apartments with rents way beyond what they can afford. It is not that they can’t afford rent, they just selected an apartment based on the higher scale of their income. When their job scaled back, they were upside down. Some see moving to more modest dwellings without a community pool and vaulted ceilings might be the answer. However, some claim that with the expenses of moving, they might as well stay where they are. There is the cost of the moving company, plus new security deposits.

One idea is to rent a truck yourself, and forgo the traditional moving company. There are cheap local movers that can help you load it up. If you are moving out of state, you can hire someone on the other end too. If you are moving locally, it still makes sense. You are not paying extra for the use of the company’s truck. Moving boxes are often marked up, when you can probably source some from friends and just fill in with the rest. You also are not paying for their insurance or advertising. It could shave $300 or more off your bill by clipping out what you don’t need. Hireahelper.com lets you type your zip code in and find moving help, lawn help and cleaning help a la carte.  In my opinion, if you are able to pay a little per month, it will pay off in the long run. If you own a home, it may not pay off if you have lived in your home less than two years and based on the market, but for renting it does.

The other added benefit is that you are keeping local people working. There is a double digit unemployment rate in my area. While large companies also hire people at their local offices, sometimes the moving teams drive from out of state to help you out. This way, you can be sure to keeping someone in your neighborhood in business. You will be able to request them again the next time you need help.

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