September 2017

Whether you’re moving because you want to or because you have to, there are plenty of costs associated with moving. For some people, this isn’t a big deal, but for others, these moving costs add up and become extremely hard to manage. However, a few additional costs shouldn’t hinder you moving into your dream home. Instead, you need to get creative and find ways you can save money on your next move. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Compare movers.

If you are using professional movers, then consider comparing movers for prices so you can get the best rate. Find those in your area and see how much they would charge you to get your belongings into your new home. In addition to checking the price, be sure to also ask if there are additional perks that are included in the price, such as packing for you, guaranteeing a certain delivery date, etc. Knowing everything that’s included can help you make the final decision for your budget.

Move yourself.

If using professional movers is too expensive, then consider moving yourself. Pack all your own items up on your own, and then put all your items into your own vehicles or into a van/truck you rent. By doing the manual labor yourself, you can help to cut the cost of moving. Plus, renting a moving truck can sometimes cost less than using an actual mover, so it’s something you’ll want to price out.

Purge your belongings.

Before you start packing, go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer want or need. You can opt to have a garage sale or sell these items online to make some extra money. Then, you’ll actually be making money on your move instead of wasting it all. Plus, if you have less items you need to move, it can also save you money with a professional mover or by having to rent a smaller truck. Be sure to thoroughly think about what you’ll need and what items will still work at your new place, and then start to purge.

Find used boxes.

Instead of paying between $2-$4 per moving box from a company, start to get creative and find used boxes that you can reuse. For instance, if you’ve ordered items from Amazon or anywhere else, save the boxes they came in so you can reuse them for moving. If your place of employment gets shipments in regularly, ask your boss if you can take some of those boxes home. This will save you money on moving boxes, which could put a big savings into your moving budget.

Get creative with your belongings.

Another great way to save on moving boxes is to get creative with your belongings. For instance, instead of putting an empty hamper into the moving truck, be sure you pack that hamper with items before putting it away. You should do the same with crockpots, vases, and anything else in your home that has an opening. This way, you can pack more items into one box, save on the number of boxes you need, and even condense your belongings for a smaller truck.

Use your own items for padding.

Like using your own items for boxes, you can also use your own items for packing. For instance, you can use clothes, blankets, or pillows instead of spending money on bubble wrap or plastic wrap. This way, you can save money again on the number of boxes you need and not needing to buy additional moving items.

Ask friends and family for help.

Whether you’re looking for manual labor or need someone to watch your pets or kids, asking your friends or family for help can save you from having to pay movers or other people to do some of these tasks for you. Plus, these individuals will usually help you out of the goodness of your heart instead of needing to be paid. Plus, the cost of pizza or sandwiches is much cheaper than paying a professional babysitter, pet sitter, or mover.

Moving can be expensive, but you can save money on it by using these tips. By simply being creative with how you move, using your negotiation skills, and reusing items, you can keep your moving costs to a minimum and get into your house with money in your pocket.

Home adaptations are essential to ensure you have great quality of life when you live at home in later life. Here we look at different adaptations and ways to fund them.

As we get older, the home that once worked for us suddenly becomes problematic for all sorts of reasons. The steps down to the garden that were once a way to get to the lawn, are now the thing that prevent you getting to the grass at all. The upstairs toilet seems so far away, especially when your bladder isn’t as strong as it was before. The front step is a struggle to get up and when you step down it you don’t feel safe anymore.

The home can change into an unsafe place when you get older, which is why adaptations are made to ensure you can remain in your home safely and happily and opt for home care services rather than moving to a residential care home. This is often a more cost effective approach because of the high cost of care home fees.

When you’re new to home adaptations and you’re trying to get the best value for money, and make the right choices in terms of the changes you need, it can all be a bit overwhelming.

There are lots of different types of adaptations you can make, some more expensive than others:

• Access – Getting into your home might require a permanent or temporary ramp, hand rails next to the door to hold on to, or lighting outside and on the path for when it is dark.
• Bathroom & Toilet – You might want a walk in shower or bath, or a seat for your shower. Flood detectors are handy for bathing safety.
• House Mobility – You may wish to have a stair lift to help you get up and down the stairs, or perhaps an external lift to help you get to different parts of the garden. Grab rails can be used all of the house for greater security, and door widening is something you could do if you use a wheelchair.
• Eating & Cooking – The kitchen might need to be lowered if you are wheelchair bound. Cupboards and accessories can be adjusted for easier access.

Age UK provide an excellent free guide to adapting your home which is ideal if you’re looking for a good base of information to begin your research with.

The Costs Of Adapting Your Home

Adapting your home is going to cost money, there’s no way around it. However, there are cost effective ways to do it, and possibly ways to get help with the costs too.

Your local social services department should be your first port of call if you want help with adaptations. There tends to be help available for changes that cost under £1000 if you are eligible. Larger, more expensive adaptations could be covered by a grant, again if you are eligible. You will need to approach your council for information on this type of grant to see if you are able to apply.

You might also be able to get help from something called a home improvement agency, which is basically a charity that could help you with advice on funding.

Remember, there is a lot of help out there for you and although it might seem daunting now, the end result of your adaptions is going to be wonderful and help improve your quality of life. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, and consider starting with speaking to friends and family about your needs so you don’t feel you’re going on this journey alone.

It can be a disappointing time.

Home buying the UK is certainly not as easy as it once was. Although house price growth slowed somewhat at the start of this year the cost of the average home still increased by 4.7% in the 12 months to May 2017. For most people, dream penthouses and country cottages are just that – a dream – and the reality is that you may have to start small and build up or just use your imagination. So how do you deal with it when your budget falls short of your dreams?

Ditch the dreams

Most of us need a lot less than we think we do to make us happy. Dream homes are often a bit of a disappointment – especially if you’ve given up every penny that you earn to pay for them. The reality is that if your budget has fallen short of your dreams it’s not the end of the world, it’s just time to reconsider your dreams.

Establish your dealbreakers

For most people the choice is between either the perfect location or the perfect home. If you’re on a budget then rarely will you find somewhere that exactly meets all your specifications. The way to approach the dilemma is to establish what you can compromise on and what you can’t. Do you absolutely have to be close to transport or in a specific area for schools? Or is it essential to have that third bedroom and a garden? If you can find some wiggle room in your property requirements then you’re likely to have much more to choose from.

Use your imagination

Perhaps the dream home is already complete and interior designed to your exact tastes. But perhaps you could start with something less ideal and aim to create that kind of perfection yourself. If you’re willing to put a bit of work into a property then you can end up with everything. For example, if you buy a ‘project’ property in your ideal place you could end up with the dream home and the dream location. When you’re searching for properties be a bit flexible in terms of what’s there and what’s not. Most buildings can be altered or added to if they’re not in great condition or don’t currently meet your standards – work out the costs of getting you to that dream place and if the budgets work then go for it.

Build your own home

A traditional brick 3-bed house could cost you just $290,000 to build and it’s possible to borrow much of that money upfront, especially if you already own some assets (the land for example) and can rely on secured loans to raise some cash. While that’s just above the average property price it means that you’re getting a dream home in every sense – one built exactly to your specifications. It’s also the cost for a house, not a flat. Opt for a timber framed home and you could reduce this to around $249,000. That’s under $250k for a home that you’ve designed and built to your wildest dreams, whether you want open plan everything or an eco system on the roof.