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Moving is hard. And moving to another state — or even just another town — with no money is even harder. While in an ideal world each of us would have all our financial ducks in a row before we tackle an interstate move, it doesn’t always work out that way. But don’t despair. While it may not be preferable, moving to another state with no money doesn’t have to be a total nightmare. Plan ahead, and you should be able to figure out how to move out with no money sooner rather than later. We’ve all heard stories of people who move to new states or new countries with just $5 in their pockets. Somehow those people found a way to make it work. Whether you’re feeling optimistic about your prospects or just don’t have any other choice but to find a way to make it happen, keep in mind that your situation and your potential solutions are unique to you. Let’s go over the process of how to move out with no money. How to move out with no money — start with these tipsFiguring out how to move with no money, especially to another state, isn’t an impossible task. What it does require, however, is plenty of research and a plan that you can put into place immediately to get on more solid ground. This isn’t something that you just want to wing unless you have a safety net to fall back on or are willing to cut your losses and move back home if things don’t work out. In either case, here are some things you should do if you’re moving with no money.
Saving money on your moveWhen you’re working with a limited budget or no money at all, it’s worth looking into anything that you can do to cut down on moving expenses and make your relocation more manageable. In addition to pursuing low-income moving assistance as noted above, consider these additional ways of reducing expenses for a more affordable move. Source free moving supplies wherever you canYou can often get free boxes if you know where to look. Ask around, including a call to your local grocery stores and other retail stores. As for other free packing supplies, you can ask your family and friends if they can spare any. Use alternative packing suppliesYou can also use other items as “boxes,” such as laundry hampers and dresser drawers. Plastic bins are another great choice if you have them, and will come in handy later on too. Towels, bedding and clothes all make for excellent alternatives to packing paper and padding, and it’s a two-for-one win since they are items you’d be bringing along anyway. DIY as much as you canBy choosing a DIY move, you’ll likely save thousands of dollars. A full-service company can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $9,000 for an interstate move. A truck rental is considerably more affordable, however, at $1,200-$2,000. If you pack yourself (before paring down your stuff ruthlessly), you can save a lot of money on your move. Consider renting a portable moving containerCan’t move all of your stuff with just your car? One of the most popular interstate moving options is renting a portable moving container. It can also double as a storage container before and after moving. In general, renting a moving container for a long-distance move costs anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 per month, which is still considerably cheaper than hiring a professional cross-country moving company. Avoid peak moving datesWhen you move impacts the cost of relocation. A few peak moving dates to avoid (if your moving timeline allows) include weekends, the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the first and last weeks of the month. Your ideal choice would be a mid-day, mid-month move between October and April. Ship your stuffDon’t have room in your car but can’t part with some essentials? Ship it. In addition to shipping items via USPS, FedEx and UPS, you can also ship larger objects through various service providers online, such as uShip.com. Have your company pay for the moveIf you’ve already secured a new job, ask about the company’s relocation policies. Many companies will pay for all or part of the move, so it’s certainly worth asking the HR department. They may even have their own preferred list of interstate movers. If your company does pay for the relocation, be sure to save all moving receipts (even your receipts for moving supplies). This way, you’ll be able to document your expenses and get properly reimbursed for the move. Look for moving discountsMember of AAA? You can save on moving services at Atlas Van Lines, Extra Space Storage and Penske. PODS, U-Pack, Budget, Penske and North American Van Lines offer military discounts. Need moving supplies? Find deals and discounts through our box center. Become a driveaway driverCar relocation companies like Auto Driveaway are often hiring drivers who can take a rental car one way. Not only you can get where you need to be but you will also get paid for it. Tips for finding remote workOne of the pandemic’s most notable impacts on the moving trends has been the massive shift to remote work for a large portion of the American workforce. If you’re one of those people who want to take advantage of remote work benefits, like living somewhere more affordable, check out our tips for finding remote work. Move to a state that’s great for both working and livingIf you want to work remotely, consider relocating to one of the states with good working and living environment. Things to look for are excellent Wi-Fi availability, affordable real estate and plenty of co-working spaces for those looking to work outside the house. Know the terminology when lookingWhen you search for remote work, don’t limit yourself by searching the “find remote work” keywords. Companies also use terms like “work from anywhere,” “work at home,” “work from home,” “distributed workforce,” “virtual job,” “online job,” “telecommute,” and so on. Adjust your keyword search accordinglyEven better, pair your search keywords with relevant jobs. For example, instead of “project manager” use “remote project manager” or “work from home product manager.” Create remote job alertsMost popular job sites (as well as places like LinkedIn) allow you to create job alerts. That way, you’ll get notified of any new job listing based on your preferences. Create several alerts for your specific keywords so you can be the first to apply. Read the job description carefullyIf you’re looking for a 100 percent remote job, make sure you find exactly that. For example, If you see “hybrid” mentioned, that means the job is part in-office and part remote. And many remote jobs have legal, tax, client base and travel restrictions so they have location requirements. For example, a company may only pay employment taxes in certain states, or requires its employees to meet clients in person sometimes and travel for business. Be aware of the common scamsStay away from any job description that mentions rebate processing, secret shopping, product testing or reshipping. Those are most likely scams. These are all red flags:
If the job listing looks suspicious, trust your instinct. Research the company before applying or accepting the job. You can search the company name with the word “scam” and see what comes up. Check the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission websites too. Know where to lookThousands of companies hire remote workers, from giants like Amazon to small online startups you’ve never heard of. Remote IT, customer service, healthcare opportunities abound. Use job search platforms that specialize in remote and flexible work, like FlexJobs or We Work Remotely. Ask your friends who work remotely where they’ve looked. Pore over LinkedIn and local help wanted sites. Include your remote skills when applyingYou have to convince your potential employer that you’re the best applicant not just for the job but for the remote job. That includes highlighting your remote skills and experiences in your resume and cover letter (and a job interview if it comes to that). If you have worked remotely before, definitely mention that. But even if not, if doesn’t mean you don’t have the necessary skills. So mention anything that might apply to remote work, like requiring minimal direction or training, excellent time and task management skills, self-motivation, a high level of comfort with technology, and so on. List all remote-specific programs you’re familiar with, like web and video conferencing programs, online database systems and document repositories. Create or update your online presenceIf you haven’t done it yet, create (or optimize) your LinkedIn profile as potential employees will be looking you up (you can also easily apply for jobs via LinkedIn). If you are using social media for professional networking, update and clean up your accounts. If not, make sure they are private or don’t contain anything that might prevent you from getting the job. Consider creating a website for yourself, where you can showcase your skills, services and experience. You can also put your resume and your portfolio of work there. To grow an audience, consider writing a blog in your area of expertise. Ace the remote interviewNow is a good time to show off how comfortable you are with technology. Test your connection and the equipment you’ll be using. Download any necessary programs and set them up in advance. Obviously, dress professionally and be on time. Speak clearly and watch your body language. Think about the questions you’ll likely be answering and practice your answers (preferably, on camera). Some questions will be the questions asked during any job interview: “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Others might focus on the remote aspect of the position, such as “Why do you want to work remotely?” and “How do you stay focused?” Best places to move to with no moneySome localities are a better choice than others when you’re looking for how to move to another state with no money. And in fact, there are even cities and states that offer financial incentives to attract new residents — meaning they’re willing to pay you to move there. States
Cities and towns
This list should give you an idea of some of the different types of incentive programs that are available in cities, towns and states around the country. Do your research to see if any incentives apply directly to you so that you know which ones you can take advantage of. Cheapest cities and towns to live inAnother option if you’re wondering how to move to a new state or how to move out of your parents’ house with no money is to look at the cheapest towns to live in. While cities like New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., are notorious for high rents, other places are known for the opposite, making them a smart place to look if you’re moving with limited funds. Here are the 10 least expensive urban areas in the country, according to the latest study by the Council for Community and Economic Research.
If you have big-city dreams on a small town budget, remember that no move has to last forever. If you’re really set on moving to a new state with no money, it can help to be flexible. Move somewhere with a low monthly rent and cost of living where you can save up until you’re financially sound enough to relocate to your preferred location. 4 Things NOT to do when moving out with no money
Moving to another state with no money FAQsHow do I know if I’m ready to move out?You should be able to move out if you have a savings emergency fund for at least three months and have income that can cover your rent and bills. It helps to have a job lined up if you don’t already have one. Is moving to a new state with no money possible?While it may not be preferable, moving to another state with no money doesn’t have to be a total nightmare. Plan ahead, and you should be able to figure out how to move out with no money sooner rather than later. What is the cheapest way to move?Even if you DIY, moving expenses add up. Some of the cost-effective alternatives to hiring professional movers include renting a moving truck or a portable moving container. Or plan a hybrid move, which could include hiring a moving labor-only company for the moving day. Also, you can minimize your possessions, ask your friends and family for help, look for free boxes and moving supplies, choose a cheaper moving date, and prepare ahead of time by making or using our moving checklist. All this will save you money on the move. How should I pack for my move with no money?We recommend, minimally, but within reason. Donate or sell what you can, and let go of things you can live without. But, as we’ve mentioned above, if you can swing it, hold on to your absolute essentials. If you’re moving with only your (or borrowed car), consider putting some things in storage. Or maybe a family member or friend will hold them for you. Everyone’s situation is unique, but starting fresh doesn’t mean it has to be from scratch. How much should I save before moving out?It depends on the cost of living in your area and whether you’ll have a source of income right away. You should have enough to cover all of your moving expenses and rent, including all related fees and a security deposit. Then, you can figure out the amount by calculating all your monthly expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, debt payments, the cost of groceries, utilities, transportation, and other living expenses. Final takeawaysWe’ll be honest: Moving out with no money is not easy. If you’re dead set on it, you’re going to have to be willing to make some sacrifices. That could mean moving to a less than ideal apartment or location until you can save up, moving in with a roommate, or living on a shoestring budget (and maybe even all three). Always consider all of your options. If you can postpone an interstate move until you have more money, do it. If you have a friend offering a couch you can stay on for free, say yes. By weighing all of your options — and saying “yes” to help when it’s offered, even if it’s out of your comfort zone — you can make your move just a little less tough. Every situation is different. But your best bet is always going to be to proceed cautiously. Always have a clear picture of what is and is not possible. Best of luck and happy moving! How do I start over somewhere with no money?How to move out with no money — start with these tips. Do your research. ... . Assess your finances. ... . Save for emergencies. ... . Consider all affordable housing alternatives. ... . Sell what you can… ... . … ... . Figure out a way to make income right away. ... . Be realistic and set your expectations.. How do you start over in a new city with nothing?How I Ended Up Broke, Unemployed, and in Need of a Change.. Step #1 – Save as Much as You Can Beforehand.. Step #2 – Coordinate a Place to Stay in Advance.. Step #3 – Have a Backup Plan.. Step #4 – Side Hustle Your Way to Extra Savings.. Step #5 – Create a Resume for The Type of Job You Have in Mind.. |