This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.
As excited as you might be about heading somewhere new for the summer, the stress is probably starting to pile on about as high as that pile of clothes in the corner (that you swear you were going to pack up tonight!)
But, to avoid the panic of packing and moving, just create a plan ahead of your move. That way, you can be sure to do it without worry, and in the most cost-friendly and sustainable way possible – because, let’s be honest, wrapping up your dishes in unrecyclable plastic is both expensive and harmful to the environment.
Check out some of our tips for a sustainable, affordable, and totally stress-free move!
Skip the Moving Boxes
Moving companies are starting to produce recyclable moving boxes and encourage consumers to donate leftover boxes for someone else to use. This is obviously an awesome step to creating a more sustainable world – but that doesn’t mean that it’s not still costly.
So, skip splurging on expensive moving boxes, and use your suitcases, duffel bags, and reusable grocery sacks instead! Not only will this save you money, but it will also help protect the environment, too.
Download the Fidelity Spire® App to Budget for Your Expenses
Moving is a huge expense between hiring movers, getting moving supplies, and paying your first and last month’s rent for your new spot. Not to mention needing to buy all of the cute decorations you want to furnish your place with! So, that’s where the Fidelity Spire® app can help by showing you how to budget, prioritize money goals, and save and invest smarter for those big life expenses.
No worries if you’re new to money management, because the Fidelity Spire® app will help you navigate your finances confidently and educate you on everything you need to know about finances, thanks to the in-app resources and articles included in the educational section of the app.
It can also help you organize and customize your short-term and long-term goals, and you can even personalize it down to the specific details about your savings and budgeting plans – like saving for a car, an emergency fund, or budgeting for a big move. In addition to all of that, you can also get help investing in stocks, bonds, and ETFs with Fidelity’s simplified trading experience.
So, download the Fidelity Spire® app to budget for all of your moving expenses and beyond!
Wrap Your Delicates in Old T-Shirts and Rags
As we all know, plastic is really bad for the environment, so plan to pass on ordering the plastic bubble wrap for your dishes, vases, and mirrors and use old t-shirts instead. You’ll obviously be doing something great for the environment (and your wallet!) by not buying plastic wrap – but you’ll also be helping yourself out by not needing to pack those towels and rags separately. It’s a win-win!
Donate Gently Used Items
You might be thinking that you don’t want to have to add another errand on your list of to-do’s during your move, but gathering up the clothes, furniture, and kitchen supplies that you no longer need and bringing them to a donation center is both eco-friendly and a great way to prevent clutter in your new home.
If you were planning on just throwing these things out, don’t! They’ll end up in a landfill and will add to the levels of pollution. You’ll also miss the opportunity of helping someone in need who can’t afford a brand new couch. So, take the time to collect what you no longer need, and donate those gently used items.
With these eco-friendly and cost-effective moving hacks, you can hopefully enjoy this exciting next step. Instead of stressing about the expense of your move, just head to the app store today and download the Fidelity Spire® app to get control of your finances and stay within your moving budget!
Good luck, and happy saving!