Moving can be a stressful experience in many ways. Not only do you need to prepare nearly everything you own for safe travel to your new home, but there are a number of financial hurdles that can pop up along the way. With so many variables involved, it comes as no surprise that moving is constantly ranked as one of life’s most stressful events. In fact, a study from British energy company Eon found that consumers ranked moving as more stressful than both a break up/divorce and starting a new job. Thankfully, with a little preparation, many of the financial stressors of a move can be greatly reduced. Here are some steps to consider taking before your move gets underway.

Fall is a financially-friendly time
The summer months are unquestionably the most popular time to move, with great weather and more flexible schedules. That being said, movers can score deals by opting for a fall season move. Though temperatures might be a bit crisper, many landlords will be willing to offer incentives to fill their vacancies. Look for opportunities such as rent discounts, lower deposits, and reduced utility bills as potential scores. Moving companies will likely offer lower rates with the drop in demand.

Paying for the pros
Depending on how far you are moving and how much is making the trip, hiring a professional moving company may be an option. If so, do your research on the various options in your area to help pinpoint the best deal. Additionally, consider how much you want a moving company to handle. If you have a spacious vehicle or are willing to rent a van or truck, savings can be had by reducing the items that the moving company will handle.

Moving.com states the average cost of moving a two- to three-bedroom home locally to be $1,250 while a long-distance move of 1,000 miles comes in at $4,890. These averages are based on 7,500 pounds of cargo, which if reduced, can lower the cost significantly.

Boxing it up
If you are planning for a long-distance move, now is the time to lighten the load that will show up at your new home. Downsizing old or unnecessary belongings will help reduce costs in a big way. Consider holding a garage sale before the move or selling items through sites such as eBay and Craigslist to help offset some of the moving costs. Additionally, moving is a great way to identify items that would make helpful donations to local charities. To prepare for the packing process, hunt down boxes from local businesses or your workplace to cut down costs. Moving companies hope for customers that want everything taken care of by their staff, but packing everything up yourself will help reduce the bill.

Taking care of utilities
Another avoidable expense in the moving process is the transition of your utility bills. Plan ahead and give notice to utility companies on which day to flip the switch. Cable is another expense that movers can be proactive with. Many cable companies will let you take current equipment such as modems, routers, and cable boxes to the new destination. This will help avoid another installation cost in most cases. If your new home is not serviced by the same cable company, many will offer contract termination without penalty.