Hi - can anyone tell me where to get some cheap moving boxes? I've heard Costco, Target, grocery stores, but with 2 kids and our sudden move, I really do not have time to cart all over the place to pick up boxes. I'd love to know if anyone has any suggestions. Tx!
TX!!! We got a bunch free off of craiglist and are going to Costco to get some more packing supplies. Great info from all of you. Appreciate it!
Try a near-by hospital. I get all of my boxes there. Ask for their distribution/shipping/receiving dept. Huge supplies come in every day.
Hi G., The best place to get your moving boxes is at a large package store. The boxes are not too big and some even have dividers in them which helps when you are packing your breakables. Also. invest in a large tape dispenser with a large handle which should include at least one roll of shipping tape. It makes for easier gliding and efficiency and well worth the $ 18.00 or so and is a good price at walmart. If you do decide to puchase boxes, Walmart has the best prices. Keep in mind, you don't want to pack your boxes so heavy that you can't carry them a distance. The best place for tissue/wrapping paper is at Metrowest Daily news (or any newspaper close to you) and ask for the end newsprint rolls. There is no print on them and each roll has a ton of paper on it and they only cost about $ 2.00 per roll but worth every cent . It also helps to label all your boxes with not just the contents so that you can find what you are looking for, but also the room it will be going into for anyone helping to move the boxes. I just moved my Dad from Mississippi and these ideas made it easier. Good luck on your move.
I always call local stores and ask if they had a truck come in and if I can come pick up boxes. I have moved several times and never bought any boxes.
Check with liquor stores on Saturday night.
Do you know anyone who works in a factory? My uncle works at a manufacturing plant and they always have tons of boxes.
Craigslist, type in free moving boxes. People have to pay to have the moving company pick them up, so they list free boxes on Craigslist and just put them by the road, list your corner or crossroads. I had 50 to 80 clean, sturdy, boxes and the clean packing paper to give away and that is what I did. Every single one of them was gone within 24 hours. So glad someone got to use them.
Try Freecycle, I'm a moderator there and I see people giving away (and asking for) boxes all the time.
We just moved state-to-state with only 6 weeks between accepting the new job offer and the start date. Honestly, bite the bullet and buy the boxes where you need to... Because it will cost you waaaaay more if you can't pack everything you want or you leave things behind because you're out of time. We bought ours at Home Depot; they sell sets of small, medium and large. Focus on the task of packing up one room at a time--Buy small quantities each time, for each room; that way you won't have numerous half-portion sets of unused boxes (which you can't return if the set is broken up). Save your receipts and return what you don't use.
Small boxes are good for packing heavy items, like books. The bulk of your boxes will probably be medium size. Large is good for big things (like lamps, etc.) but you don't want too much in a large box because then its a problem to lift. You can use large boxes for clothes, but you can also pack clothes in garbage bags (keep hanging clothes on the hanger and poke the holes through the garbage bags tops; tie the bags corners).
You'll need to wrap fragile item in paper or bubble wrap (also sold at HD), or if you're organized, you can do some wrapping in dish towels, towels, t-shirts, socks, bedding, pillow cases.
My husband liked the big 'saran wrap' of plastic. He used it to wrap the legs, corners and surfaces of wooden furniture to protect again scratches. Worked very well too, but that's another expense you'll have to consider.
And, of course, consider whether the cost of moving certain possessions (with all the moving materials it would take) is worth it. You might save money by donating things and buying new/used when you get to the new city, especially if you use the charitable donation receipts for your tax deductions.
Good Luck with your move!
Costco sells a moving pack with tape and everything, & you could also ask a manager for some of their boxes too.
I also agree with liquor stores. Also, I used to manage a Burger King, and we were always happy to give away boxes. Sometimes with fast-food places if you call ahead, they will tell you when the best time to get empties is.
I agree with the liquor stores--Rolling Rock boxes were really sturdy. Also--copy stores--all those case boxes for paper are great and have a good cover also. Check out Staples copy centers, Fedex/Kinko's or local places. Call around first and they will save them for you usually.
Good luck with your move
