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According toForbes, the average cost of moving across the country is $4,600.

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For some people, moving ends up costing much more than that.

The move cost me around $15,000.

Lorge said he moved for several reasons, some of which were personal.

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As a general rule, the farther away you move, the more youre going to spend.

If you should probably take unpaid time off work, youre losing out in that way, too.

The lowest cost of moving across the country is closer to $2,400.

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Even if you pay closer to the average, thats still a fraction of what Lorge spent.

Here aresome money-saving tipsthat anyone can benefit from when planning such a move, according to Lorge.

Downsize Strategically

The more stuff you have to move, the more youre likely to spend.

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Say you have a three-bedroom house, as an example.

Forbes found that the average long-distance moving cost is anywhere from $2,300 to $8,600.

A one-bedroom, in comparison, is $1,200 to $3,000.

Getting rid of items you dont need can reduce both the weight and volume of the move.

Say you have a 100-pound sofa.

It could easily cost $50 to $80 to move it.

Book Movers Early

Lorge suggested booking professional movers early if you choose to go that route.

By booking early, you may be able to get lower rates or avoid last-minute surcharges.

You also have more time to compare services to see which one offers the best price.

Some long-distance moving companieswill give you a discount for a longer move, but this isnt a guarantee.

Keep in mind that youll still need to pay for things like higher fuel costs.

This could potentially save you hundreds of dollars or more around tax time.

I wish I had consulted a tax professional earlier to better understand what was deductible, said Lorge.

Be aware that consulting a tax professional typically comes with its own costs.

Use Shipping Containers

Last but not least, consider using shipping containers to save money.

Traditional moving servicesare expensive, especially for cross-country moves, said Lorge.

This option can be much more cost-effective compared to full-service movers.

As an added bonus, you have a built-in storage solution upon arrival.

According toMoving.com, moving containers from Pods cost a little under $3,000 for a 1,500-mile move.

A full-service long-distance moving company could charge closer to $5,000.

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