Moving is a lot of work. Well in advance, you (hopefully!) create checklists and gather resources for the big day. At the top of most lists is collecting moving boxes. Cardboard boxes are one moving expense that can be had for free. Below is a list of places to score some!
Where did you get the boxes for your last move?
- Facebook. Your town most likely has a group or open forum like Enfield CT Open Forum where you can easily ask your local friends and neighbors if anyone has any or knows any where you can score free boxes.
- Craigslist. A quick search in the free section (found underneath the "for sale" heading) offered up at least 20 sources for free boxes last time I checked.
- Liquor stores. Try and ask for boxes with lids (otherwise, contents are bound to fall out in the moving truck). Boxes from a liquor store tend to be small and sturdy—great for books, CDs and DVD
- Bookstores. A perfect place to pick up boxes specifically for moving books. There's always excess cardboard at Blue Umbrella Books.
- Grocery Stores. Ask them to save their apple boxes for you to pickup—these freebies are perfect for moving fragile items.
- McDonald's fry boxes. Apparently, these boxes are strong and also excellent for hauling heavy items that require a smaller sized box. Because the original contents of the box are frozen, you won't have to worry about the boxes being smelly (or greasy). McDonald's fry boxes also have a Facebook page, pointing out alternative uses.
- Starbucks. A store will receive anywhere from 1-2 shipments per week (so it's a good chance that they'll have boxes on a weekly basis). Because Starbucks boxes range in size, ask them to hold their larger sized containers for storing lighter, bulkier items.
- U-haul Box Exchange. U-haul has created a message board allowing you to search by location for free boxes in your area.
Where did you get the boxes for your last move?
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