HELP, I need to move house in less than 4 weeks. I need cheap packing boxes, also any other money saving tips please

[Briony32]

I have been to the local sotrage firm and the packing boxes cost a fortune. £2 or £3 each, which adds a big premium to moving costs.
Has anyone got any tips on what they used?
I'm feeling slightly terrified. Got to move out of a 4 bed house to less than a mile away, but I'm time short and money's tight. Any tips appreciated. Thanks.

Can you ask at any shops you frequent when their delivery days are and if you can have some of the boxes when they're done?

I got mine from someone on Freecycle

Mark each box - Bedroom 1 etc

Get a skip if possible or someone could take things to a local tip and de-clutter every room

Ensure you keep a box separate with kettle, tea, coffee, washing up liquid, I didn't move too far and didn't even need a large moving van.

Freecycle.
Post on gum tree to.
Pop into any supermarket and ask if they can keep boxes, in particular booze boxes, the same at off licenses, majestic etc
If there are any companies esp. Science etc ring and ask to speak to goods in - most have to pay to have cardboard taken away so may have some.
Use sheets to pack delicate stuff.
Buy a box of address labels and put at least two on each box - contents and where its going
Buy a tape gun plus brown tape from eBay or Amazon as if you manage to collect boxes they will be flat packed.

Banana boxes are really gd because of the carrying handles and lids

Thanks for the good ideas people. I'll go to a couple of supermarkets and check local companies. And get some labels.
I have to say I'm not looking forward to the hard work ahead with 2 children under 3!
Any more tips welcome :)

Copious amounts of wine and chocolate , I got bubble wrap from eBay 100metres for £10 much cheaper than Argos etc, also putting clothes in those big blue ikea bags

freecycle, (move quick) and also repeated visits to the box cart at your local supermarket. Plus lots of sticky tape. Get shredded paper from anyone you know who as it, it is really good for packing.

big big and ruthless clearout. Enlist all possible help from friends - even if it someone to look after the kids! Don't waste time reading over old books and memorabilia, quick 'go or stay' decision.

Laundry bags - massive ones, I got mine from the local corner shop and everything like clothes, cushions, bedding, towels etc went into those. Much cheaper and bigger, and my removal men LOVED them. Still useful now for storing stuff in the loft. I think the big uns were about a pound each.

CO OP. they will always let you pick them up. Pack by room. Starting ASAP with things you don't need right now.

Each beds bedding in a bin liner still made up, ie covers on pillows and duvets so it can go straight back on.

OP where are you? we have just moved and I have a stack of boxes needing a new home!

If you do need to buy boxes, bubble wrap etc Amazon is good and delivered quickly.
We got a mixture of ones bought of amazon & ones from DHs work (he asked the porters at the hospital and we got loads of really good thick boxes)

I bought our boxes from mad4boxes via the internet - they promise next day delivery if you order by 4.30pm and cost around £1-2 per box I think. I also used laundry bags for clothing and linens which made it easy to find bedding on the first night.

I have a pile of boxes here too.
Label each box with a room so you know where it goes. Pack overnight stuff separately (and tea etc!)

Ask friends if you can store your less-used stuff in their spare rooms/garages for a week either side of the move - this lets you get a lot of stuff out of the house in the run up to the move and also means you have less to move on the actual moving day.

Any local companies that you could ask?

I got my boxes free, by posting a request in our local area's Facebook page, and by asking in a local store...
Big bin bags - the type used for garden rubble...
A skip outside while we were packing, and a car set to take stuff to the local charity shop...

Banana boxes from supermarket are indeed perfect. Unsquashable and strong and have handles. Also collect all the padding from around the apples etc in supermarkets and use it instead of bubblewrap. Use newspaper scrunched up and wrap plates etc in them. good luck!