If you’re planning a move in the near future, you’re going to need boxes — lots of them. Moving boxes are readily available in many different sizes at a number of places, including places like Home Depot and Lowe’s. While this is a convenient place to pick up a few sturdy boxes for your move, it’s also going to cost you. If you don’t want to pay several dollars per box (depending on the size), here are several places where you can probably pick up moving boxes for free. But don’t forget to grab a big marker, labels, and tape!
1. Freecycle
Freecycle.org is a great place where people put the word out for free stuff — including moving boxes.
2. Craigslist
Check the free section of your local Craigslist site for free moving boxes. You might have the best luck toward the latter part of the weekend or early in the workweek, after people have spent the weekend unpacking.
3. Liquor Stores
Liquor boxes are generally pretty sturdy, but smaller. They may have had the tops removed. But things like books that tend to get heavy in a larger box, these can work perfectly.
4. Grocery Stores
If you call your local grocery store, you can ask them to save apple boxes for you and they’ll usually oblige. Produce boxes are great for your breakables, and the store will be happy to get rid of them.
5. Restaurants
A lot of restaurants will let you have their boxes for free, but there are two in particular you should check out: McDonald’s and Starbucks. McDonald’s fry boxes are sturdy, and because they’re used to ship in frozen fries, they won’t be greasy. Call a few locations and see if they’ll save them for you. At Starbucks, they receive 1 or 2 shipments every week with boxes ranging in size. Call and ask them to hold aside some of their larger ones.
Find more moving tips and tricks here: Movin On Up Packing Tips for Moving
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