The secret to keeping your moving costs low is advance planning. Putting forth a little extra effort in the months leading up to a move can save you a ton of money when you’re packing up your belongings.

Here are five strategies you can use in advance of your big move to save a lot of money on moving:

Read on for additional information about each cost-cutting strategy.

Move During the Off-Season

Plan an out-of-season move, ideally between October and April. During the late spring, summer and early fall, moving companies keep their prices high because their services and products are in demand. Outside of those seasons, however, demand falls, so many moving services drop their prices in an effort to drum up business.

Take advantage of this by planning your move for the fall, spring or even the winter if the climate allows. This will save you a lot of money on your moving service or truck rental.

Rent a Moving Truck

Do the moving yourself with a moving truck. If you have more items than will easily fit in your vehicle, consider renting a moving truck rather than paying for a moving service. You and a group of friends will have to load and unload the vehicle yourself, but the cost of renting a moving truck alone is far less expensive than paying for a full moving service.

The best strategy to maximize the cost effectiveness of a moving truck is to have everything boxed up and ready to put in the truck before getting the vehicle, so that your only task is to simply load up the truck with boxes and get on the road.

Consider a Moving Container

What if you want a larger time window to load and unload, such as a situation where you’re doing all of the moving yourself without much help? A moving container might be a good idea.

With a moving container, a company simply parks a large container in your driveway, and you fill it at your own pace. When you’re ready, you contact the container company, and the service moves it to your new home where you unload it at your convenience, calling them to take away the empty container when you’re done.

If loading and unloading quickly is an obstacle for you, or you don’t want to drive a moving truck, a container is a good low-cost option to consider.