Let’s say you don’t have much stuff to move. Do you need a moving company? No. Do you still need someone to move it for you? Yes.

This is where shipping moving boxes comes in to play. Simply shipping your stuff can save you a bunch of time and effort. Here are the top 7 cheapest ways you can ship boxes without having to hire a moving company:

1. Through the mail (USPS)
2. Amtrak – Probably the cheapest way to ship in bulk.
3. UPS
4. Fed Ex
5. Flat rate moving companies
6. Moving Pods – Convenient but can be expensive.
7. With a friend – “Oh, you’re going to Chicago?! Would you mind taking a couple boxes with you…”

Deciding whether to make the leap to get some free online moving quotes?  Here are the top 10 reasons why you should say yes, plug in your contact info, and get some moving quotes from MovingGuru.com:

1. Our moving quotes are real like De Niro in The Godfather.
2. They’ll come to you faster than Speedy Gonzalez.
3. At the least, they’ll give you an idea of how much your move will cost.
4. Paying for moving quotes is a buummmmerrrr.
5. Getting online quotes takes two minutes, maybe, if you’re slow.
6. Calling a dozen moving companies takes too much danged time.
7. You could save money!
8. Our quotes service will save you a lunch-break or two, so you can post up under a good tree and relax.
9. If you’re lonely, you can get people to call you.
10. Finding a good moving quote feels like finding a 50%-off ad for those shoes you’ve been wanting.

Hey, do-it-yourselfer. Are you ready for the demands of your upcoming move? Yeah, I know, you change your own oil and remodeled your kitchen three years ago — you’re an expert. But even experts can have major trouble with moving.

If you’re moving on your own, make sure to read our article about how to move alone.  But here are some quick tips:

• Use every little space – underneath your car seat, the spare tire compartment, and your dresser drawers are all places to put stuff.
• Ghetto-strap like a pro – Get rope and bungee cords to utilize your car’s roof and to “expand” your trunk space.
• Enlist back up – Have a friend or relative on speed dial, ready to help you should something go awry.

Shipping your stuff to your new home can save you the high price of a moving company, but it’s not free.  Many box shipping options cost thousands of dollars, some even more than a moving company.

But certainly there are affordable, easy shipping options, right?

Right.

Though there is no “best” way to ship boxes, because it will vary, there are three very good ones to decide among:

1. Train – Trains, like Amtrak, are the cheapest shipping option, provided you have a station near your old home and your new one.
2. Mail – The Postal Service can mail your moving boxes if they meet its requirements, including being under 70 pounds and not containing flammable materials.
3. Moving Pods – Moving pods are containers that you load and the company drives to your new home. They are pricier than trains and mail, but are generally cheaper than moving companies or private deliverers,

   like UPS.