Moving can be expensive, The costs can add up quickly, particularly if you leave everything to the removalist but there are ways to save money.

If you choose a full-service removal from a reputable, recommended removalist, you may not have to do anything other than open your door to a group of people who will pack, shift and unpack for you.

However, most people like to get involved in the packing process at least. Many choose to find boxes and crates and do as much of the packing as they can. They do this mainly out of concern for the welfare of their possessions but at the same time, there are costs savings.

Doing your own packing will save money and if you pick up your packing boxes for no cost, the savings will be even greater!

The hard part is getting access to packing boxes for free.

For large boxes, the cardboard recycling bins at the back of Harvey Norman stores are a great place to start. Boxes in those bins tend to be larger but they have the added advantage of coming ready folded for transport back to your place. If you are not into bin hopping, you can go to the back of major appliance stores and press the bell to get the attention of people in the dispatch and arrival area. Ask them to save boxes for you if they do not have any when you call in.

Another great location for boxes is at the back of any fruit shop ( big or small ). There you will find sturdy cardboard boxes as well as the treasured white polystyrene foam boxes with lids. Same non-rummaging technique applies in those stores too. Just go in an ask.

If you can't or do not want to head out on a "back of store box hunt", you can go to any Bunnings store. At those stores, there are spaces full of boxes of all sizes ( still assembled too ) that are intended for use by people buying loose items in store. The staff at the door usually don't mind people heading out the door time and time again with cardboard boxes.

"Plan C" would be to look on Gumtree.com.au. On that web site, people advertise anything. You could even find a removal service advertising on Gumtree. If you are after boxes for free, there is every chance that someone who has recently moved, will be very keen to locate someone to relieve them of their pile of empty boxes.

If these options fail to locate enough boxes, then the best Sydney removal services offer packing boxes at competitive rates for both sale and hire. Don't forget to source lots of box seam joining tape and packing paper. For things that have to be wrapped in plastic, a great source of thin plastic film is the huge painters drop sheets that can be bought for less than a Dollar at Bunnings.

One final tip, do not overfill large cardboard boxes. A washing machine box full of clothing will weigh a lot more than the washing machine that came in the box originally and it will be hard to move. Smaller boxes are good boxes!