How to Move Out With No Money In 2023

Are your current roommates or family driving you crazy? Do you want your space where you can find the peace of mind you deserve? Then moving out can be a great solution, but what if you don’t have money?

Moving out is a massive step in your life, irrespective of how you view it. If you have never left your parents’ home, the potential of being responsible for your bills, food, and rent can be daunting.

Albeit you’ve been staying on your own for some time, moving into a new house will bring you old financial problems that you might not know how to handle. Luckily, it’s doable if you plan to move out but don’t have enough money.

While moving out is overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be impossible, even when you don’t have enough funds you need to move. With the right plan, you can live independently without spending a leg and arm. Here’s how to move out with no money.

Is It Possible to Move Without Money?

Even though moving can be costly, it won’t be expensive if you’re moving an entire home’s worth. 

The best way to move without money is by selling the things you don’t need. Electronics, shoes, and clothes are some of the things you can sell for instant cash. It’s also essential to continue looking for better-paying part-time jobs as you plan to move so you can’t be broke forever.

While all areas aren’t the same, cities tend to offer more amenities and options for homeless and broken individuals. Therefore, consider moving to densely populated regions when moving out. Besides having more work opportunities, these places will offer easy access to affordable shelter, food, and entertainment.

5 Tips for Moving Out When You Don’t Have Money

Have you decided to take the necessary steps to independence? Here are the tips for moving out when you don’t have enough money.

1. Set deadlines

If you don’t have a deadline, it’s easier to forget something. So, set a deadline on when you plan to move out, and start working backward from the deadline when you have to accomplish anything else. Ensure you’re realistic and break down the deadline into small parts to get on the right track.

2. Create a Budget and Stick to It

Living alone can be exciting, but the bitter truth is that it implies less or no free handouts from your folks. This means you’re on the hook for all the bills. Some people don’t know what it costs to live alone since they have lived their entire lives with their parents.

Therefore, you must make profound changes if you plan to move out with no money. A good starting point in ensuring a successful transition is creating a budget that can work for you. Creating a budget is a great way to clear all the fallacies about the cost of living since most people underestimate what they need and what it will cost.

Furthermore, a budget will help you determine whether you can afford to live on your own once you move out, depending on your financial capabilities. Knowing how much you require to save every month is pretty simple 一 set the date you want to move out and calculate the months left.

Finally, know how much you can afford to move out and divide the figure by the number of months left to attain the goal. The amount you’ll get is what you need to save. You can also decide to live cheaply to save money.

3. Start Searching for Free Furniture and Other Things

If you plan to move out without money, one way to speed up the process is to look for free stuff.

Turn to the several legit alternatives that offer free stuff. Thanks to the internet, you can take advantage of numerous ways individuals give away things they no longer need. Often, many of these items are still in perfect condition. 

Search for websites such as Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace where individuals are getting rid of stuff, mainly because they’re upgrading. Also, groups such as Free Your Stuff are many on Facebook. Search for those specific to where you live and reach out to individuals looking to get rid of their furniture and other things.

Another way to get free stuff is by contacting your local council or similar authority to determine when the next “dump your items” event is scheduled. A not-so-famous hint is to visit any wealthier area near you a day or so before the things are collected. You’ll get many items in good condition and for free!

4. Never Get Into Debt

Sometimes, when you feel stuck and trying to find out how to live without money, you might be tempted to try alternatives like personal loans, borrowing from relatives, and credit cards. 

Unless you’re in dire need, incurring debts to move out will get you into more trouble. Interest will pile up quickly, and you’re shifting the financial burden to your future life.

The only situation where it can make sense to incur debt for moving out is when you’re moving for a new career opportunity. This means you’re certain you can repay the borrowed amount quickly once you get your paycheck. Be careful not to over-leverage yourself.

5. Never Sell Your Car

Some people might advise you to sell your only asset for quick cash, but this can be a serious mistake. While your car will cost you a few hundred dollars for gas and insurance, it’s worth it as it can help you in one way or another.

A car ensures you have a place to sleep if you can’t find a bed or couch that night. Plus, you have an affordable transport means to where you want to move to, and it can carry some of your items.

I Need to Move, But I Have Nowhere to Go

Do you want to move but have nowhere to go? Here are a few options to consider.

1. Couch Surf

Couch surfing is a perfect alternative to renting when you need to move and have nowhere to go. Couch surfing means sleeping on other people’s couches. 

Visit Couchsurfing to find open beds or couches. This is where the housing hosts post their spare rooms or couches for travelers to use for free. Get online and connect with your host and book your stay. That’s the best way to meet people from various areas.

Make sure you read the host’s reviews and references if you’re concerned about your safety. Move around from host to host and ensure you give a hand with house chores whenever possible.

Couch surfing shouldn’t be a long-term solution. You should do it in the short term as you save money for long-term accommodation. It’s also not for everyone, but it’s a perfect option if you want to move out with no money.

2. Seek Homeless Service Providers in Your Area

Get your laptop with an internet connection, a notepad, and a phone to start the process. Know that you may bounce around a couple of times between various resources before finding a homeless service provider that fits your needs. Some homeless service providers will connect you with homeless shelters, while others might offer a place to stay. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, provides reliable information on how to get homeless shelters and other valuable resources. The HUD local homeless assistance can be helpful if you’re looking for a homeless service provider.

You can call 2-1-1 to find a homeless shelter. This hotline network responds to over 14 million requests annually by linking homeless people to local professionals. It has over 200 organizations across the U.S. that offer well-trained and compassionate community experts with information on homeless service providers near you. 

Also, Shelter Listings provides a comprehensive, region-by-region list of homeless shelter resources around the U.S. It offers resources in all states, comprising listings for supportive housing, homeless shelters, housing for low-income earners, transitional housing, halfway housing, low-cost housing, and day shelters.

3. Look for a Job that Offers Housing

Some jobs, such as being au pair or an apartment manager, offer you accommodation. However, some opportunities provide a free place to live as part of your job. Some of these jobs include:

• Campground host
• Groundskeeper
• Flight attendants
• Self-storage resident manager
• Park ranger
• After-hours security guard

SimplyHired, Indeed, and CoolWorks have many open positions that offer free shelter. 

Places that Pay You to Move Out

If you’re wondering how to move out without money, getting paid to relocate can be an exciting idea. These places have the reasons for getting more citizens and provide reasonable offers for any person willing to move out. Some of these places include:

• Vermont offers $7,500 as compensation grants for employees who would move to the Green Mountain State.
• If you’re a computer programmer, Chattanooga, Tennessee, is looking for you. Since the town wants to bolster its tech populace, they need to entice more tech experts. Their Geek Move Program offers $1,250 to computer developers for relocation costs and another $10,000 for a mortgage. Note that applications are currently closed, but you can keep an eye on this opportunity.
• Tusla Remote is a nonprofit in Oklahoma that gives $10,000 to anyone who will move there and work remotely, along with a $1,000 housing stipend.
• Kansas City pays you up to $10,000 to relocate to the city and rent, or $15,000 to move and buy a home.
• Hamilton, Ohio, understands how student loans undercut the growth of college graduates. That’s why they give incentives of up to $10,000 to any college graduate willing to move out. 

While most of these places have regulations about who is eligible for the program, they’re better options to try.

How Do I Tell If I’m Ready to Move Out?

You can tell if you’re ready to move once you have saved enough cash to afford all the costs involved in the process. You also need to check that you’re making enough money every month to be able to pay rent and other bills.

Moving out isn’t only a financial decision. Maybe you decided that you’re ready to move out since you need your own space or because you got a new opportunity in another state. 

However, finances are part of the process, and if you can’t afford them, you aren’t ready. So, make sure you meet the following financial criteria before moving out.

• You can comfortably cover all your bills, including rent and food
• All your debts are under control
• Have an emergency fund
• You have enough money for the security deposit and fees
• You’re well-prepared to protect your credit score

Final Thoughts

Even though changing your living situation when you’re low on cash might seem a huge move, it’s not as bad as most might assume. You can move out without money or any support by planning and budgeting on what you’ve saved and being flexible with the available options.

Pro tip: You need at least three months of living expenses and an emergency fund for rent, food, and other utilities to move out successfully. 

FAQs

How Do I Start Saving to Move Out?

When you aim to move out, you need enough savings to make the process successful. Renting an apartment or a home come with fees, security deposits, and other costs. To achieve your saving goals, start by paying your current debts. 

Since you’re staying with your parents or family, you don’t have a lot of expenses. So, try to channel a good amount of your income towards paying student loans and other debts. The faster you can pay off debt, the quicker and easier you can save to move out.

Is $2,000 Enough to Move Out?

$2,000 might be enough to move out. All you need is three months of expenses or a minimum of $2,000 in your emergency fund. However, you can do some things to ensure the amount is enough. For instance, you can purchase second-hand items or live with roommates.

Is $5,000 Enough to Move Out?

The total cash you’ll need to move out will depend on where you intend to live and your lifestyle, but $5,000 can be enough for the process. However, this amount should include initial moving and ongoing expenses, particularly if you don’t have a steady income.