Rent a Relocation Truck

The most cost-effective moving method is, of course, doing it yourself. Renting a box truck can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring a moving company. A 10-foot moving truck will generally hold an apartment's worth of stuff; a 24-foot truck can accommodate a three-bedroom house. Always err on the larger side, unless the idea of playing Tetris with your dining room set appeals to you. 

Read the fine print about mileage allowances and fuel surcharges, and make sure your rental company has an outpost near your new home -- or you may be returning to your old neighborhood sooner than you think. Also, if you need to tow your car, make sure you reserve the proper equipment at the time you reserve the truck. 

You'll need all the free labor you can find on moving day, so organize your friends and family to help. But don't plan on hauling all your furniture in your uncle's pickup. After the sixteenth trip back and forth, you may find yourself scratched off the holiday guest list. 

Enlist them for help with packing and loading instead, and expect to return the favor when it's their turn to move. Organize your goods before they arrive to streamline the moving process. Also, make sure to provide them with plenty of snacks and drinks to keep them happy and hydrated.