U-Haul Money-Saving Moving Tips for College Students

PHOENIX - July 28, 2009: U-Haul, the do-it-yourself moving industry leader since 1945,

knows the most cost-effective ways for people to move and is always eager to pass on many savings to our customers. Below are money-saving tips that can help do-it-yourself movers and college students save money and make moving easier.

Suggestions and tips to save you money:

-- First and foremost, "Plan ahead!" Advance planning always saves you money. Since nearly 45 percent of all moves occur between Memorial Day (May) and Labor Day (September), make your reservation now. We recommend that you make your reservations at least two to four weeks prior to your moving date. Advance planning can save you money on one-way reservation rates. U-Haul customers can make their reservations online at www.uhaul.com, call 1-800-GO-UHAUL, or they can call or stop in at one of our convenient locations listed in the Yellow Pages.

-- Rates may be lower during the week vs. the weekend. Most do-it-yourself movers plan their move for Friday and Saturday. Avoid the weekend rush. Typically, Sunday through Thursday offers greater equipment availability. We highly recommend that you move between Sunday and Thursday.

-- Get FREE boxes from U-Haul. U-Haul customers can save money and help the environment with the Take a Box/Leave a Box Program, featured at U-Haul facilities throughout North America. The program enables customers to return their reusable boxes and allows other customers to take them as needed - FREE. Customers can also log on to www.uhaul.com/boxexchange to post their available boxes or review messages from individuals in their area who are offering reusable boxes.

-- U-Haul has a 100 percent box buyback guarantee. You can never buy too many boxes from U-Haul. Just keep your receipt and we will buy back any unused U-Haul box, at any U-Haul Center nationwide!

-- Know what moving supplies and boxes you need. Prior to your move, visit your neighborhood U-Haul location or visit uhaul.com to get help with selecting boxes and packing supplies. Fill out the Packing Planner Checklist in advance at http://store.uhaul.com/images/packingplanner.pdf and you'll know what you will need and how much it will cost.

-- Get 30 days of free storage. Take advantage of the U-Haul 30-day free-storage offer before or after your one-way move. Available at convenient locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

-- Protect your belongings. Protect your belongings by using our sustainable moving supplies, such as U-Haul packing peanuts, which are 100 percent biodegradable, or U-Haul furniture pads, which are made from recycled denim. The last thing you want to do is pay to replace a valuable item because it wasn't protected during your move. U-Haul moving supplies are affordable and will cost much less than replacing your valuables.

-- Share the cost of your move with another student or do-it-yourself mover. Visit the U-Haul College/Military Connection message boards at www.uhaul.com/boards. The online customer-to-customer message boards are dedicated college students and military personnel who are making do-it-yourself moves. Want to split the cost of a truck rental or storage room with a fellow student or military service member in your area? Ask here.

-- Moving alone and need help with furniture and heavy items? Check out www.movinghelp.com to get affordable hourly help with packing/unpacking, loading/unloading and other moving-related services.

-- Moving with help from friends or family can help you save too. U-Haul has many round-trip specials that allow you to save money by returning your truck or trailer to your home-town instead of dropping it off at school. Visit www.uhaul.com/boards to see a list of U.S. and Canadian universities that have round trip specials in place.

-- Renting a trailer can save on rental fees and gas. For college students, trailers can be the perfect fit. They love the convenience and economy of a trailer. There are no mileage fees to pay, no extra fuel charges and, best of all, they can drive to school in their own vehicle. Plus, if you need a hitch for your car, U-Haul sells and installs them! As we all know, students typically rent several times during their college years and the investment in a hitch would be minimal compared to the savings from renting a trailer over a truck, over the years.

-- Show up at school and have your items delivered to you! U-Haul now offers U-Box. Whether you need to store your belongings or move them, U-Box can help. Call us anytime and we will deliver our custom 5' x 8' U-Box storage container to any location. Pack your U-Box at your convenience. When your U-Box is full, call us and we will pick it up and deliver it to your next location or store it for you in our secure facility. Visit www.ubox.com.

The three most important moving tips people should know when moving items on their own:

-- Plan ahead. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Move on a weekday if you can, when banks, utilities and government offices are open.

-- Pack your boxes "strategically." Choose a "packing room" ahead of time and box up a few things each day. Mark each box with its contents and destination room. That way, you and your helpers will know where each box belongs in your new home. Pack items you know you'll need (sheets, towels, toiletries, tissues and a change of clothes) in your clothes hamper on moving day and you'll know just where to find them at your new place! Have all your boxes packed before you go to rent your truck or trailer.

-- Load the heaviest items first, in front and on the floor. Pack items firmly and closely.

The most common mistakes people make when moving:

-- Not planning ahead. Waiting until the last minute to reserve a truck or trailer. Remember: Summer is the busiest moving season of the year.

-- Not packing their boxes ahead of time

-- Not making arrangements for loading help at their departure point

-- Not making arrangements for unloading help at their destination

Suggestions and tips on securing your rental equipment:

-- Always secure the back door of the moving van with a padlock.

-- Always make sure your doors are locked.

-- Always park your rental equipment legally and in a well-lit area.

-- Back up your rental equipment as close as possible to a garage door, building or wall and, if you can, park another vehicle in front of the rental truck.

-- When parking your vehicle at a hotel, we recommend that you park your equipment close to entry doors and, again, try to park in a well-lit area, making sure the equipment is locked.

-- When parking your vehicle at a restaurant, make sure the passenger doors and the van-box door of the moving van are locked and park it where you can see if from the window.

-- Before moving, look into your homeowner's insurance policy, as some policies will cover belongings while moving as long as the insurance policy is in force during the move.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the undisputed choice for the do-it-yourself mover, with a network of more than 15,850 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to more than 101,000 trucks, 76,000 trailers and 34,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers more than 395,000 rooms and more than 35 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,090 owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues as one of the nation's largest retailer of propane.