Whether you are moving out of the house for the first time, away to college, to your first home, an apartment or a new home, one of the primary things you think of is: MONEY. Try to follow a few simple steps to help yourself save money before, during and after your move.

Try to stop eating out before your move. Focus on clearing out your cupboards by being creative with meals using the ingredients you already have stored in your pantry. You'll be amazed how much cutting out $10+ per day in eating out will save you! Just think about it- if you and your significant other spend $12 every night for dinner, that will amount to around $360 in ONE MONTH! That will pay for half of your moving company's costs!

Using coupons, rewards cards and sticking to a list can help you drastically decrease your cost of living. Don't be afraid to try different brand names if it saves you money. Compare advertisements at various stores and find out where you can get the best deals for the amount of money you have available to spend.

Although it can be tempting to make that "small" purchase on your card, the interest will hurt you in the end. Try to go to a cash-only system. If you don't have the money in your pocket then you should REALLY think about whether you "need" it or if you just "want" it.

Having a moving company pack your belongings can be time-consuming and pricey. Try finding boxes ahead of time on craigslist, eBay or even on sale at WalMart or Home Depot. Use old newspapers or plastic shopping bags to help pad your belongings and pack everything yourself.

As you pack, decide whether or not you really NEED that old bowling ball that has been sitting at the bottom of the closet for the past 5 years, or those old shoes, sweaters, 'skinny' jeans, etc. Keep a pile for Goodwill or other donation facility, and keep a pile for yard sales, consignment, eBay or Craigslist- you can make some extra money by selling the belongings you would have just thrown away anyway!

If you do any traveling before the move make sure to look for discounts before you go- use AAA or rewards points from credit cards to save on rooms, flights, dining out and more!

Moving on a weekday or in off-peak seasons will help you save money with the moving companies. If you move during the summer or on a weekend day, expect to pay more for the move. Don't forget to ask the moving company if they have a specific time that is the least expensive, and try to work with their schedule.

When the movers arrive, ask for the boxes with hanging bars for your clothing, but every other item in your household should be packed before they get there. If you are not packed, your movers may just be sitting around waiting for you to finish- on your dime!