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Boxes are the sneaky cost of every move. Buy them new and a full home’s worth can run well over $100. The good news: across New Jersey and NYC, free moving boxes are everywhere if you know where to look. Here’s where to find them, plus other cheap packing supplies, from Two Guys And a Truck Hoboken.

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes

• Liquor and wine stores: small, sturdy, often with dividers ideal for glasses.
• Grocery and drug stores: ask the night crew when they restock.
• Bookstores: small, heavy-duty boxes perfect for books and records.
• Buy Nothing groups & Facebook Marketplace: people who just moved give boxes away constantly — very active in Hoboken and Jersey City.
• Your office or building: copy-paper boxes with lids are excellent and free.

Cheap (or Free) Packing Materials

• Towels, linens, and blankets to wrap fragile dishes and electronics
• Socks and t-shirts to cushion glasses and stemware
• Suitcases and duffel bags for heavy books and shoes
• Newspaper or old paper for filling voids

Check Before You Grab Free Boxes

• Dry and clean — wet cardboard collapses
• No pests — skip boxes stored near food waste
• Sturdy corners and seams
• Consistent sizes so they stack tight and load fast

When It’s Worth Buying a Few

Free boxes work for most items, but a few specialty boxes are worth the small cost: dish packs for fragile kitchenware, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, and TV/picture boxes for screens and art. Mixing free everyday boxes with a handful of specialty ones is the cheapest safe way to pack.