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1. Pre-Move Budget Checklist
Before you spend for your move, take care of the paperwork. If you move and you haven’t taken care of paperwork, you will have to spend a lot of money (and time) to get the right records back to you.
- Set up forwarding address
- Get deposits back from landlord and utilities
- Make sure you have paperwork from your local records office. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Birth certificate
- Copy of title for vehicles
- Copy of any property titles you may have and will have after the move
- Medical and immunization records for kids
- Notify workplace that you are moving and give them a forwarding address for tax information
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2. Sell Your Stuff to the Bare Minimum
Anything that you don’t use should be sold. This will help offset the cost of your move. If you can’t get it sold, find places such as CraigsList or equivalent sites. Often, people will be willing to buy your unwanted furniture at their own cost.
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When you start packing, notice all of the clothes that still have hangers pointing at you. That means you haven’t worn those clothes recently and you should sell them.
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Budget Note: Feeling sentimental about some of the things you are selling? Take a picture. While it might feel magnificent to have the thing you want to keep, you have to make some hard decisions to pinch pennies. Keep the memory alive and take a picture. It cuts down space and lets you hold on to what’s special.
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3. Pick Your Moving Date and Time Wisely
What month will you be moving?
US News and World Report states that most Americans move between May and September. This could hurt you financially, as some moving companies will take advantage of this time and raise rates.The slow season starts in October and runs through the fall and winter. Attempt to plan your move then. Moving companies will more than likely offer incentives, making your move cheaper.The slow season starts in October and runs through the fall and winter. Attempt to plan your move then. Moving companies will more than likely offer incentives, making your move cheaper.
Will you have to miss work?
Ideally, you want to move without missing a beat in income. If you are relocating for a new job, make sure your new employers reimburse you for any time you have spent moving. This may offer a few days to get you and your family settled.
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What if my work doesn’t reimburse?
Schedule your move on a weekend. While this may be harder due to the stress of moving, you can still pull in income.
Will your kids have to miss school?
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Different schools require different materials. This could set you back a couple hundred dollars by having to purchase a whole new set of school supplies. While moving companies offer incentives for off-season moving, the financial hardship of having to buy your child an entirely new roster of items for schooling is still a difficult burden to bear (not to mention the emotional toll it could take on your little ones).
Is the move during the week?
Moving on the weekend can provide many things, including
- Less traffic
- Easier schedules
- Easier transition to a new schedule
- More time
The more free time you have to make the move, the fewer resources you will have to shift around. This puts more money in your budget by letting you move during off hours.
Will you be fighting heavy traffic?
Use the Fuel Cost Calculator to find the most financially feasible route for filling up at the pump.
Many companies require you to pay for the gas for your truck. Because of this, make sure you don’t contend with traffic that stalls you on the road.
To avoid this, plan your routes accordingly. GPS programs such as Google Maps can automatically adjust to give you the most efficient route for your move. But don’t rely just on technology. Know the way before you get on the road so you can make the most of your mileage.
4. Professional vs. DIY Movers
Professional moving is not necessarily more expensive than packing yourself. Here’s why.
“Special” Moving
If you have special items such as pianos, jukeboxes, or other large pieces of furniture, a professional mover will know how to pack them for moving. While you could risk it to DIY, the likelihood of your heirloom arriving in pristine condition greatly diminishes.
Packing time
Surprisingly, packing time can cost you money. If you are moving for a job, the DIY approach could make you pay the price, waste resources, and leave your reputation a little less than sterling at your new job.
Professional movers can pack a home quickly and get you on the road fast.
Travel distance
Using professional movers might be overkill on a move across town. If you’re moving to another coast or even an international move, you need professional movers to secure your items.
Here is what you can do yourself, though.
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Budget Note: Old newspaper can work as cushion for moving items.
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Budget Note: Instead of forcing another box into a full moving truck, you can pack and ship items as parcels to an address or temporary P.O. Box in your new city for as little as a dollar per pound. This leaves only the essentials in your moving truck, allowing you to move without having to upgrade to a more expensive vehicle. Don’t use this tactic for moving across town, as it could cost much more than its worth.
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If you are dedicated to doing this without professional movers, enlist the help of friends with trucks. Use old blankets to secure precious cargo and make sure those items are locked down.
5. Moving Insurance
Without insurance, an accident during a move could set you back a lot. Instead of avoiding it and taking the risk on lengthy moves, you might look into professional movers and see if using them would offset any insurance investments from the moving company.
6. Investigate Tax Incentives
The IRS lets you write off your move if you relocated due to employment. Indicate this on your taxes during the next year to help with your budget.
7. Overestimate Your Budget for the Move
Ask yourself too many questions. That way, when emergencies arise (and they will), you will be prepared. Some questions you should ask:
- How many days will it take?
- How many hours will your family travel each day?
- Will you be staying in a hotel with all of your items?
- Do you need to get a temporary storage facility for all of your items?
- Will you need to buy food on the road?
- How many times will you need to fill up on gas?
If you have any other questions or tips about cheap moving, contact Dependable Relo. If you are also in a financial bind, talk with us. We can work with you to get the best rates possible for your long move.
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