Did you just find out you have to move? You need to create a budget! It could take you a few days, but that budget is your key to moving with less stress. The costs involved in a move go beyond the movers and some supplies, and beginning now -- thinking about what you need to do and writing down the potential costs -- will let you start off on the right foot.
Clean, Clean, Clean!
This first one doesn't sound like a budget line item, but it will help you create your budget. Clean! Declutter! Go through everything and donate or recycle what you can. Obviously, you don't have to get rid of sentimental items that you really want to keep or reduce all your books to one box. But really look at what you have. Getting rid of things now that you don't want to take with you gives you a much better idea of what you actually need to pack. That affects what you pay for the move.
Create a "Month After Moving" Fund
In the weeks after you arrive, you might find your paycheck is down because you took time off to move, or because you're starting a new job in the new location and haven't got any pay coming in. Part of your budget should include this time when you have to live off savings. If you don't budget for this month, you could find it tough to really do much and may have to rely on credit cards. That's not so bad if you know you can pay them off in full, but if you can't, then you end up paying interest. It's better to budget.
Do Budget for New Boxes
So many budget sites say to get boxes from friends and maybe from stores that have extra ones lying around. That can be a good strategy in some cases, but you must be careful with used boxes. They can attract bugs if not stored properly, especially in stores that leave the boxes in warehouses (or worse, near an open warehouse door). The bugs can hide in the cardboard. If you can afford it, budget for new moving supplies and boxes.
Compare Moving Services Early
The more notice you can give a moving company, the lower your moving cost might be. There are times of the year when moving is more expensive, such as right before the start of the school year in university towns. Plus, the less notice you give, the more the movers may have to work to fit you into the schedule, increasing your moving costs. Compare and choose a moving company early on so that you know what the actual move will contribute to your budget.
Remember Deposits and Start-up Costs
When you move, you might need money to start up accounts, such as a deposit with a utility company in a new part of the state. You may need money to open a post office box. Whatever you envision yourself doing when you first move to the new location, think about whether there's going to be a cost associated with that, and include it in your budget.
Budget for Your Actual Trip Out
If your move is long-distance (and remember that a long-distance move can be one to the next metro area; they aren't necessarily out-of-state moves), you'll have to travel to the new location and possibly stay in a hotel for a few days. Create a budget for that in addition to the main move. Hotel and taxes, food, gas, entertainment for bored kids -- imagine each day in your mind and write down what you'd likely need to spend money on. Go bit by bit, and remember that your car may need work before you move, such as an oil change. When you have that detail written down, you can add up what you'll need to get through the trip and the first few days.
Moving isn't fun, but it can be less stressful than you feared. Call BR Moving if you need long distance movers in Philadelphia or are looking for moving companies in Media, PA. Start early so that you can arrange to move on the best day of the week that fits your budget.
