If you know two things about moving, you know that it can be stressful and expensive. Believe it or not, some studies find that moving can be more stressful than divorce!
That’s because there’s a lot that goes into moving, both in terms of energy and finances. However, with a little planning, you can take a lot of the stress off your back.
COMPARE QUOTESLet’s talk about some important things to add to your moving budget before the big day!
1. Gas
If you’re moving far away, you should factor in the price of fuel, especially with gas prices at record highs. If you’re moving in-town, then this isn’t a big deal, but if you’re moving two hours away or more, it could cost you $50 to $100 per trip just using your car!
Essentially, if you’re doing a lot of the work yourself, this is something to keep in mind. If a truck will be worth $600 but you’ll only need one trip, that might be better than 5 trips at $100 each.
2. Help
Whether you’re buying your friends lunch for their help or you’re hiring professional movers, moving all by yourself is rarely an option. If you’re moving out of town, then this should be at the top of your accounting list, as it will likely be one of your greatest expenses.
If you want to hire help for packing and unpacking, that’s an option! Some moving companies may offer packing services that you can choose from if you want to eliminate some of the stress.
3. Moving Insurance
Not everybody uses moving insurance, but it doesn’t hurt to have it. Whether you’re renting a truck, hiring professionals, or doing it in your car, there are insurance options available.
Keep in mind that you’re moving everything you own, including all of your most valuable possessions. If something goes wrong, you’ll want to be covered. Fortunately, moving insurance isn’t too expensive, considering it’s only for one move, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re worried!
4. Shipping, Towing, or Freighting
Do you have anything that needs to be specially shipped or freighted to your new home? If you’re moving across the country, this could include a car, boat, hazardous material, or plenty of other items.
Also, you may just be leaving something behind and having a family membership it to you later on, like a bicycle or musical instrument. Always factor in these costs, as they’re often overlooked, and cross-country shipping can be expensive, even for moderate items.
5. First, Last, and Security
If you’re renting a new place, don’t forget to save up for the money owed on day one. This could be as much as three times the cost of rent, and more if there is a broker fee or anything else. Showing up empty-handed on the first day won’t help you start off on the right foot!
Also, check your lease or application and see if there are any additional expenses you’ll need to prepare for on moving day. Pet fees are a common example. If you’re buying a home, you won’t have to worry about this, as most of these costs will commence at closing.
6. Find Ways to Save
Shop around for different moving companies and find the best prices, stop eating out before the move, and opt for a smaller truck so you can bring some items in your car. These are just a few ideas on how to save some money before your move. You could also try:
- Planning ahead for meals on moving day (preparing cooking equipment or using gift cards)
- Eat-in for a few weeks
- Go on a “spending fast”
- Make coffee at home
- Do some moving yourself
- Book ahead to avoid price hikes
The list goes on. There are plenty of habits you can try to help save some money in the short term, and they can take a lot of the stress off your shoulders leading up to the move!
7. Spare Funds
You need to eat, buy gas, and explore your new area, right? Well, make sure you account for everything on this list and have extra spending money afterward to do so. You don’t want to land in a new city and find out you can’t afford to spend a night out.
Also, what happens if there is an emergency? Emergency expenses don’t care if you’re moving, so have some extra cash just in case.
We understand that it’s not always easy to save up enough money in a short period of time prior to moving. However, it’s best to plan ahead and start saving. Write down your budget and plan ahead as far in advance as possible.
Remember, you’re 42% more likely to achieve goals that are written down, so write a plan and stick to it! If you need some extra funding, try having a moving sale to raise some funds and declutter before the move.
Otherwise, try taking on a side hustle or an extra shift at work. Once you have a number in your head, it’s important to raise enough funds to avoid financial issues. Whatever you do, just plan ahead!
Draft Your Moving Budget Today
Now that you know how to write a moving budget and save for your move, why wait? If you know you’ll be moving soon, then there’s no time to waste. The last thing you want is to be unprepared when the time comes, so get to work!
Travel safely, keep reading our blog for more moving tips, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for help with your move!
COMPARE QUOTES
Leave a Reply