The cost of moving can easily get out of control without a solid plan in place. A few months before you plan to move, sit down and create a moving budget planner. Remember to guess a bit high on costs and low on potential income you have to use. This will provide some wiggle room if you have to reevaluate some of your numbers.
As you start thinking about what you want to include in your moving budget planner, make sure you include the following key sections.
Moving Income and Funds
There are bound to be items in your home you don’t plan to take with you. If you plan to sell anything, make sure you include that in your budget. Other income sources include profit on the sale of your home and employer payout for vacation time.
Add the above funds to other income you plan to use. Calculate how much money you will take from checking, savings and other accounts you have. It may be wise to set a limit in your moving budget planner for credit card charges. This will stop you from accidentally charging too much on your cards.
Non-Negotiable Costs
Now that you know how much you have to spend on moving, it’s time to nail down the costs. Start with the non-negotiable costs you know you can’t avoid. If you live in an apartment, check with your leasing office to see if there are any lease termination costs. You should also check with your utility companies to see if there is any charge for cancelling service.
Your new home will likely come with costs for you to consider in your moving budget planner. Look into any repairs, parking fees, property taxes and other charges you may incur. Make a note of each expense in a section specifically for non-negotiable costs.
Hire Professional Moving Services
Professional movers are always best for long distance moves, especially because they free up your time, allowing you to focus on other moving tasks. They can also be less expensive than rented moving trucks once you consider charges for fuel, additional equipment on top of the cost to rent the truck.
If you’re unsure which way you want to go, investigate three different moving companies and rental truck companies. Create a chart and note the estimated costs for each. Remember to include estimated costs for fuel, equipment, insurance and possible break downs when estimating the cost of a rented moving truck. Estimates you receive from professional moving companies should include all of this, though you may want to ask about valuation for extra protection.
Transportation Costs
Map out how you are going to travel to your new home and any expenses related to the trip. This should include food, lodging, fuel and any additional expenses, depending on your mode of travel. If you fly, for example, you’ll have to consider tickets and the cost of transporting your car. Transporting a pet can also have additional costs, depending on what mode of transportation you use.
Storage and Packing Costs
When you reach out to professional moving companies for a moving quote, ask them about their professional packing services. This will be a good number to have in your moving budget planner so you can compare it to your estimated cost of moving supplies, such as boxes, packing paper and specialty boxes for fragile items. Do a cost comparison to see which method works best for your move.
First Month Expenses
People tend to forget about first month moving expenses and fail to add them into their plans. The first month in your new home will likely come with a cost as you will have furniture, cleaning supplies and other necessities to purchase. Think about what you plan to do during the first month you live in your new home and add this to your moving budget planner.
Gather your numbers and finalize your budget. If you guessed high on cost and low on income, you’ll have some room to play with numbers. For example, you might be able to cut down on food expenses or hold off on some of your first month expenses. Additionally, this plan might motivate you to put more money in savings so you have more income for later use.
When it comes time to gather moving estimates, be sure to contact National Van Lines at 877-590-2810 for your free, no-obligation moving quote.
