Moving Under A Budget

It's time to move to another location. All of your belongings will need to be packed in brown, squared boxes and sealed shut with tape. A moving truck is needed to haul all your possessions to its new home. Then the process of transporting everything begins... meals, gas, hotels, snacks, etc...

It's no secret relocating to a new address can be quite stressful. The pain of boxing up all your belongings, only to unpack it in a few days is a job no one readily wants to encounter. However, there are ways to ease the tension and stress not to mention save a little cash. All it takes is a little planning in the beginning. The key is to create a moving budget. This budget helps to project, track costs, and help identify ways to save money involved with relocating.

The bulk of your expenses for moving is usually spent on transporting your belongings from one location to the next. Whether you move it yourself or hire professionals, time should be invested in order to find the best deal. Here are a few tips you can use to set up your moving budget:

Packing your possessions yourself can help save a load. Most trucking companies offer specials to relieve the brunt of expenses involved. Make sure you check with several places on prices. The main expenses are:

• Time - The amount of hours it will take before reaching your final destination.
• Truck rental - The amount it will cost to rent the truck needed. Keep in mind of the size needed whether it's a small trailor or a super sized truck as this will affect the pricing.
• Mileage charges - The exact miles it will take to reach your destination.
• Gas - The cost of fuel it will take. Include extra if you plan on making two or more trips. Don't forget about your vehicle should you decide to drive it alongside the truck.
• Insurance - The rate your insurance company will charge for your trip. Make sure you include extra if there are others who will help with driving.
• Equipment - Boxes, hand dollies, and a lock for the truck door are a few items that need to be accounted for.
• Meals - Eventually, you will need to eat. Make sure to stash away a few dollars to cover your provisions.

TIP # 1

Moving your belongings yourself is an ideal way to save money because this will help you itemize what needs to be purchased. If you are really pressed for money, maybe you can buy a open utility truck. Even though you will need around $800 - $1000 to buy the truck and necessary tarp, you can sell it once you've finished using it and get most of the money back if not more. Most moving trucks have mechanics on duty, making it a wise decision to invest in the cheapest gas. Don't worry about buying expensive gas as this will sap your money quicker than expected. Plan your meals before leaving. The Internet will work best because many places have a menu with prices. Locate the restaurants and grocery stores along the route you are headed. Keep your snacks to a minimum by picking buffets or stashing a little from your meal for later.

Packing supplies can be bought from moving companies, office supply shops, discount stores, and from the Internet. It is best if you take the time to shop around for the best deals before you purchase anything. Here are a list of items that are needed:

• Boxes - Look for all sizes. This will help when trying to pack everything to haul in one trip.
• Bubble wrap - Dishware, breakables, and items you don't want scratched will need this so it won't become damaged.
• Newspaper - Lots of this is needed for stuffing in glasses, making sure furniture legs don't become scratched, and other items such as rare books and pictures.
• Tape - It's best to seal all boxes before embarking on your trip so that nothing spills.
• Labels - This will make it easier for you to identify what's in the box and where you should unpack the contents. Mark your boxes by either what room it came from or what is inside the box.
• Markers - Use these to mark the labels.
• Scissors - A handy item, this is used for cutting tape, rope, and twine.
• Rope or twine - these are useful to secure items if you are using a car, open bed truck, or SUV to transport some items. Make sure you buy enough to last.

TIP # 2

Ask around for boxes. Grocery, furniture, and appliance stores usually throw away loads of boxes each day. The ideal time for grocery stores is early mornings. Allow two to three weeks to collect these boxes before it's time to move. It's best to break down the boxes as you collect them. Store the boxes in a dark, dry location in order to keep them from warping from sunlight and moisture. You can even ask new neighbors for boxes. Chances are they want to get rid of them anyway. Save newspapers at least a month in advance before packing.

Miscellaneous moving costs can add extra to the total cost of moving. These items should be controlled by laying aside a little money. To be better prepared for these expenses, here are a few examples:

• Gifts and souvenirs - Along the way, you may want to purchase little gifts to give to family and friends. This is especially true if you are traveling across a multitude of states.
• Hotel fees - If your move will take more than a day to complete, then you'll need to find a comfortable place to sleep. Look around on the Internet to find the cheapest deals.
• Storage fees - A storage facility may be needed at some point of your move. Although fairly simple with pricing, keep in mind of the fees that come with it including locks, insurance and other fees. Self-storage fees can vary between weekly, monthly, or annually. Most places will require a deposit. Check with your storage center's clerk for the requirements for receiving your deposit back.

TIP # 3

This area of the budget is vital if you are traveling for long distances. If the move can be done in a day or so, ask another member of your family or a friend to help with driving. This will cut down on hotel fees. Limit buying gifts to one item per person on your list. Consider selling or giving away the portion of belongings that you no longer need. After you've done this, this should reduce the load needed to put in storage. You may not even need the storage space if you do this.

Moving to another location doesn't have to be hard. All it takes is a bit of planning and research. The sooner you start doing these things, the easier to handle all the surprises that may pop up. Setting up a budget will allow you to see where your money is going and it will help to eliminate any headaches. This list is by far not complete, as you may have other expenses to consider. However, this checklist will help at least to give you a head start when planning to move to another location. Check with family and friends to see if there's anything you missed before embarking on your journey.