Organization: The Right Move

It wasn't the way that it was supposes to work out, but it was the way it did. Kirsten knew her lease was about to end and then lost her job. To top it all off she knew she couldn't afford to move her things back to the city her parents lived in so she was going to have to leave her belongings behind. What should go and what should stay was something she wasn't willing to deal with at the very moment it seemed her world was falling apart. Every job she had applied for she'd been overlooked. Everything else can wait. So she thought...

Every one has had to do it at least once in their lives. Moving is known as one of the most stressful events in ones' lifetime. If we think about it thoroughly, we'd come to understand that it is not only stressful because of packing up everything and anything we hold dear. Moving is also stressful because it involves spending money on things that we will never hold in our hands, at times, things that are out of our control. Chances are that you'll move more than just once. If you didn't do it right the first time, here is your guide to your second chance.

There are things to keep in mind, as you are about to move.

1. Organization is key

• Start early
• De-clutter
• Sort out what stays and what goes.

. This factor alone can help save you money in the long run. From the moment you know you are moving, it is time to start preparing. First start with those wanted but unneeded things. Take the time to go through all of those things that take up space but you don't have space for. Otherwise known as clutter. Seemingly simple, but this can be the determining factor of how much money you will have to spend on a moving truck. There are things that have to go with you, and then things that just take up space.

1. Truck size is everything
   • Call around for price quotes.
   • Know the size you need.
   • Estimate the mileage you'll drive
   • Know the amount of things you have.
   • Know what storage unit you'll use.

The average person moving from a 1-2 bedroom apartment needs a 12-15ft. truck. If your 1-2 bedroom apartment holds enough stuff to fit inside of a 2-3-bedroom condo, chances are that getting rid of some things may come in handy. To move a 2-3-bedroom apartment/condo one will need an 18 ft. truck. While a 3-4 bedroom will take a 22-foot truck, so on and so forth. With every increase in truck size, there is an increase in the amount of money that comes out of your pocket. Depending on the tuck company that you decide to go with prices will of course vary. Prices will depend on whether you will be moving locally, one way, and/or the distance of the move. Be informed, but get organized and save yourself money in the long run.

1. Close out business
   • Let businesses know of the move early.
   • Contact Utility companies.
   • Cancel local memberships
   • Change mailing address 2 weeks before move.

Another part of the moving involves taking care of business. There are sure to be things that you will leave behind if you are moving to another city. If these business type things are handled correctly will determine whether or not you will save money or spend money in the long run. Take for instance, having a membership at a fitness club. Make sure that you consult the contract you signed when you joined. Some contract include a clause that may let you out of the contract if you are moving to a city where that particular fitness club is not within a certain amount of miles. The sooner you inform the company that takes your membership payments, the less money you will lose. Even though companies are willing to let you out of the contract, they may still require a certain amount of months paid after you provide proof of the move.

Speaking of "cancellations," address changes and utility transfer need to be handled promptly. The quicker you know your new address the better. It takes the United Postal Service 14 days to prepare for your mail to transfer to your new address. Waiting to the last day that you will be at your current residence will postpone this process. Depending on what bills come to that address for you, let alone other things that may require your immediate attention, taking care of this piece of the move early is sure to save you time, energy, and money. Transferring utilities should be handled the very moment that you know the date of your move. Although you will no longer be in need of services, there are sure to be left over charges. If you can estimate the expense you will pay at a later date, you just may be able to save yourself some money in the long run.

1. Storage
   • Sort out what stays and what goes.
   • Compare pricing
   • Estimate what size unit you'll need.
   • Eliminate distance from where you're leaving (consider milage)

Finally, you have to consider the packing and moving itself. Consider, you may not want to take every thing with you. Yet, you've already thrown out, cleaned out, and de-cluttered. Now you have to separate those things that have to go with you from what can stay. Storage units have become a very familiar and reliable part of our communities. First, you have the price of any given unit. Depending on how much stuff will be put into that unit will determine how big the unit has to be. Prices vary from storage facility to facility, let alone what part of the country you are in. Call around to get the best prices. There are units that are from 10x10 to 20x30. These units may range from $89.00 to $150.00 a month. This certainly can become very pricy depending on your monthly rate. What can become even more expensive for you is not organizing. Take the time to organize what needs to go versus what needs to stay. This will save you money later when you are looking for the only shoes that go with that outfit for an interview. What about those toiletries that you use everyday? Maybe you are sensitive to one kind of facial cleanser. You can make sure that all those things that are must haves go immediately to where you will be residing. This way you can save yourself the charge of having to replace in the short term what you know you will eventually have two or more of in the long term.

Remember:

• Organization is key.
• Size up your truck.
• Handle your business.
• Take it or store it?

The key to financial freedom in the midst of a move is organization. It's one thing to take care of all of the things that need to be packed ever so gently, and another to take care of your complete financial outcome after the move is over. Organize all those things that need to be taken care of but are sure to be overlooked once you get into the brunt of it all. If you take the time to look at it from the standpoint of what you'll need when it is all said and done you will be better off.