How to Budget for Your Next Move
There seems to be a million reasons someone might be moving, from it simply being a want to see something different, the opportunity to be closer to a loved one, or for the job of your dreams. Once you have the new area set in your mind, the next question you might be asking yourself is “Should I rent or buy a house once I arrive?”
The answer to that might largely be answered by how long you plan on staying in your new area. Whether this seems like a permanent move or it’s just a new area to get to know for a few years, here’s some tips to make sure everything in your budget is as lined up as possible.
Take Inventory Of What You’ll Bring
No matter if you’ve been renting or you’re selling your home, take stock of everything in your house and decide what’s coming with you and what you might want to sell before you hit the road. Selling some things before you leave might be a nice way to have a little extra cash, but where you’ll really notice when you’re able to fit everything you own into a smaller moving truck.
The smaller the truck, the smaller the cost is going to be. If you have a moving company taking care of the actual moving of your possessions and not just the haul, it’ll also be less time they are charging you for the loading/unloading process.
Decide When You Are Moving
Once you’ve got where you’re going squared away, think about when you’ll want to do this. Depending on the why, time might be on your side. If that’s the case for you, try to move during a time when things are most in your favor. If you can, try to move during the winter. It might make things a little harder, but moving costs tend to be lower during the colder months.
If you are moving into a city, you might need a permit for the moving truck to be parked outside your building. Check local laws to see if the need for a permit is there regardless of the day of week or something you’ll be able to avoid with a little careful planning.
Save During The Months Prior
If you know you’ve got a move coming up, do what you can to put as much money aside during the prior months. Life is still going to happen, so this might be hard but it also might be what keeps you afloat during the time of the move itself. You might be without an income for some time, but you’ll still need to keep food on the table and the lights on (possibly in both homes for a short amount of time.)
With some of that money aside, you might need to have your previous apartment/home professionally cleaned if you don’t have the time to take care of it yourself. This could be part of a rental agreement you signed and if you are putting your old home on the market, you’ll want it looking as impressive as possible for the highest resale value.