Moving is a very stressful event. It’s not just packing and loading your belongings in the car, but also have to plan for the logistics of where you are going to move them when they arrive at their destination.
What are some tips for budgeting moving expenses? Read on to find out! This article will provide an overview of how to prepare for a move financially and what steps should be taken during the process. In addition, it will cover common mistakes that people often make when planning a move- which could result in running into unexpected costs or getting scammed by dishonest movers. You must know these things before starting your search because this way, you’ll have more time and energy left to devote to finding the perfect home!
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Things to Do Before You Move: Budgeting for Moving Expenses
The first thing you need to do is determine how much money you need for the move. The best way for estimating the cost of moving is by listing all of your expenses. For example, figure out everything it will cost you to move your car, boxes, and furniture. Next, consider how much it will cost you to have the movers load and unload them at each end of your journey. In addition, include costs for cartons for packing fragile items, food costs for the trip (if you’re driving), or meal deliveries if you’ll be renting a moving truck, gas, and tolls if you have to drive long distances.
After that, it’s a good idea to determine how much you’ll need for the packing supplies (such as boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap, etc.). It may seem like a lot of money, but it’s better to have enough and not need it than to run out and have to make a return trip.
After you’ve made a list of everything, add up all those costs together and then deduct them from the total amount you’re getting for your house or apartment. If there’s money left over, Congratulations! Now you can use it for something else like furniture or a vacation (or maybe even a new house).
But if there’s not enough money for the moving expenses, you’re going to need to start looking at your budget and trying to figure out where you can cut down. See if you can move some things in with friends or family members. Ask your employer about switching shifts so that you have more money left over for the move. Figure out what you can do to get more money: sell your old furniture, find a better-paying job, or even possibly start a side business (like babysitting). If necessary, take on a second job and cut down on some of the luxuries in your life- vacations, eating out at restaurants too much, getting your car washed, etc.
Common Moving Scams to Avoid: Budgeting for Moving Expenses
One of the biggest financial mistakes people make is signing a contract with a moving company before checking out their credentials. There are thousands of dishonest movers who want to rip you off by charging too much or even stealing from you. Conducting a thorough check on the company’s history and credentials is very important.
Here are some things to consider during your research: how long has the company been in business? (the longer- the better), do they have any complaints posted online by former clients yet? (if there are many of them, you might want to consider that), and finally- how long will it take them to move you? (if the company tells you that they’ll be able to do everything in 24 hours, chances are there’s something suspicious going on).
If a company charges too much or says that it can do things overnight, it should raise a red flag. Take your time and do your research. Read online reviews (and if there aren’t any- consider that a red flag as well). Check with the Better Business Bureau to see what their reputation is like.
If you’re not comfortable with the price, don’t be afraid to negotiate with them or find another company altogether. Remember that they want your business just as much as you want theirs. If a company is charging too much, chances are another one will charge less, so don’t feel trapped into accepting whatever they’re offering.
Always try to stick with a reputable mover and remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Conclusion
Budgeting for moving expenses is not as hard as it may seem. There are a few things you need to keep in mind when making your list of expenditures, and the first thing you need to decide on is how much money you can put aside for this particular budget item. You will also have to determine where exactly you would like to move and estimate the cost of moving your belongings from the old location to the new one. Once you’ve made a list, it’s time for some research.
After pricing out several moving companies in your area, you should be able to come up with an accurate budget that will cover any expenses related to this move, but if something is missing from your budget- be sure to add it in. You might not know exactly what you need and may not have even considered all the expenses associated with a move but run through this list a few times to make sure that you haven’t missed anything because any small oversight could end up costing you big bucks.