Budgeting For A Move: How to Prepare Financially

Moving should be stress-free, but there are some aspects of it that will naturally cause some individuals anxiety. One such aspect is your financial situation. Moving is not a cost-free process, and you will likely be concerned about how much you’re going to spend if you’ve recently purchased a home or paid for an apartment. With all this in mind, your mind can be put at ease with the right planning and budgeting. Here are a few tips on budgeting for a move that should make the process much less stressful.

Do Some Research and Create a List of Common Moving Costs

To understand how much you might expect to spend, it’s important to see the full scope of potential moving costs. This gives you a much more comprehensive overview to see where money might be going as well as which services you may be able to opt out of. Some moving costs worth noting include:

  • Gas
  • Moving trucks (if you’re moving on your own)
  • Moving services (if you’re moving with professionals)
  • Packing materials
  • Storage (if applicable)
  • Moving insurance
  • Moving fees
  • Pet care and childcare services
  • And so on…

Not all of these will pertain to you, but they are all factors that are involved in the moving process no matter how far you’re moving or whether you have help.

Figure Out Your Own Personal Budget

How much you earn can impact how much you’re able to spend on a move. Ideally, you’ll have created the list above and began saving as soon as you knew that moving was in the cards. If you still have time, this is what you should be focusing on.

That being said, some might be in a pinch due to a rushed move. Don’t worry. There’s still time to plan. Ask yourself, how much are you able to save right now and up until the move? Do you have any savings that you can dip into to help pay for the move? Are there any ways you can bring in additional income, or do you have any friends or family members who can help?

The sooner you figure out your personal budget, the easier it is to address moving costs.

Take Advantage of Discounts and Find Ways to Cut Down on Costs

Working with a budget means being financially savvy.

One way to stay within your budget is to take advantage of discounts. Some moving companies may offer a discount on services when you batch them together, perks like free moving quotes, and payment plans to help you afford your move.

Another way to cut costs is to consider what resources you have at your disposal. For example, if you have limited items to move and you’re moving relatively close to where you currently live, asking friends and family to help you move may be more budget-friendly. Taking advantage of what’s available to you can make it easier to make the move.

Moving costs are unavoidable, but they don’t have to be a source of anxiety. Use the guide above to budget ahead of time, figure out how much you’re able to spend, and come up with ways to reduce costs so they’re not as overwhelming.