How a Moving Budget Will Simplify Your Move
Most people consider moving a stressful event. After all, there are many things to consider – packing and hauling boxes is the least of your concerns. You also need to consider new schools if you have children, change your address, make sure you have a new doctor, and deal with what feels like a thousand other tiny tasks. One of the biggest stressors for moving is money. How much will it cost to move your family? Should you hire a mover? Is it worth the money, or should you do it yourself? Here at Affordable Moving and Storage, we advise people to create a moving budget. After all, most of us use a budget for our daily lives. Creating a specific budget for moving will not only help you decide how to spend your money, it will give you peace of mind during your move.
How to Create a Moving Budget
Think about how you created you budget for your daily life, then replicate it on a smaller scale for your move. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Create a list of all moving-related expenses. Hint: Using an excel spreadsheet will save you time!
- Calculate the cost of each expense, and list it next to the task.
- Separate tasks into two lists: Unavoidable expenses, and voluntary expenses.
- Decide how much you want to spend.
- If your unavoidable expenses fall below your budget, decide if you want to take on any of the voluntary expense that would make you life easier.
A Few Tips for Creating Your Moving Budget
It can be difficult to create a list of moving expenses if you’re not used to the moving process. To make things simple for you, we’ve compiled a list of common moving expenses you can use for reference:
Packing Materials
You will need to purchase or obtain quality moving boxes. In some cases, you can get boxes for free, but you will likely still need to purchase some specialty boxes to avoid damaging items during your move. Additionally, you will need to budget for tape, labels, and packing material. If you decide to hire a moving company for your move, discuss the cost of packing materials and how it fits into your overall fee.
Moving Truck
Depending on the size if your house, you will need to rent a moving truck to move your belongings. This cost varies, depending on the company you work with. Remember to include the additional fees such as whether or not you are crossing state lines, or special handling requirements. If you decide to hire a moving company, discuss with them how this fits into your overall fee.
Extra Storage Costs
If you’re moving to a new area and you haven’t purchased a home yet, you’ll need to store your belongings until you find a new residence. Remember you need to find a climate-controlled facility to ensure your furniture, clothing, and other belongings are damaged by fluctuating temperatures. Check with your moving company – many businesses provide storage facilitates (we do here at Affordable Moving and Storage!).
DIY Costs
If you do your move completely on your own, there are additional costs you’ll need to consider, such as travel expenses (gas for your car, money for hotels for long-distance moves, etc.). Additionally, you’ll have expenses after you move, such as paying you rent or mortgage for the first month, the cost of any new furniture you’ll need to purchase, fees for connecting utilities, and everyday expenses. You need to consider theses when you create your budget.
Call Affordable Moving and Storage for a Free Quote
Moving is a daunting task. Make it simpler and more organized by creating a moving budget. If you need help calculating costs, are interesting in packing, moving, or storage services, or need a mover in Littleton, don’t hesitate to call one of our experienced customer service representatives at Affordable Moving and Storage. We are here to help you during your move!
