When you start looking at the cost of the move, try to break the cost of your move into groups. Start with the obvious group, which is typically easier to determine (and use as a starting point). If you are currently renting, there are additional costs you may need to consider, such as a deposit, first month’s rent, final utilities, and cleaning fees from your previous residence. Do this whether or not you have an idea of how much you expect the costs to be. At least then you’ll have a solid foundation to start making decisions from.
Your highest moving costs may be;
- The moving company
- Truck rental
- Packing supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Gasoline
- Storage
- Possible paid time-off from work
Put A Cushion In Your Budget For The “Mom” Type Of Things You Know Will Pop Up
These could be;
- An unexpected trip to take-out because you can’t cook anything due to pots and pans being packed away.
- More wet wipes than normal due to the diaper bag disappearing into the incorrect box.
- A new shower curtain.
- Light bulbs.
- Lunch money for school.
- A replacement phone charger.
These aren’t failures in planning. They are simply the realities of moving with a family.
You don’t necessarily need to add a lot of money to your budget. Adding 5% to 15% to your original estimated costs should provide enough flexibility to handle whatever comes up. It can give you peace of mind knowing that you have some wiggle room built into your plan.
Determine which items are worth hiring someone for.
There are certain tasks that will likely be cheaper when done yourself. There are other areas where having someone else complete the task will ultimately save you emotional stress.
For example, packing your own clothing, books, toys, and kitchenware is generally going to be a money-saver. However, large and/or difficult-to-manipulate furniture, appliances, etc., would likely be best completed by a professional. Do not sacrifice quality for cheapness. If you damage your refrigerator or scratch your walls, the cost savings will be far outweighed by the potential financial burdens.
Now, take into account your available time, physical labor capabilities, and support system. If you have very young children, limited assistance available, and/or a very narrow timeframe to complete the move within, using affordable movers might be your smartest option. Between attempting to do everything yourself and breaking the bank, it is probably the best compromise.
Be Smart About Your Grocery Shopping Before & During The Move
While grocery shopping seems simple enough, it can be quite frustrating and costly during the chaos of a home relocation.
To avoid added expense during this stressful time, plan ahead for some simple meal options prior to fully packing your kitchenware. Think sandwiches, pasta dishes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, yogurt parfaits, pre-cooked soups or stews from your freezer or store-bought varieties, etc. Set aside a single box with basic table settings, coffee/tea/snack supplies, and a few non-perishable snack foods.
Unless absolutely necessary, it is wise to limit large grocery trips immediately preceding the move. Try to utilize items already stocked in your pantry/freezer. The fewer groceries you bring along during the relocation process, the better off you will be.
Create A Child Care Plan & Budget For Sanity-Saving Ideas
If you have very young children in the house, creating a safe environment during the relocation will greatly contribute to their well-being as well as yours. Consider enlisting the help of a trusted grandparent, babysitter, daycare provider, etc., for a few hours during the actual relocation process. This can significantly improve both your ability to stay focused on getting everything accomplished, in addition to ensuring your children are in a safer and less stressful environment.
If enlisting outside help is not feasible, create a ‘moving-day’ bag for each of your children with essentials such as: snacks, water bottles, an Extra outfit, a beloved toy or comfort item, headphones or earphones (for calming purposes), and another quiet activity they enjoy. Don’t worry about making it extravagant…just something that will allow you some peace of mind while navigating the chaos of a moving day.
Also set aside funds specifically for small sanity-saving ideas during the relocation process, such as take-out coffee or food items, a quick/easy breakfast solution, or a fun activity for kids (i.e., coloring books, puzzles) during those inevitable moments of exhaustion and over-stimulation. While they are certainly considered luxuries in many cases, they can provide significant benefits in terms of reducing frustration and increasing overall morale.
Monitor The Double Payment Periods Of Expenses
A common occurrence when relocating is that for a brief time period, you will essentially be paying for two residences simultaneously. This may involve double-paying rent or mortgage payments; connecting multiple utility accounts at once; installing multiple internet providers simultaneously; paying cleaning crews twice for cleaning services performed at both locations; or changing insurance coverage for both properties.
Double-check all payment due dates and service disconnection/reconnection schedules carefully. Establish a calendar for tracking all of these events so that you remain informed regarding the timing of when expenses will arise.
Skip Moving Unnecessary Items
Each and every unnecessary item adds weight, space requirements, and sometimes additional expense to your relocation effort. Consider removing items that are no longer needed or useful prior to packing them up. Examples of items that fall under this category include:
- old baby equipment
- duplicate kitchen utensils
- broken toys
- clothing that has gone unworn for extended periods
- random items collected throughout the years from garage sales/cluttered closets etc.
Removing unwanted items now will decrease the amount of stuff you have to pack/move, resulting in reduced costs associated with additional materials/gas needed to transport your belongings. Additionally, selling some of these items may directly benefit your relocation costs. Even though they may not generate substantial revenue…every dollar counts!
Record All Relocation Expenses In One Place
Regardless of format preference (e.g., paper Notebook/spreadsheet/app), establish a single source document to record all expenditures related to your relocation. Include every expense, no matter how seemingly insignificant (tapes, boxes, gas, clean rags, snacks, tips, new door keys).
