How much money should you save before the moving day

Moving can be very expensive undertaking you should be prepared for in advance. Even a local move requires certain amount of savings, so you should calculate your moving budget and include all the tasks that should be covered throughout the move.

So, try to save as much as possible before the moving adventure starts.

How to calculate moving costs

– Evaluate your income and calculate how much you can set aside on a monthly basis.

– Are there any unfulfilled obligations or overdue debts in your current home? If you leave the house/apartment in a good condition, you should be entitled to get your security deposit back.

– Be ready to pay the first month’s rent as well as security deposit which is usually the same amount as monthly rent. You can get your security deposit back at the end of your lease once your landlord makes sure that you were keeping the apartment in a good shape.

– In case you are moving out on short notice or to another state, you might need professional assistance to find a new home. Hiring real estate agent, broker or any other professional service provider may be very expensive depending on the state/city you are moving to.

– Most landlords will run a background check on their prospective tenants in order to verify whether they were paying their bills regularly in the past. Other than first month’s rent and security deposit, your landlord expects you to have certain amount of money at your disposal.

– Calculate an average cost of living in the city you are moving to as well as some basic living requirements you will need to pay on a monthly basis – cable, gas, electricity, phone, internet, water,…

– Whether you are hiring full-service movers or you are driving the moving truck yourself, you should set aside certain amount of money exclusively for moving purposes. Even if you are performing DIY move you should include fuel costs, mileage charges, tolls, accommodation if you are moving long-distance, insurance, storage service,… On the other hand, hiring professional moving company will ensure your piece of mind.

– Have cash on hand to tip your movers.

– Get proper moving and packing supplies. If possible, get them for free from friends or relatives who were moving house recently. Also, visit local grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores,…and ask if you can get some cardboard boxes for free.

– Have your items insured during the move. Not being cautious with your items may cost you additionally.

– Be prepared to pay more than you have planned if some emergency and hidden expenses appear throughout the move.

– Calculate how much money you will need during the first month in your new house/apartment. If your new home requires some repair works, make sure they are performed before the moving day. Also, make sure you have enough savings to cover your expenses in case of some unpleasant circumstances.

– If your new place is not ready yet for you to move in, you will have to find temporary accommodation for you and your family as well as suitable storage unit for your belongings.

– Is your new place completely furnished? If not, you will need to purchase all missing pieces of furniture and items you and your family can’t live without.

– Include personal expenses – food, entertainment, shopping,… Remember that you should replace the items you have left out, donated or recycled.

The more money you save before the moving day, the better. Even if you are certain that your estimate is accurate, always have some extra cash on hand just in case. Be prepared for any kind of unexpected situation that may arise during the move.