| Hopefully you love the place your current home, | | | | will charge you for as an extra fee. You may be |
| whether you own a house or rent an apartment. But | | | | able to get these knocked off the price by asking, but |
| when the inevitable happens and you need to move, | | | | be prepared to include them in your budget. |
| TGM Associates is here to provide tips for moving on | | | | Miscellaneous: Being prepared for the unexpected is |
| a budget. | | | | one of the best ways to protect yourself. Build in a |
| The first thing you need to decide is if you want to | | | | few additional miscellaneous fees to cover changes in |
| move yourself, or hire a mover. Typically, hiring a | | | | estimates, gas price increases, or just taking a longer |
| mover will be more expensive, but for a long-distance | | | | time with your move than you thought you would |
| move or a three-bedroom apartment, the security and | | | | need. |
| speed of experienced movers may be well worth the | | | | So, now that you’ve got a budget planned, you |
| expense. However, let’s assume that you want | | | | know what you should be prepared to spend. |
| to move yourself. | | | | Knowing what your move should cost will help you |
| Your budget will need to include the following items: | | | | weather the financial storms of moving. But there |
| Truck Rental: You’ll find that truck rentals vary in | | | | are additional things you can do to help lower the cost. |
| price based on everything from size of truck and | | | | Boxes: If you know ahead of time that you’ll be |
| whether your move is one way or return, so you’ll | | | | moving, you can save money on boxes by asking |
| want to be able to provide all the information you | | | | your neighborhood grocery store to save boxes for |
| need. To prepare a budget, ask for estimates from | | | | you. Most stores are more than willing to let you pick |
| two or three truck rental companies, and add the most | | | | up these boxes for free. |
| expensive one to your budget for planning purposes. | | | | Packing: Save your daily (or weekly) newspaper to |
| Mileage/Gas: Some truck rentals will come with a | | | | use as packing material. IF you run out, you can |
| pre-set number of miles included in the fee, and some | | | | always purchase bubble wrap, but why create an |
| won’t. If they don’t, or you’re moving more | | | | extra expense when newspaper/old magazines work |
| than the pre-set number of miles, be prepared for | | | | well? You can also use towels or heavy sweaters |
| mileage fees. Additionally, if you’re moving a | | | | as additional padding for fragile items. |
| larger distance, be prepared to include the cost of gas | | | | Date: If you have a flexible moving period, pick a |
| in your budget. | | | | date between October and April. These are the |
| Insurance: Before you purchase insurance, check to | | | | least expensive months in which to move to a new |
| see if your credit card company covers you under | | | | place. |
| their services. If they do, you’ve saved yourself | | | | Friends: Splurge for pizza and have a few friends |
| some money in your budget. Otherwise, you’ll | | | | come help you. This can speed up your move, and |
| probably want to include an insurance fee to protect | | | | make the entire process more enjoyable. |
| your belongings from damage. | | | | With these tips, you should be able to move from your |
| Extra Equipment Rental: Dollies, loading ramps, furniture | | | | current housing situation to the next easily and |
| covers, boxes. These are all items that truck rentals | | | | affordably. |