Budgeting for Your Move

Moving certainly taps your bank account. How much depends on a number of factors: whether your employer is helping with the cost, how much 'stuff' you have, and how far you are moving.

To get an idea of how much your move will cost, start calling service providers for estimates and list your expenses, which may include:


Housing

_______Home Repairs
_______Cleaning supplies/services
_______Rental expenses new city
_______Application fees (varies - estimate $15 to $35 per application)
_______First and last month's rent
_______Damage/security deposit
_______Pet deposit
_______Utility deposits
_______Storage unit rental


Moving

_______Professional moving services or truck rental
_______Moving supplies
_______Food and beverage for volunteers
_______Tips for professional movers/Gifts for volunteers


Moving travel

_______Airline Tickets
_______Fuel
_______Tolls
_______Meals: per meal $______ x ______ meals
_______Hotels: per night $______ x ______ nights


Other

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

If you don't have the money saved, start saving as soon as you can. Other potential sources of money include:

• Income from the sale of your spare car, furniture, or other belongings (hold a garage or yard sale).


• The cleaning/damage deposit on your current rental and any utility deposits. You probably won't be reimbursed until AFTER your move, though, so you'll need to pay moving expenses up front some other way.


• Your employer: payout for vacation time not taken.