5 tips for setting a long-distance relocation budget

If you plan to move to another state after you sell your apartment, it is probably a good strategy to start planning for the relocation way ahead of time. The main reason for this lies in the fact that moving interstate is much more complex than moving within the same city or state. Because of this, you can expect higher expenses due to the distance that needs to be crossed. However, this does not necessarily mean you need to spend a lot of money. If you start preparing your long-distance relocation budget in time, you can avoid breaking the bank when you move long-distance.

We have a couple of tips that can help you prepare for the move. But before that, it is crucial that you compare the costs of different moving options. So, one question to ask yourself before moving is whether you should hire a professional moving company or go for a DIY move. This choice could help you keep control of your costs. In fact, this consideration is crucial when you are devising a long-distance relocation budget as most of the spending will go towards this expense.

1. Choose between a DIY or a professional move

For many, a DIY move might seem tempting, especially if you do not have that many belongings. An added benefit of opting for a DIY move is that you can move with your stuff. So, your whole family can move to your new home in the same vehicle. In this way, you can exclude the bus, plane, or train tickets from your long-distance budget.

However, driving to your new home yourself, either in a rental truck or a car might just unnecessarily complicate things. In most cases, you will have to cover the gas costs yourself, drive yourself, pack yourself, and carry the furniture yourself. If you are moving to a place where lots of your relatives and friends live, this makes sense. You can ask them to help you out with the loading, carrying, and unloading phase. However, most people who move to another state cannot really count on this type of help.

Another drawback of a DIY move is that the whole endeavor can get out of hand. With a moving company, you have an entire team of expert movers that will do the carrying and logistics for you. Be sure to do comprehensive research on expert moving companies that do relocations from your current home to the place where you are moving to. Companies such as pods.com can be of help since you can easily survey the availability and the costs of the moving company and their services.

A good moving crew will ensure your long-distance relocation will be wrapped up in no time. In contrast, a DIY move can last for a couple of days since you might struggle with some items or simply drag out since you do not feel external pressure to do it as quickly as possible. In that sense, it helps to have a skillful moving crew that can plan out your long-distance move.

2. Lower your spending by using packing materials you already have

A big part of your moving budget will go towards securing enough packing materials for the relocation. Packing and moving supplies might be pricier than you think, but they are the ones that ensure your possessions remain intact. So, if you already have some boxes and bags you will save a lot of money. Old newspapers and magazines also come in handy since they serve as filling material that will keep everything inside the boxes in place. Having enough padding material is important if you have a lot of glassware or other breakable items. You can also use sheets, towels, and even clothing to fill up the boxes and create a soft protective layer.

So, if you are working on a tight budget, this will help you control your packing expenses. Another good strategy is to ask your friends, neighbors, or even shop owners in the vicinity if they have extra boxes that they wouldn’t mind giving up.

3. Don’t break the breakables

If you have very valuable artwork, vases, or other fragile objects, you might want to invest in new, quality boxes that are firm enough to ensure they don’t break. This little investment might save your valuables without driving up your spending on repairs or replacements. So, being frugal when you are setting up a long-distance relocation budget is important – but only to an extent.

If you happen to have fragile items that are antique or valuable, then you might seek out the aid of packing expert. In some cases, it is better to be safe than sorry, so turn to a professional to prevent damage to valuable goods. They can apply a variety of advanced packing strategies to ensure everything goes according to plan.

4. Decluttering and downsizing are good for your long-distance relocation budget

Obviously, the less stuff you have, the fewer boxes you have to pack. Most long-distance relocations are a one-trip deal. This means it is best if you sell, donate, or throw away anything that is not essential to you. A rule of thumb that can help you do this successfully is to get rid of anything that you haven’t worn or used in two years. After all, who needs 5 sets of plates, glasses, or bedding? In addition, you can use the money you earn at a yard sale to finance your relocation.

5. Stick to your timeline and budget

Once you have settled on how you are going to move and which packing supplies you are going to have, you will be able to set up a rough moving budget estimate. Setting up an upper limit you can stick to should prevent overspending. Also, it helps to have a definite timeline that you will respect. Admittedly, sticking to a plan and a budget may not seem too important from this perspective. However, there is more at stake than meets the eye. If you hire a moving company, they will probably charge you extra for any rescheduling that you might request if you cannot meet the deadline. So, make sure you are punctual to avoid wasting money on such penalties and fees.