Relocation Advice

Saving Money on Your Move

Everyone wants to save money, especially when planning to relocate. Depending on the distance, your relocation could cost a lot. Planning ahead is the best way to save money. By creating a budget, you will be able to see where your money is going and how you need to spend it. While some companies offer relocation packages, others do not.

There are many ways to save money during relocation. You can pack, load, and unload items yourself instead of hiring movers, you can plot ways to get to your destination without having to pay highway tolls, and you can find boxes and other supplies without having to pay for them. Selling unwanted items is another way to increase your relocation budget. By being creative, you can find other ways to save. Asking friends to help with the move, hiring movers for only an hour or two in order to move heavy items is another option.

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Selling a Home While Relocating

Selling a home while relocating may not be the most convenient time, but for those who need to sell their homes quickly, there may be no choice. If you are faced with people walking through your home while you are trying to pack, the best way to handle this is to choose one room in your home to store boxes. It can be a spare room, attic space, or living room. Those who are looking at your home will understand and should not have too much difficulty seeing what your home has to offer.

Try to schedule appointments when you are not packing so you can leave the home while potential buyers walk through it. Finding a realtor who is experienced in selling homes for those who are relocating is a good idea because they will be able to show the home and build-up its selling points.

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Selling Unwanted Items

A great way to move with less is to hold a yard sale. Selling unwanted items provides additional cash you can put toward your move and other bills. When you get ready to start packing, place items into three piles: stuff you are taking with you, stuff to throw away or donate, and stuff to sell.

Depending on the time of year you plan on moving, weekends are the best time to hold a yard sale. If moving during the summertime, plan your yard sale in the morning hours when it is not as hot. There will be many people out looking for a bargain between the hours of 9am and Noon. Items you don’t sell can be sold the following weekend or they can be donated to local charities.

In addition earning some extra cash from a yard sale, you can also ask for a receipt for any items you donated and earn tax credits.

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Storage for Your Stuff

Because you will be living in temporary housing, you may need a place to store your belongings if the housing is furnished. Before moving, see if your employer will pay for storage or if you will have to pay for it yourself. Many times, companies pay for storage because it is only for a short period of time.

When looking for a storage facility, find one that is accessible 24 hours a day so you can bring additional items or pick-up items at any time. Find a facility that is climate controlled so your belongings will be safe. This is especially important if you have electronic equipment and other valuables that will not survive in extreme hot or cold. Your storage facility should be under surveillance at all times so you can feel safe leaving items. You can pay by the month for a unit or you can rent one for a six months or a year depending on your needs.

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Stretching is Important

During the move, you should take the time to stretch so you don’t develop muscle cramping, headaches, or bodily fatigue. Stretching before you begin lifting furniture or carrying boxes will help you stay strong throughout the day. The most important parts of your body that you should stretch include your back, legs, shoulders, arms, and neck. Stretching after you are finished will prevent soreness later on.

The next day you may feel tired, achy, or you may experience cramping during the day. Stretching while on the road is another way to prevent further injury. If you are transporting your belongings, you should stop every two hours to stretch and get something to drink. This will help you stay alert during the trip. If have the chance, take a hot shower or a bath to help reduce the effects of moving heavy items.

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Taking Advantage of the Internet

The Internet can be very useful when looking for places to relocate to, finding schools, neighborhoods, directions, homes, and rental properties. If you are on a budget, use the Internet as a way to save money on trips to your new home. While you should visit the area once to decide if you want to move there, you can shop for homes and rental units online without having to make another trip. Leases and other documents can be faxed or sent to your current address, which is very convenient for those who need to relocate immediately.

If you are considering relocation, you can find jobs online as well. You can submit resumes, applications, and set up interview times. This will also save money. Instead of visiting the area for your initial interview, you can participate in a phone interview or a web conference.

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Temporary Housing

As part of your relocation package, you may be given temporary housing. This usually means a furnished apartment, townhome, condo, or house that you can live in for a certain amount of time. Once your time is up, you will have to find a new place to live. Most people use this time to find a permanent home. Temporary housing is free and can range from a month to three months depending on where how long your employer thinks it will take for you to find a home.

If your employer does not offer temporary housing, you can find one through a relocation specialist or begin the search for an apartment or home before you start your new job. Depending on the time you have, it may be best to rent a home before buying one so you can find the one you want instead of settling on the first one you find.

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The Correct Way to Move Heavy Boxes

Injuring your back, shoulders, or neck before relocating is never a good idea. In order to reduce the stress placed on your body, you should lift boxes by bending at the knee so the strain is places on your legs instead of your back. Don’t not try to lift heavy furniture or boxes by yourself. If boxes are too heavy, you may need to unpack some of the items to lighten the load.

Hiring movers if you are relocating by yourself is a good idea if you don’t have friends or family who can help. Movers will arrive with dollies, blankets, and other tools used to move large pieces of furniture. During the move, take the time to stretch frequently and take breaks when you need them. This will allow your body to remain limber. Drink plenty of water and rest during the evening.

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The Dangers of Overfilling Boxes

During your move, you will be tempted to overfill boxes, crates, and other containers in order to get everything packed and ready to go. But overfilling boxes can be hazardous to you, those who are lifting the boxes, and to the items themselves.

To avoid overfilling boxes, wrap and place items in the box one at a time. Layering dishes and glassware will allow you to fit more inside. Periodically, check the weight of the box. If you are having trouble lifting it, then it has too much stuff inside. Just because you can fit more items into the box doesn’t mean you should.

This is especially true of books, computer equipment, and other items that seem to weigh less before they are packed into a box. After the box is full, place newspaper or bubble wrap over the items and seal the box with packing tape.

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Transporting Your Car

Depending on the length of your move, you may need to have your car transported on a truck by a moving company. But before you hand your car over, you should take pictures of it from different angles, note any dents, scratches, and other markings, and remove all belongings from the car. Usually the car will be inspected by an agent before it will be allowed to be transported.

The amount of time it takes to move a car from one location to another depends on the weather and the distance. When your car arrives, you may need to pick it up at one of the car transport company’s offices. Go over the car again to make sure there are no new dents or scratches. File a claim with the company and your insurance company if you see any significant damage to the vehicle.

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