Sponsored by: Uncle Bob’s Self Storage
www.UncleBobs.com/tips
The average American moves over 11 times in their lifetime, and that number is climbing as younger generations prove to be more willing to move sooner. For military families, that number can be much higher! As we all know, moving from one home to another costs a lot of money, and that’s not even including when you need to come up with a mortgage down payment, or first and last months’ rent with a security deposit for renters. Here are several tips to help you save money when moving to your new home.
1. Host a Moving Party
Military families have the option of either having the military pay for professional movers to pack up, ship and deliver their household goods… or choose to do all of the packing and moving themselves and make a few extra dollars in the process. There are pros and cons to both. If you are looking to make money during your next PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move, it might be helpful to convince your friends to come help you. Thankfully, military friends are usually up for a moving party since they know they might be asking for help in the near future as well! Provide lots of great food, some beer and a babysitter to help out with the kidsand get to packing! Take this time to give away some things that might not be worth moving to your new home, also. You’re not going to use your backup fondue set, but your military neighbor might just love it for their next get-together!
2. Shop Now For the Cheapest TV, Internet and Phone Services in Your New City
Check out the TV, Internet and Phone services at your new address. You’ll most likely find better introductory deals than what you were paying at your old address. Remember, though, those first-time deals might come cheap this year, but they sometimes come with term contracts, so make sure you figure out what the service will cost you after the deal runs out, then average the numbers out to see how much it would cost you over a two-year period. You can always come back to them, after your initial term runs out, and try to renegotiate, too! Also, make sure you ask for some free premium channels for a few months! You’re going to be in a new city, possibly not knowing too many people – those free movie channels will come in handy on Saturday night!
3. Fight For Your Right For Low Prices!
If you are moving to an area that happens to have the same providers that you already use, then you only need to call them to just transfer your service. However, don’t just transfer without making your provider fight to keep you! By looking up other digital services available in your area, you’ll see what the other providers are offering, and you can use that as leverage to get a great deal with the company you’re already with. Also, find out about installation fees, including from the provider you’re currently using. They might charge you a services transfer fee, but if you mention the other providers that are offering free installation, you can bet that they’ll suddenly decide to waive your services transfer fee. Always remember that it costs a company more money to get a new customer than it does to retain an old one.
4. Donate Clothes, Write It Off On Your Taxes
Let’s face it — you’re probably never going to fit into those parachute pants ever again. (And seriously… do us all a favor and don’t try!) Plus, all of your old clothes weigh a lot and you’re not going to want to move them from the back of your old closet to the back of your new closet. If you end up losing weight, you’ll want to buy new clothes to celebrate anyway! The Digital Landing Moving Guide tells us that rather than move the clothes or throw them away – donate them at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. They’ll write you a receipt, which will allow you to deduct them from your taxes. Donating them to the thrift store on your current installation is another great option.
5. Learn Your Neighborhood Quickly
Familiarizing yourself with your surroundings you will save money by:
• Not wasting your time on bad food.
• Learning the quickest route to nearby stores, thus saving you gas and time.
• Figuring out which stores have member’s clubs or military discounts that save you money if you shop there regularly.
• Not wasting time in traffic at the wrong times of the day.
• Finding franchise stores you are comfortable with and know what they offer.
Once you get settled, start branching out to new stores and restaurants, or ask your new neighbors what you’re missing out on. This is, by the way, a great reason to break the ice and meet those new neighbors on your street!
Using these five tips should help you keep some cash in your pocket. Cash that can help you fund a housewarming party at your new duty station!
This post comes courtesy of Uncle Bob’s Self Storage, one of the largest self storage companies in the United States with more than 450 storage locations spread across 25 states. For more tips on how to make your next move easier, visit Uncle Bob’s online at: