By Belinda Johnson

Five years ago I moved locally. Now I’m moving out of state. I’ve lived in eight different states. Each move taught me something new and valuable about the process, especially how to create a money saver move.

Simply put, if you’re moving, you’re not alone. Between 2012 and 2013, approximately 35.9 million people moved in the United States. That’s just in the United States. Leading reasons why people move range from job location, better housing and to be closer to family, according to the Census Bureau. Reasons aside, moving to a new house or apartment is work.

The sooner you get started, the better.

To enjoy a successful move that saves you money, develop a plan. Items to include in the plan are the cost of rental trucks, storage facilities, mileage and gas and the numbers of paid time off days you’ll need to take from work.

Take of Housing Early

Put your house on the market as soon as possible. The last thing you want to do is get stuck with two mortgages. Renting your house is another option, especially if the housing market is down. Renting your house is a true money saver if prices on houses where you currently living have dropped significantly.

If you live in an apartment, visit or telephone the leasing office and let them know that you are leaving. Many leasing offices require a 60 day notice. Make sure you notify the office that you are leaving in enough days to avoid having to pay for an extra month of rent.

About Moving Trucks

Call several truck rental firms. If you create a spreadsheet, you can add data points like the cost of the truck, the number of days included in the rental price, if there’s additional charge if you go over a certain number of miles and if you need to pay for insurance. Give yourself at least one to two weeks to get feedback from six or more truck rental companies.

Money Saver Tip:  Professional truck rental services may save you money if you move during spring, summer or early autumn.

Start going through your household belongings. Toss out ragged, torn towels. Toss out expired canned items that are taking up needless space in your kitchen cabinets and lining your shelves. Consider donating old books to local libraries. Clothes and coats that you haven’t worn in two or more years could keep someone warm during cold months or be the clothes that someone can wear to a job interview.

Try not to talk yourself into keeping clothes, shoes and household items that you have not used once in years. Moving is a great opportunity to get rid of clutter. It’s less to dust. It could help you avoid slipping into hoarding habits. The less you have to load in a moving truck, the greater the likelihood that your move will be a money saver.

Moving Saver Tip:  If you decide to drive the moving truck yourself, check with companies like U-Haul to see if you can get two hours of help at reasonable rates.

Money Saver Move Checklist

Download a checklist offline or create a moving checklist of your own. Here are activities to include on your checklist:

• Contact apartment leasing office, notifying them of move out date
• Shut off telephone service at old residence
• Shut on telephone service at new residence
• Go house or apartment shopping
• Select new residence and complete necessary paperwork
• Get enough packing supplies (i.e. moving dolly, boxes, tape, padding)
• Contact cable and Internet service providers to switch or discontinue service
• Find out the process to have vehicles registered in new state (if you’re moving out of state)
• Inform water, electric and/or gas company of move
• Update renter’s insurance location with insurance company
• Submit a change of address form at the post office
• Turn in old cable boxes (save money by avoiding paying for boxes you don’t need, but forgot to turn in)
• Pay bills off prior to move to avoid having services shut off or receiving late fees
• Give family and friends your new address and telephone numbers
• Let the cell phone company know where you are moving to and when
• Sell old furniture and buy new furniture as you see fit
• Inform human resources where you work of your move so your payroll and tax records will be accurate
• Turn in keys at your former residence
• Change the locks at your new house
• Let your doctor, dentist, etc. know of your move
• Take pictures of your new apartment before you start unpacking
• Get a babysitter to watch your young children
• Ask a friend to watch your pets on your move day
• Keep receipts of your move in case you can deduct a portion of the cost of your move from your taxes
• Box moving items
• Clean home or apartment
• Get keys to the new residence
• Save enough money to cover the cost of the move and unexpected events

This isn’t on the checklist, as you might decide to drive your car or truck to your new residence. However, if you’re moving out of state, see if you can save money by having an auto firm transport your vehicle to your new home. Depending on how far you are moving out of state and the make and year of your vehicle, you could get a deal and wind up only spending $400.

Also, start looking for a new job if you are moving to get better housing or for another reason and you don’t already have another job where you are headed. Build a strong resume and cover letter. Look for and apply to no less than 10 jobs a week. Work through employment agencies to increase your chances of securing employment, even if it’s temporary work.

Identify the resources (i.e. friends who will help you move, professional movers) that you will need to make your move as seamless as possible. Give yourself time to adjust to the change. Moving is change and your inner self may get a little bumpy at times. Be patient with yourself. Enjoy your new home and your new neighbors!