How to plan your budget for a family move from Tennessee to NYC

There’s no way around it. Interstate relocations are often complicated, and because of that, they can become expensive very quickly if you don’t plan ahead. Of course, many different factors are influencing the cost of relocation. For starters, there’s the distance. But also, you need to think about how much stuff you are taking with you and if you have any specialty items that need special care while transporting. There are many things to think about. So, what exactly should you do to plan your budget for a family move from Tennessee to NYC?

Right from the start, we want to take your mind off thinking about renting a truck and doing everything by yourself. While this can make sense for some local relocations, when it comes to moving long-distance this is out of the question. And since you already made a decision where to go when moving out of NYC, everything is clear. There are many more things that can go wrong. So, the expertise and knowledge of professional movers are the things that you’ll need the most.

This, however, doesn’t have to mean that your move will be extremely expensive. If you pay attention to detail and be proactive, you can create a moving budget that won’t be a problem for you. Additionally, this will help to take some stress that inevitably comes with relocation out of the equation.

Take inventory

As you already know, you won’t be the first family that moves from NYC to Tennessee. And as many people went through the whole hustle of this exact relocation before there are some things that you can learn from them. Of course, it’s important to get ready for this big change. But, you shouldn’t take it too far. And here’s what we mean by that.

Families tend to accumulate stuff much faster than people living alone do. And that’s only natural. However, since you’re moving long-distance not everything has to come with you. Items you use every day like clothes, kitchenware, and furniture certainly should be on your inventory list from the day you start preparing. But, some things you can sell and get new ones when you get to your new home.

Go through your home room by room and write down everything you think will be necessary. This way, you’ll be able to make the right accommodations that will fit your needs exactly as they should.

Do the research

When you know what you’re bringing with you, you can determine what kind of movers you need. The companies you contact will be able to give you estimates according to your inventory. These are based on various factors and here’s what you can expect.

• Base moving fee. This is the amount of money that every customer pays, regardless of how much stuff is being transported.
• Specialty items fee. If you have belongings like pool tables, pianos, safes, or artworks you’ll have to pay an additional fee. This is because these are considered specialty items as they’re more difficult to move.
• Moving insurance. The name says it all. This is a fee that you pay to get compensation if any of your belongings are damaged or lost.

Additionally, if you’re moving into a smaller apartment all the chances are that you’ll need some storage also. Learn how to get a precise storage quote and make sure to include that into your moving budget.

Decide when you’re going to move

If you want to plan your budget for a family move from Tennessee to NYC in the best possible manner, you need to decide when you’re going to relocate. Believe it or not, this can have a big impact on the total cost of the move.

If you decide to move in the summer be prepared to pay more. As our friends from Spyder Moving explained to us, movers are always much busier during these months and that’s why the price is higher. It is easier since there’s no snow and kids are out of school, but if you want to save some money definitely consider a winter relocation.

Put money aside for everyday expenses

Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop because you have to relocate. Kids still have to go to school and groceries still have to be bought. Therefore, you have to be prepared to pay for all of these and more while financing your move. It’s financially difficult, but it’s manageable.

Track your monthly expenses and subtract this amount from your income after taxes. This is the money you have to work with and that will be divided between your moving budget and other expenses.

Save and earn money

To afford your relocation more easily, consider cutting back on spending where you can. Many of us love to go out and eat. Instead, buy groceries and recreate your favorite restaurant dishes. This is both enjoyable and it saves money. Refrain from buying new clothes for some time and wear what you already have in new ways.

It’s up to you to choose how to save money. There are many ways to do it and many of those won’t make much of a difference to your quality of life. However, all the money that you put aside will have a big impact on the quality of your move.

Additionally, you can save money even on your moving supplies. In our article about moving preparations, we talked about this. Find cardboard boxes for free or wrap your breakable belongings in towels and socks. This can save you time, space, and money if you do it right.

Leave some breathing room in your budget

And the last thing you need to remember when trying to plan your budget for a family move from Tennessee to NYC is not to stress too much. Determining a budget doesn’t mean that you have to put every cent into a savings account. Moving is stressful, so it’s important to make some space in your new financial plan to relax and enjoy yourself. Spending some money on the night in with your favorite snacks, friends, and a good movie is always an expense that can be verified.