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Moving Out is Exciting, Right???
Getting out on your own may be your sole focus, and you say you want it Bad! But are you ready to put in the work to make it happen?
Well, I’ve put together some of the groundwork involved in moving out and thinking through some of the main logistics you’ll have to think about and decide for yourself how you want to deal with it.
So, let’s jump right into it...
Assuming you know about how much income you will have, you’ll need to figure out where you're going to live and how much that costs.
For an Apartment: rent, electric, internet, furniture, appliances if they don’t provide them, washer and dryer unless you’re going to the laundromat, etc...
For a House: lawn care, rental permit if your city requires it, repairs it may need since that will probably be your expenses, furniture, appliances (usually), utilities, rental insurance, etc...
Decide on a game plan for all your Mail. Here are a few options for where you could have your mail sent to:
* P.O. Box
* UPS Box
* Mom’s Address (assuming you live with Mom and this is your first time moving)
* New Address
Something to keep in mind when it comes to your credit (credit plays a HUGE part of moving out) is the less number of Addresses you have over your lifetime, the better your credit reports look because that makes you look more stable.
That's why I recommend using a mailing service that gives you a street address for when you need to apply for credit and you can use that as your home address. That way, if you move 5 times in the same city but keep that same mailing service, there’s less of a chance the credit bureaus will know you have been moving around. But that only helps if you plan to keep paying for that mailing service...can’t start and stop it. It’s a long-term commitment so think this one through.
If you choose any of the options above besides using Mom’s Address (your first home), fill out a Change of Address form with USPS about 3 weeks BEFORE you actually move to make sure your old mail is being forwarded correctly. Yes, that would mean you would need to know what your new address is going to be or at least a P. O. Box close to your new address. If you're staying with someone when you move for a while, you may be able to forward your mail to their address, but definitely ask before you do. Mail and a person's address is a personal thing.
Here’s a list of some companies or people that you'll need to share your New Address with:
Driver’s License and DMV for Vehicle Registration
Employment/Payroll Dept.
Tax Offices - IRS, Comptroller, Property, etc…
Schools
Bank(s)
Credit Card companies
Loan providers – Auto, Installment, Student Loans
Service providers – Doctors, Dentist, Veterinarian, Pharmacy, etc...
Insurance providers – Auto, Home, Renter’s, Life, Health, etc...
Other Financial Agencies – SSA, Credit Bureaus, PayPal, etc...
Memberships – Costco/Sam’s Club, Church, Netflix, etc...
Magazines and Other Subscription Services
Online Shopping Websites – Amazon, eBay, Walmart
Utilities, Phone, Cable, Internet companies
Clubs and Organizations
Friends and Family
Voter Registration
Make a list of anyone and everyone who has your current address: bills, warranties, vehicles, etc…
Check the requirements and Prepare documents you need for a driver’s license if you are moving out of state. If you’re moving within the city or state, you will still need to update your driver’s license and car insurance.
Warning: your address effects your car insurance rate. It may go up or it may go down...
Get a quote on the insurance for your vehicle for your new address. Insurance company rates change based on your address according to the risk associated with the area.
Make a schedule for yourself to Update your address with the following: Bills (IRS, Credit Cards, Utilities, Loans, etc…), Income, Family/Friends, Clients.
Find out which bank you are going to use close to your new address.
Decide if you are going to keep the old bank account or close it. It’s better to keep it if there are no fees unless you have no ties to anyone where the old bank is incase you need Mom to send you some money.
If you move out of state, find out the process for getting a vehicle registered in the new state: documents they need, cost, etc...
Decide if you need to update your address with credit bureaus (based on your credit strategy). You will need a bill with your name and new address on it to get it changed because they will ask for proof.
Find out what Cel. Phone service is available at the new address and whether you will have to change companies. If you have to change companies, find out about their porting process so you can keep your current phone number.
Transportation is a key element to ‘Makin’ it on your own…’ Will your current means of transportation be the same for your new home? For example, if you have a car now, will you be taking that car with you, are you selling it, are you leaving it, etc…
If you've been surviving off getting rides, at a new address, will you already have someone you can get rides with or will you have to meet new people? Is Uber your regular means or the City Bus? You'll have to find out what your options are at the new address and what you will need based on your job or business.
Figure out whether you’ll need new Clothes, Shoes, Jacket, etc... based on the weather at your new address or the activities you are planning to do and plan for that budget.
If you already have a job or picked out what work you're gonna do, figure out if you need any supplies, tools, clothes, shoes, hairstyles, etc… for the job and plan for that budget.
Make a list of Family and Friends that you will be leaving behind when you move. Cross off anyone who doesn't need to be notified you're leaving. Now, take a good look at it and think about what way you want to commemorate the move with them: a meaningful phone call, a lunch, coffee, a sleepover, a gift, take pics with, anything you can think of that marks the occasion, etc…
Take pics and video of familiar people, places, and things to take with you for when you miss home.
Sort all of your belongings (just your stuff, not your parents’ stuff...lol) and figure out what category it fits in:
* Take with you
* Give to someone
* Sell so you can have a little cash (there's never enough of that stuff) and also so you don't have to take it with you
* Return to the rightful owner
* Give as gifts
* Etc…
Make a list of anyone and everyone you may want to be able to contact that you will be leaving behind. Now, go get their contact info, multiple contact methods: phone#, cel.phone#, email, Facebook, Instagram, mailing address, etc...any means of communication you can think of. At least 2 per person in case one changes. It may help you feel a little less homesick knowing how easy it is to contact any one of them.
You should always keep your original important documents or at least a copy of them with you when you move: birth certificate, social security card, immunization record, driver’s license, voter registration, selective service card. You never know when you will need them, usually when you are opening new accounts. You may need your school records/transcripts or high school diploma.
U-haul or …., yup, you're going to have to get a game plan together for getting your stuff moved to the new place. If you're not moving too far, you may be able to ask your family and friends to help you, at least with the big stuff. If you're moving far, it's going to take a little more thought and precision of planning and execution.
First, get a real close assessment of how much space your stuff takes up. Think in terms of a box...a really big box or a room. Imagine packing your stuff into a room starting at one corner and stacking it to the top utilizing every nook and cranny. Now, how many feet is the length, width, and height of all your stuff? If it's about 10 feet on all sides and you are traveling far, you may be able to fit it in a U-haul trailer and also rent a truck from a car rental place that will allow you to pull a trailer, gives you unlimited mileage and don’t forget to rent for one way so you don't have to return it back to the place you rent it from. Compare those two rentals (trailer and truck) against just renting a U-haul truck to drive one way. Now, if you only have a few boxes to move, consider shipping them via USPS or FedEx to the new address in case that's cheaper. As you work through the different scenarios that could be an option, keep in mind that you may need to do a combination of these options to get the job done.
And last but not least, get a copy of your Medical records and prescriptions history/list if you have medical issues because you'll need it for your next doctor. If you take prescription medications, you may want to get your doctor to write a prescription to cover you until you get set up with a new doctor.
Well, I hope this helps you get as organized as possible before your Move, so it doesn’t end up costing you more than it has to. There are probably more things I will think of later, so make sure you Subscribe to stay in the loop with updates and new blogs I post.
Moving can be stressful, but Planning can keep it as smooth as possible if you think through all the logistics I mentioned above. If you noticed I missed anything, PLEASE let me know in the Comments Below.
Thanks for hanging out with me! If you found this information useful, Feel free to Share it...
Loma
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