5 Things You Gotta Do Before You Move

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Moving is notoriously one of the most stressful things you can do as a human. While there are a million ways to make the process more cost-effective, mentally sustainable, and overall better, there are equally as many ways to shoot yourself in the foot and make the process longer, harder, and more expensive than necessary.

To help guide you along the right path, we put together this brief guide with five things to consider before moving to a new home. 

1. Get Your Ducks in a Row

Moving can turn your life into a whirlwind, making it easy to neglect the essentials—during and after the move.

From keeping up with your healthcare routine to securing a stable job for when you get there, making sure your life is in order before the big move is always a smart move. A little planning goes a long way in keeping things smooth and stress-free. After all, you don't need extra chaos when you’re already juggling boxes.

2. Decide What You're Going to Do With Your Car

For a lot of families relocating, figuring out how to move vehicles is the biggest challenge—simply driving them to the new destination isn't as straightforward as it sounds.

Let's say you're part of a multi-car family moving across the country. You may find that it's in your best interest to pile everyone into one car for a fun, sing-along-filled road trip to your new home, but it doesn't give you an answer as to what to do with your second car.

To make traveling easier, you may want to consider shipping your car or one of your cars to your destination. You'd be amazed that services like Road Runner Auto Transport can support all forms of car and truck shipments, including moves across the entire country. 

3. Figure Out Your Travel Plans

If you’re shipping your car, it's time to explore affordable flights, train tickets, or even boat rides if that's your thing. Most people opt to fly instead of drive, so we recommend diving into the many fantastic flight deal alert services available.

These subscriptions and memberships can help you snatch up the best deals and make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. With a little bit of planning, you can score some deals and make your move a whole lot smoother. Plus, who doesn’t love a good bargain?

4. Decide What Furniture You'll Bring vs. Buy

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One of the biggest wallet-busters when moving is shelling out for new furniture. If you plan ahead and decide what pieces you’re taking with you and what you’ll buy, you can budget more wisely and make sure you can afford everything you’ve been eyeing.

On the flip side, families aiming to save some cash might want to consider hunting for a furnished rental to ease the financial strain and make the move less of a budget crunch.

5. Plan Your Utilities and Services Ahead of Time

One of the sneakiest aspects of moving is making sure all your utilities and services are up and running when you step into your new digs.

Before you even think about packing those boxes, whip up a checklist of must-have services like electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable. Call or chat with each provider to schedule installation or activation dates that sync with your moving plans. This little bit of planning can save you from the nightmare of moving in and realizing you have no power or Wi-Fi.

Additionally, don't forget to set up mail forwarding with the postal service so you don't miss any important letters or packages. 

Breathe Easy: You've Got This!

Moving doesn't have to be a stressful, chaotic experience. With a little planning and these five key considerations, you can navigate the process with confidence and even a touch of excitement! Remember, you're embarking on a new chapter, and a well-planned move sets the stage for a smooth transition. So, grab a notebook, start ticking off your to-do list, and get ready to embrace what life has to offer.

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