Get organizedFrom hiring movers to packing your belongings to letting your utilities company know that you’re relocating to transferring your internet and cable accounts, moving requires keeping track of a lot of detailed information. Much like creating a budget, it can be helpful to put together a master to-do list with different sub-lists associated with your old address, your new address, and all of the miscellaneous to-dos in between. This may also be a great time to declutter, donate, and sell some your physical items so that you arrive at your destination ready to make a fresh start. Above all else, give yourself enough time to plan ahead. Preparing for a move takes a lot of time and energy.
Create a budget Moving can get very expensive very quickly. It’s helpful to create a budget that takes into account not only your moving costs, but also estimates any remaining bills at your old address, bills at your new address, the cost of transportation, eating out while you are packing up and getting settled, and so forth.
One way you can consider paying for a big move and all of the associated expenses is through whole life insurance or universal life insurance. Both of these types of insurance offer accumulating cash value that can be used for any big or small expenses, emergencies, or funding big life events such as an out-of-state move. Just keep in mind that taking loans from the cash value of a life insurance policy can result in a reduction of your death benefit if you don’t repay the loan (or die before the loan is repaid).
Communicate your plansIt’s important to let different people and institutions know that you are moving. Forward your mail using USPS, update the DMV, change your voter registration, tell your bank, inform your insurance carriers, and be in touch with anyone else you can think of that needs to know your new contact information. If you have a landlord, you’ll want to give them advance notice of your move. Of course, you’ll also need to update your car registration, insurance, credit cards, and so on once you are in your new location or as soon as you have a new address.
Ask for help Almost everyone has experience moving and advice to share. If you have a friend who has moved a lot, ask them questions. See if you have forgotten any major details. If another friend is great at planning and logistics, ask if they wouldn’t mind reviewing your budget and to-do list. If you have questions about the place you are moving, reach out to acquaintances, business contacts, and even friends of friends in your new state. Most people are more than happy to provide guidance and recommendations, and it’s always nice to know friendly faces are waiting for you.
Research your new homeWhether you need to find a new job, set up a small business, look into furthering your education, or figure out local taxes, take some time to research where you’re moving. You’ll also want to find the places that make a new town or city feel like home—good coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and local watering holes can make all the difference.
The bottom lineMoving locally can be overwhelming—moving out of state even more so. Don’t wait until the last minute to do everything. Get organized, make a budget, communicate your changing information, ask for help, and research your new home. Just like planning for the future with universal life insurance, approaching your move with a solid plan can also be a big step in the right direction for your future self. Approach it with a clear head, stay focused, and enjoy the adventure.
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