How to save money on your upcoming military relocation?

It is not unusual for Military members to relocate every two to three years, it is common knowledge that moving is a part of military life. Those moves are generally long-distance. A move like this can cost a military family, but the good news is that military relocation doesn’t mean you need to pay for every service. Even though the government can refund many expenses, moving costs don’t stop when the boxes are unpacked. Expenses just add up as your new home doesn’t have any food or cleaning supplies. Many military spouses say that frequent moves represent a significant financial obstacle. There are a number of tips you can follow to save money on your upcoming military move.

Army Emergency Relief is there to help soldiers with temporary accommodation, food, and fuel. The government does refund some of the expenses that occur during a military relocation. But, there are expenses from situations that often occur, like when a car breaks down, or soldier has to stay longer in the temporary accommodation that may not be covered.

Pick the living arrangement

If you want to save money on your Upcoming Military Relocation, the most important money-saving decision is whether to reside on-post or off-post. This depends upon many factors, like your location and family size.

On post

If you have children, living on-post might be the right decision. Often, it is closer to child services such as hospital, youth center, and a childcare center. The school will probably be nearby, which will make it easier for you when dropping kids off at school because the commute will be short. People who have children usually like to know that their neighbors are service members. Considering you all have the same values, it is likely not to be surrounded by much crime.

Off post

On post, housing can be a problem for some people depending on whether or not the housing is nice. Sometimes it is in really bad condition while other times it can be in good. Sometimes it can look like it is 1950’s. If the waiting list for on post is too long, you might have to choose to live off post. Living on post has its bad sides, since you are constantly thinking about Army 24/7. It can be frustrating for some people, that is why their choice is an off-post apartment or house.

Carefully consider what to move

The less you have, the cheaper it will be. You can easily decide what you need or don’t need anymore. Since military relocations happen often, every 2.5 years, if you haven’t used the items recently, you probably don’t need them. You can give back to the community and donate some of the things your new home won’t be needing. If you are attached for some items, storing them is an option. Some companies, such as preferred-movers.com will store things long term or short term. People usually store seasonal or sentimental items that are not needed now but will be later. If you want to save money on your upcoming military relocation, rather than continually paying to relocate items, you can put them in storage.

Military benefits

You have the right to request several allowances to cover the cost of relocation. The allowances that are approved to you can vary depending on the rank and family size. You need to ask about a lot of things before planning your move, like weight allowance. Considering these limits, you need to know how much extra it will cost if you go over the allowance.

Moving on a short notice

When planning a move on short notice, you need to assess everything you will require for the next couple of months. Knowing the exact move-in date will help you even if it is really close. You can then plan your days according to the move. Don’t wait for paperwork before beginning to pack. If the moving date is in the near future, you might need assistance to speed up your packing process. It is best for you to use moving professionals who understand military needs. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. You can save a lot of money if you do it well.

Keep receipts

Regardless of the money you got in advance, keep all the receipts related to moving. The financial office may need to see the receipts or documentation related to temporary accommodation. That is why our advice is to keep them until you have finished with all the paperwork after the move.

Be prepared to wait for your stuff

If you are moving across the country, be prepared to wait for your household goods to arrive. It can take up to several months for your furniture to get to the destination. Even if you are without your household items for a few weeks, make sure all your essential items are included in accompanied baggage with you. Make a list of your essentials and follow it when packing for a move.

Things Army Emergency Relief suggests for your move:

• If your move is coming in a few months, start setting aside money to ease the burden
• Start looking for a job for your spouse
• Save all your receipts related to the move
• Take advantage of military benefits

Final word

It is vital for the move to get properly organized, whether it is a civilian or military relocation. It is important to be aware of the expenses that can be covered by reimbursement. Try to find out what kind of help can military provide you and what are you likely to pay on your own. However, with a little planning and the help of military allowances, you can save your wallet from being drained. Part of ruling your relocation is expecting the unexpected. You need to consider all the variables when planning – that is why every information you encounter is beneficial.