So you’ve budgeted for the moving company, packing supplies, a hotel room for the trip, and everything else needed when moving to a new home. What a lot of people fail to realize is that moving-in expenses can be much higher than you expected.
Here are some of the key moving-in expenses to include in your budget.
1. Utility deposits and connection fees
When you start using your utilities, you are often expected to pay a connection fee or other charge. These can be upwards of $100. Also, depending on your credit record, you may be required to put a deposit down for the utility bills. This can be a very big expense. Find out from the utility companies in advance so there won’t be any surprises.
2. Grocery items, toiletries and other household items
When you find out you are moving, you should stop buying food and start using up what you already have in your cupboards. This saves you the hassle and expense of moving food items. The same goes with toiletries and cleaning products. But, this also means you will have to buy a lot of little items when you move in. Before you throw out those spice jars, extra bars of soap, and other items, consider how much they cost. Then decide whether it is worth moving them. Make a big moving-in grocery list and estimate how much all these items will cost so you can budget for them.
3. Items for making your home yours
Chances are that your old curtains aren’t going to fit your new windows, which you throw rugs aren’t large enough, and you will want to replace that ugly light fixture in the living room. All of these items can add up to a big expense. My advice is to wait until you have finished unpacking before you start buying items for your home. You won’t be able to tell what you really need until you are unpacked. Make a list of things you think you’d like, calculate how much you can afford to pay for them, and prioritize which items to buy first.
4. Car Registration
When moving to a new state, you will need to register your car there. Not only will you need to budget for the registration, but also for an inspection for your car if it is required.
