Whether you are moving across the street or across the country, all moves require the same patience and preparation. After notifying your current landlord (if you rent), it's important to establish a budget for moving expenses as soon as you can.

Determine your Spending Comfort Level Before you can initiate a move, you must first have an understanding for what you are comfortable spending on your move. The budget will differ depending on the amount of belongings you are moving as well as the distance of the move itself. Other moving expenses are involved in the cost of a move such as: when are you moving? Typically, moving expenses during the week are less than weekends. Also, the least expensive time of the year to move is between October and April.

Ways to Save The most important factor to consider when budgeting your move is the more work you are willing to do, the less your move will cost. For instance, if you are willing to pack and load and unload your belongings onto and off of the truck, there are movers who will handle the driving and will charge you considerably less than a full-service mover who will handle all the aspects of you move from packing to loading to driving to unloading.

Check if Storage is Included While you will most likely move straight from your current home to your new home, there may be some period of time between moving out and moving in. This will require storage of your belongings which must also be considered in your budget. If you are using a full-service mover, they will commonly include some storage into your quote. However, if you are moving yourself, you must make these arrangements ahead of time.

You should also remember to include in your budget such extras as:

• hotel room, if you will need a place to stay while your belongings are in route
• car rental if you will be shipping your car
• utilities fees for shutting off or turning on existing or new services
• a tip for the movers
• pizza and/or refreshments for friends/family helping you pack/load