I finished my first day at my new job and it was hectically fun. It’s an adjustment as it is a smaller company, but I like the idea that I’ll be cross-trained.

As I mentioned before, I’d look at how much the move has cost us. I was a bit surprised at the amount.

How much has this out of state move cost us?

Some expenses I counted were:

• Moving truck and supplies (we used U-Haul; best value; some boxes we need to TVs)
• Gasoline for truck (gas is a bit higher at our new city)
• Security deposit (ouch!)
• Pet deposit (double-ouch!)
• Admin fees (I thought it was a rip-off)
• March rent (part of the deal – $40 for month)
• Food for volunteers (a small way of saying “thank you for all the help”)

Total Cost: $1,290.00

We’re very grateful to our family and friends for their help. This move was last-minute and they still dropped what they were doing to help us. Thank you and we hope that you guys come down to visit.

Tips to keep in mind when you move

Some tips I’ve learned after this move are:

1. Compare prices and miles with moving trucks. One company had a lower price, but fewer miles. Another competitor offered unlimited miles, but the price was a bit high.
2. Weight your options carefully when looking at apartments. We were looking at availability and price. We had one day to look at apartments together which I don’t recommend. Some questions to consider:
   • How much are the one-time fees?
   • Is any part of the fees refundable?
   • Does the apartment allow pets?
3. Try to find a place that is close to where you work, so you can save money on commuting.
4. Remember Murphy’s Law loves moves.My desk will need to be replaced as it was damaged. For now, I’m using the temporary dining room table.

I hope your move goes smoothly. Have you moved recently? What advice do you have?

Photo credit: massdistraction

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