DITY Archives ~ The Military Move

The Complete Moving Guide

December 30, 2017 No Comments

I have made several military moves in my lifetime. From California to South Carolina, Maryland to Georgia, I have learned a few tricks along the way to create a quick and easy complete DIY guide.

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences for any person. Whether you are doing it yourself or having help, there are countless things that are bound to…well drive you a little nuts.

Even government moves can be stressful. It really depends on what type of person you are and what you prefer.

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Getting Prepared

I love having a plan. It helps me lower my stress and know just what I intend to do. I have created a moving checklist and how-to guide to help any first-time or veteran mover. You can download it by signing up below for FREE.

I will also give you my FREE PCS Notebook Guide to show you all the important things that I keep together. This has helped me complete all necessary things with our rentals/mortgage, registering for schools, bordering animals, and much more.

Another part of moving is making sure you have everything organized beside just your household goods. You need to have your life basically organized so that when you travel to your new location, you are ready to go.

Need to register the kids for school? No problem. Need to get your car insurance redirected? No issues.

A few weeks ago, I had to go to the DMV to get a hard copy of my car title (since I like to have it on hand). The lady was shocked at my PCS Binder and how organized I was – she even thanked me.

Guess what! I want to give it to you for FREE – just for reading because I know you will LOVE it, and it will help you complete your mover’s toolbox.

Enter you info below and it will be emailed right over to you.

Additionally, when you sign up, you will receive your PCS Expense and Budget Worksheet to help determine your costs for your DITY move.

The lady was shocked at my PCS Binder - she even thanked me.

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Government Moves

When you do a government move – ALWAYS do the counseling. Either the active member or the spouse – do not skip this.

“Why? I’m too busy!”

No, you’re not! Not for this! Make yourself available.

When you do a government move, you are giving them most if not all of your stuff. Some may get damaged or lost, and you need to know the process to file a claim to get that started.

You will have POC’s – point of contacts – you will need to save in your phone as well. It is a very detailed and drawn out process and can be the deciding point of how much money you receive.

I have an upcoming post on how to deal with government moves/movers in greater detail that you can check out.

DITY Moves

Are you doing a Do-IT-Yourself move?

Many service members like these moves because they can keep an eye on their stuff – keeping them in control. Some believe they can do it cheaper than a full government move allowing them to make some money.

I have done both moves and both have their pros and cons. Shoot me any questions you may have in the comments below.

We made a good amount of money on our DITY move and you can check out some of my tips here.

Many service members like these moves because they can keep an eye on their stuff.

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If you found this advice, or any of my advice helpful, please consider buying from one of my affiliates at no additional cost to you and supporting The Military Move. When you click and make a purchase within 24 hours (at no additional charge), we receive a small donation. Thank you!

About the Author

Kelsey Ramirez is a Real Estate Broker in western Washington. She is also a veteran elementary school teacher, military wife, and mom to two daughters. She is the founder of The Military Move, a military-based website to help families in the PCS process. Kelsey loves to travel, write, and create amazing content. She has her Masters in Technology, which she uses to learn all new things digital.

With three decades of military support, Kelsey’s mission is to help new and existing military families in their unique adventures through all military topics including PCSing, budgeting, school choice and rights, housing, and especially just being a military spouse.

Finances, Moving

5 Incredible Tips For Your Next DITY Move

April 17, 2017 2 Comments

Seven years into the Coast Guard as a significant other/spouse and I was on PCS #3. Already knowing we had acquired more than our allotted weight amount, I had the brilliant idea of doing a DITY (Do It Yourself) move.

Ha!

For any of you that have done a DITY move, you either find the positives, or you hate it and choose to not do it again.

Okay, Kelsey – so what is your story?

My mother had moved in with us – yes, how lucky of my husband. So we got all the wonderful antique pieces that better be wrapped beyond wrapped to ensure no damage comes to it, and her 10 year-old dog.

Let me paint this full picture for you.

We were going to move 3 adults, 1 toddler, 2 dogs, 2 vehicles, and yes, the truck. No, it gets better. Which leads into my 5 incredibly awesome tips to make sure your DITY moves goes much smoother than mine – trust me!

Tip #1 – Do Not Underestimate Your Stuff

So my husband and his co-workers are packing up the truck. I provided beverages and pizza. Apparently, they supplied their own adult beverages too because when I saw the way they packed the truck – well let’s just say it isn’t the way I would have done it.

I think at the point when I saw the rental truck 90% full and we still had 35% sitting in the garage – I freaked out. Yes friends, we now went from the BIGGEST truck they would rent to us to the realization that we needed a 2nd truck (oh and a trailer for one of the cars as someone had to drive the 2nd truck). That $750 hurt. After all, one reason we do DITY moves is to make some money (which ultimately we did), but oh my goodness! Look at the guides the rental companies provide – we had a 3 bedroom house with a 3 bedroom truck – nope, did not fit. Give yourself a buffer!

~ I recommend Budget – they provide great military discounts.

Look at the guides the rental companies provide and give yourself a buffer

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Tip #2 – Downsize and Donate

Have your kids not played with their “favorite” toys in 8 months? You haven’t worn that ball gown that you wore to the ball in two years? The reclining couch is on its last hinge? It is time for a yard-sale or time to gift younger members from your unit your stuff. This decreases that weight you will probably need, and not to mention, who wants to keep moving stuff that is not being used over and over. Free yourself. It is very liberating unless you are my 4-year-old who feels we need to keep every “treasure.”

Tip #3 Have a Packing Game Plan

This is one that I find is to alleviate YOUR stress in the build-up phase to your move. There is a lot of stuff that you are not using in your home. Start packing all that stuff – bookshelves, kitchen dishes, extra linens, clothes, etc. Create a plan where you pack x amount of boxes per day. We did 5 boxes a day. By the time it was moving day, we were not so tired from packing everything the two-three days before. Create a plan and stick to it.

Tip #4 – Pay for Packers and Unpackers

My husband tells me every time we move (and we have moved more than three times due to changes in housing at the same unit), he’s “got this.”

That’s great for a 50-mile radius, but not when you are moving 500+ miles. If you have all your stuff packed like the game plan in tip #3, those packers can properly pack your truck, your husband/wife can relax as can you (and if he/she is on deployment and you have children – this is really a necessity), and you do not have to watch the insanity.

I did not do this – I WAS stressed watching that truck get packed.

I think it is because my idea of an arrangement and his idea are not aligned. I did, however, hire unpackers.

This was the best money spent.

They met us there, I pointed, they placed the boxes and furniture wherever it needed to go. Much smoother on the end side.

Tip #5 – Plan out Your Trip Before the Move

Depending on how far you are moving (cross-country or one state away), be sure to plan out how far you will travel each day. Do not try to travel too far as this is not a road trip in your family mini-van. The rental trucks move slower especially if you are moving larger loads. You will want to consider what hotels/motels are on your route if you do not have family or friends you can stay with. Don’t forget to look for pet-friendly hotels if you are traveling with fur babies.