The day is here. You are finally moving out of that old starter house and into your dream home. Your current residence has sold, but how much of your hard earned pay off will be eaten up in moving expenses?

Our family of four recently 100 miles to a larger city, out of state. We spent a modest total of $5255.00. But where was the money spent?

The Prep to Move

When considering the total cost of moving, we must not disregard the "prep to move" phase, when a lot of extra cash goes flying out the door. Let's examine where the green stuff is spent during the few months directly preceding a move.

Most individuals, if not making serious investments in home renovations, will at least cut a noticeable slice into their budget by executing the standard, pre-market home tune up: new wall paint or boo-boo touch ups, fresh caulk around windows, doors, tubs, and showers, landscape beautification, pressure washing services, mini-warehouse rentals to whisk away the clutter, and deep cleaning to oust the cobwebs and polish the porcelain. You can save some money by performing as many of these tasks yourself as opposed to hiring them out to well-paid professionals. Although we all hope to recoup these costs in the home's sale price, with the current market, it's not a sure bet.

Aside from the costs derived from property improvements, we also must allow for the expenses incurred in selecting the new home. Especially when one is moving out of state, there are travel costs, hotel stays, and food purchases to consider. For those who are transferred within the same company or even hired by a new firm, it's quite common for these costs to be covered by the employer.

But not all of us have that luxury. If you work for a company that does not reimburse these expenses, if you are self-employed, or if you are moving without having secured employment at your new location, these costs are on you! Don't forget the babysitting and pet boarding fees that might apply to your particular situation. All of these little hits can add up to a major punch in the wallet line.

Ceiling Repairs, Paint, and Caulk - $400
Landscaping - $225
Pressure Washing - $130
Travel (Gas, Hotel, Food) - $350

The Move

Relocating your stuff from point A to point B will occupy the bulk of your moving budget. Depending on the amount of stuff you are moving, how far it's going, and who you get to relocate it, you can expect to spend several hundred to several

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