18

Jul

Moving Budget

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Moving Budget For Your Household

As exciting as it is to find a new place, moving is hardly a cheap process. Financially speaking, it can be a pretty hefty investment if you go into it unprepared. Create a budget for yourself, however, and you can avoid many of the pitfalls and unforeseen expenditures that come with the process. Envision the stuff you need to pack up, consider two to three ways your household can be moved, and put together a plan for action with these easy steps.

Step 1: Create a spreadsheet.

First and foremost, you’ll need a place to organize the information you’ll be collecting. Spreadsheets are ideal in this situation due to their ease of use when it comes to dealing with and comparing numbers. If you’re looking to save time, don’t be afraid to download a template for your spreadsheet program. There are more than enough available, and most of them free. These are ready to go with all of the information you need. Your only responsibility is to fill in the blanks with estimated costs.

Step 2: Add the items.

With or without a template, the next step is to populate your spreadsheet with every cost imaginable. While some might prefer a more general “moving supplies” option, others might want an itemized list. Make sure to include different types of moving options, too. If you go with Dallas moving services, you’ll need to factor in moving insurance and optional charges. If you move yourself, don’t forget to add gas and equipment rental. Beyond that, there can be other costs, such as storage or your own transportation on the day of the move. No matter how small it seems, if it costs money, you’ll need to factor it in to truly come up with a solid estimate for each possible move choice.

Step 3: Calculate the estimates.

Most moving companies, regardless of how you move, offer estimates you can easily find online. If they don’t, call and get a number to put on the sheet. This will give you a much better idea of how much each company is charging for their services and potentially give you an opportunity to haggle. Once you have all of the numbers entered, you should now have a solid grasp of what each type of move will cost you. With that number, you can look at your current budget and choose what is best for you.

Step 4: Estimate the cost of moving supplies.

Most people do not have a stash of spare cardboard boxes lying around or not enough to pack their whole house. Boxes range in price depending on where you bought them. Generally, small containers go for about $1 apiece, and large ones are about $3. And that cost can add up quickly. There’s also tape, bubble wrap and box cutters for unpacking. You may also need quilted pads and dollies for moving furniture. 

If you wish to hire a moving service to do all the packing for you, that could cost an extra $1,000. If you want to do it yourself, a rented truck or trailer will have its fees. Moving out of state will require more than moving within the same city because of gas expenses. Shop around and get estimates from different companies to find an accurate number for your budget. 

Step 5: Consider the expenses to set up utilities at your new residence.

City utilities may have a start-up or transfer fee. This cost ranges from state to state and city to city. The easiest way to find out the prices is to call the utility office and ask. This fee will be on top of your usual bill. To estimate what utilities will cost in your new home, ask the seller for past utility bills, and compare them to your utility usage.

Creating a moving budget isn’t hard; it just takes some time. Give yourself one to two weeks to collect the information you need as well as do any unexpected research that comes up. In the end, it’s far better to go into something as stressful as moving is with the assurance that how you chose to move is exactly what you want and fits nicely into your crafted budget.

27

Feb

Dallas Vacation Spots

Best Vacations to Take from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area

It’s about that time of year when many of us get the travel bug. Like many people, you may have grown tired of visiting the same spots each year. Why not get out of your comfort zone and visit a brand new spot? It never hurts to see some new sights and scenery! If you live in or around the Dallas-Forth Worth (DFW), Texas area, here are some incredible vacation spots that are perfect for taking a new adventure.

1. Florida’s Scenic 30-A

If you’re one for taking the scenic route, you can’t miss the incredible views along Florida’s 30-A highway. The route is one of the most gorgeous in the country. The gorgeous road runs just over 18 miles and your eyes won’t believe the beauty on each side of the modest road. The turquoise-blue waters spill onto the pristine sugary beaches that line 30-A. Old Florida architecture, Caribbean cottages and a palette of pastel homes line the opposite side. As you travel along the highway, you will notice the styles change as you pass each varying community, yet all are equally breathtaking. There are hundreds of niche restaurants and shops to stop in, making it the perfect place to take multiple stops.

2. Texas Hill Country Wineries

If you live in DFW and haven’t visited Texas wine country, you’re definitely missing out. There are multiple Wine Trail events throughout the year, and each is packed with live music, local cuisine and, of course, the best wine that the Texas Hill Country has to offer.

3. Hot Springs, Arkansas

With a gorgeous, bustling historic downtown, Hot Springs is the perfect weekend getaway from DFW. It is just over a 4-hour drive and the area offers fantastic local cuisine, upscale lodging, and entertainment. Aptly named, Hot Springs is the perfect place for those looking to make it a spa weekend or a romantic getaway. The area is also rich in outdoor activities for anyone looking to hike, bike or enjoy the area’s famous natural hot springs.

4. Enchanted Rock State Park

Located in Fredericksburg, Texas, Enchanted Rock State Park offers some of the most incredible scenery you will ever see. The two best views come from the top of the famous Enchanted Rock and from directly across from the gorgeous rock. It is the perfect place to see the reflection of the rock sparkle in the lake’s pristine waters below. This is a great getaway for anyone who loves the outdoors and especially for those who would enjoy camping out under the famous Texas stars that may not be so visible in the busy city of Dallas.

5. La Torretta Lake Resort

Located on Lake Conroe in Montgomery, this phenomenal resort is unlike no other in Texas. The expansive resort offers a luxe hotel, villas, private suites, and cottages. It is located directly on the gorgeous lakeshore and offers a little bit of paradise for everyone. The resort offers five hotel pools, a lazy river for adults, a full-service spa, and a pristine golf course. It’s the perfect destinations for families who want to spend quality time together and still enjoy their own activities. It is just a little over a 4-hour drive from DFW and is sure to be worth the short journey!

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