Moving can seem overwhelming, especially as you do it independently via a Personally Procured Move (PPM). If you are a military member moving due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or someone who wants to orchestrate their move, a PPM allows you to take ownership and potential cost savings. Since a PPM has the potential to work smoothly, it takes planning and organization to be successful. Here are five tips to keep your PPM successful and to help you avoid common issues and save time.
Know Your Budget and Reimbursement
Transparency of finances is key to a solid PPM. Establish your total moving budget, including packing supplies, rental truck, and labor if you go the help route. For the military, the Department of Defense reimburses for the weight and distance of your possessions moved, typically up to 100% of what they would reimburse a contractor. Request an advance operating allowance in case of tight cash.
Keep detailed records of all expenses, gas receipts, tolls, and rental equipment are necessary for reimbursement. Padding expenses will prevent surprises, so add a pad for unexpected expenditures such as repairs or more packaging materials. Knowing your bottom line upfront keeps you on track and gives you the maximum return for your efforts.
Possibly the most useful tool at your disposal as a service member is a PPM calculator military to help estimate what you will be reimbursed based on your local pay area rank, dependents, and authorized weight allowance. You can enter your current location, new location, and estimated household goods weight to get a ballpark figure.
Get a Good Start on Your Move
Planning is the foundation of a successful PPM. Consider making a detailed timeline with goals, if necessary, at least two months before your official move date. You will want to do some research on your new location, such as the areas of housing availability, regulations, and how to get there.
Contact your transportation office to learn about weight allowance and expense reimbursement policies if you are in the military. Get quotes and look for moving trucks, rent, book, and secure a truck early.
Even if you’re moving a relatively short distance, consider travel costs as a part of moving expenses- gas, lodging, and meal counts if you have a long-distance move. A detailed checklist will help keep you on track as you work through planning the move- moves can involve notifying utilities and others of your new address and scheduling routine maintenance on, for example, your vehicle. Even more, the earlier you get started, the less stress you will have time to adjust plans accordingly.
Declutter Before Packing
Moving under PPM guidelines has its perks. This kind of move is the perfect opportunity to lighten your load. Go through each room and classify all belongings into piles. Be strict with yourself, do you need that old lamp that doesn’t work anymore or all of the outdated textbooks you’ve been carrying around? By reducing your load, you not only save money on moving costs, but it will also be easier to unpack.
As a bonus, you can benefit from some extra cash. You can either host a garage sale or list items online. For military families, weight allowance is a big deal. You’ll pay for your allowance out of pocket if you exceed your allowance.
Some items can also be donated to charities, providing a tax write-off for usable items. At the very least, what remains can be recycled. This process will help you strategize for your move and allow you to move into your new home without excess baggage.
Invest in Good Quality Packing Materials
Cutting costs on packaging materials can lead to disaster. Invest in packing tape and furniture blankets to protect your belongings. Label each box with what’s inside and its last room destination, color-coding by room adds a bit of definition. Fragile items can be protected with double-boxing or specialty boxes so they won’t shatter.
Avoid overfilling boxes; leave them at or below 50 pounds for easier lifting. Military families relocating bulky equipment such as tools or gym equipment should consider reinforced crates. Good-quality supplies may be more expensive in the short run, but they save money and misery by guaranteeing your possessions arrive safely. Shop early and purchase bulk from hardware stores or online sellers for the best value.
Learn to Pack Efficiently
Smart packing will save you time, space, and energy. Begin the packing process with things that are not essential or seasonal items you do not require so you can pack daily-use items last. Try using the “Russian doll” method: nest small items inside large items, an example might be to pack your socks inside your shoes. Ensure you wrap up all breakable items separately to protect them and use soft items such as towels to fill gaps and limit any shifting.
Dismantle your furniture wherever possible, and tape the screws to the respective piece while dismantling it so that it becomes convenient for you to assemble it afterward. Lastly, while loading the truck, adopt a systematic pattern of loading heavy followed by light, and load the most utilized items last to unload the most used items first and conveniently obtain what you need most urgently. Smart packing reduces the number of trips, decreases the risk of breakage, and speeds up the unloading. Practice these methods, and you’ll be a pro by moving day.
Endnote
A personally procured move can be a great experience by utilizing smart strategies and being organized. Use suggestions, stay organized, and utilize your resources to make your move easy. Whether you’re aiming for reimbursement or want to move yourselves, a project managed well makes it easier to start your new journey.
