Moving to another country can be an equally exciting and jarring prospect. While you may feel uneasy leaving behind the home you have grown familiar with, the idea of a new life experience at a new place and with a new job can be thrilling. If you are looking forward to an overseas move, now may be the time to consider all the ways you can make this transition efficiently. And the first thing to consider, of course, is the cost. International moves can be expensive, but if you make the right decisions, you can stay within your moving budget. Here are some tips for an overseas move that won’t break the bank:
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1. Choose your moving company wisely
Imagine arriving at your new home abroad without all your belongings intact at your doorstep: the horror! Moving to another country is a lot more complicated than moving to another area or state- which is why you need to be extra cautious when choosing your moving partner. It is important to hire movers with exceptional service and experience to complete your move with as little stress as possible. For an international move, you’ll need movers who can take care of everything, from loading and transporting your belongings safely to dealing with customs and necessary documentation on the way.
Hence, it is advised not to make this decision hastily and research the best International movers that offer competitive pricing and exceptional service for your move. Choose a reliable and budget-friendly moving company that can carry all your belongings to your new location for a reasonable price and without mishaps.
2. Plan for customs duty
Getting stopped at customs is a nightmare that adds unnecessary stress to your move. The benefit of hiring international movers is that they handle the customs clearance for your belongings for you. Therefore, they will inform you about the prohibited items you cannot take with you and the skeptical items you may need to present paperwork for before clearance.
However, if you have a few items on you, you may get stopped yourself. To be prepared for that case, ensure all your paperwork and documentations are ready and with you. Research how to pack best for customs and all the documents you should have to avoid delays and complications.
3. Get to planning
In moves as big as moving overseas, you can never plan enough. If you have been putting planning your move on the back burner, it is time to get up and get things moving – pun intended. To account for most things before the moving date gets closer, you should start planning months in advance.
Since simultaneously planning for a million things can be overwhelming, take one step at a time. Begin by making your to-do lists and then schedule things from big to small. Schedule moving dates with your moving company, account for packing and storage, customs, and much more.
Planning for everything beforehand will help ensure everything goes seamlessly for your move and that no last-minute decisions cost you more than you expected.
4. Save and budget
Overseas relocation can get expensive, and you don’t want to spend on it more than what you are comfortable with. For a budget-friendly move, you need to have a budget in the first place. Analyze your bank balances and cash reserves and begin budgeting the moment you know you are moving. Set aside a budget for your after-move living costs and some savings to set up your new home and live comfortably for a couple of months in case you can’t rely on a steady income stream instantaneously.
Once you have your after-move budget accounted for, plan your moving budget. After your budget is in place, you can start looking for pocket-friendly alternatives for your moving expenses.
5. Declutter before packing
Parting from your things is never easy, especially when moving to another country. Since you are already leaving your hometown, the idea of bringing all your belongings with you to your new place brings comfort like none other. However, while you may struggle with leaving some things behind, think of all the bucks you could save just by reducing the weight of your items. The less you carry for your move, the more cash you can spare for other expenses.
Decluttering your home will take off a lot of weight when you begin packing for your move. For starters, you will need fewer boxes and packing material. So get rid of the stuff you no longer use- no matter the uneasy feeling in your stomach. Throw away the chair that has reached its scrap value, sell the sofa you never liked, and donate the decorative items that won’t fit your new home’s aesthetic. Remember, decluttering your home does not mean you let go of the things you like- it only means getting rid of what you no longer need.
6. Be strategic about when you buy plane tickets
Of course, you can only buy your airline tickets once you know your move date. But to save some money, you may need to be more considerate and specific with the “when.” Getting your plane tickets at the right time can help you stay within your budget. You don’t want to get them too early and lose the advantage when the prices go down, and you don’t want to get them too late and pay more for the late booking. However, according to Skyscanner’s Crossey, flights are usually cheaper earlier in the week.
Although the general perception is that fares are cheaper on a Tuesday, there are several factors that come into play when prices go up or down. To save further, do not travel during the holiday season. Peak seasons, without a doubt, tend to be pricey. Constantly look out for flight deals and buy your tickets when prices go low. So, in short: be mindful of the flight time, the day, the off-peak season and the flight deals to make your travel expenses easy on your pockets.
Conclusion
Relocating to a new home in another country brings you a new phase of your life; this is your chance to begin anew and make a home for yourself in an unfamiliar place. Although the process can be tasking and overwhelming, don’t let the stress of it all take away from the experience. You can never be too considerate with your money. Saving costs on your move means you can spend that money on other stuff once you arrive in your new home. Or, if nothing else, keep it safe for a special occasion or opportunity.