YNAB You Need A Budget

[mcampbell1014]

I have this dream of someday (far far in the future as I'm stuck in KY until I'm done with school, NO WAY will I fork out more then I have to and non-resident tuition gives me chest pains to think of it....) but anyway, of someday relocating to the pacific northwest. Thing is, I don't have a single clue how to plan for/save for a big cross country move. I have difficulty setting a goal without a true goal number in mind. So- to those YNABers who have made major moves like that, how did you do it? What's a good ballpark cost to shoot for? What expenses do I need to be aware of and giving dollars jobs to take care of? What costs did you incur that you weren't counting on and how did you save money??

[halfmoonboy]

I moved from Maryland to California back in the late '90s. I am sure that costs of everything have gone up, so my numbers are probably worthless. Also, I got a relocation bonus from the company that hired me in California, so I didn't need to be extremely frugal. I moved after 4 years of working, and I was married. If I had relocated right out of school, my costs would have been almost nothing. So here's how I would do it:

If you are trying to keep moving costs down, don't bring a whole lot with you. Don't accumulate a lot of stuff. Sell your car before you go. Decide if you need a car once you get to your destination. (I know Portland very well, because my mom lives there and I lived there for a couple of breaks during college. The public transportation system is one of the best in the US, and it is a very walkable city as well.)

Basically, you are going to balance the cost of moving stuff versus the loss of selling "old" used stuff and then turning around and buying "new" used stuff.

Things to think about:
1) Moving company - hopefully $0.
2) Car transportation - $0 if you sell it or the cost of driving it yourself
3) Losses due to selling stuff and rebuying it when you arrive - impossible for me to guess
4) Rental truck - with/without car trailer - call Ryder (I hate UHaul)
5) Cost of temporary housing when you arrive - call up Residence Inn or similar or look at Craigs List - estimate two weeks
6) Cost of round-trip airfare plus housing for a week to check it out and do research. Trade-off against 5).
7) Any normal expenses that you would have when switching your place of residence - you have probably done this locally, so you can guess. Apartments will probably cost more than where you are now, so you will need more for "first and last month" than you are used to.

[delana]

That's a great dream! I had a dream several years ago that I would be living in Florida and now I am, after two moves, both of which were funded (somewhat) by my company. I would REALLY recommend trying to negotiate a relocation package, but moving just myself (two bedrooms of stuff) cost about $6,000 each time. The first time, my company paid for an actual moving company, so that cost was heavily discounted. The second time, I rented a Penske truck, hired lifting help through the Uhaul website, and had a friend drive the truck while I drove my car...with two yowling cats in tow! It's definitely tough, but I say go for it!

[smallLife]

If you are trying to keep moving costs down, don't bring a whole lot with you. Don't accumulate a lot of stuff.

I would go so far as to read a few minimalist blog posts or articles to really wrap your head around what "stuff" is truly important to you and what stuff you're just packing up because you feel like you should. I'd be willing to bet you could make the trip with just you, your car, and what can fit inside the car.