Relocating your family and your life? Here are some tips to have your finances and your sanity, from the career coach who literally wrote the book.
1. Hire the pros. Resist the temptation to save a few bucks by hiring Uncle Larry and his pickup. You need a genuine receipt to deduct moving expenses and, if Uncle Larry drops
a box, you'll find that one crushed toe can be very expensive.
2. Move small -- but conserve. Toss the boxes that haven't been opened in the last five years. Keep expensive, hard-to-replace items. You may need a parka in Florida someday. If not, you'll find a Salvation Army there, too.
3. Let the movers pack as much as you can afford, especially mirrors, pictures, glass and other breakables. Movers pack faster than you do and they don't stop to reminisce about Aunt Gertrude and her crocheted lampshades.
4. Find a temporary place to live. You'll feel less pressured if you can say, "No problem. We have reservations at the Sumptuous Suites Inn." If you get lucky, you can always cancel.
5. Get clear on what you want. Before you move, visualize your perfect new home. -- or at least the "must haves:" "room for a garden," "sunny windowsills for the cats," "a door wide enough to accommodate my couch." You'll be more likely to make the right decision the first time.
6. Don't be bullied into a housing decision. Better to lose an opportunity than be trapped in the
house-from-hell. Breaking a lease or just moving to a different address will be expensive and time-consuming.
7. Have a friend on call. Your friend will be able to say things like, "That house doesn't sound like you. Are you sure?" and, "Hang in there!" Want more? A coach, counselor or consultant will be more objective -- and you won't have to worry about imposing on someone's good nature.
8. Get a driver. You have ten addresses and a map. You feel like taking the first place you see just because it's such a hassle to find your way.
Well, search no more. A taxi or car service usually will allow you to book two or three hours. Ask for an experienced driver who knows streets and neighborhoods.
9. Get references. Sure, the person advertising "Job Needed Desperately" might be the best handyman you ever hired -- but why take the risk? Ask the key questions: "Who have you
hired? What happened?"
10. Keep a camera handy. If you're renting, take pictures of the yard (half-mowed?), the kitchen (cracked tiles?) and the entire unit. You'll have a good case for getting your deposit back. Did the movers throw something into a box without padding? Get a picture.
Take pictures of you and your family moving into your new home, boxes and all. Six months from now, you may actually want to look at them.
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