Best way to move in my situation? (ABF, upack, Uhaul)
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My fiance and I are moving back to Tennessee from southern California at the end of May/beginning of June. We share one car. Based off my fiance's employment opportunity, we will be given reimbursement of moving expenses of up to $5000. My question is....what's the best way for us to move?
Originally, we were going to rent a small UHaul (We were planning on their smallest-second smallest UHaul size because we don't have a ton of things to move. For example, we have 2 mattresses, her things and mine and that's it). We were going to pull our car behind. But now, we are rethinking it because we kind of want to enjoy the cross country trip and just drive the car cross country ourselves without the pain of pulling a UHaul.
So I am trying to figure out what's the best way to move given our circumstances? I know other options are "pods" that can be picked up and shipped, trucks that can transport your things for you (in which case also opens up another option of shipping our car and flying as another option?), etc.
What is the most popular option in general that people do for traveling cross country with one vehicle? But also given our circumstances and being able to be reimbursed?
My fiance and I are moving back to Tennessee from southern California...
We share one car. What is the most popular option in general that people do...
They sell or give away the bigger things that mostly aren't worth much.
And ship the smaller things that will fit into a box.
Quote:
But also given our circumstances and being able to be reimbursed?
Reimburse might/should pay to repurchase other bigger things that mostly aren't worth much.
Find out if it will.
First of all, ask what would be considered a moving expense in that 5000 allocation. Sometimes it can include several days stay in hotels, driving mileage, and even the incidentals needed in setting up the new house. Look at all of those things then see if there are enough items that you could take advantage of such that pulling the U-haul would be a better way to go. I haven't moved in a while, but I remember being surprised at the things that were included that I had thought would have been out of pocket.
Given you have a $5000 allowance to work with, strongly consider the "you pack/we drive" PODS or U-Pack method. Get quotes. For a very small load like you describe the U-Pack ReloCubes are smaller than a PODS unit. http://www.upack.com/
BTW, don't be surprised if the reimbursement only covers actual moving expenses, not replacement furniture, etc. Also come tax time the reimbursement will be considered taxable income, so plan your 2017 withholdings (W-4) accordingly.
With a 5K moving allowance, I would pack what I could in the car and sell the rest and go. 5K will replace what you gave up/sold and you can get brand new stuff that fits in your new place.
The value of used furniture and mattresses is almost zero so why pay thousands to move them cross country?
First of all, ask what would be considered a moving expense in that 5000 allocation. Sometimes it can include several days stay in hotels, driving mileage, and even the incidentals needed in setting up the new house. Look at all of those things then see if there are enough items that you could take advantage of such that pulling the U-haul would be a better way to go. I haven't moved in a while, but I remember being surprised at the things that were included that I had thought would have been out of pocket.
I should not have used the word allocation, I suppose. Agreeing with MrRational that it will only include expenses that are of certain types, with receipts, etc. Replacing furniture and household goods would not be included.
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