Saving Money / Savings Advice
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Moving is one of the most stressful events you can put yourself through in life, and on top of that it’s often an expensive process. Granted, moving being costly isn’t exactly a secret, but there are numerous hidden expenses that can really add up, making the process ever harder to navigate financially.
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While there isn’t a lot that can be done about the overall cost of moving, there are ways to be better prepared for all those potential last-minute charges. It might not be cheaper, but anticipating these expenses can put less of a strain on your bottom line. Here’s a look a some of the costs that come with moving that aren’t always top of mind.
Security Deposit
If you’re moving out of a place that had taken a security deposit when you first started living there, you might not want to count on getting all of it back. The situation will vary greatly depending on individual landlords or rental companies, but these deposits are sometimes factored into their cleaning and maintenance of your old place. Other factors, like living with children or pets, will generally lower your chances of getting 100 percent of that deposit back.
You can talk to your property manager and get an idea of what they’ll look for, as well as what they’ll be expecting to find after you’ve moved out. If you have the time and ability, doing a deep clean can often mean a bigger chunk of your deposit being returned.
Utility Fees
This can go wrong in a number of ways. First, make sure you’ve contacted the utility companies that are billed in your name and make sure they’re aware you’ll be changing addresses, otherwise the service can remain on and you’ll continue to be charged.
Second, find out if there are any fees associated with your new residence. These could range from transfer fees to service activation fees to security deposits, all depending on the individual situation. Doing some research ahead of time can save you a lot of surprise headaches, so don’t hesitate to reach out to these companies’ customer service to see if you can get a grasp of what they’ll be expecting from you. While you’re at it, see if they have any cost-saving options, like automated payments, you could take advantage of.
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