Moving Soon? How to Make the Transition Smoother (and maybe More Affordable)
1/27/2026
3 minute read
Are you planning a move? Don’t be blindsided by unexpected expenses.
Find out what costs you should plan for, learn how to potentially save money on your move, and explore possible options for covering your moving expenses.
List Your Moving Expenses and Build a Budget
Moving often involves more expenses than you might expect. In addition to the moving company or moving truck rental, you may need to budget for items like:
Packing supplies
Transportation costs
Moving insurance
Travel, meals, and lodging
Utilities (there may be fees or deposits required to activate new services)
Storage fees, if necessary
Cleaning services, if needed
Repairing any damage done to your prior residence
Pet related expenses
Impact of taking time off
Reserves (a cushion for costs that go over budget or are unexpected)
Budgeting for a move can be tricky, especially when costs come from multiple sources and payment timing is outside your control.
5 Quick Cost-Saving Moving Tips
The following money-saving tips may help you keep moving costs down:
Selling, recycling, or donating items before packing to reduce the amount you have to move.
Enlisting the help of friends and family rather than hiring professional movers.
Handling your own packing and unpacking instead of hiring movers. Consider asking friends and family for used moving boxes or contact your local stores to inquire about the availability of boxes.
Using clothing and linens to pack fragile items rather than buying bubble wrap.
Comparing quotes from multiple moving companies, since rates can vary dramatically.
Explore Your Payment and Financing Options
Once you have an estimate of your total costs, you can decide how best to manage relocation expenses with one or several of the following options.
1. Personal Savings
If you have funds available to cover the costs, you might choose this option to avoid paying interest on borrowed money.
Just be aware of how depleting your savings could affect your overall financial health. For example, if you pay these costs out of pocket, will you still have enough in your account(s) to cover your everyday living expenses and pay your monthly bills promptly?
2. Credit Cards
You may be able to charge moving expenses to an existing card without applying for new credit.
Before deciding to use a credit card, you should check:
The amount available on the card.
The interest rate (which is often variable, meaning that it can fluctuate with changing market conditions).
3. Personal Loans
A fixed-rate personal loan allows qualified applicants to borrow a set amount and that might be the answer for you. Personal loans can be secured (tied to collateral or an automobile) or unsecured, and offer a fixed interest rate that is “locked in” for the term of the loan. This can help simplify budgeting and give you piece of mind. Just work with your lender to verify the payment is affordable.
Personal loans may provide useful short-term financing (1 to 5 years) for moving if you:
Want to consolidate several upfront moving charges into one predictable monthly payment.
Need to manage overlapping costs (for example, if you have to pay a deposit on a new place before your previous deposit can be returned to you).
Want to avoid depleting your savings.
Learn More About Personal Loans for Moving Expenses
Moving may be stressful and expensive, but understanding your options and building a plan can make the process smoother.
If you think a personal loan is the financial tool to help you manage your moving expenses and are interested in learning more, contact a Lendmark loan consultant . With almost 30 years of experience and locations in over 540 communities across the country, Lendmark combines the convenience of online service with the personal touch of local community branches. When you connect online or contact your local branch, you’ll be directed to a real human who can explain more about how a fixed-rate personal loan could help you manage planned or unplanned expenses during a move. Find a branch near you by clicking here.
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Disclaimer: The content provided within this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or professional advice.
All loans are subject to credit approval, income verification, and normal underwriting standards, which include assessing your ability to repay the offered monthly loan payment. Minimum and maximum loan amounts, interest rates, terms, and loan fees are subject to specific program guidelines available in your state of residence and may change without notice. Available cash amounts may vary. Collateral requirements may apply. Active-duty military, their spouse or dependents covered by the Military Lending Act may not pledge any vehicle as collateral. This offer may not be valid if you opened a loan in the past 60 days. Your credit report will be accessed before opening a new loan account.
