Spring is in the air and in the military community that means one thing: thousands of families across the globe have just received orders and are getting ready to move to a new duty station. Being financially prepared for a move is just as important as hand carrying important paperwork and having good movers.
Social Media
PCSing? Here’s a great tip from @MilitarySaves: One of the biggest factors in determining your auto #insurance rate is your address. Be sure to update your address and shop around for the best rate and coverage.
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2vhEgWp
#Military #PCS
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#PCS Pro Tip: Something as simple as forgetting to forward your address can create a snowball effect. Not receiving your bills means potentially not paying on time and penalties, which could impact your credit score.
Get more PCS and #Financial tips by visiting @MilitarySaves
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It’s #PCS season! Hopefully you have a moving fund set up to account for expenses. If not, having a yard sale is a great way to raise quick cash. Roll any not used during the move to your #emergency fund. Get more #savings tips @MilitarySaves
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Add this tip from @MilitarySaves to your #PCS Checklist: Keep all your personal documents with you, including passports, birth certificates, POAs, and especially IEPs to help the school registration process. #Military #EFMP
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#PCS Tip: The last thing you need in the middle of moving to a new duty station is constantly looking up account numbers and logins. Create a master list of all accounts (both physical and digital copies) for easy access.
Find more tips ? http://bit.ly/2UzlvrE @MilitarySaves
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Readers of @MilitarySaves swear by this #PCS hack! Visit them to find new ways to make the move to your next duty station smooth. Then take the pledge to start working toward your next #financial goal. #DebtFree #Invest #MilitaryRetirement #Savings ? bit.ly/2UzlvrE
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#MilitaryFamilies: Did you know @HomeDepot and @Lowes have a year round discount? There are so many great companies that offer #militarydiscounts during #NationalMilitaryAppreciationMonth and beyond. #NMAM #MilitaryAppreciationMonth @MilitarySaves
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The SCRA provides benefits and legal protections allowing military families to navigate #PCS moves more smoothly, including the ability to terminate housing and auto leases. Check the @CFPB factsheet, then follow @MilitarySaves for more #financial tips. http://bit.ly/2L1FFLG
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During a #PCS, each rank has a household goods weight limit. If you exceed that limit, you will have to pay an overage fee. Don’t forget, you have the right to be present for a re-weigh. #Save money and avoid this costly mistake. @MilitarySaves #financialtips
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Be diligent in keeping all receipts related to your #PCS in a central location. In the event that you require reimbursement from the government, you will need the accompanying receipt. @MilitarySaves #PCStip. Visit their website for more #financial tips: http://bit.ly/2UzlvrE
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Resources
Military Saves
Understanding the Service Member Civil Relief Act Can Save You Money
Military Life: Deployment, PCS Moves, and TDYs, Oh My!
The Tale of Two Rentals: How to Compare Your Rental Options During a PCS
Other Resources
FINRA Investor Education Foundation Money & Mobility
Military Consumer Buying a Home – Active Duty
USAA Educational Foundation Buying or Renting a Home
Internal Revenue Service Moving Expenses for Members of the Armed Forces
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA )
Military OneSource PCS - The Basics About Permanent Change of Station
Military OneSource Moving - Benefits
Department of Defense It’s Your Move
Blog Posts
How to Save Money When You Move with the Military
Military moves are expensive. Whether it’s buying all new condiments for your pantry, paying for a “move out” housecleaning, or eating out more often while waiting for your pots and pans to be delivered, the bills seem to pile up. Military Saves reached out to bloggers who also happen to be PCS pros to ask for tips for keeping PCS costs down.
Financial Tips for Your Next PCS Move
Courtesy of the FINRA Foundation
Military families move all the time, but to prepare for a life of moves, you need to know what to expect both before and after a move. That means asking a lot of questions and doing some research. Know the costs involved, make a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) plan, and set aside funds specifically ear-marked as a PCS fund.
The following tips can help you plan financially for your next move.
PCS Costs and How to Manage Them
PCSing is a fact of military life and can often be an exhilarating adventure for service members and their families. I mean, you joined to see the world, right? However, being unprepared for a move can be costly and stressful and can actually cause you to dread a relocation every few years. Military.com estimates that service members spend about $1,725 in NON-reimbursable costs for each move, and if you haven’t accounted for that in savings, you can easily find yourself with mounting debt.
It’s no secret that moving is expensive, and even though the military covers the bulk of moving costs, there are always out-of-pocket expenses. So just how do the experts suggest managing the myriad costs of a PCS? We’ve compiled some of the most popular ways here.