4 Must-Know Military Move Money-Saving Tips

Britney Balderas | Posted on September 13, 2018 |

If you’re a part of a military family, you are no stranger to moving and have accepted it as a normal part of life. With every move, you become more organized and more efficient – but there are always ways to improve, especially on the financial side of things! Eastex Credit Union brings you a few tips and tricks to consider prior to a big military move so you can feel confident!

Keep A List of Reimbursements

One easy way for expenses to rack up is to not fully understand what is reimbursable by the government. Be sure to ask for clear guidelines as to what products and services can be expensed vs which ones will come directly out of pocket. Once you have a clear understanding of what can be reimbursed, it’s important that you keep a list of those items, along with any receipts or paperwork that may be needed when submitting your documentation. Keeping a large accordion file is a great way to hold all of the loose papers and receipts in one place while being sure you’re not losing track of any during the move!

Check Your Accounts

It’s important to ensure that your financial institutions operate in the location you’re moving to. You don’t want to be unable to access your accounts for any reason! If there are not physical locations of credit unions near you, you can always check out No Surcharge Credit Union Partners for nearby locations that you can utilize without incurring fees. For example, if you are moving to the Army Reserve Base in Beaumont, TX, you’ll notice that not only are there many Eastex Credit Union branches nearby in Silsbee, Buna, and Evadale, but a no-surcharge ATM located directly in Beaumont as well.

DIY Moving

While for some families, having everything taken care of for them is worth the money. But for those who prefer to handle it themselves, it can be financially beneficial if you do it the right way. For example, utilizing the Personally Procured Move (PPM) program, you can move your own belongings, and the government will reimburse you up to a certain weight/distance. Just be sure not to go over the weight allotment!

Ensure You Are Insured!

Nothing is more frustrating than unpacking after a long and arduous move, just to find some of your most precious items broken. If you aren’t covered by insurance, it can be very difficult (if not impossible) to receive any compensation for those items. While it may seem tedious to put into place, it is a huge help for your overall peace of mind to know that no matter what, you are protected. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have a savings account in place just in case you run into any issues during your move. Having a financial cushion could help you in the event of needing emergency funds along the way. This is another aspect of “insurance” that you can control to give you further peace of mind for your next move. If you have friends or family in the military, share this article with them! Everyone can benefit from implementing these tips before a military move. For more information, or for questions on how Eastex can help you with your upcoming move, contact us today.