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First PCS - Any Advice?
Hi everyone! So far I've mostly been a lurker on this board, but DH & I just found out we're PCS-ing half way across the country, so I thought I should probably ask for advice from those of you who are Pro's at this, or at least more experienced than us.
This is our first move together & I feel like we have tons of stuff! H has been here for 4 years and has amassed quite a bit. Plus after the wedding, our parents were all about giving us their extra furniture and housewares that they don't use to "help us get started." Now that it's time to move, we realize it might be a bigger job than we expected. One question off the top of my head: any advice on moving cars? It's just the 2 of us (& our dog lol) but we have 3 vehicles. H inherited his step-dad's truck when he passed away last year. H doesn't drive it that often, (it is so expensive to fill) but it has a lot of sentimental value so he doesn't want to get rid of it.
Any other random advice would be great! We're both new at this so anything will help. Wish us luck! We're so excited for a new start together but it's still a little daunting. Thanks!
Sadie
Re: First PCS - Any Advice?
1. For your first PCS I would recommend you let the military move you. You can do "partial do-it-yourself (DITY)" to get paid for what you pack in your cars, but otherwise I would leave the packing and moving to the pros.
2. I'm a huge fan of the pre-move purge. It's a great time to go through all of your stuff and ask, "Do I want to move this across the country?" If the answer is "no" then it's a great time for a garage sale or trip to the good-will store.
3. Anything that's sentimental, expensive, or cannot be replaced should go in your cars. Personal paperwork, jewelry, computers, family heirlooms, photo albums, etc.... Also plan on taking at least one set of each of his uniforms, enough clothing to get by, and a few essentials in case you spend a night or two in your new house before the furniture gets there (I have a camping aero-bed that has come in handy a lot, and always take sheets with me).
4. Is there any way to use one of your vehicles to tow another one? Maybe the pickup truck? You could rent a car-trailer from UHAUL. Or maybe you could get a relative to drive the car out to you, and you can buy them a plane ticket back? If this isn't an option, then you might need to pay to have one of your cars shipped (probably around $1000). You won't get reimbursed for this, unfortunately. If it was a second car then you could possibly get reimbursed up to the cost of what you would get in mileage, but not for a third car (I'm pretty sure).
5. Be super-organized and make lots of lists. It really helps:-)
I have to agree to let the Military move you for your first move, DITY moves are A LOT of work! I recommend starting a binder to keep all your paperwork, TMO (or whatever your branch calls it.. the move office guys) will give you a ton of paperwork and you need to keep all of it. Include in that binder, hotel info for along the way, the contact info you may need for the base you are heading to, directions to where you are going, and any other paperwork you accumulate regarding your move. Also, put an envelope in every vehical that you are driving to save receipts. Keep receipts for EVERYTHING!!! Even things that will not be reimbursed to you, you can deduct it for your 2012 income taxes.
I recommend asking for the money in advance, you can get most of your travel money and DLA (dislocation allowance) up front and it will save you from having to pay out of pocket for those expeses.
As far as getting vehicals from point A to point B, you will not be payed to ship them. It can be pretty expensive to ship them. I looked into shipping my husbands silverado and it was going to be $1500 to get from northern VA to southern CA, but it depends on the distance and vehical. Might be something to look into. I heard rumor that you can contact TMO and if they have space available they might ship a vehical for you at no charge, but again that was completely a rumor.
Lastly, do as much research as you can about the base you are going to. Request a sponsor if it will make you less anxious. Join the Facebook groups and get to know some of the girls. The USMC has a RAP (relocation assistance program) that offers info packets on the base you are going to and info on moving. If you are not USMC, I am sure your branch has something similar, just called a diff name.
GOOD LUCK!!!
TTC Since Summer 2011
BFP #1 11/5/11 EDD 7/22/12 MC 11/14/11
PGAL/PAL Always Welcome
This is great advice. We got rid of a ton of stuff (maybe went a little too far on that one, actually) but it certainly helps. Don't keep stuff you don't love or don't use frequently.
We moved across the country and back again in the last year, and unfortunately it meant driving our own cars separately (I got the dog). We made plans for where we were stopping and stopped for lunch together and sometimes gas. It sucked but that's life. As far as the third car goes... I have no idea. Make sure you save all your receipts and try to get some money up front if you need it.
Let the military move you. It's pretty simple and although some of your stuff will likely get banged up, lost, or broken, it's still worth it. No packing, woo hoo!
Come to terms with the fact that moving means spending money. It's just a fact of military life. Your new house will need different things and you might spend more on eating out, etc. as you wait for all of your stuff to arrive. It's just temporary and the money you get from the military should more than cover it (at least it always has for us).
I'm lucky because my dog travels very well, she curls up and sleeps for hours on end in my back seat. I wish you the same peaceful travels!!
https://sites.google.com/site/milnestfaq/moving-information/moving-faq
One thing that I was told and have found to be helpful is to "group" things before the movers arrive.
For example, on our last move, I put all of our curtains together in one room, along with all of the hardware for the curtain rods (in bags with labels), so they would all be in the same box, instead of a bunch different boxes in different rooms. The same things goes for lamps or any thing else that you will probably use in your new house, but not necessarily in the same rooms as your old house.
Also, make sure you have a room or closet that the movers know not to pack were you can put all of the items you'll need while you move, including your keys, purse, etc., because they will pack everything unless you tell them not to.
Oh yeah, for the folder idea, I LOVE those accordion file-folders that have all the different sections in them and have an elastic band to hold them closed. They're great for copies of orders, TMO documents, receipts, etc. And they come in fun colors and patterns, so you'll always be able to find it quickly.
Here's my advice for what it's worth:
1. Let the military move you. Do not do a DITY. A DITY may give you money, but it's not worth it for a major move - especially your first one.
2. Keep every receipt (gas, food, hotel, etc.). I just throw them in a zip lock bag then sort through them later.
3. Find out the housing situation before you get there. Are you going to be able to get on post housing? I recommend living on post if you can at your first duty station just to help with the transition. If you're not going to live on base, is there a housing crunch? Do not trust the internet ads! Also, try to talk to someone at the new base before renting from a particular landlord. If it's a larger rental complex they may be able to tell you if the landlord is good or not. Take your lease to legal assistance for review before signing it.
4. Create a book with document protectors for all your important documents. Passports, marriage certificate, orders, birth certicates, social security cards, diplomas, transcripts, etc. Remember to include a checkbook. And scan copies too! If you can, pack a printer in your car so you can print from your laptop in your hotel room if you need to.
5. Pack in a way that will allow you to live out of your suitcase for at least a week or two. You never know how long you'll be stuck in a hotel.
6. As soon as you get to your new base go to ACS (Army Community Services) or your service's equivalent to get maps and information on the local area.
7. Make sure you have a bank account that will work at the new location. Do you belong to a small local bank that will be inconvenient there? Or is your bank more modern and easy to use from afar?
8. Get renters insurance before you move and make sure it has replacement value (not fair market value) coverage. That way you'll be covered if something is broken or lost, even if it's in your car or your hotel room.