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Moving budget and checklist
Movers or a truck, boxes, deposits, utilities and travel — what to save each week until moving day, and an 8-week checklist
Who: [YOUR NAME]
Moving day: [DATE]
1. Moving budget
Item How many Price each Total
Movers (hours × crew rate per hour) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Truck rental, mileage and gas (if you move yourself) 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Boxes (how many × price) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Tape, bubble wrap, mattress bags, dolly rental 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Security deposit at the new place 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
First month's rent or closing costs due at move-in 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Utility deposits and hookups (power, internet, water) 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Cleaning the old place 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Storage unit (months × price) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Travel: gas, motel, meals on the way 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Total $ [TOTAL]
Already saved $ [AMOUNT]
Still to save $ [AMOUNT]
2. Put aside each week until [DATE]
Date Put aside Saved by then Done
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
3. Moving checklist
When What Done
8 weeks before Get 3 written estimates or truck quotes ☐
Check movers' USDOT numbers (FMCSA) ☐
Start decluttering: sell, donate, toss ☐
6 weeks before Book movers or the truck ☐
Give notice to your landlord in writing ☐
Order boxes and supplies ☐
4 weeks before Change of address with USPS ☐
Schedule utilities off at the old place and on at the new one ☐
Pack rooms you use least ☐
2 weeks before Update bank, employer, insurance, DMV and voter registration ☐
Refill prescriptions; transfer records ☐
Confirm moving day time and parking ☐
Moving week Pack an essentials box (chargers, meds, sheets, documents) ☐
Defrost the freezer ☐
Photograph the old place for the deposit ☐
Moving day Walk through with the movers; read the inventory before signing ☐
Final meter readings and photos ☐
Hand in keys ☐
After Ask for your deposit back with your new address ☐
Update your driver's license within your state's deadline ☐
Unpack and recycle boxes ☐
Good to know (checked October 21, 2026) • Interstate movers: written estimate, the FMCSA “Your Rights and Responsibilities” booklet, and a USDOT number you can check. • Change your address with USPS on usps.com and choose the start date for mail forwarding. • Moving expenses are tax-deductible only for active-duty military moving under orders (IRS Topic 455). • Security deposit rules are state law — check yours.
A moving budget, not a quote. Rules from FMCSA, USPS and IRS, checked October 21, 2026.