As North American Van Line's largest agent, our goal is to provide you, the customer, with the most professional moving experience possible. Simply put, we perform your move, your way.
We understand how stressful the moving process can be for you and our family, therefore we strive to equip you with as many helpful tips and recommendations necessary to assist you throughout the course of your entire relocation.
Try out these hints for great savings opportunities...
- 1. Eliminate rather than relocate. Try to ignore the "I Might Need It Someday" thoughts.
- Garage sales - If you don't have a lot of items to sell, consider a joint sale with one or more neighbors. The greater the assortment of items you have to offer, the more potential customers you'll attract and the more successful the sale will be. Now's the time to clean out the toy box. If the kids are old enough, give them incentive. Let them stage their own garage sale and keep the profits to buy something special -- after you've moved.
- Flea markets - For a nominal fee, local flea markets are a great means for selling second-hand items. Because most markets are advertised, professional second-hand bargain hunters usually attend.
- Online auctions - The Internet gives you the opportunity to showcase your items for sale to the world, not just your own neighborhood. Take extra time to properly describe your item and include a good quality photo to increase your chances of selling.
- Secondhand stores - Sometimes selling items to a consignment shop can bring in more money than selling them at a garage sale - and it is less work for you.
- Charity - If you donate your items to charity, remember to ask for a receipt so you can document it on your income tax return
- 2. If possible, get a floor plan of your future residence, or make one to scale on graph paper. Then try to fit your furniture in. If it won't fit on paper, it won't fit when you arrive, don't move it.
- 3. If you're determined to take your huge outdoor planters, fill them with miscellaneous items instead of dirt. Same goes with the sandbox.
- 4. Hundreds of CDs can make for a heavy box. Some music stores will buy back your used CDs for cash or store credit.
- 5. The workshop is a storehouse of bulky, heavy items. It might be advantageous to replace the massive workbench, etc.
- 6. Don't take Firewood or lumber with you. It's heavy and cost less to replace than to move.
- 7. Once you decide you're going to part with an item such as a piano, organ, pool table or swing set, consider if you're selling a home, the buyer may be your best customer. Some items can be advantageously sold with the home. Remember, bulky items such as these require special handling and have additional charges associated with moving them.
- 8. Collect Any Deposits. Whether it's a landlord or the utilities, it's easier to get deposits back in person than via long distance.
- 9. Check Your Homeowners Insurance. It may be possible to have it applied to your future residence, or reassigned to the future owners and pro-rate payments. If not, possibly you qualify for a partial refund. Be sure to coordinate insurance so that you're covered in your new residence immediately.
- 10. Depending on the clubs or organizations to which you belong, you may be able to sell memberships or get a partial refund on dues.
Tax Deductible Moving Expenses
Check with your tax Professional to see if you qualify for these move related tax deductions...
- Cost of transportation or hauling from old to new residence
- Cost of packing, crating and unpacking.
- Cost of shipping your car.
- Cost of moving the pets.
- Cost of the trip to the new residence which includes lodging but not meals.
Most taxpayers are eligible as long as you are:
- Moving to a new residence for the purpose of employment, whether it be as an employee or self-employed.
- Moving to a new job, at least 50 miles farther from your new residence than your old job location.
- A full-time employee and employed within the vicinity for at least 39 weeks of the first 12 months of occupancy.
- A self-employed individual, who will work in the new location for at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months following the move, of which 39 weeks must be within the first 12 months.
- Moving to a foreign country, or for military service (These options fall under special limitations, so it's best to consult a professional tax advisor before claiming them).
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