Essential Financial Arrangements to Add to Your Moving List

There’s a lot of work to get done when you’re moving, and a moving list is what you need to keep up with it all. Your list needs to include only the essentials if you want it to be effective. Here’s what to include when it comes to avoiding unnecessary charges to your bank account.

Utilities Cut-Off Dates

You don’t want to owe one penny more than what you used in your utility bills. If you don’t schedule your electric, gas, telephone, water (in some cases) or other utilities, you’ll pay for your landlord or another tenant’s usage. The first item on your to-do list should be to write down all the companies you need to call to schedule a date to shut off your utilities. Give them a forwarding address if you receive paper statements, to let them know where to send your final bill. If you’re living in the same state, you may be able to transfer your services to your new apartment. If that’s not possible, schedule a start date with all of the necessary utility companies in your new location. Do this sooner rather than later, so that you’re not living in the dark in your new apartment.

Switch Automatic Withdrawals

The other money related item on your moving check list needs to be switching your automatic withdrawals from your bank account. You have two options: Wait until you get a new bank account or stop the automatic withdrawals. You may not be able to switch bank accounts until you actually move. Therefore, write down the names of the companies that withdraw funds from your bank account monthly and request them to stop temporarily until you switch accounts. You may need to do this at least 30 days in advance of the next withdrawal payment for it to take effect. You can make direct online payments or prepay in the meantime.

Notify Your Car Insurance Agent

You can transfer your car insurance so that you maintain any credits and discounts on your account, even if you sell or get rid of your car. Tell your current car insurance agent that you’re moving out and that you’d like them to find you an agent in your new location. When you move and get another car, you can maintain your insurance, except you may pay an even cheaper rate.

These are the essentials you need on your moving list. If you forget to do any of these, you could find yourself in financial hardship and get blindsided by unforeseen expenses on the other end of your move.