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Delay the purchases to pad your pockets and mitigate regret
Moving is an emotional experience.
Some people like to buy everything new and start over.
Others like to incorporate new items in conjunction with their current ones.
One of the less prudent things you can do during a move is charge everything. I was chatting with someone a few months back, and they moved into their new place, charged up their credit card to furnish their new place, and then lost their job.
They didn’t have any supplemental income either, so they had to get another job.
A furnished home can look and feel better to most people, but the longer you delay your purchases, the better, and here’s why:
You save money.
You realize that you don’t need to buy certain things.
You realize that you don’t want to buy certain things.
You decrease your financial risk from the move.
You realize that it’s not an emergency to obtain certain things.
Moves are already pretty pricey. When you add furnishing on top of moving fees, storage fees, travel fees, transportation fees, property fees, and any other related moving fees, the bill starts adding up quickly.
Get Rid Of Stuff To Decrease The Moving Costs
If you have a lot of stuff, count on your move to be much more expensive.
This is why I always recommend getting rid of as much stuff as possible and keeping your belongings down to a minimum; by doing this, you keep yourself more agile and your costs down.
Delay The Purchases
One of the neighbors in my childhood home gradually bought stuff for her home with cash.
Her house was relatively empty whenever we visited, but she had no debt.
She bought new furnishings for her home when it made sense financially instead of risking her financial position by placing too many purchases on a credit card.
My Methodology For Moving
Wait on other unnecessary purchases.
Reuse furniture. I’ve had the same two furniture pieces for free.
Accept help. The third most significant furniture piece I have was gifted to me.
Buy the essential items first, which include: the mattress and appliances.
Take 1–4 weeks between major purchases. Thoroughly mull over things.
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What Do Unnecessary Purchases Include?
TV
Decorations
Anything you can live without if you think hard enough about it
Don’t Rush The Process
People tend to forget that they don’t need everything right now. Most things can wait until a near future date.
The stuff you see on the shelves of stores or online isn’t going anywhere, and even if they do, something better always comes along next.
Avoid impulsive buys with your new home. Write down what you need and want, and stick to the plan. Be sure always to question your needs and wants. Sometimes, you don’t want or need them; you only think you do.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.