Where you’ll be living, house hunting, the prospect of starting anew, all of these are the fun aspects of moving. The initial thoughts can seem like a distant memory when the hard work begins, so how can you make the whole process feel less stressful?

Organize Yourself

From the start, you need to be a step ahead. Take time at the very beginning of your moving process to write a list of everything you need to do, and the timeframe in which they need to be completed.

Initially, this may feel overwhelming, but by breaking it all down, you can create an efficient plan of what you need to be doing and when, which will avoid you from feeling overwhelmed with tasks, and will (hopefully) make everything feel a lot more manageable.

Get Time on Your Side

This cannot be emphasised enough. The more time you have, the more organized you’ll be, the more organized you are, the less stress it will be. Simple logic, right?

If you’re moving abroad, everything task has an expiry date. Book pickups, deliveries and shipments way in advance. If you don’t have a designation address yet, don’t worry! Movers will be able to edit the details later down the line, the main thing is that it’s arranged in the first place.

Take off some of the financial burden

One of the easiest ways to lessen the financial burden, is by packing yourself. Yes, this does mean you’ll need to be more organized, but it also can save you a lot of money. Packing yourself means you know exactly what you’ll be packing and where it will go. It also allows you to organize items that are of sentimental value, where packers may not necessarily take as much care.

Consider a self-pack, door-to-door service such as UPakWeship, to lighten both your mental and physical loads. Your own crate will be delivered, you pack it up, and we’ll collect it on a date pre-organised. It means a lot less waiting around, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge your belongings are en route to their destination. Plus, with offices in the UK and Europe, you know everything will be in safe hands!

Start Small

Once the list is made, tackle one thing at a time. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. If you’ve given yourself enough time, you can start to slowly cross the life-admin bits off your list, building up to the bigger tasks in due course, so that everything doesn’t feel quite so overwhelming.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a hand

Almost everyone will move at least once during their lifetime. This means the chances are, those around you will be both supportive and willing to lend a hand if necessary. Not only does having an extra pair of hands help, but it will also remove some of the emotional burden, and you’ll probably have more fun with someone to chat to!

Be courteous enough to give your friends and family a bit of notice, and make sure to show your gratitude (a cup of tea and a bottle of wine goes a long way)!

Don’t let the stress of moving abroad put you off. If you’re looking for an international mover, ensure to use a company with a no-hidden-fees policy and fantastic feedback from customers. We’re proud to have both – find a quote for your move online today!

The post How to Make Moving Less Stressful appeared first on UPakWeShip.

The good news is, the incredible experience of moving to a new country will be worth it. But it still makes sense to start considering the costs as soon as possible.

Does the move make sense financially and literally? Could you be doing anything else to make it work?

Your reason for moving will undoubtedly make a difference to the financial cost. Those moving for work should get a relocation allowance, and those going out to live with somebody already in your destination won’t have to think about housing when they arrive.

We’ve compiled a guide of what you should you be thinking about when making the financial decision to move abroad.

Budgeting

This blog is a breakdown of all the costs you’ll need to consider, and how to make it budget-friendly and cost-effective.

Some may want – and be able – to spend thousands on flying their belongings, whilst others will be happy to ship. Some may want to buy straight away, whilst others will want to rent first.

A big consideration is whether you’ll be needing to save up yourself, or if you’ll have a relocation allowance from your employer, as mentioned previously.

Relocation allowances bare the brunt of most – if not all – of the costs of moving, although those relocating may choose to spend their own money too. The best part of a relocation allowance, is having the money ‘in front of you’ so you can separate and budget early on in your move, and decide how much you want to spend on what.

The best way to understand your budget, is to break it down into the categories below, and consider the different options within each category, so you can ensure your priorities are met.

Moving/Transportation Costs

The first thing to know, is that the more you’re moving, the more expensive it will be.

It may end up being cheaper to renovate your new home with local furniture. But if you’re absolutely set on finding ways to transport some items overseas, you’ll want to do it in a way which is as cost-effective as possible.

The easiest way to save money on an overseas move, is to pack it yourself.

This is an option which many may not have considered, but why have people come and pack your own items, each with their own sentimental value, for you, when you can do it yourself properly and ensure you know what is in each box.

Packing yourself is much easier than you may think, with companies providing the containers and pallets you’ll need to ensure a safe and secure voyage.

Make sure you find a company with no-hidden-costs, as many moving companies present two extremely different figures at the beginning and end of your experience with them.

If you have a long flight ahead of you, why not put the money you’ve saved towards a flight upgrade, or buying the furniture brand new in your new home!

Find out your international shipping quote now, to give yourself an upfront figure and cross this off of your to-do list!

Moving Insurance

Although it’s exceptionally rare, things to happen. Whether it’s a hurricane at sea, or an accident en-route to the dock. For this reason, it’s vital your belongings are insured, which is another price to factor into your move.

UPakWeShip offers three insurance covers with custom prices, for those with different price ranges and shipment types.

Housing Costs

Housing can be divided into two main costs, the financial dent of putting your house on the market, if you’re selling, and the financial cost of buying/renting in your new country.

If you’re selling your current home, the good news is you’re probably familiar with the process, having bought it in the first place. House buying/selling is expensive, and realtor prices are something you’ll have to factor into your move.

The house prices of your destination country will impact the house whether you’re selling or not. If you’re selling, you may find you save money by buying in your new location, if housing prices are cheaper.

The property market differs in each country. If you’re intending to buy immediately, you’ll be planning and saving the way you would if you were buying at home. Checking out different areas, different prices, and exploring your budget options.

If you’re renting, many European countries have very strict eviction laws, which means foreign nationals are expected to pay at least six months’ rent up-front. This hidden-cost can surprise many expats, so make sure you’re prepared for it by looking into the renting laws and regulations of your destination.

Visa Fees

Visas depend on everything from your reason to move, to your country of origin. Americans have different visa allowances for different countries, but if you’re actually moving abroad, it’s going to be costly.

Those lucky enough to be moving with a job, should have it covered for you. But other visa types will need to be taken into consideration, and the earlier the better.

Visas can range in anything from $100 to thousands. And that’s without the lawyer fees – if you choose to use one. This is why the more prepared you are, the more ready you’ll be to face these costs.

It can be extremely easy to lose sight of the adventure ahead of you whilst in the midst of moving. Finding a customer-oriented mover to take you through the paces of shipping your belongings, allows you to minimize that stress and rest assured you’re in great hands.

The post What Should You Be Budgeting to Move Abroad? appeared first on UPakWeShip.

The various reasons for moving will contribute to the cost. Somebody moving back home, will have a lot more help on the other side, and may be able to save money on rent for the initial period they’re back in the country.

Those moving for work, should be given a relocation allowance, a sum of money from your company to be put towards your move abroad.

And those who are moving to join family, or a significant other, will likely find they’ll have the most costly experience of them all.

So, what should you be thinking about when making the financial decision to move abroad?

Budgeting

This blog is a breakdown of all the costs you’ll need to consider, and how to make it budget-friendly and cost-effective.

Some may want – and be able – to spend thousands on flying their belongings, whilst others will be happy to ship. Some may want to buy straight away, whilst others will want to rent first.

A big consideration is whether you’ll be needing to save up yourself, or if you’ll have a relocation allowance from your employer, as mentioned previously.

Relocation allowances bare the brunt of most – if not all – of the costs of moving, although those relocating may choose to spend their own money too. The best part of a relocation allowance, is having the money ‘in front of you’ so you can separate and budget early on in your move, and decide how much you want to spend on what.

The best way to understand your budget, is to break it down into the categories below, and consider the different options within each category, so you can ensure your priorities are met.

Moving/Transportation Costs

The first thing to know, is that the more you’re moving, the more expensive it will be.

It may end up being cheaper to renovate your new home with local furniture. But if you’re absolutely set on finding ways to transport some items overseas, you’ll want to do it in a way which is as cost-effective as possible.

The easiest way to save money on an overseas move, is to pack it yourself.

This is an option which many may not have considered, but why have people come and pack your own items, each with their own sentimental value, for you, when you can do it yourself properly and ensure you know what is in each box.

Packing yourself is much easier than you may think, with companies providing the containers and pallets you’ll need to ensure a safe and secure voyage.

Make sure you find a company with no-hidden-costs, as many moving companies present two extremely different figures at the beginning and end of your experience with them.

If you have a long flight ahead of you, why not put the money you’ve saved towards a flight upgrade, or buying the furniture brand new in your new home!

Find out your international shipping quote now, to give yourself an upfront figure and cross this off of your to-do list!

Moving Insurance

Although it’s exceptionally rare, things to happen. Whether it’s a hurricane at sea, or an accident en-route to the dock. For this reason, it’s vital your belongings are insured, which is another price to factor into your move.

UPakWeShip offers three insurance covers with custom prices, for those with different price ranges and shipment types.

Housing Costs

Housing can be divided into two main costs, the financial dent of putting your house on the market, if you’re selling, and the financial cost of buying/renting in your new country.

If you’re selling your current home, the good news is you’re probably familiar with the process, having bought it in the first place. House buying/selling is expensive, and realtor prices are something you’ll have to factor into your move.

The house prices of your destination country will impact the house whether you’re selling or not. If you’re selling, you may find you save money by buying in your new location, if housing prices are cheaper.

The property market differs in each country. If you’re intending to buy immediately, you’ll be planning and saving the way you would if you were buying at home. Checking out different areas, different prices, and exploring your budget options.

If you’re renting, many European countries have very strict eviction laws, which means foreign nationals are expected to pay at least six months’ rent up-front. This hidden-cost can surprise many expats, so make sure you’re prepared for it by looking into the renting laws and regulations of your destination.

Visa Fees

Visas depend on everything from your reason to move, to your country of origin. Americans have different visa allowances for different countries, but if you’re actually moving abroad, it’s going to be costly.

Those lucky enough to be moving with a job, should have it covered for you. But other visa types will need to be taken into consideration, and the earlier the better.

Visas can range in anything from $100 to thousands. And that’s without the lawyer fees – if you choose to use one. This is why the more prepared you are, the more ready you’ll be to face these costs.

It can be extremely easy to lose sight of the adventure ahead of you whilst in the midst of moving. Finding a customer-oriented mover to take you through the paces of shipping your belongings, allows you to minimize that stress and rest assured you’re in great hands.

The post How to Budget for Moving Abroad appeared first on UPakWeShip.