Military Moves Don’t Need to Hurt Your Wallet

If you’ve received orders to PCS, you’ll need to determine what you need to do to make the move, protect your finances, and reduce the strain on your family.

The following are some TIPS to get you started:

1. Plan ahead. Verify move dates and identify financial changes. Decide whether you will live on or off the installation.

2. Develop a Move Budget. Understand your current financial situation and identify essentials needed for the move. Don’t forget about that emergency fund and set up access to funds before, during and upon arrival, as well as payment of bills during the move.

3. Protect yourself during the move. Make sure you have adequate life and auto insurance. Identify a POC for emergencies.

4. What to do once you arrive. Transfer homeowners, renters and auto insurance to new location. Shift Wills and Powers of Attorney to new location.

5. Review the results.
Refine checklists based on lessons learned. Contact a professional financial planner that does not work on commission to help ensure that your financial plan is still on track.

USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its subsidiaries and affiliates.