5 mistakes to avoid when moving to a new military base

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Military families need to be ready to move at any time.

Those in the armed forces are trained to be ready for almost any situation, and that includes uprooting at a moment's notice.

As soon as a permanent change of station, or PCS, order comes in, military members and their families need to move quickly to their new base.

Since the process is rushed, it's easy to make mistakes that could make moving harder.

Here are five mistakes to avoid:

1. Not having a PCS fund.

You should always have money set aside in a PCS fund to help pay for the costs of moving. Without this, you may be forced to rely on credit cards and arrive at your new home without any money. Depending on whether it's just you or your entire family, plan to have at least $1,000 to $3,000 on hand.

2. Buying a new home too fast.

If you're not living on base, you'll obviously need somewhere to stay. Instead of making an impulsive decision (and potentially paying more than you need to), consider renting for at least six months to learn the area and gain a better sense of the real-estate market. This will keep you from overpaying or buying a house you can't afford.

3. Not keeping good records.

Be sure to save all your paperwork and receipts to get reimbursed for all that you're owed. Plus, you'll have records of any reimbursed expenses, which may be tax-deductible. You'll be grateful to have these backup documents when April 15 rolls around.

4. Not having property insurance.

You need property insurance to protect you in case anything gets lost or damaged during the move (or while it's kept in storage). Talk to your insurance agent to make sure you've got sufficient coverage.

5. Not learning from those before you.

Talk to people you meet at your new installation and check out the base housing website for advice on finding everything, including schools, dry cleaners, and mechanics.

Moving to a new base can be chaotic, but it helps to keep these five tips in mind: Set aside funds for moving, take your time with buying a home, save all your paperwork, get property insurance, and gather tips from people at your new base.

This post is sponsored by USAA.

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