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**Dag Larson** (0:08)
I had a client who ended up using movers, and he lost an entire wardrobe box.
There was, I believe, 13 Gucci shirts in there. His entire collection of ties was in the bottom of the box and his collection of belts. So not only was his move $2,500, he also lost $30,000 worth of products.

**Lea Palmieri** (0:30)
Whoa.
Welcome back to Grown-Up Stuff, the podcast where we figure out all of the things you feel like you should know by now but maybe don't, because I know I certainly don't. I'm Lea Palmieri.

**Matt Stillo** (0:44)
And I'm Matt Stillo. And today we're talking about moving, which can be so exciting until you realize you have to move.

**Lea Palmieri** (0:51)
I think moving is the universe's way of making you question every single thing you own.

**Matt Stillo** (0:57)
Especially when you're carrying a box labeled miscellaneous that weighs 75 pounds. And then come all the adult things that no one talks about, like transferring utilities, changing your address, setting up your internet.

**Lea Palmieri** (1:10)
Which, by the way, somehow the Wi-Fi appointment is always at least three days after you've already moved in.

**Matt Stillo** (1:15)
Always. Every time.
Today we're getting the ultimate moving checklist from Re-Litter Dag Larson, so your next move can be a little bit more organized and a lot less chaotic.

**Lea Palmieri** (1:33)
We looked this up and found that affordability is the number one reason people in the US relocate. Moving for a job is the second reason.
So with affordability top of mind, let's talk about the hidden or unexpected costs of moving. Because I think one of the first things people think when they think about moving is just, oh, this is going to get expensive. So Dag, what are some of those costs that people often overlook or don't know about?

**Dag Larson** (1:58)
Ooh, my first three. Remember utilities and starting utilities. People always forget that you have to go and get your heat and your cooling. Those can be three, $400 initiation fees all the time. Same with if you're setting up Internet for the first time. You're moving from home, you've never had Internet. That could have an upfront charge. Hopefully, you have good credit that you can actually get approved and get that. I would say those are big surprises. Then people also forget little expenses that you have right when you move in, like key deposits. I've seen them up to $300 nowadays.
You start to factor in that, and I think people underprice how much moving costs.
What you're quoted and what you actually pay are rarely the same.

**Lea Palmieri** (2:48)
I also factor in things like, how much am I going to spend at the container store when I want to organize myself? So that's also one thing that I keep in mind. Correct.

**Matt Stillo** (2:57)
Yeah, I hadn't even thought about that. I'm just like, oh yeah, I'm going to get a new couch. But yeah, the utility fees, the key deposit, all kinds of stuff.

**Dag Larson** (3:04)
Yeah, those are the small ones that definitely count. And also in this type of day and age, there's a lot of people who might need to put down more than first and last. And I do tell people, you should be ready for that.
It's not a mandatory thing, but if you really need to move and other people need to move, sometimes that can happen too. So be ready for that.

**Matt Stillo** (3:24)
Do you have like a number you recommend setting aside like $3,000?

**Dag Larson** (3:29)
I have two numbers. I have a number for a person just moving for the sake of moving. And then I have a number for a person who's moving out for the first time. So for the person moving out for the first time, who's not used to paying a monthly rental bill, you don't think about it until you start paying it. I always say within your budget, have an extra month of rent ready, because you just don't know what will happen. You really don't, and you might be lined up for your second month of rent, but once you move in and you're paying these initial startups for everything, that money's depleted.
So I would say you want that, and I always say if you're moving, try to have a buffer of $1,500 to $2,000.
Just incidentals, your first initial buy, you need to get some detergent, some toilet paper, the most simple, you know, oil, salt, pepper, basics, and that's all going to add up for sure.

**Matt Stillo** (4:26)
So let's think about moving as three separate parts, packing and getting ready, moving day, and then the early days at a new place. So what are some packing up the house tips?