Moving to a new base is a big part of military life. These moves, called PCS (Permanent Change of Station), can be exciting but also expensive. Whether this is your first military move or you’ve done many before, good money planning can make things much easier for you and your military family. Here’s how to get ready for your next PCS move and manage military moving expenses without breaking the bank.

Planning Your PCS Move: Start Early!

The best way to have a smooth military move is to start saving money early. Try to begin 6-12 months before your anticipated move date. Even if you don’t know where you’re going, you can start saving to cover those military moving expenses. Aim to save $3,000-$5,000 in a “PCS Fund” to cover expenses before you get paid back by the military.

How to Save for Your Military Move

Building up savings before a PCS move might seem hard, but these steps can help:

• Set up automatic transfers of $100-$200 monthly to a separate savings account
• Consider saving a bit less for retirement temporarily (but still get any matching funds from TSP)
• Use tax refunds or bonuses to grow your PCS fund faster
• Try a “no-spend month” where you only buy necessities
• Use The Edge’s budget tools and savings goals to track your progress

The Edge provides free financial tools for the military community. Check it out here!

PCS Moving Options: Let the Military Move You or Do It Yourself

Government-Handled Move

• The military hires and pays moving companies directly
• You don’t pay for the actual moving costs
• You have less control over when and how your things are moved
• You don’t make extra money by having less stuff, and can be charged if you have too much

Do-It-Yourself Move (PPM/DITY Move)

• You’re in charge of the whole moving process
• The military pays you 95% of what they would pay movers
• You can do everything yourself or hire your own movers
• The less you spend on professional help, the more money you keep
• Renting a truck for a 3-bedroom home costs about $1,500-$3,000
• Keep all receipts for truck rental, boxes, and weight tickets
• You’ll need to pay costs upfront before getting reimbursed

Military Moving Expenses: What Do You Pay For?

The government covers many military moving expenses, but it’s important to know what they pay for and when you’ll get your money back.

Expenses the Military Typically Covers:

• Mileage costs to travel to your new base
• Hotel stays during travel days
• Food money while traveling
• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
• Temporary housing money (TLE)

Common Expenses You Pay For:

• Housing/rental deposits ($1,500-$2,500)
• Extra hotel stays while waiting for housing (varies)
• Restocking groceries ($300-$500)
• New furniture or household items ($500-$2,000)
• Car registration/ insurance changes in your new state ($200-$400)
• Utility deposits and connection fees ($200-$500)

Important: It usually takes 2-4 weeks to get paid back after you submit your travel reimbursement claim. Be ready to cover these military moving expenses yourself at first, and keep careful records to get paid back faster.

Moving Cars and Pets During a PCS

Options for Moving Multiple Cars

If you have two cars during a domestic move, you can:

• Drive both cars (you’ll need two drivers)
• Ship one car professionally ($1,000-$2,000)
• Ask a friend or family member to help drive, then buy them a one-way flight home (often cheaper than shipping)
• Drive one car with a small trailer for important things, and ship the second car

Moving with Pets

Moving with pets takes careful planning and can be expensive:

• Domestic flights: $200-$500 for small pets in the cabin, $400-$800 for larger pets in cargo
• International moves: $2,000-$6,000 depending on where you’re going
• Costs go up based on:
  • How big and heavy your pet is
  • Crate size
  • How far you’re flying
  • Time of year (summer moves have limited space for pets due to heat)
  • Quarantine needs for overseas moves

Housing Choices: Rent or Buy at Your New Base

One of the biggest money decisions during a military move is whether to rent or buy at your new location.

If You Decide to Rent:

• Plan for application fees, security deposit, and first/last month’s rent
• Budget for about 2-3 times your monthly rent upfront
• Make sure your lease has a military clause (SCRA), allowing you to break the lease with PCS orders
• Don’t forget about renters insurance costs

If You Decide to Buy Using a VA Loan:

• VA loans are great because you don’t need a down payment
• You’ll still need money for closing costs (about 2-5% of the home price)
• Think about how long you’ll be at this base (usually need to stay 3+ years to make buying worth it)
• Remember to include home insurance costs, which change depending on location

Getting Back on Track After Your Move

A PCS move often has hidden costs that can hurt your budget even after you’ve unpacked. When setting up your new home, you’ll face fees for closing and opening utility accounts at both your old and new locations. Many utility companies want deposits from new customers, which can tie up hundreds of dollars. You might also face early termination fees for services like internet or cell phones if your contracts don’t have military clauses.

The cost of living can be very different between locations. Moving from a cheap area to an expensive city near a major base might mean big budget changes. The Edge’s cost of living calculator can help you plan for these differences. As you rebuild your emergency fund after your move, The Edge’s budgeting tools can help you find ways to save faster. If you had to use credit cards for moving expenses, The Edge offers debt management help made for military families.

Don’t handle your PCS money recovery alone. Join The Edge today to access free financial tools designed for military families. The Edge understands the unique challenges of military moves and provides resources to help you recover quickly and plan for your next move.

Military members join The Edge for free! Register here.

Take Control of Your Military Moving Expenses

Remember, each PCS move has both challenges and opportunities. By planning ahead, understanding your military benefits, and saving up for your move, you can handle your next relocation with confidence.

Whether you’re shipping a car across the country, buying a home with a VA loan, or trying to save money during your move, good planning will help make sure your family has a smoother transition to your new home.