(BPT) - A permanent change of station (PCS) is a regular part of military life that involves many moving parts. Preparing for your relocation now can make a huge difference in how you'll settle into your new home. To help families prepare for their next move, Navy Federal Credit Union offers the following tips to make your move as smooth as possible.
1. Create a timeline
Confirm all PCS details as soon as possible so you can create a reasonable timeline. The easiest way to do this is to verify your report date and work backward. Remember to budget time for packing, moving and settling in to your new home.
2. Gather your documents
Gather essential documents. Create copies of these documents and keep them all together in a binder, so you can quickly access the information you need to fill out the paperwork involved in your PCS.
3. Review your finances and create a budget
Do you have everything you need to cover upfront moving costs? It may take awhile before you're reimbursed for your move, so it's vital to calculate moving costs, create a budget and start saving money as soon as you can. You can use an online tool like Navy Federal's PCS budgeting calculator to see how much your move will impact your monthly budget.
Pro tip: Schedule a meeting with a personal financial counselor to create a plan for your move and discuss strategies for reestablishing your finances when you arrive at your new assignment.
4. Prepare your family for the move
A military move can be a challenging transition for the whole family. Children can have an especially difficult time moving to a new location. Sit down with them and have frank conversations about the upcoming move and what they can expect leading up to and after a PCS.
5. Decide what you'll do about housing and transportation
Are you planning to sell or rent your current home? Will you buy a home in your new location? What are your plans for your cars? These are all important questions to answer ahead of your move.
Work with a real estate agent or property manager familiar with the military relocation process. They may be able to help you find a new home that meets your criteria.
Whether you're moving in-state or out of the country, research vehicle shipping options and review your vehicle shipping allowances.
6. Prepare your accounts
There are a few accounts you'll need to prepare in advance of your PCS. These include:
- Updating your address
- Providing travel notifications for your bank and credit card accounts
- Setting up joint accounts
- Making plans to transfer money if you're stationed overseas
You can call Navy Federal and connect with a dedicated member services representative who can help you prepare your accounts. This specialized support can make your move smoother and provide peace of mind.
One hub for all your PCS needs
To help military families during their move, Navy Federal collaborated with Veterans and military spouses to create the PCS hub. This hub offers tools, guidance and resources that can help you manage your moving tasks, including:
- A robust PCS checklist with moving tips and comprehensive to-do lists
- Monthly spending calculator to track current expenses, manage costs and budget for the next duty station
- Special product offers tailored for Servicemembers and military families experiencing PCS
- Real-time guidance through our 24/7 stateside member service team
By consolidating all of these resources in one place, you can start planning your PCS move today. To learn more, visit NavyFederal.org/PCS.
Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA.
