So you're preparing for a move, and to cut down on moving costs, you scale down your belongings to just the essentials. But what happens when you arrive at your new, stripped-down home to discover you may have been a little too efficient? What will be the real cost of your move when you finally replace those items you left behind?

When budgeting your move, take all costs into consideration. It's incredible how much your budget increases when adding in the amount you'll spend to set-up new utilities, register your vehicle in a new state and restock your pantry. So carefully weigh (literally) your decision whether to include that jar of oregano or the toothbrush holder before you leave them behind.

Photo © stock.xchng

I had a young couple email, asking if they should tip and feed the movers. Tipping movers is expected, especially if they've done a stellar job. Remember, you may need them again in future and it's sometimes hard to find good movers. Plus, like any service, most of the movers who do the work are employees or hired on contract, so providing a little extra shows your appreciation.

What else is expected? I always suggest providing cold drinks and/or coffee and snacks. If the move takes all day, then order in lunch. It doesn't need to be something big, even pizza will suffice.

To find out more, check out this moving FAQ.

I had a reader ask why she had extra charges on her moving bill, including a charge for a "long carry".

It's important when you're hiring a moving company to be familiar with terms that you might just find on your waybill. Check out our moving glossary before you hire and if you have any terms you need defined, just let me know by adding a comment below.

Photo © stock.xchng

If you're like me, you like lists. And even if you scoff at we list-makers, when planning your move, a handy-dandy list is just the tool you need to make sure you've completed all the tasks that need to be done.

Part of the move plan should include a schedule of when you need to have completed each task. Now some "to dos" are flexible time-wise, while others need to be completed within a particular time frame. Make sure you check what tasks you should be completing and when, such as things to do a month before you move, and you'll manage to find time to kick back and relax.

Photo © stock.xchng