Moving, whether it’s a PCS or not, is never going to be an easy process. That’s just an unavoidable fact of life. But there are plenty of ways to make it a little less hard. These are a few you can put right in the palm of your hand.
Before You Move
Mint: The various expenses large and small that go with moving add up faster than you might expect. Setting a clear budget and sticking to it is a smart, simple way to keep costs as low as possible. Mint allows you to create separate budgets for different aspects of the move and easily track your spending.
Wunderlist: The ultimate app when it comes to keeping you organized for your move. Wunderlist lets you create to-do lists, reminders to keep you on schedule, and crank your productivity up to eleven.
Letgo/Thredup/Facebook Marketplace: Got some furniture, clothes, appliances, or miscellaneous junk you don’t want to take with you? A move is always a good excuse to lose some unnecessary stuff. These are some great apps to help you lighten your load and make a few bucks in the process.
Sortly: This app allows you to create a visual inventory of your home and helps tag and keep track of each item. You can even label each items box location to help you organize for the move. Manage all your household items in one handy system.
Moving Day
TaskRabbit: Need an extra pair of hands with your DITY move? Hire all the vetted taskers you need to help with all your moving needs, like packing up those last few boxes or loading up the truck.
Thumbtack: Thumbtack is another useful directory of skilled local professionals for hire. It’s a great way to get a hand with those last minute tasks it takes to fully move out. Whether your soon-to-be-former-home needs a deep clean or a new carpet installation, thumbtack has the service you need.
After You Move
MyBaseGuide: The official app of the company that has provided bases to all US Military posts for over 50 years. Get check-in locations and procedures, building designations, and base phone numbers right in the palm of your hand. Plus a wealth of information regarding base news, housing, employment, schools, health care and dental services, and community activities/recreation.
Facebook: The #1 social media platform for civilians and the military alike. Stay in touch with family and friends 24/7 while connecting with your new local community on one site/app. Join your new installation’s Facebook Groups & Events to make new friends, get involved, and expand your social circle faster and easier than ever before.
Certifikid: For those with youngsters, CertifiKid is a great app to find family-friendly deals and activities in your area. Moves are always toughest on kids, so make their lives at in new home a little easier from the get-go.
Commissary Rewards: Military discounts are always great, but you’ll rarely find better savings on groceries and sundries than at the Commissary. With this app you can clip and share digital coupons, then automatically redeem them when you scan your Commissary Rewards Card at checkout.
ShopSavvy: For those of you looking to monitor and access great deals outside the Commissary but with the same level of ease, this one’s for you. Not only does it have great military coupons, deals, and specials, but you can also get cash back after shopping. Check it out to learn more.
Rover: Everybody loves pets. That’s just a fact. Some of us even love them more than they like most people. But the military life is a busy one and you may not always be able to give your pet the care they need. This app has over 200,000 trusted pet sitters and dog walkers across the country for when work keeps you away from your fluffy family members.
Care.com: As it is with your pets, so it goes for your children. With your job and life as busy as it is, you may need someone to keep an eye on them from time to time. Find a trusted babysitter through this app/site that features only verified childcare professionals. You can select a sitter based on their experience level and availability and trust that they come highly recommended.
You may not need every single one of these during your next PCS move, but chances are that most of them will come in handy at least once during the process. And if not your next one, perhaps the one after. The point is, these are some easy, handy ways to lessen the strain of a move. So keep them in mind and breathe a little easier.