Yes I do have happy thoughts, I promise. :)
For the record, no this move has nothing to do with all the nonsense going on with my in-laws currently.
Husband and I have always planned to move to another state. But every year it just doesn't pan out. In 2012 we planned to use our tax check to move, but he had recently started a new job and wanted to stay and gain more experience. In 2013 we again planned to use our tax check to move, but even with months of planning he was unable to line up a job. So we stayed. Now it's 2014, and we're really sick of putting off this move. The two barriers are always money and a job for him.
Any suggestions on how to make this happen?
I told him he should go back to a job he had a few years ago. It's seasonal, but we'd have a good 6 months to save money and figure out where we'd go at the end of the season, which would be around October. The job consists of travelng around the mid-west building or cleaning out grain dryers. We could go with him because my children are young and not yet in school. He would make more han he does now, even up to twice as much. Plus our expenses would be less. (Only living expenses like the hotel, food, and gas) We did this for a couple of months the first time he had this job. It was fun. The other part to this plan is that we'd need to sell everything we own pretty much, unless we wanted to keep everything in storage which seems like a waste to me. Husband doesn't like that part.
But at the end of the season we'd be able to move. Or we could have enough money saved up for him to go to heavy equipment school. And then we'd relocate. I only have a year left in college. I'm wanting to be settled somewhere before I'm done because I'll be going to massage therapy school after I'm finished with my BA.
The other option we have right now is to stay here yet another year. I could take a year off school after I'm done to have time to get settled and apply to a massage therapy school.
Sorry this is so long. Just wanted to throw out there what we have already considered.
For anyone who has made an out of state move, is it better to do so with or without all of your current furniture? Pros and cons?
By the way, we currently live in central Indiana. We want to move to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Or NorthWest Georgia. But we are pretty open to living anywhere a bit warmer than here.
You find the job first then move to where it is.
I've known people who've sold off their furniture before they moved and bought new furniture in their new locations so they don't have to deal with moving it.
Your kids will be school age soon - you are going to need to put down some roots by the time pre-school starts up.
My best friend moved almost a year ago. She did it without having all of the money in place she estimated she would need to survive. The job opportunities she thought were in place fell through and it's been a particularly tough road. Every month she is scrambling to make her rent for her studio apartment and struggling to survive. Her outstanding bills are going unpaid and her credit is ruined. She has no savings and other friends as well as myself have gifted her large sums of money to help keep her afloat as she pursues her dream.
She is single and has no children.
I love her but I just think it was foolish to move without a better plan in place. I worry that she may end up homeless or worse but she is resourceful and has good character.
I believe you both should save up more money and really hash things out better. Often people underestimate what it takes to make a move. I would recommend your husband find a job first. Perhaps the company he will work for would be willing to foot some of the relocation costs. Pairing down is important where ever possible.
I'm much more conservative so whenever I move I make certain the pieces of a successful landing are in place well before a make a move. Each person has their own comfort level know what yours and your husband's is and then lean toward the more conservative approach.
Plan your work and work the plan
ETA: misery or adventure--different things to different people. That's true. I don't leave the house without a reservation confirmation. And i hate it whe room service is delivered OUTside the door. :)
I'm all for adventure...but you have kids to think of. Good luck!
No idea really.
I don't know your financial situation. I have a couple thoughts.
•Following my grain dryer cleaning husband around and living in hotels sounds like my worst nightmare.
•It also sounds expensive and tiresome. Either paying more for a nice safe place or saving my money but staying somewhere ...less nice. Meals, supplies, laundry, etc.
•I can't see giving up a home for that and a "what if."
•IMO, your husband need to get motivated and find a job first.
•Not a fan of letting Uncle Sam save my money for me all year. If you're getting a large refund check every year, hubs needs to adjust his withholding.
It sounds like you are putting the cart before the horse. Hubby needs to find a job where you are moving, BEFORE you move. Doesn't make much sense otherwise unless you have a massive amount of savings to live off in the meantime (and it doesn't sound like that's the case if you are the "working poor" and currently in college). I'm a planner, no way I'd move or even consider moving unless we already had a job lined up. Saving up enough money to move by doing seasonal work won't help you out in the long run if you can't find work wherever you end up. So while it's probably not what you want to hear, I'd stay put until you get all your ducks in a row.
Can I suggest something totally off the wall?
One of you could enroll in college classes. Find a full university in another state...it's the perfect time to file for financial aid. With you not working and children present even both of you could be full time students. Him taking evening classes and working during the day and you taking day classes and kiddo's getting free child care with child care assistance. If he didn't work you could both be students and the kids would either be with you or him.
Live on campus, they have apartments, condo's, and more if they are a full size university. I lived in married student housing and my financial aid paid my rent in full for the whole year before I got any money given to me.
I also got food stamps and child care while I was in class. It was the easiest time of my life, no stress about bills what so ever.
OU and OSU, in Oklahoma, both have campus housing. Oklahoma's not all that far from home but far enough they aren't going to drive her every weekend or even every month. Enough distance to have a life but close enough to go home during Christmas break and vacations.
Going to college is a good reason to leave home. They can't blame you for going away for to better yourself. I hope you'll consider this as an option. You only need to bring the clothes, minimal kitchen tools, and electronics you'll need for school. Most rent the apartments furnished. That means bring sheets and bedding, hangers and clothes, toiletries, and what you'll need in the kitchen to cook.
Minimal fuss, minimal lifestyle, big payout once graduation happens.
