Plan and Organize Adequately
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Proper planning is crucial once you find out you’re about to relocate. You can start by creating a journal or moving checklist for military family members. Document relevant dates, steps and important decisions you need to make when relocating. With the planned moving date at the top of the list, you have a deadline to keep and can break down tasks week by week for orderliness. A checklist ensures you get organized early on and remain systematic throughout the move. You won’t have to worry about leaving anything behind or to the last minute.
Declutter and Downsize
As a military spouse, you may not get early notice before relocating. Completing several months of moving preparation in a few weeks can be a grueling task. To simplify the moving process, consider embracing a minimalistic lifestyle by decluttering and downsizing, that way – when the time comes – you’ll be well prepared.
To break this down, you can start by setting a downsizing goal for each room. Create a list of essential household items that you’ll need in your new home and future relocations. For the non-essential items, you can sell them at yard sales, donate to local charities or discard them. Finally, it’s helpful to declutter regularly, to have fewer things to sort out when relocating.
Leverage Available Military Resources
Unexpected relocations can be financially draining. Luckily, there are numerous financial resources like the Relocation Assistance Program you are entitled to that can alleviate the financial burden. Under this program, you can receive:
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Dislocation allowance (DLA)
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Monetary Allowance in place of Transportation Allowance (MALT)
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House Hold Goods (HHG) Transportation
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Advance Basic Pay
You’ll need to maintain proper documentation for all eligible expenses to receive full compensation. Also, familiarize yourself with the military reimbursement policies and procedures for claiming them to leverage these opportunities fully.
Embrace Your Support Systems
Confiding and embracing your military support network can help you manage the stress of relocating. Members of the military community around you can be a source of immense courage considering they’ve experienced similar difficulties during moves. Your civilian friends and family are another support system you can rely on. Although they may not fully grasp the unique aspects of military life, their support and strength are still invaluable.
Invest in a Portable Career: Enroll in MedCerts
Investing in portable careers like IT or healthcare, can ease the transition. These sectors are in demand across the country, often with remote work possibilities. IT specialists with skills in cybersecurity or software development can work virtually, while healthcare professionals like pharmacy technicians or dental assistants can leverage transferable licenses.
MedCerts offers flexible training programs eligible for MyCAA funding, enabling you to gain valuable skills. You get to focus on settling into your new home instead of scrambling for a new job at each duty station. Enroll in MedCerts today and invest in a career that supports your military lifestyle, providing stability and peace of mind during moves. Contact us today to take control of your future.
