Been a while since I've been on here...life has been hectic to say the least! I graduated from college in May and have my dream job lined up to begin in early October (in AK).
That said, Dh and I are planning for me to put in for a transfer with my company approximately a year after starting (so, next fall; give or take a few months - I'll be watching for openings). We have friends who have worked for the company before and all have had good experiences both with the company, and with putting in for (and receiving) a transfer, within a year of beginning work. We're planning to move to Indianapolis, Indiana. Dh's immediate family lives there, including his grandma, and I have several cousins in the area, as well. We're excited about the decision!!
After both being born and raised up here, we would both love to move to the lower 48 for further opportunities for Dh in his field (it's really time now, but I need time in my position here before we go).
We've decided that after hearing of so many stresses regarding moving costs, and the process in general, we would like to begin planning, paring down, and getting our "financial house" prepared for the move.
No fixed move date (obviously), but by our best estimations it could be as early as mid-summer '15, but likely in the October to December '15 time frame.
I have been shifting more and more to a simple-living/minimalist lifestyle over the last couple years, so that will help with keeping shipping costs low...but, shipping anything from Alaska is SPENDY, to say the least!! (We'll ask around, but hope to keep it in the $1.30/lb range). For the last month or so we have been selling things slowly on eBay and craigslist...using the cash for extra debt payments and taking other things to the thrift store or giving them to friends who can put them to good use. We are continuing to do this...have several items up on both eBay/CL now.
Goals are to have cash for the move, zero CC debt, and the car paid off. This will be possible, just need to keep on task. I'm going to be cooking MUCH more at home, we'll be taking lunches to work the vast majority of the time, and any drinks with friends (whether out for coffee or a beer) will be "fun money". Period. (We each get $50/month "fun money" and track it in excel). We will continue to focus on using up toiletries we already have before buying more, making what we have last until move time or doing without if things wear out beforehand, and I have aspirations of reducing our already-low utilities further.
So, my goal is to post here for accountability. 12-18 months is a long stretch and we will have a lot of stresses throughout this coming time frame. But, if we stay focused, we will be able to accomplish a LOT!
I would love some input on these questions, especially:
1. How are Marsh's grocery prices compared to other grocery stores in the area? I know there's an Aldi and they're on the more affordable end of the spectrum, but have only shopped in one once. We are somewhat familiar with Kroger, so if that could be a frame of reference, it would be great!
2. Any extra info on the area would be appreciated! We will be going to Indy to visit family in September and if there are areas/stores/things that would be good for us to check into, I'm all for it!
3. Trying to decide if it's worth shipping my sewing machine. I haven't sewn in about 2 years, but have solid sewing skills. Small repairs I tend to just do by hand, anymore. I know it can be a great tool to have when needed...just not sure if we'll need it enough to justify shipping it? (It's about 25 lbs; in excellent condition). Thoughts?
And, just a side note on our tickets to visit family this fall...they were paid for with airline miles. The fees came to a whopping $70 RT. We get free checked bags down (Ak Airlines), but not on the return flight (initial bag check is with another airline: $25/bag). Dh and I are considering, if it's acceptable to his dad, checking one suitcase that we'll share and 3 boxes of keepsakes/books to store at his dad's place (shouldn't be in his way) when we fly down in September. Each suitcase/box can weigh up to 50 lbs, so that would save us 150 lbs on shipping!! It's super early to move things, but we'll get down there... What do you all think of this idea? It shouldn't be an inconvenience for his dad and it would be things we wouldn't need for the rest of the time we're up here. Good? Too soon? And, we'll be staying with family and they're loaning us a car while visiting, so no extra costs that way. We will take them out to dinner and take a small gift for their kindness...but, that will be in our allotted travel $.
Not planning to move much furniture...nearly all of it we own is second hand or about worn out, anyway. While this means we'll save the shipping costs...we *will* have to replace things when we arrive. Priority will be a new bed and other apartment basics (trash cans, light bulbs, cleaning supplies). And, then we'll add other things: table/chairs, dresser, nightstand, etc. as we can afford them (cash) and we find good deals. This is part of what we will be saving up for in moving costs, which I will need to break down into more specifics as time passes. We will drive one car down the AlCan highway when the time comes, regardless of time of year (weather). If our second car is still running, we plan to give it to our best friends to use for as long as it'll last...if it doesn't make it that long, we'll become a one car family until we move.
We want to make the most of our remaining time here...with friends who we will miss dearly (but hopefully, we'll talk into visiting us once we're settled!). Meals at home, along with board games will be a primary activity! Also, movies in...and occasionally at the theater (fun money!).
This weekend we pulled the corned beef out of the freezer that's been there since February and made that with potatoes I bought in bulk (Costco) and some bargain cabbage, carrots, and onions I got at our grocery store. Had that for dinner and it will last us another 2 days, easy! After that, I have the supplies to make a crock pot of soup. Yum!
Any suggestions, support, or encouragement along this journey would be greatly appreciated! TIA
That said, Dh and I are planning for me to put in for a transfer with my company approximately a year after starting (so, next fall; give or take a few months - I'll be watching for openings). We have friends who have worked for the company before and all have had good experiences both with the company, and with putting in for (and receiving) a transfer, within a year of beginning work. We're planning to move to Indianapolis, Indiana. Dh's immediate family lives there, including his grandma, and I have several cousins in the area, as well. We're excited about the decision!!
After both being born and raised up here, we would both love to move to the lower 48 for further opportunities for Dh in his field (it's really time now, but I need time in my position here before we go).
We've decided that after hearing of so many stresses regarding moving costs, and the process in general, we would like to begin planning, paring down, and getting our "financial house" prepared for the move.
No fixed move date (obviously), but by our best estimations it could be as early as mid-summer '15, but likely in the October to December '15 time frame.
I have been shifting more and more to a simple-living/minimalist lifestyle over the last couple years, so that will help with keeping shipping costs low...but, shipping anything from Alaska is SPENDY, to say the least!! (We'll ask around, but hope to keep it in the $1.30/lb range). For the last month or so we have been selling things slowly on eBay and craigslist...using the cash for extra debt payments and taking other things to the thrift store or giving them to friends who can put them to good use. We are continuing to do this...have several items up on both eBay/CL now.
Goals are to have cash for the move, zero CC debt, and the car paid off. This will be possible, just need to keep on task. I'm going to be cooking MUCH more at home, we'll be taking lunches to work the vast majority of the time, and any drinks with friends (whether out for coffee or a beer) will be "fun money". Period. (We each get $50/month "fun money" and track it in excel). We will continue to focus on using up toiletries we already have before buying more, making what we have last until move time or doing without if things wear out beforehand, and I have aspirations of reducing our already-low utilities further.
So, my goal is to post here for accountability. 12-18 months is a long stretch and we will have a lot of stresses throughout this coming time frame. But, if we stay focused, we will be able to accomplish a LOT!
I would love some input on these questions, especially:
1. How are Marsh's grocery prices compared to other grocery stores in the area? I know there's an Aldi and they're on the more affordable end of the spectrum, but have only shopped in one once. We are somewhat familiar with Kroger, so if that could be a frame of reference, it would be great!
2. Any extra info on the area would be appreciated! We will be going to Indy to visit family in September and if there are areas/stores/things that would be good for us to check into, I'm all for it!
3. Trying to decide if it's worth shipping my sewing machine. I haven't sewn in about 2 years, but have solid sewing skills. Small repairs I tend to just do by hand, anymore. I know it can be a great tool to have when needed...just not sure if we'll need it enough to justify shipping it? (It's about 25 lbs; in excellent condition). Thoughts?
And, just a side note on our tickets to visit family this fall...they were paid for with airline miles. The fees came to a whopping $70 RT. We get free checked bags down (Ak Airlines), but not on the return flight (initial bag check is with another airline: $25/bag). Dh and I are considering, if it's acceptable to his dad, checking one suitcase that we'll share and 3 boxes of keepsakes/books to store at his dad's place (shouldn't be in his way) when we fly down in September. Each suitcase/box can weigh up to 50 lbs, so that would save us 150 lbs on shipping!! It's super early to move things, but we'll get down there... What do you all think of this idea? It shouldn't be an inconvenience for his dad and it would be things we wouldn't need for the rest of the time we're up here. Good? Too soon? And, we'll be staying with family and they're loaning us a car while visiting, so no extra costs that way. We will take them out to dinner and take a small gift for their kindness...but, that will be in our allotted travel $.
Not planning to move much furniture...nearly all of it we own is second hand or about worn out, anyway. While this means we'll save the shipping costs...we *will* have to replace things when we arrive. Priority will be a new bed and other apartment basics (trash cans, light bulbs, cleaning supplies). And, then we'll add other things: table/chairs, dresser, nightstand, etc. as we can afford them (cash) and we find good deals. This is part of what we will be saving up for in moving costs, which I will need to break down into more specifics as time passes. We will drive one car down the AlCan highway when the time comes, regardless of time of year (weather). If our second car is still running, we plan to give it to our best friends to use for as long as it'll last...if it doesn't make it that long, we'll become a one car family until we move.
We want to make the most of our remaining time here...with friends who we will miss dearly (but hopefully, we'll talk into visiting us once we're settled!). Meals at home, along with board games will be a primary activity! Also, movies in...and occasionally at the theater (fun money!).
This weekend we pulled the corned beef out of the freezer that's been there since February and made that with potatoes I bought in bulk (Costco) and some bargain cabbage, carrots, and onions I got at our grocery store. Had that for dinner and it will last us another 2 days, easy! After that, I have the supplies to make a crock pot of soup. Yum!
Any suggestions, support, or encouragement along this journey would be greatly appreciated! TIA