Every year more than 42 million people relocate with 18 percent of those people moving because of the military. A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is expected as part of the military, but it can cause stress and hardship on all members of the family. While you can decide whether to do a Personally Procured Move (PPM), a partial PPM or full government move, you might have to pay some expenses upfront. This could cause a strain on your budget as you wait for reimbursement. With any kind of transition, last minute costs or unexpected changes are possible and will put further strain on out-of-pocket-expenses. Whether it’s your first move or your last, remember these tips to help you save money.

1. Have a yard sale
You are probably like the majority of people and gain new items after every move. While it is difficult to get rid of items that hold sentimental value or have a practical use, you have an allotted weight limit so some things have to go. Remember to look through your closets, the attic and garage as well as find things you haven’t used in the last year. If you haven’t used it lately, then you probably won’t use it in the future either. Once you have everything divided into keep and sale piles, have a yard sale. Most places have a paper you can advertise in or look for a base-wide event. Anything of high value or rarity you may want to sell online to get a wider audience. After you have finished selling your items, anything left can be donated to a local charity. You can get a receipt from the organization for a tax deduction.

2. Keep current on bills and subscriptions
At your current station, you might have joined a gym or gotten a large cable package. Some cable companies will prorate your payment if you aren’t using it for the full contract time. Anything that you won’t be able to use at your next duty station can be cancelled. It might help to look through your bank statements to notice recurring fees. Memberships and subscriptions can fall through the cracks when moving because they aren’t the most important things you are thinking about, but you don’t want to pay for items or services that you can’t use at your new station.

3. Buy travel snacks ahead of trip
Whether travelling by car or plane you are going to get hungry and thirsty during your trip. It is smart to buy snacks and drinks before your trip. Snacks at gas stations and isolated locations tend to be more expensive, so get a list of your family’s favorites and head to the commissary. If you are taking a road trip, pack a cooler with your go-to sodas and bottled water. Are you traveling with kids? Go to the local dollar store and pick up a few travel games to keep them occupied. This is especially helpful when their tablet or phone is running low on batteries and they can no longer play their favorite video game.

4. Use loyalty programs and military discounts
Most hotels and even some restaurants offer military discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts even if you don’t see an signage offering it, because it never hurts to ask. Hotel chains serve a majority of the United States and most of them carry a loyalty point system which is free to sign up for. If you have an overnight trip, try to stay with the same hotel chain to rack up more points and discounts for later in your trip or for that vacation you plan to take.

You should research your move and see which type of move will benefit your family more. A PPM may seem like a lot of work, but could put a few extra dollars in your pocket if you plan correctly. Although you will be reimbursed for most of your PCS move and travel, some of the expenses will come out-of-pocket first. Don’t be stressed when it’s your time to move, these simple tips can help you plan ahead for financial success. Remember to have fun and see some popular destinations during your move to make the trip more enjoyable.