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Those in the military are no strangers to moving multiple times throughout their lives. Often, they receive little notice and are forced to pack their belongings, pick up their families and relocate to an entirely different area. In fact, those in active duty are expected to move every two to four years, reported Miltary.com. As you move more and more, you will likely develop a set of your own tips and tricks for streamlining the process. Until then, make the following considerations when packing up for a military move.

1. Purge old items
You are probably already aware that the government will pay for your moving fees, provided that your belongings fall under a certain weight. Therefore, it's important to purge all broken or unnecessary items before your move so you're not wasting valuable space in the moving truck on things you don't need. Your new home should only contain furniture and household supplies that you'll actually use. Anything else can rack up the cost to move, and you could be forced to pay out of pocket for everything that falls outside of the reimbursed amount.

2. Consider a DIY move
Also known as a personally procured move (PPM), a move that requires you to move your own belongings can provide certain benefits. For starters, you'll be in control of what you pack and how you store it, reducing the chance of broken or lost items. You essentially have more autonomy, and the move can be done in baby steps on your own timeline. When you're not being asked to move immediately, this can be a great choice for families who want to take their time putting together their belongings.

3. Stay away from the peak move times
It's no secret that the summer months are popular for moving. The weather, combined with school vacations and more availability, makes them the ideal time to uproot your life. That's why, if you're able to make the move outside of the busy season, you'll be better off. You'll have better access to moving trucks and you could save some money in the process.

4. Know your housing options
Military families are offered the opportunity to live on a base or rent or buy a home nearby. It may be beneficial to take advantage of living on a base to improve life after service for veterans and bring together similar families to help one another get settled. Whatever you choose, make sure you perform substantial research beforehand so you make the best decision for your new living arrangement.

5. Anticipate your next move
While you should settle into your place and encourage your whole household to do the same, it's also important to keep your eye on the bigger picture.

"Anticipating your next move is important because when your orders finally arrive, you may have only a few weeks before you hit the road," The United States Army website reported, as in the military families money and mobility brochure that is distributed during first-term PCS Money and Moving classes.

This means keeping moving boxes, a list of items to pack, medical records and all other materials that are required when you're relocating. If you don't wish to keep them in your home, look to a storage company that can keep all of these necessary items for when you need them. 

6. Get insurance
When you let the government move your belongings, all of your items are automatically insured. However, if you opt for PPM, it's up to you to either get them insured or hope for the best. In this case, it's important to be as prepared as possible. Ask your moving company for more information regarding their insurance policies, and consider taking advantage of them. There's nothing worse than having your valuables lost or broken without any compensation.