Military life is full of transitions, but few are as stressful or as expensive as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. Whether it’s your first move or your tenth, PCS orders can bring financial uncertainty. Between travel costs, temporary lodging, replacing lost or damaged items, and adjusting to a new cost of living, it’s easy for your budget to spiral. The good news? With a little planning, you can take control of your finances and avoid financial surprises during your PCS.
1. Know What the Military Will (and Won’t) Cover
Before you start packing, take time to review your PCS entitlements. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
- Per Diem for travel days
- Mileage reimbursement
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
- Personally Procured Move (PPM) allowance
Not every expense during a PCS is covered, so it’s important to understand which costs will come out of your own pocket (like pet transportation, cleaning fees, storage beyond allowed time, or utility deposits).
2. Build a PCS Budget
Start planning as soon as you receive orders. Create a PCS budget that includes:
- Travel expenses (gas, food, lodging)
- Packing supplies
- Childcare during move prep
- Housing deposits or fees
- Vehicle maintenance before travel
- Unexpected expenses
A PCS move can easily cost thousands upfront before reimbursements arrive, so knowing what to expect can help prevent debt and financial stress.
3. Save a “PCS Cushion” Fund
A PCS emergency fund is essential. Aim to set aside at least $1,000–$2,000 specifically for your move to cover things like:
- Car repairs during travel
- Hotel stays beyond TLE limits
- Last-minute storage fees
- Replacing damaged or lost belongings
Even if reimbursements are on the way, having cash available prevents you from leaning on high-interest credit cards.
4. Beware of Cost of Living Changes
Moving from Texas to California, or vice versa? Your cost of living might change dramatically. Before your move:
- Research housing prices near the new duty station
- Compare utility rates, insurance, groceries, and childcare
- Check your new BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rate
Many families get caught off guard when their expenses change. Planning ahead can help avoid overspending or housing stress. Our Active-Duty family looks for housing under BAH, so we can easily pay for utilities.
5. Keep Receipts and Stay Organized
Reimbursements are only as good as your documentation. Keep a folder (digital or physical) with:
- Travel receipts
- Lodging invoices
- Weight tickets for PPM moves
- Mileage logs
- Signed PCS orders
This is one of the easiest ways to make sure you get every dollar you're owed.
6. Watch Out for Credit and Identity Risk
During a move, you’ll be changing addresses. This leaves you more vulnerable to identity theft. Protect yourself by:
- Letting banks and creditors know the places and dates of travel
- Updating addresses with banks and creditors right away
- Setting mail forwarding
- Freezing credit temporarily, if necessary
- Consider using credit cards to take advantage of their fraud protection benefits
- Using secured networks for financial logins
A little extra caution now can prevent major financial headaches later.
How Our Financial Counseling Company Can Help
At Walters Financial Wellness, we specialize in helping military families take control of their finances, especially during life transitions like PCS moves. We offer:
- Financial counseling from an Active-Duty spouse
- Personalized PCS budgeting assistance
- Advice on managing reimbursements and entitlements
- Debt reduction strategies during high-expense moves
- Savings plans to prepare for future PCS relocations
- Financial coaching for transitioning to a civilian life
- Credit and identity protection guidance
- One-on-one support from an experienced financial counselor
Contact us today for assistance!