DEFLATED!

There were three accent walls painted in my old apartment before I moved in and I made absolutely, positively sure that this was documented every possible way imaginable so that I wouldn't get charged for it at move out.

Then I moved out and received my final statement in the mail from the old apartment. They were charging me $150 for full paint. I was steaming!

First, because it was Sunday and their leasing office wasn't open, I left a "feisty" voicemail for them. I "requested" that they review the records and get back to me as soon as possible. Meanwhile I prepared for a fight, pulling out all of the documentation that I had collected over the year; move-in statements; pictures; etc.

When they didn't call Monday, I was livid. I got myself worked up for a letter writing campaign, legal battle and the whole nine yards! Not only was I ready for a fight, I WANTED a fight!

And then on Tuesday they apologized. They would be issuing me a check within 30 days.

Pocket Susan Advice: At the end of the day, it's just as well that I didn't have to fight, but I could have won because I had documented everything. This is a habit that I picked up from my last roommate. Any time we had to have a major repair done or had to dispute a bill, etc., we would write a letter explaining what had happen and sign and date it. We would give one copy to the leasing office and then make them sign and date a copy for our own records. They thought we were crazy, but it was helpful on more than one occasion.

Making the Most of Your Move

I wish I had thought of this last year, but now it's too late. Since budgets are tight all around, it might be more difficult to negotiate moving expenses into a new job agreement, but it doesn't have to be a total waste. You may be able to deduct your expenses from your taxes.

The IRS employs three "tests" of whether your move qualifies for a tax deduction: the "start of work" test, the "distance" test, and the "time" test. The start-of-work test requires that you move for a job. Generally you can deduct moving expenses if you move within one year of starting a new job, provided that you meet the other two tests.

The second test is the distance between your new job and your old home. If your new job is at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job was, you can deduct expenses. (If this is your first job, the "distance" between old job and old home is defined as 0 miles.)

Also, your commute between your new job and your new home can't be longer than your commute between your old job and your old home, unless for some reason your employment requires you to live with a longer commute.

The third test requires you to be employed for at least 39 weeks, working 40 hours a week, in the year after you move. It doesn't all have to be for the same employer, and any vacation time, personal time, or illness counts as having worked full-time.

What you can deduct:
* The costs of packing and transporting your household goods (that includes anything you spend on movers);
* The use of your personal car, if you use it to move, or other travel (such as plane tickets) from your old to your new place;
* The cost of shipping your car or pets;
* The cost of disconnecting utilities at your old place and setting up utilities at your new place;
* Any lodging costs you incur between leaving your old place and moving into your new place.

Things you cannot deduct:
* Any part of the purchase price of a new home, or the security deposit on a new apartment;
* Any pre-move expenses you incur looking for a new place;
* Expenses related to getting a new driver's license or car registration.