How to Use a DITY Move Calculator

🧮 How to Use a DITY Move Calculator for Permanent Change of Station Relocations

Starting in January of 2021, the military decided to increase the reimbursement amount for moving expenses from 95% to 100%. ✅
This means that the government will now pay 100% of your expenses in the event of a PCS.

📦 For those who are organized and great at managing money, you can go through the entire move and actually end up with money left over on the other side.

A DITY move calculator can help you do this by calculating the total expenses of your move while factoring in your reimbursements or allowances.

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❓ What is a DITY or Personally Procured Move?

A DITY or PPM is essentially a relocation where you handle the entire moving process.
This usually applies to government positions where a government-procured move (GPM) would otherwise occur.

With a DITY:

✅ You choose which moving companies to hire

⏳ You control the timeline

🔧 You handle the logistics

Many people choose this method for flexibility and control. And here’s the big secret 👀:
You can actually make money from a PPM!

Since the government pays what it would have spent on a GPM, any leftover savings are yours to keep. 💰

📊 Why Use a DITY Move Calculator?

A DITY move calculator helps you:

Calculate costs based on 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 number of dependents

Factor in 📏 distance and 🛣️ travel days

Estimate 🚚 weight/volume of items being moved

💸 What Allowances Do You Receive in a DITY Move?

Once you've figured out your expenses, subtract your allowances to determine your net cost. If you're left with a surplus, your DITY move just became profitable. Here are the common allowances:

🏠 Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

Covers expenses accrued during relocation.
Exceptions:

First PCS with no dependents

Active duty orders without dependents

Retirement travel

📝 Designed mainly for families to help offset the financial burden of moving.

🚗 Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT)

Mileage reimbursement for PCS moves.
📍 Authorized at 18 cents per mile for each portion of approved travel.

🍔 Per Diem

Reimbursement for:

🏨 Lodging

🍽️ Meals

⛽ Fuel

🚧 Tolls

Rate:

¾ of the rate for dependents 12+

½ for dependents under 12

🔗 (There is a lot of valuable information here on relocation allowances for military members.)

💻 How Do I Use a DITY Move Calculator?

The formula is simple:

[Reimbursement Amount] – [Total Moving Expenses] = X

If X is positive, you keep the difference! 🎉

If X is negative, reconsider your options or stick with a GPM

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t let the potential savings overshadow the stress and manual labor a DITY move can require.

⚖️ Is Doing a DITY Move… The Right Move?

DITY moves are often less stressful if you're:

🗓️ On a tight timeline

📦 Comfortable managing your own logistics

🔄 Experienced or have guidance

👎 Downsides:

You pack everything yourself

No backup if things go wrong

First-time PCS members usually don’t qualify

🏘️ Bonus: Real Estate Rebate Program

❌ USAA Movers Advantage is no longer active.

✅ Good News: CARS offers a home buying or selling rebate for everyone, military or not.

This can offset:

Packing/unpacking costs 📦

Furniture/furnishing 🪑

Transportation 🚚

Disposal and more 🗑️

📅 Schedule a Free Consultation

If you're planning a PCS and want help using a DITY move calculator, schedule a free consultation with CARS today.

We’ve helped thousands of military members make confident relocation decisions—and we can help you too. 🤝

📝 Note:
CARS is a privately-run, third-party business, and is not affiliated with the military or any government entity.
This article is for reference only.