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The whole process of selling your home, buying a new one, packing and moving is bound to stretch your financial muscles. You may have considered the obvious costs of moving -- a moving van or crew, boxes and tape -- but there are lots of little expenses along the way that can wreak havoc on your wallet if you aren't expecting them.

Follow these steps to create an accurate moving budget.

Step 1: Determine how much you can spend.

The first step to creating your moving budget is figuring out how much you can spend. Add together your available financial resources from:

• Checking accounts;
• Savings accounts;
• Relocation allowances from your new or current employer;
• Credit cards;
• Additional financial resources.

You may be able to add a little padding to your wallet before you move. You could rake in some cash from:

• The sale of a spare car, extra furniture or other belongings;
• The damage deposit on your current home (if it's a rental);
• Profits from the sale of your home;
• Payout from your employer for unused vacation time.

Add any profit you expect to make to the sum of your other accounts and resources. This is how much you have to spend for your move.

Step 2: Figure out the fixed costs of leaving your old residence and moving into a new one.

Before you start planning your move, you'll need to determine the cost of leaving your current home. Determine how much you'll need to pay for:

• Lease termination;
• Cleaning and repairs;
• Final utility bills.

You'll also need to pay to set up your new home. Factor these expenses into your budget, if necessary:

• Utility deposits;
• Apartment rental, damage or pet deposits;
• Property taxes;
• Parking fees.

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