Almost all military families can agree on one thing: PCS orders are a pain in the butt. Whether your kids are just learning to walk or already learning to drive, there’s never a “good” time to uproot your family and move clear across the country, but it’s a sacrifice military families make every year.

Thankfully, the PPM (Personally Procured Move or DITY Move) program is a convenient and affordable option for military families looking to make the move on their own terms. Interestingly enough, the cost of hiring a quality moving company for a cross-country PPM move is often similar to what you’d pay if you rented a truck and made the trip yourself. Of course, the challenge is finding a company ahead of time that not only fits your budget, but can also guarantee that your belongings will arrive safely and on time.