Put every expense on a timeline
Your budget should show when money leaves your account, not just the total cost of moving. Allocate documents, travel, rental deposits, equipment and everyday spending across preparation, arrival and the first salary payment. Record employer reimbursements separately: an amount that will be refunded later still requires funding on the day you are expected to pay it.
Prepare a less favourable financial scenario
Repeat the calculation with a delayed starting date, a longer stay in temporary accommodation or transport costs above your estimate. Determine the reserve you can use without depending on income that remains uncertain, and include commitments retained in your departure country. A useful budget records its assumptions, supporting quotations and the date on which the figures were last reviewed.