TEN TIPS FOR A WORRY FREE VACATIONTAKING CARE OF BUSINESS WHILE AWAY FROM HOMEby Barbara Ballard
We all know to cancel newspapers, get someone to mow our lawns, arrange for neighbors to keep an eye on our house -- the standard "defeat the burglar" advice. But there's more. Here are 10 tips that make my trips worry free.1. Choose one person (and only one, to avoid any confusion) that you trust completely to perform the role of "private secretary" in your absence. 2. Organize your secretary: Give your secretary a complete set of labeled keys, the name and phone numbers of your doctor, dentist, optometrist, lawyer and next of kin. Also include a copy of your flight schedule and itinerary. Add folders or large envelopes for each week or month you'll be gone. In each, put post- dated checks to be deposited or bills to be paid, birthday cards ready to be mailed and extra envelopes and stamps. A list of instructions or any detailed information you feel your secretary will need is a must. 3. Power of attorney: Give your private secretary a power of attorney. There are two types. The first, a bank power of attorney allows your secretary to sign on your behalf and make bank deposits and withdrawals; visit the bank with your secretary to make arrangements. The second type of power of attorney is a general one, available from a notary for a small fee. This type of power of attorney is needed to sign business papers in your absence. An example would be property tax or household or car insurance renewals. Make your power of attorney valid only for the time of your absence. 4. Telephone answering service: whether you use a commercial or home answering device, record a message giving your secretary's name and phone number for emergency contact and business messages. 5. Mail: Twice a week is about right for mail pickup. Your secretary will need to sort the mail for bills that are not automatically charged to your credit card or deducted from your bank account. Your bank will accept and hold postdated checks for you, paying them on the due date. Any predetermined amounts can be handled in this way. 6. Banking abroad: Your bank will supply the names of banks in foreign countries with reciprocal agreements for ease in cashing checks and using bankcards. Because I am a senior I pay no banking fees at home. My banker's advice is to save records of any charges and have my account at home credited. 7. Medical: Check around for the best deal in medical insurance, not necessarily the cheapest. Read carefully to see what is and isn't covered -- will you have out-of-pocket expenses or will the insurance company deal directly with the hospital or doctor? Don't hesitate to ask the insurance company questions about their policy. If you have a change in medication two months before your trip, you may find yourself paying a larger insurance fee. Get prescriptions filled for the entire time you will be away. Have a dental checkup far enough ahead to take care of any work you may need done before the plane takes off. If you use glasses or contact lenses, carry a copy of your prescription. 8.TV cable: You may want to cancel your monthly service, but first check to see what the re-connection fee is. With a little negotiation, I was able to get the fee waived completely. 9. Credit card benefits: Check your company's brochure. You may be entitled to free collision insurance and a free message line -- a great money saver and easy way to communicate with your secretary. 10. A clean home: Before you go, put knick knacks in drawers; use large trash bags to store big items like throw pillows; purchase cheap plastic drop cloths to cover your furniture. Turn your toilet and sink taps off. Unplug radios and TVs. Arrange for someone to come in to vacuum and dust before you return. It's wonderful to come home to a bright and sparkling place with nothing to do but unpack. All this takes a bit of organization and management before you go, but you'll have a vacation free of worries about what's happening on the home front. And best of all when you return there'll be no overdue bills waiting or other nasty surprises. Just peace of mind and time to enjoy the memories of your trip. Extra:Overseas Banking Tip: If you travel to one country on a regular basis, you may find it handier to have an overseas bank account rather than carry lots of cash or traveler's checks. You will need to establish this account before you leave home. Here's the procedure: write to the head office of the foreign bank with your request. After filling in and returning forms, your home bank will be contacted for verification of your identity and accounts. When this has been accomplished, you will receive checks and a bankcard from the foreign bank. Allow a minimum of two months for all the paper work, three months to be on the safe side. �1999 Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including reproduction in electronic media, without the expressed permission of the author is prohibited. Photo by Dave Shultz |
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You have all the time in the world for a vacation. Perhaps you're retired or you have a summer free to roam. Maybe you'll be visiting relatives abroad. Whatever the reason, you’re planning an extended stay away.