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Post by AsRadames on May 24, 2005 12:28:03 GMT -5
Hello again -
I wasn't sure where to post this question, but I guess it fits in here.
For anyone who's spent an extended period of time backpacking (i.e. several months or years), what should be done about one's bills before leaving? It's tempting to just drop everything and make a run for it, but maybe not so practical (lol). Whattaya think?
- Steve
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Post by WillTravel on May 24, 2005 13:56:23 GMT -5
If you have a really trustworthy friend or relative, maybe he/she could do it for you. But I don't think I'd trust anyone other than my husband. Maybe you can set it up so that the payments are automatically debited, or so you can pay online. If you set this up now, you can see if it works automatically before you're actually gone.
Of course if possible terminate as many services as possible while you are gone.
Keep in mind that phone cards in Europe are cheap. So if you develop a good relationship with your banker, you can phone him/her up and explain your situation should a problem arise.
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Post by MuvverRussia on May 24, 2005 14:35:18 GMT -5
Whatever you do, pay off your bills, or at least work out a method to pay them. The last thing you want is creditors after you, or your credit cards becoming black listed when you are a few thousand k's from home. Also, creditors don't exactly accept 'I'm going backpacking' as a valid excuse to defer payment, so expect them to want payment up front.
Cancel everything you don't need, also it's worth getting internet banking enabled on your current account - it saves a lot of hassle when transferring funds (e.g. to pay of credit cards etc).
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Post by Eagle on May 24, 2005 16:09:08 GMT -5
I certainly agree with the tips in the previous posts. There are several different ways you can arrange to keep up with payments while you're travelling, but as Muvver suggested you don't want to default on them as your credit rating would suffer.
As WT said, family members are one possibility. You can arrange with your Bank / Credit Union to allow them access to one of your accounts (NOT the one you use for travel). This might require a limited "Power of Attorney" or whatever; that's the route I had to take in looking after my Son's account. Leave them a list of payments, due dates for these and a supply of Cheques and they should be able to take care of this for you. Presumably there will still be some cash coming into your account, or adequate savings to cover the payments?
A second method would be to arrange pre-authorized payments with your Creditors. The payments will automatically be deducted from your account on the pre-arranged date. Again, don't use your travel account and make sure there will be adequate funds or cash inflow to cover payments for the duration of your trip.
Another option would be to pre-program the payments yourself, if you have Internet banking. My Credit Unions allow members to schedule payments on any date, and these are then paid automatically when that day arrives. I don't believe there are any limitations on the number of scheduled transactions that can be entered? I usually schedule a payment on the day after a deposit is made, as usually the deposit isn't posted to the account until after midnight.
I'm somewhat uneasy about Internet Banking while travelling, as I don't trust the computers in net cafes. It's fine for checking E-mails or browsing the web, but even is you're accessing a secure site there is still the problem with key loggers etc. so it's quite possible someone could be recording your passwords, etc.
I do use telephone banking on occasion, as I feel that's a bit more secure. Anyone wanting to "hack" into cellphone calls would need a lot of specialized and very costly equipment, given the digital encryption used (it was easier to listen in to the old analog cell phones, but who uses those any more?). I imagine that using a pay phone with a calling card would be reasonably secure as well?
BTW, you might want to delete your Post from the other section. There's no need to post it twice as you'll likely get the same number of replies.
Anyway, hope this answers your questions. Cheers!!!
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Post by LHR02 on May 24, 2005 16:25:48 GMT -5
Easy...pay off all your bills before you go.  Seriously though, I did just that and the only bill I had was for my storage...which I prepaid for one year before I left. So, my household goods were covered for a year and I owed no one else a dime for anything. Made things ever so much easier to deal with. Ammended to say I did have my car insurance that would come due while gone....I left a pre written check with my friend who was getting my mail, told her when to watch for that bill, and date and send off the check when it came in. Left my car with her, fully insured, household in storage and hit the plane at a dead run. ;D |
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Post by Eagle on May 24, 2005 16:28:36 GMT -5
Ging, you're fortunate that you have that degree of "freedom". For those of us with mortgages and other complications, it's not that easy. Oh well, one adjusts to the circumstances.
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Post by LHR02 on May 24, 2005 16:36:39 GMT -5
But remember...I was a widow, 49 and had decided to run away from home. I had a mortgage, but knew I really didn't want to live where I was any longer..what did I need with 5 bedrooms and 5 acres? I sold the house for a nice profit which allowed me to pay everything off and sold most things in the house that were not near and dear and 'family' to me. I NEVER intended to own a home again....and yet here I am, with 1 1/2 acres in Florida. Sheesh. Thinking it's about time to do it all over again. ;D My itchy feet get worse every month. But there is hope....CharPey and Lizzy are moving from here next May and they'll be nothing to keep me here...once again. Hooray!
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Post by Eagle on May 24, 2005 16:49:26 GMT -5
Does that mean you'll be moving to Alaska???
I can now see how your circusmstances allowed you to travel so freely in the past. I imagine the sale of a 5 BR / 5 Acre House allowed you some fairly nice "travelling funds"! Now you're a rich land baron again, with 1 1/2 acres!
My hope is to keep my house while I'm travelling, as I need somewhere to call "home" and come back to, close to family. The way real estate is increasing this area, it's probably a good idea to hang onto it for now anyway. Eventually I'll probably choose to downsize, but I'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to more travel!!!
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Post by LHR02 on May 24, 2005 17:18:15 GMT -5
Good god no! Much as I will miss them...and her so much...Alaska is surely not where I want to be......not when I can be walking 'round Florence. |
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Post by WillTravel on May 24, 2005 17:58:36 GMT -5
If you moved to the Pacific Northwest, then you would be much closer to Lizzie, and you would also be pretty close to Kim and me and Patrick and Eagle. What more could you ask?  |
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Post by dumbdiety on May 24, 2005 18:48:52 GMT -5
If you moved to the Pacific Northwest, then you would be much closer to Lizzie, and you would also be pretty close to Kim and me and Patrick and Eagle. What more could you ask? No fair, that'll only leave me and Stanncie here in Florida!  |
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Post by jennifer on May 28, 2005 13:17:32 GMT -5
Why not move to Montréal?
hehehe
xcoxo
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Post by LHR02 on May 28, 2005 13:39:09 GMT -5
Jen, I doubt my 'politics' would ever mesh in Montreal! |
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Post by jennifer on May 28, 2005 15:31:33 GMT -5
Ok, I'm not a very big fan of politics, so i'm not quite sure i know what you're saying exactly, but assides politics, MONTREAL IS THE BEST heheheh
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Seriously though, I did just that and the only bill I had was for my storage...which I prepaid for one year before I left. So, my household goods were covered for a year and I owed no one else a dime for anything. Made things ever so much easier to deal with. 
