If you’re going away on vacation, you need to take some steps to protect yourself and your belongings. But, most of us aren’t covering all the bases. Here’s what I suggest you do:
- Stop the mail, newspaper, and any other automatic delivery
- Make arrangements for pets and plants
- Call your credit card companies to let them know where you will be so they can approve any charges you make and contact you if needed.
- Make sure you have paid all your bills ahead of time so you don’t have a late payment (remember: late payments are the biggest factor of your credit score).
- Adjust your thermostat accordingly andunplug any unnecessary electronics. It’s also a good idea to set timers for any lights or electronics you want turned on and off in your absence
- Have someone either house sit or check on your house frequently
- Clean out your wallet. Remove all items you won’t be using. This includes local items (like library cards), rewards cards, and any credit cards you won’t need on vacation. You should only carry what you will be using. If you are traveling with a spouse, make sure you travel with different credit cards. If one of you loses a wallet, then the other will still have credit cards that are usable.
- If you will be travelling with a passport, make sure to make two copies of the information page, and don’t keep the copy with your passport. Keep one with you in case you lose it and give one to someone you trust who isn’t traveling with you.
Jill Russo Foster a nationally acclaimed speaker and author of Thrive in Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day. She provides practical tips for every day finances. Learn more about protecting your credit and living within your means, with Jill’s popular free reports and bi-monthly ezine at jillrussofoster.com.
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