Don't Worry, Be Happy...Use BillPay



Following a few simple steps can make the difference
between an enjoyable vacation...and disaster



I love to travel…well actually it’s the destinations I love. My husband and I just returned from a week-long getaway to our favorite place on earth – the Bahamas.  It’s become our home away from home, and as former Michiganders a little tropical warmth just before the chill of winter set in was always the armor we needed to make it through.  I was worried that when we moved down here to southern Florida, our trip to the Bahamas wouldn’t be as special; but I was wrong – it was more special than ever, made even more special because we were joined by some good friends from Michigan.

Planning for a vacation is always tedious, and amongst the list of watering plants, giving family emergency numbers, or buying the extra dog food; there are always the financial to-dos you don’t want to miss.  Below I’ve outlined a few important steps that I have found very useful over the past few years along with a few MIS-steps that have caused problems.

• Step 1 – No matter where you go, make sure to contact your credit card AND debit card providers to let them know your travel dates  AND destinations so there will be no embarrassing interruptions to utilizing these cards. ALSO if you’re traveling internationally find out if your credit cards adds fees for currency conversion as well as if that country is blocked from debit card use (call us at 888-261-8328 to find out a current list of blocked countries before you go)
• MIS-Step 1 – If you fail to notify your credit/debit card providers before you go, AT LEAST have a way for them to contact you so you can tell them WHILE you’re on vacation…and if you’re traveling internationally it will cost ya!
• Step 2 – Use online BillPay to schedule payments while you’re gone.   It’s fast, simple and it's easy.  If you don’t currently use BillPay, and you take vacations, sign up for this handy tool before you take your next vacation - you’ll see what I mean.
•  MIS-step 2 – If you don’t use online BillPay scheduler, then please make sure you write out the checks, buy stamps, and mail those payments in BEFORE you leave for vacation (especially if you’re going on a cruise…not a lot of post offices on the ocean).  OR if you think you can beat the system and pay the bills via phone, AND you happen to be traveling internationally make sure to buy an international phone plan. If not you may find that your phone bill to make those payments cost more than the late fees for the bills!
• Step 3 – Contact the post office and request that your mail be held for the duration of your trip. OR if you have a neighbor you’re close with, ask them to pick it up for you, which will save the time it takes to go to the local post office and pick it up from them when you return.
• Mis-Step 3 – Do nothing about your mail and come back to an overflowing mailbox and a nasty note from the mail carrier…okay so this one isn’t financial, but after just experiencing it, I thought it was worth mentioning.
• Step 4 – Don't Worry, Be Happy! 
• MIS-Step 4 – As long as you follow the first few steps, there will be no more MIS-steps! 

^Amy