Tips on saving money, a checklist of things that need to be taken care of before travelling and information on your legal obligations, such as appointing a power of attorney and writing a will before you leave home
Writing a willBefore you undertake any big adventure or holiday you should look at writing a will to ensure that you belongings, estate and any savings you have back home will go to the people you want them to go to, in the untimely case of your death. You can get a will professionally drawn up or you can buy will writing kits from the internet or at some post offices. Of course, you can write your own will free of charge and without an attorney as long as you are over the age of 18. If writing your own will, you should include the following to ensure that your will is legally binding:Title your document ‘The Last Will and Testament of (insert full name)’ The date Your full name, address and phone number That you were of ‘sound mind at the time of writing the will’ and that you were ‘under no duress’. This means no one has pressured you in to writing the will List any children or a spouse Chose an executor. This person will complete your final wishes as stated in the will Clearly list your assets in detail (such as cars, property etc) and who you wish to have these Sign and date your will in the presence of two witnesses who are over the legal age. If possible, get a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) to be a witness and ask them to record their J.P. identification number. Do not ask someone to witness your will if they are listed as a beneficiary Make sure your signature is at the bottom of the will because anything written underneath the signature will not be accepted Make two copies of your will and keep one with you, leaving the other in a safe place or with your attorney or lawyer If this is not your first will, you must state that on the new will and you must include the phrase ‘revoke all previously made wills and codicils’. Make sure that if you write a will, you update it every few years to make sure the information remains current.Power of attorney Before leaving home to travel for an extended period or to relocate indefinitely, take the time out to instate a power of attorney. A power of attorney is someone who you have authorized to act on your behalf in legal, financial or business matters. For instance, if you have a mortgage, estate, car or business back home, your power of attorney is able to manage you finances and sign cheques or documents such as leases or registration renewals on your behalf. It is important to choose your power of attorney carefully as you will need to trust them and be confident that they can handle this rather large responsibility. Visit your home Government’s website to download power of attorney forms.Travel savings tipsIn order to have a successful trip overseas you need to be equipped with not just the right equipment and information, but money too. A few tips, that only those who have gone through the relocation process would know, as listed below: Youth cards: You do not have to be a student to also be entitled to discounts on admission and transport costs. If you are under the age of 25 you can apply for an International Youth Card which works in much the same was as a student card. It costs around $20 to apply for card. For more information and to apply for an international or student youth card before you leave home, visit International Student Travel Confederation. Travel luggage: Make sure you visit second-hand and on-line stores for travel goods to save you fortunes on new equipment because more often than not, backpacks, suitcases and travel accessories are purchased with one trip in mind and then put up for sale. Vaccinations: Before you leave home, visit your local GP or travel doctor to make sure you have had all of the necessary needles for the countries you are travelling to and any boosters for shots you had as a child. Gifts: It may sound ruthless, but if family and friends ask if they can buy you a going away gift, request money. The sad fact is that the thoughtful photo frames and home mementos will not make the cut when it comes time to pack your life into a single backpack. Contracts: Make sure that you suspend or payout any mobile phone contracts before you leave home. Buy in bulk: Only a true Londoner can tell you about the joys of warehouse stores. This phenomenon means you go to a shop and buy items selected from a catalogue. You must then wait as the items are retrieved from the warehouse. The savings are huge at these types of stores, and they are great for when you move into a place and need to purchase towels, linen and furniture. The pill: It may come as a surprise to anyone outside of the UK, but the contraceptive pill is covered by the NHS meaning it is free to residents over the age of 18. If you require the pill, there is no need to stock up on supplies before you leave home.
You can get a will professionally drawn up or you can buy will writing kits from the internet or at some post offices. Of course, you can write your own will free of charge and without an attorney as long as you are over the age of 18. If writing your own will, you should include the following to ensure that your will is legally binding:
Make sure that if you write a will, you update it every few years to make sure the information remains current.
Power of attorney Before leaving home to travel for an extended period or to relocate indefinitely, take the time out to instate a power of attorney. A power of attorney is someone who you have authorized to act on your behalf in legal, financial or business matters. For instance, if you have a mortgage, estate, car or business back home, your power of attorney is able to manage you finances and sign cheques or documents such as leases or registration renewals on your behalf. It is important to choose your power of attorney carefully as you will need to trust them and be confident that they can handle this rather large responsibility. Visit your home Government’s website to download power of attorney forms.Travel savings tipsIn order to have a successful trip overseas you need to be equipped with not just the right equipment and information, but money too. A few tips, that only those who have gone through the relocation process would know, as listed below: Youth cards: You do not have to be a student to also be entitled to discounts on admission and transport costs. If you are under the age of 25 you can apply for an International Youth Card which works in much the same was as a student card. It costs around $20 to apply for card. For more information and to apply for an international or student youth card before you leave home, visit International Student Travel Confederation. Travel luggage: Make sure you visit second-hand and on-line stores for travel goods to save you fortunes on new equipment because more often than not, backpacks, suitcases and travel accessories are purchased with one trip in mind and then put up for sale. Vaccinations: Before you leave home, visit your local GP or travel doctor to make sure you have had all of the necessary needles for the countries you are travelling to and any boosters for shots you had as a child. Gifts: It may sound ruthless, but if family and friends ask if they can buy you a going away gift, request money. The sad fact is that the thoughtful photo frames and home mementos will not make the cut when it comes time to pack your life into a single backpack. Contracts: Make sure that you suspend or payout any mobile phone contracts before you leave home. Buy in bulk: Only a true Londoner can tell you about the joys of warehouse stores. This phenomenon means you go to a shop and buy items selected from a catalogue. You must then wait as the items are retrieved from the warehouse. The savings are huge at these types of stores, and they are great for when you move into a place and need to purchase towels, linen and furniture. The pill: It may come as a surprise to anyone outside of the UK, but the contraceptive pill is covered by the NHS meaning it is free to residents over the age of 18. If you require the pill, there is no need to stock up on supplies before you leave home.
Visit your home Government’s website to download power of attorney forms.
Travel savings tipsIn order to have a successful trip overseas you need to be equipped with not just the right equipment and information, but money too. A few tips, that only those who have gone through the relocation process would know, as listed below: Youth cards: You do not have to be a student to also be entitled to discounts on admission and transport costs. If you are under the age of 25 you can apply for an International Youth Card which works in much the same was as a student card. It costs around $20 to apply for card. For more information and to apply for an international or student youth card before you leave home, visit International Student Travel Confederation. Travel luggage: Make sure you visit second-hand and on-line stores for travel goods to save you fortunes on new equipment because more often than not, backpacks, suitcases and travel accessories are purchased with one trip in mind and then put up for sale. Vaccinations: Before you leave home, visit your local GP or travel doctor to make sure you have had all of the necessary needles for the countries you are travelling to and any boosters for shots you had as a child. Gifts: It may sound ruthless, but if family and friends ask if they can buy you a going away gift, request money. The sad fact is that the thoughtful photo frames and home mementos will not make the cut when it comes time to pack your life into a single backpack. Contracts: Make sure that you suspend or payout any mobile phone contracts before you leave home. Buy in bulk: Only a true Londoner can tell you about the joys of warehouse stores. This phenomenon means you go to a shop and buy items selected from a catalogue. You must then wait as the items are retrieved from the warehouse. The savings are huge at these types of stores, and they are great for when you move into a place and need to purchase towels, linen and furniture. The pill: It may come as a surprise to anyone outside of the UK, but the contraceptive pill is covered by the NHS meaning it is free to residents over the age of 18. If you require the pill, there is no need to stock up on supplies before you leave home.