Everyone loves going on holiday, but no one likes to stress about unnecessary hassles and expenses that inevitably will be incurred whilst on holiday. That’s why we’ve compiled a handy list of things to do about your money, your life, your home and your car so that you can return relaxed and rejuvenated knowing that your possessions, your wallet, and your loved ones are safe.
With the festive season approaching it’s imperative to ensure that your policies are up to date. Don’t make the mistake of leaving it, under the impression that you are covered and that everything is up to date, only to find out at claim stage that you were insufficiently covered.
Unforeseen things happen – be prepared! Be responsible and make the time to see me for an evaluation and update of your “Life Journey”.
It is very important to make sure that your beneficiaries on your life policies, investments, retirement annuities and pension- and provident fund/s are nominated correctly. This can save you thousands of Rands on executor’s fees and ensure that, in the event of your death, benefits are paid to beneficiaries according to your wishes.
Ask yourself? Is your Life, Disability, & Dread Disease cover in order? Have you amended your Medical cover for 2017?
YOUR WILL: Also remember to ensure that you have a will and that it is up to date. If you do not have a will, you need to consider the implications thereof. Are you aware of what dying intestate means? Your assets will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act and not necessarily according to your wishes. We provide a free service to assist you with your will.
Ask yourself? Is your Will is signed and updated to your current circumstances?
YOUR HOME: Leaving your house unoccupied increases the possibility that it could be broken into. Here are some useful tips to reduce this risk:
Make sure that your house is secure and that you have adequate homeowners (the structure of the house) and household content insurance. It is much better for your own peace of mind to know that in the unfortunate event of a burglary while you are away, that you are adequately covered by your short term insurance.
Install visible security measures. Make sure that potential burglars are aware that your house is protected at all times.
Tell your neighbours that you are going away. That way, if they hear or see anything suspicious, they’ll be more likely to investigate or call the police. Besides your neighbours, do not alert too many other people that you are going away for an extended period of time.
Do not, under any circumstances, declare your fantastic holiday plans to the whole world on social media, no matter how tempting it is, and remind your children not to do so either. You could even adjust your Facebook settings to private.
When packing your vehicle for a long journey, don’t do it in clear view of everyone who could walk past in the street. Pack your car in the privacy of your garage with the garage doors closed.
Stop all deliveries, such as newspapers and magazines, and ask a friend to collect your mail and to check on your house regularly. It is not a bad idea to hire a house sitter. Many students as well as other people offer their services as house sitters or pet sitters and then come and live in your house for the duration of your holiday. Obviously, you do not want to hire just any person randomly for this job!
You may know someone who can house sit for you, and at the same time, they can take care of your pets and water the garden. There are also reputable agencies which you can contact to hire someone.
If you decide not to get a house sitter, fit a timing switch to some of your lights that automatically turns them on in the evening and off in the morning. It is never a good idea to leave lights on constantly, as criminals could be watching the activity at your home and will very quickly pick up that the lights are on all the time very quickly.
If you can, don’t let your garden or grass outside your house become overgrown, as this is a sure sign that you are not at home. Make sure you unplug all electrical devices, especially your geyser (but not the fridge!).
YOUR CAR: Road trips can be fun, but you need to ensure that your car is roadworthy and that you take the utmost care while driving. Here are some things to do with regards to with regards to your car before you go on holiday:
Make sure your have the correct license disc on your car window (and caravan). The fines for incorrect license discs are hefty and traffic police presence is always increased during holiday times.
Get a comprehensive first-aid kit and keep it in your car at all times; you never know when you might need it. You might even be able to assist someone else along the way.
Take your car for a full safety check a week or two before your trip, especially in respect of your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades and brakes. The longer you wait the most expensive tires become.
Tire prices normally go up in December. Check the oil, battery, lights and tires, and remember to switch your lights on when driving on the highway.
Check that you have an inflated spare wheel, tools and jack plus all necessary safety items, such as a red warning triangle and a torch. Plan your trip using an up-to-date map or navigational device and make a note of convenient fuel and rest stops.
Crossing the border? Remember you have to inform and make arrangements with your insurance company as well as your financial institution at least 72 hours before you are going to cross the border in order to make sure that you have the right documentation.
Ask yourself?: Has your Short Term Insurance been updated with all recent purchases?
YOUR BUDGET: Holidays do not come cheap; here are some tips on budgeting while on holiday: Have a dedicated account and budget for the holiday. Ideally, you do not want to go on a spending spree and play catch-up on your debt for the rest of the year so beware! Impulse spending is very tempting whilst on holiday!
When planning, balance your total costs based on:
Where you are going; how you plan to get there; and what you’ll do once you are there.
After the initial costs of transportation and hotels, set a daily budget for food, drink, activities and souvenirs/shopping. Inflate the number by 10 to 15 percent as a cushion for small emergencies or unforeseen expenses.
Holidays are a great time to practice the “cash diet.”
Once you have decided on your daily allowance, set aside that amount in separate envelopes for each day and stash the envelopes in the hotel safe.
Each day, use only what’s in one envelope.
Your credit card can be saved for emergencies.
Hotel restaurants can often be much more expensive than restaurants in the surrounding area. Ask for recommendations for inexpensive cafes or sandwich shops nearby.
You can also save on breakfast, lunch, and snacks and experience local flavors by buying fresh produce at local markets. Always shop with your budget in mind.
Street food is another inexpensive option and is a great way to try authentic local cuisine.
You can also save on breakfast, lunch, and snacks and experience local flavors by buying fresh produce at local markets. Always shop with your budget in mind.
Don’t spend your holiday worrying. By following our tips on things to do before going on holiday you can make sure that you are adequately prepared. This will give you peace of mind, and you can enjoy a stress-free holiday!
Make sure your to-do list are all ticked and you are ready to go.
BE SAFE! If you are the person driving, it is vital to stop, rest and refresh yourself. It is recommended that you do this every 2 hours. If possible, swop drivers whenever you start feeling tired.
