Listen up! This is my very own personal advice that I have done for the last 30+ years while traveling. I recently shared with a few people what I do and was surprised by their response. I was told that I needed to share this "wisdom" with others so here we go. I literally thought most people did this, but I have to remember, I can think "differently" at times :) Maybe it's something I do because I'm single, but I think anyone can really benefit.
When I'm about to take a trip, I pause all my automatic bill payments. The reason you ask? Well, here's my "different" way of thinking. If my plane crashes, boat sinks, car crashes, train runs off the track, or whatever I'm doing while vacationing leads to my death, I DO NOT want a bill paid! And I'm sure none of us do after we have departed this earth. It's not like I ever think I'm going to die while traveling, I just don't want to waste any of my hard-earned money if I do. So, the mortgage, car payment, student loan, or whatever major bill I have, can wait to be paid when I'm back home safe and sound when it matters again.
Hear me, I'm not talking about being delinquent in your payments and staining your credit. I'm proud to say, I've never had a late payment and my credit score is amazing. Remember, bills are not late and reported to the credit bureaus until they are 30 days late. Since I'm never gone that long (at least not yet), this strategy works for me. Even then, with the technology we have at our fingertips, I could easily arrange to make a payment while abroad. For instance, if my mortgage is due on the 15th of the month and my vacation is scheduled from the 14th - 28th, I'm not making that mortgage payment until I return home! Upon my return, I make the payments I missed and re-start my automatic payments - until next time...
You're welcome!
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