Managing Utility Bills And Services During Moves And Extended Travel

Feb 13, 2024

Last Updated on: Sep 18, 2024

Trip ideas

Before packing your first box, make sure to notify your utility and service providers of your move date and new address. This includes essential services like gas, electricity, water, internet, phone, and cable or satellite TV. Notifying them in advance ensures you receive a final bill for service at your old address so you can pay any remaining balance.

Provide the exact date the service should stop and your new address where the service should start. Also give them a forwarding address for the final bill, which may come later. Taking these proactive notification steps alleviates headaches from missed bills or payments during a busy move.

Avoid Bill Surprises While On The Go

Avoid Bill Surprises While On The Go

Constantly traveling or relocating for extended periods can make paying and keeping track of utility bills a real headache. Set your accounts for automatic and paperless billing to avoid missing payments or getting hit with late fees. Have electric, gas, cable, internet, phone, and other bills set to autopay directly from your bank account every month while you are away, and make sure you have enough funds available to cover those payments?

Also, set up your accounts so that bills can be viewed and managed electronically online through each provider’s website. Retail expert movers recommend routing all bills and statements to a trusted relative or P.O. box that will forward your mail to wherever you end up. With a few preparatory steps before locking up and heading out, you can travel worry-free knowing vital services won’t be disconnected.

Forward Important Mail During Transitions

Whether you’re moving across town or traveling overseas for months at a time, don’t let lapses in mail service leave you in the dark on important communications. Before an upcoming move, submit a change of address to the post office so mail gets routed to your new residence or a trusted contact.

This ensures you receive mail from utility companies, banks, insurance providers, and other services during the transition process. If taking an extended trip, have the post office hold your mail until you return or forward it to a friend or family member who can scan and email you anything urgent.

This way bills, legal documents, and other correspondence don’t pile up unchecked at your empty house while you’re gone for weeks or months. Staying up-to-date on mail prevents unexpected issues.

Read Also: Corporate Travel Redefined: The Power Of Taxi Amsterdam For Business Rides

Streamline Services While Away

Streamline Services While Away

When you’re preparing for an extended time away from home, look at temporarily suspending non-vital home services to save money. Cable TV and internet packages often tack on fees, so you end up paying for services never used.

Before an extended trip or during slow relocation periods:

Put cable TV services on seasonal hold – once reactivated, retain your previous channel package without added fees

Suspend internet if wireless access is not essential during your time away

Stop newspaper delivery which will pile up unread

Place gym memberships on hold status so monthly fees aren’t wasted

Disable alarm monitoring systems with the assurance of quick reactivation

Pausing unnecessary utilities and home services over weeks or months gives savings that add up. Most providers let you conveniently pick up where you left off for seamless transitions.

As the Federal Communications Commission notes, be aware of any terms or conditions associated with temporarily discontinuing services. With some advanced planning, you can streamline the services you actually need and forego the rest while you’re away.

Get Seasonal Utility Rates For Long Trips

When planning for an extended trip spanning multiple seasons, take advantage of many utility providers’ seasonal service plans to maximize savings. Call your gas, electric, and water companies to inquire if they offer special rates for customers who will be away for months at a stretch–common for snowbird travelers and those holding up somewhere warm for the frigid winter months.

Oftentimes providers give breaks on standard bills when they know in advance you won’t actually be occupying the home to use services for a fixed duration. Find out what options are readily available for putting gas, electric, water, and even cable on hold status just until your return, even if you come back at a different time annually.

Checking on special cost-saving programs specific to extended seasonal gaps in service can pay off. This allows flexible travelers focused on warm weather destinations to save a little more towards their next adventure on the road.

Reconnect Services Upon Returning Home

Don’t come home to a property full of shut-off notices! Be proactive by scheduling and confirming the reactivation of utility and home services shortly before your return.

A few days ahead:

Call the cable company to reopen service on your scheduled move-in date – this prevents lagging connections.

Have the power company resume electrical service by your designated date to avoid dark, warm apartments.

Reactivate your home internet modem and wireless router to get back online for work and entertainment needs as soon as you arrive.

Resume your garbage pickup on the day you move back to prevent waste pile-ups.

As cautioned by USA.gov’s household services guidance, don’t assume providers will automatically switch your accounts back on. After lengthy absences, directly request all services be transferred or started at your location effective on the precise date of your arrival to avoid any lapses.

Scheduling ahead alleviates having to reboot utilities one by one after coming home tired from travel. Instead, enjoy seamless access to functioning appliances, climate control, and amenities.

Planning Ahead Minimizes Headaches

Planning Ahead Minimizes Headaches

Whether you’re frequently on the go or planning an extended getaway, don’t let utility billing and services fall by the wayside. With some advance preparation before transitions, you can redirect mail, suspend non-essential accounts, take advantage of seasonal rates, and seamlessly reconnect everything upon returning home. Staying actively informed and visible to providers while away reduces the chances of penalties, confusion, or disruptions down the road.

A few simple proactive tasks like automating payments or consolidating bills to one trusted advisor can alleviate countless headaches. Embrace solutions that simplify managing obligations from afar. The little time invested upfront in organizing your affairs makes for smooth travels every step of the journey.

Read Also:

Share on Social Media

Nabamita Sinha loves to write about lifestyle and pop-culture. In her free time she loves to watch movies and TV series and experiment with food. Her favourite niche topics are fashion, lifestyle, travel and gossip content. Her style of writing is creative and quirky.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

title-img Related

READ MORE card-img

Travel Tips to Help You Out In Asia

BY Sharmita SheeJan 18, 2018

 Asia has seen a considerable rise in travel and tourism in the last decade. They have finally taken the tourism business seriously. This has been implemented to such an extent that even countries like China have opened up their gates for the foreigners not only for travel but also for business and academic activities. However, Asia, as a travel destination, is a new place for many travel aspirants. Especially for the American citizens for whom, Asian destinations are quite famous these days. There is more than one reason for this. Firstly, most of the Asian countries as destinations are cheaper than their European counterparts. Further, Asia has always been a land of mystery for most of them through their experience of reading the childhood fantasy stories. Thus, an Asian trip for the Americans has always been a different experience. This has made sure that the traffic from America to Asia has received a major boost in the last decade or so. Nevertheless, the first-timers must know certain things regarding the continent before setting off for travel. Research regarding the regulations of the places Off late there has been changes in visa regulations in quite a few countries. Like in China, huge changes have been implemented making the visa regulations easier but different from what used to be. Thus, it is essential to know regarding the existing rules to avoid any hazard during the tour. Further, most of the Asian countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months in order to provide you with an entry visa. Thus, you might be in serious trouble if the validity of your passport is not looked after well ahead of travel. 1. Know regarding the ATMs in advance: These days in Asia, you would seldom come across a place where you would not find an ATM. Then, there would be odd places where there would not be an ATM to help you out. Thus, research regarding the place in a proper manner before you set out for a journey, as it is better to know which place requires you to carry cash and which place does not. 2. Avoid purchasing SIM cards:  Most of the Asian countries are reputed for free Wi-Fi. You would normally find complementary free Wi-Fi services in the hotels you put up in. Thus, it is no longer worthy to buy a SIM card while traveling to the Asian countries these days. Not that the Sim cards would cost you a huge amount, but why spend even a single buck if you Can get your job done for free. 3. Have knowledge regarding the cab fares:  Cab fares might be an important issue in Asia. It is better to do some research regarding the existing cab fares for the places you have planned to travel before reaching the places. If you are ignorant regarding them, there are chances of the drivers robbing you with amounts much higher than the actual rates. 4. Having US$ always helps:  Nothing is better than the possession of the local currency of the place you are traveling. This is applicable not only for an Asian travel but also all the places around the world. However, remember that in most of the Asian countries, along with their local currency, US$ is also accepted. Thus, as US travelers, there would not be much problem if you are carrying US$ with you. 5. Always possess toilet papers and hand sanitizers:  There would not be many places where you would get either toilet papers or hand sanitizers for use in the public toilets. Thus, it is always a healthy habit to carry both in your backpack while traveling through Asia. 6. Maintain your calm:  When you are travelling a foreign country, never ever get into a tussle with any of the inmates of any country which so ever. Remember that the natives of those countries would always support their fellow citizens. On the hind side, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases in their native tongue like a hello or a thank you. Finally, we can come to the conclusion that every country has their habits and their own set of cultures. Thus, it is always good to travel to a particular place not only for enjoyment but also to have a bit of their culture so that the experience transcends to something that can be cherished for a lifetime. Read More: Tips For Improving Your Holiday Experience. 4 Tips for First-time Travelers to Bali

READ MORE Hotel Is The Right Choice For Your Accommodation

Why a Hotel Is The Right Choice For Your Accommodation

BY Abdul Aziz MondalFeb 24, 2023

We are pretty much spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options in today’s world and while there are many different avenues to choose from, some are certainly better than others. If you are having to stay away from home due to business or pleasure then you want to be staying somewhere that feels a little bit like a home that you miss and allows you to have a great night’s sleep. Many people talk about Airbnb being a good choice but what they seem to forget is that the owners of these properties have no idea what the hospitality industry is all about and so they lack experience and know-how when it comes to providing people with what they need. This is why it makes perfect sense to book a room in a quality hotel on Patong Beach because this particular accommodation option has been around for a very long time and they have many happy customers under their belt. They know exactly what guests want and so they take the time to put everything into place so that your stay is a memorable and relaxing one. If you have a trip coming up sometime soon and you’re not sure what your accommodation choice will be this time then maybe the following benefits of booking yourself into a hotel can help you to choose wisely. It Ts Beside The Ocean If you are given a choice of staying in accommodation that is best in the center of town or you are given the option to enjoy accommodation that is close to the beach, then I know which one I’ve chosen. You get to enjoy all of that fresh air and you get to experience an ocean view every time you wake up in the morning and the last thing before you close your eyes at night. For the ultimate relaxing business or holiday vacation, it makes perfect sense that you would want to book yourself into a top-quality hotel. Everything That You Need These hotels are very things that any case could possibly need and you don’t have to leave the premises to get yourself something to eat or something to drink. You get to enjoy the full ambiance and all in a very relaxing environment where you can start sending your friends some pictures on your smartphone or you can catch up on some business correspondence. Remember The Room Service The 24-hour room service is one of the reasons why many people book themselves into a quality hotel because maybe they just want to switch off and just stay in the room and enjoy the luxury of having breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered right to their door. Hopefully, three reasons have convinced you that booking yourself into a hotel is the smart choice every single time and now all you have to do is to try to figure out which excellent hotel you want to stay in. Read Also: Best Group-Friendly Restaurants In Las Vegas 7 Best Places For Free Camping Near Me In Las Vegas What Is The Latitude Of Las Vegas? – Geographical Coordinates

READ MORE

How The Weather Can Affect Your Motorcycle Riding Gear?

BY Mashum MollahAug 28, 2019

Have you ever wondered by bikers look smart, full of attitude and always attractive when riding their mean machines? This is because motorcycle riding gear is able to blend fashion and functionality in equal quotients. We have all looked at riders zooming up and down highways in their high-performance bikes, dressed in boots, leather riding jackets, and other safety gears. Even though most of these apparels serve to protect the riders from untoward incidents, they all aim to look good! In this article, we will look at how motorcycle riding gear has evolved with the times. We will especially focus on the right gear for a motorcyclist during the Fall Season. So what are we waiting for? Start revving… While you scour the internet for Honda Grom parts online or motorcycle aftermarket parts on sale, have you noticed that the weather is changing? The sun is rising later and setting sooner, and while the temperature may still be toasty on most days, colder weather is just around the corner. Therefore, while it is fun and, at times, necessary to modify your bike, it is crucial that you prepare yourself for the seasons to come, especially if you want to continue riding through it all. For that reason, you may want to switch gears from looking for aftermarket parts to looking for fall riding gear and clothing. Full Visor Protection: While a full helmet is not an essential piece of motorcycle riding gear for every type of rider, during the colder months these styles of helmets can come in handy. Riding with the wind in your face is one thing when the sun is shining and daily temperatures reach 75 degrees or better, but when the temperature drops to 60 degrees or colder, your face really feels the chill. A full helmet with a face shield protects against that frigidity. Also, as many riders avoid such a helmet and visor combination because of the fog that occurs during the colder months, you can purchase a Pinlock visor system to prevent your shield from fogging over. Technology and Software Apps: The past few years have seen technological aids and smartphone apps emerge as playing a major role in the auto industry. For bikers who undertake long motorcycle tours, using them can lead to several great benefits. For starters, if you are using the best weather apps, you can be aware of the changes in weather conditions, which will enable you to avoid rains, storms, and blizzards and stay out of harm’s way on your travel plans and tours. You can also make use of various other apps to know about fuel stops, restrooms, and service stations along your travel route. No Need for Frozen Fingers: Riding a motorcycle is one of the most exposed forms of transportation that exists, and as such your extremities, like your fingers, receive the full impact of the elements if not protected. Therefore, as the seasons change, you will want to invest in a decent pair of riding gloves. However, not just any pair will do. While warmer riding conditions likely allowed you to wear thinner gloves, the colder months will demand a thicker lining. Also, as fall and winter gloves are thicker, you should spend a little bit of time getting used to your controls because they might feel different with bulkier gloves. All-Weather Boots: While you may have a favorite pair of riding boots for summer expeditions, they might not offer superior protection in all types of weather. Some summer riding boots are designed more for comfort than inclement conditions. Since the fall is known as a transitional season, full of rain and cold, purchasing a pair of riding boots designed for adverse weather might be your best option for keeping your toes dry, warm, and protected. Clothing and Riding Suits: When it comes to fall clothing, riders have several options. They can choose from long-sleeve shirts, pants, and jackets, or they can choose a riding suit. Shirts, pants, and jackets that are made specifically for riders often integrate Kevlar and padding into the design. However, if you want to be able to wear your own clothes, then you might consider a riding suit. These are often one-piece designs that offer superior protection and allow a rider to wear their chosen clothing underneath. Conclusion: Different weather patterns require a different form of clothing, especially is you are a seasoned rider. Like your machine, which requires special care and attention in different weather conditions- summer, winter, rains; your riding gear too, requires to be different. With the right weather-appropriate gear, you cannot only enjoy the pleasure of motorcycling; you can also enjoy the different changes in climates and geographical terrains. Fall riding is not the same as summer riding. You need to protect yourself against colder and more volatile elements. Therefore, include motorcycle clothing and gear in on your search for motorcycle aftermarket parts on sale. Read Also: 10 Best Places To Visit In Argentina 10 Best Things To Do In Prague 6 Best Family Holiday Destinations In India