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Whether you are traveling abroad for work, study, or simple the around the world trip of a lifetime, there are several domestic practicalities you should consider.
These will make your time abroad as worry-free as possible, and ensure that when you do return home, you can slip back into a normal life with the minimum of fuss.
Put your car into storage
Your car is probably one of the most expensive items that you own, and as such, it could be a risk to leave it unattended for an extended period.
While your car might be perfectly safe being stored on your driveway or in your yard while you are at home, there is always the risk that it could be stolen or damaged if your property is left unoccupied for an extended period.
This is especially a worry if you own several vehicles that are unable to be stored together in a secure personal garage.
An ideal solution is to put your car in storage for the duration of your trip.
Storage Area car storage is a great option while you are away, or your car is not in use.
It has the largest database of storage facilities in the United States, ensuring that you will find a car storage facility near your home, giving you peace of mind that your vehicles will be secure while you are out of the country.
Cancel any unused utilities
If you away from your home for longer than a month, you could find yourself paying for utilities that you have not used.
Despite not being in your home, you will continue to be charged for gas, water, electric, and Internet line rental.
These bills can soon add up, especially if you have to pay for the same utilities on a rented property abroad.
To save money on monthly bills, temporary service suspensions are available for most utilities.
Simply telephone your provider and explain that you are going abroad for an extended period and would like a temporary service suspension (also known as a “vacation service” by some providers).
This will me that you can avoid having to pay for services you haven’t used.
Prepare your home for an extended absence
In addition to canceling unused utilities, there are other considerations when preparing your home for an extended absence.
Make sure you leave your house as clean as possible to avoid any nasty surprises when you return: clean out the refrigerator and dispose of any food that will spoil; and empty and wash all trash cans (including those left out for the garbage man, if possible).
Ensure that all the windows and doors are locked and set the house alarm if you have one.
For an added sense of security, you could put a few lights on a timer plug.
These will switch on a preset time chosen by you during the day and night, this will give the impression that your home is occupied and acting as a deterrent to would-be burglars.