When we travel, there are a number of things that we need to take care of. The air or rail tickets, accommodation in the new destination, conveyance, sightseeing and even the kind of entertainment that we will avail is usually well chalked-out before we travel. The one thing that ties all of this together and actually makes it all possible is money. Going out of the country and spending in a place where the dollar does not have the same value can be quite a challenging task indeed. Also, finding out the best way to exchange your money and making good use of the same on foreign shores can be quite overwhelming, especially for the new and uninitiated traveler. So here is a quick list of tips that will help you manage your foreign exchange woes.
Know the destination: For your foreign exchange to work well when you travel, you will have to start by getting to know a little more about your destination. There are many countries in the world where plastic is not as widely used as it is in the US. This puts you in a spot because your transaction charge, free credit and debit cards may become redundant in many cases when you are traveling to such countries. So, you would do well to find out more about the destination beforehand so that you know exactly what to expect, and you can carry the coveted cash accordingly. This will ensure that you are not left stranded in a foreign land.
Banks and credit unions: These are the financial institutions that will offer you the cheapest buying rate when you are converting your dollars into the foreign exchange or currency. You can easily order your foreign exchange for pick up at your branch, if you have an account at banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, US Bank, Chase, and others. Most banks will charge a fee for such foreign exchange and you would do well to order the same on time.
Currency converter: There are many currency converter tools that you can avail online so that the money is available for pick up at your bank’s branch, or can even be sent across by the bank depending on what kind of a card or account you hold with the bank. These are usually slightly more expensive than the above options and should be used only if you are hard pressed for time.
Airports: This is an emergency option because it is very expensive. When you exchange money at an airport, you will get the lowest exchange rate; so it should be used only if you are in an absolute emergency.
Travel agent: Travel partners like Thomas Cook and others offer some of the best foreign exchange rates through their services and will also give you the option of transactions without a fee.
Independent living for seniors is a convenient way to enjoy life without worrying about the daily monotony of managing a home. Most seniors over the age of 55 now prefer staying in houses that require lesser maintenance, and upkeep.
Independent living allows seniors to enjoy their everyday freedom while living in a conducive environment that can give them a sense of community, adequate mental, and physical stimulation, enough social interaction, and more! Most independent living accommodations offer numerous services including pre-packed meals, laundry, housekeeping, transportation, etc. While most independent living for seniors is in the form of fully equipped private apartments, some people may stay in cottages, condominiums, and single-family homes.
Often, people use independent living for seniors interchangeably with assisted living. While both concepts involve seniors, these are significantly different. The major difference being that independent living for seniors is a set up where residents do not require any sort of assistance with their daily activities. If the many senior housing options confuse you, check out some of the popular types of independent living accommodations that are available for seniors.
Senior apartments
This is one of the most common types of independent living option available for seniors. This is a life that people who desire to live amidst the conveniences of a community opt for. These apartments are usually equipped with certain services that make the lives of seniors comfortable, and happy. Some of the common services offered in independent living for seniors include recreational and educational programs, meals services, transportation, etc.
Housing units
Senior residents can either rent or buy these accommodations based on their needs, and budget. Single family homes, cottages, duplexes, townhouses, mobile homes, etc. are some of the housing units that senior communities may offer. Most of these independent housing units are strategically located beside a senior living community.
Subsidized housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers affordable accommodations as a part of independent living for seniors to those who belong to a low-income group. These houses can only be bought by seniors who fit all the criteria entirely. Many seniors wait for several months before getting ownership of their houses as most of these have lengthy waiting lists.
NORC
Naturally occurring retirement community or NORC is the one that has many senior residents but the community was originally not dedicated towards seniors only. These communities are created organically when people age over time. Naturally occurring retirement communities merely have several older people living in a community but these clusters are not created specifically to meet the requirements of seniors.
Several consumers wish to change their cellphone carriers. And there can be many reasons behind it like rising costs, company stagnancy, or declining network quality. But switching cellphone carriers is not as easy as it sounds. Although this might not be true for all, usually there is some or the other hassle involved like losing your number, an added expense for a new phone or pricey contract termination fees. But you can still cleverly switch your cellphone carrier if you calmly assess your situation, so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself in the long run.
Here are some tips that will help you to switch cellphone carriers with minimum inconvenience.
Research
You need to ace your research when it comes to switching. First try and figure out your actual issue with your current carrier. Is it because expensive monthly bills or lousy network or some other specific reason. Then commence looking for a network that has a potential to fulfill all your expected requirements. Shortlist options and then further compare them in areas of costs, coverage zones and plans.
Porting numbers and devices
If you are going to be staying in the same local area you can port your number from one carrier to another. Once you have decided the new carrier you want to switch to, you can contact them. You will have to fill out your essential details and will also have to provide them with your current carrier information. They will then initiate the switching process. Also remember to confirm whether or not the new carrier supports the mobile device you intend to use. You might have to buy a new phone if the carrier doesn’t work with your current device.
Contract
One of the main reasons why consumers don’t switch easily is because they are in a middle of a contract with their current provider. Switching clearly translates to early termination fees which can go up to hundreds of dollars. But this damage can be minimized if your new carrier is willing to buy you out of your contract, so that you can join them.
Your first step is to figure out what is the exact amount of your termination fee. Some carriers will entirely pay off your old contract when you sign up with them. Some might not pay off but instead give you some lucrative deals in terms of cellphone credit.
After you switch you just have to take care of an activation fee which only costs a couple of dollars.
Two words will suffice to convince you to go for an electric option, the next time you decide to buy a car- the environment‘. With changes in global temperature, rising sea levels, unprecedented climatic changes all which are a result of high carbon emissions, alternative energy is the only safe solution.
But there are other reasons why you should opt for an electric and electric ranger vehicle:
Low maintenance and operating cost: With soaring gasoline prices and increased maintenance charges, the cost of using and maintaining an electric vehicle is very little when compared to the other gas guzzlers out on the road. Not only will you save money on fuel, but will also ensure a reduced carbon footprint on your end to a greener cleaner tomorrow.
Affordability: A standard sized family car which can seat four to five comfortably will cost you more than you might be willing to invest for your first vehicle. If you also want all the essential upgrades and a bright paint job, the price will go up. An average family can cost anywhere between $25000 to $35000 depending on the manufacturer and its make and model. But an electric vehicle will cost you somewhere in the range of low $15000 to $20000. Of course, the better electric models will be a bit pricier, but then again they are still cheaper that way.
Financial incentives: In order to encourage people to opt for alternative fuel vehicles, the government offers certain tax rebates and discounts for people who buy electric and electric ranger vehicles. The federal government allows up to $7500 as tax credit for any electric vehicle purchased along with other attractive incentives. This is applicable for lease deals as well, making some of the expensive model prices slashed down by a quarter to the high $20000 range.
Electric cars have evolved and come a long way from those box prototypes that looked like a stiff breeze would tip them over. Today, it has becoming challenging to distinguish a hybrid from an electric ranger owing to its sleek design and features, with just as much power under the hood when compared with its traditional counterparts.
Some of the popular electric models include: