How to Claim a Tax Refund as a Backpacker

,

Every year, countless young people travel all over the globe to embark on a working holiday. Traveling abroad is undoubtedly a very exciting experience for any backpacker. After all, there is so much to plan – from accommodation and employment to activities and sightseeing in your new location.

That said, it is hardly surprising that the local tax system is often the last thing many backpackers think of when arriving in a new country for a working holiday.

However, every digital nomad or working holidaymaker should know a little about tax, as it may well be beneficial in the long run – especially if you are due a refund.

In truth, countless working holidaymakers and digital nomads miss out on claiming their tax refund every year. And with that in mind, we’ve partnered with Taxback.com to outline everything you need to know about claiming your backpacker tax refund.

Tax refunds for Canadian working holidaymakers

If you visited Canada on a work-travel visa, there are many reasons why you could be due a backpacker tax refund – such as if you overpaid tax or have expenses that you can claim.

The easiest way to check if you’re due any money back from the Canadian tax authorities is to apply with Taxback.com.

They will review your personal circumstances to see if you’re eligible to claim any expenses and ensure you receive your maximum legal tax refund. They will also ensure you are 100% tax compliant in Canada. What’s more, if you are missing any of the official documents you need for your tax return, Taxback.com can help you to track them down.

The average Canadian tax refund a Taxback.com customer receives is $998 so it’s easy to see why checking how much you’re owed makes so much sense. Check out their free tax refund calculator here.

Can Australian backpackers get tax back?

Backpackers play a crucial role in Australia’s economy. In fact, backpackers account for roughly 13% of tourism spending in Australia – totaling roughly $3bn per year.

When you start working in Australia you will pay tax at 15% on the $45,000 of income earned. However, the good news is that you may be able to reclaim some of your tax paid by filing a tax return at the end of the year.

In short, you will likely be entitled to a tax refund if you:

  • were in Australia on a 417 or 462 visa
  • were considered a tax resident during the year (you visited Australia for more than six months and lived in the same place for that time)
  • are from one of the following countries;
    • Chile
    • Finland
    • Germany
    • Israel
    • Japan
    • Norway
    • Turkey
    • United Kingdom

The average Australian tax refund is $2,600, and it is a good idea for every backpacker to file your tax return and check if you are due a refund.

In fact, even if you don’t think you will be due a tax refund, it’s also a good idea to file a tax return so that you can ensure you are 100% tax compliant in Australia. A clean tax record will come in handy should you wish to apply for another Australian visa in the future.

Backpackers may also be entitled to claim a tax refund of their Superannuation (these are mandatory salary deductions for your Australian retirement fund) contributions when you leave Australia.

The average Superannuation refund is $1,908, so it’s definitely worth investigating what you’re owed. You can easily file your tax return and claim your tax and Superannuation refunds online with Taxback.com.

Tax refunds in New Zealand

Backpackers in New Zealand typically pay between 12.5% and 38% tax on their income. How much you were taxed depends on a range of factors, such as:

  • Amount earned
  • Length of time you worked
  • Type of work performed
  • Amount of tax withheld from your wages

The good news is that Taxback.com can help you to claim a tax return, and their average New Zealand refund is $550. It’s free to find out how much you could get back, so be sure to use the New Zealand tax refund calculator.

Claiming tax refund as a non-resident in Japan

Many residents and non-residents in Japan are unaware that they are due a significant tax refund. If you worked there, you could be due tax back for a number of reasons, such as:

  • You worked there a year or longer
  • You are married
  • You have dependants

Did you know that the average Japanese tax refund with Taxback.com is ¥111,000? That’s a lot of cash to leave behind. Apply for your Japanese tax refund today.

UK tax refunds for backpackers

There are many reasons you could be due a tax refund if you worked in the UK. And yet, countless backpackers in the UK leave their money with the taxman each year.

After all, if you were on an emergency tax code, made redundant, or incurred work-related expenses, you could be due a refund. The average refund Taxback.com gets for workers in the UK is £963, so why not find out what you’re due back today?

Applying for a tax refund in Ireland as a non-resident

There are lots of reasons why non-residents who are working in Ireland may be due a tax refund. For starters, tax relief is available if you were emergency taxed had medical or work-related expenses, or were made redundant.

What’s more, if you were made to work from home due to the pandemic, there is a wide range of expenses you may be entitled to claim. The average Irish tax refund a customer with Taxback.com receives is €1076.17. So why not apply online today and find out how much you’re due.

Germany tax refunds for non-residents

Many workers in Germany can claim a tax refund if they meet the following criteria:

  • Your annual income was under the tax-free allowance
  • You worked part-time or had a temporary job in Germany
  • You were not correctly classified for tax payments
  • You financially supported your parents or other dependents in your home country
  • You paid rent in both Germany and your home country
  • You paid for flights to and from Germany
  • You incurred work-related expenses such as travel costs
  • You paid pension insurance
  • You are married, but were taxed as single
  • You had work-related expenses that were not covered by your employer

Remember, the average German tax refund with Taxback.com is €1,020, but you could be due even more. The easiest way to find out if you’re due a tax return is by using Taxback.com’s free German tax refund calculator.

Tax refunds in the Netherlands

Countless non-residents who visit the Netherlands leave their tax refunds behind each year. Many are unsure if they are owed anything, while others simply don’t know how to apply for theirs.

In truth, you could be due a refund if:

  • You worked for part of the year
  • You changed a job
  • You took on more than one job
  • You were granted a tax-free allowance of up to 30% of your salary

The average Dutch refund with Taxback.com is €910. The best way to find out what you’re due is by using the Taxback.com Dutch tax refund calculator here.

Who can claim a Belgian tax refund

There are several reasons you could be entitled to get tax back from Belgium, including if:

  • You worked in Belgium at any stage during the calendar year
  • Your income is under the tax-free allowance
  • Your income in Belgium is more than 75% of your annual income received globally

Belgium has one of the highest tax rates in Europe. It also has one of the largest average refunds in Europe for customers with Taxback.com. After all, the average Belgian tax refund with Taxback.com is €2,300! That’s a lot of money to leave behind…

Next Steps to File your Backpacker Tax Return

If you lived and worked in any of these countries, Taxback.com can help you. After all, why not take the stress out of your refund application by letting the experts take care of it for you?

Don’t be one of the countless non-residents in foreign countries who leave their refunds behind every year. Apply for your tax refund with Taxback.com today, and thank me later!

Expert Tips to Conquer Your Hiking Anxiety

Hiking is meant to be a restful, restorative form of exercise. It should bring you both mental and physical benefits as, in the famous words of John Muir, we “climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” However, for some folks, climbing and hiking can bring on anxiety — and that’s ok. If you aren’t used to backpacking and hiking — or have had a bad experience in the backcountry — it’s entirely normal to experience anxiety about hiking away from civilization into the wilderness.

Despite the pangs of anxiety you may feel, getting out into the wild can still be a wonderful, invigorating experience that boosts your mental health and leaves you with memories that last.

So, here are a few ways you can manage and overcome your anxiety the next time you step onto the trail.

Prepare in advance to reduce your anxiety around hiking

A lot of the anxiety people feel around hiking and backpacking comes from a lack of preparation. Either they haven’t properly researched the trail they’re following, don’t have the necessary experience to navigate the environment, or haven’t packed the appropriate supplies.

Preparing well in advance takes care of these worries, and should be seen as an essential part of your hike.

The way you prepare depends on the context, as the gear and food you will need depend largely on the weather, terrain, and time of year that you intend to go hiking.

Additionally, you need to have an effective exit plan in case anything goes wrong while you’re out in nature. This means you need to know what to do if your car breaks down. You should practice replacing your tire before you take a long road trip, and should keep recovery information in an easy-to-access glovebox or compartment.

Anxiety Attacks

If you suffer from anxiety attacks, you should seek help from a medical professional. But, if you haven’t yet had an anxiety attack, it’s good to know how you can manage one before it occurs.

Anxiety attacks come on suddenly and provoke several symptoms. Your heart starts to race, you feel breathless and may notice your body is trembling excessively. These attacks are also typically coupled with a deep sense of fear, and a dissociation from yourself or the world around you.

When you’re experiencing an anxiety attack, you have to find ways to slow your heart rate and pay attention to your physical symptoms. You can do this by talking to someone you trust, taking deep breaths, and slowly counting to 10 with repetitions.

You must take these steps to calm yourself, as you cannot remove yourself from the situation when you’re hiking — you simply need to trust your ability to calm your physical response to stress.

Choose an Appropriate Hike

You know what triggers your anxiety better than anyone else. Whether it’s a fear of heights, the unknown, or wild animals, you should plan ahead and choose an appropriate hike that is unlikely to make you feel anxious.

If, for example, you have a fear of large wild animals, you may want to hike south of areas where brown bears and wolves live. Or, if this isn’t possible, you’d be best off hiking near your local town or city where large wild animals are less likely to roam in, and you will meet other hikers who can help you feel safe.

You also need to choose an appropriate “difficulty” when hiking in order to manage your anxiety. This can be tough to determine on your own, and recommendations don’t always help — a stroll in the park for one person might be like climbing to Mordor for the next.

Luckily, there are plenty of apps online that record hiking trails and loops for you. Oftentimes, these hikes will come with a difficulty level, and you can filter appropriately. Some of the best apps currently available are AllTrails and Gaia GPS.

Remember the Benefits of Hiking

While the thought of going hiking may be anxiety-inducing, try to remember that spending time in nature is usually good for your mental health, and can help you get through difficult challenges caused by work or school.

For example, if you’re currently in grad school, it’s easy to get caught up in the stressful cycle of research, writing, working, and learning. A hike may be what you need to improve your mental health as a student, as you will likely “switch off” from student mode. This could give you the “eureka!” moment you need later on, and will make a difficult semester that much easier.

It’s also worth noting that hiking has real physical health benefits. Hiking recruits a lot of the muscles that remain unused during our 9-5 lives, and regular cardio lowers your risk of heart diseases, increases bone density, and improves your balance.

By keeping the benefits in mind when you start to feel the first signs of anxiety when hiking, you can overcome feelings of nervousness and convince yourself to carry on when your anxiety is telling you to turn back.

Conclusion

Anxiety when hiking is entirely normal and is to be expected. Even the best hiker can get in over their heads, and sometimes need to calm themselves down to continue.

You shouldn’t feel any shame about feeling anxious when hiking. Instead, you can learn to recognize the early signs of an anxiety attack and should plan ahead by ensuring you have an effective exit plan, plenty of food, and the right gear. You should also consider hiking with a loved one who can remind you of the wonderful benefits of spending time in the great outdoors.

How to Prepare for Backpacking in the Rain

Whether you’re planning to hike in unpredictable weather or your upcoming backpacking trip is threatened by an encroaching storm, backpacking in the rain poses a challenge. Dealing with rain can make backpacking interesting and much more difficult, but if you plan properly it’s nothing to worry about.

Don't let a little rain get in the way of your backpacking trip!

Don’t let a little rain get in the way of your backpacking trip!

Many people find that backpacking in the rain makes the experience feel more peaceful, and it’s very fun if you make sure you’re ready for it. Without planning, you may end up drenched, miserable, and regretting your trip, so make sure to know how to deal with it!

If you use synthetic clothing and fleece, rainproof layers, waterproof footwear or gaiters, and a waterproof pack, you shouldn’t end up too wet or cold when it rains hard. It’s also good to pack some extra clothing to change into.

Picking a good campsite, setting up properly, and ventilating your tent are also vital. Blisters are also more likely, so giving extra effort to prevention and care is important.

There are more dangers like hypothermia, slick trails, and dehydration, but if you’re careful and pay attention to potential problems you won’t have issues. 

What to Wear Backpacking in the Rain

Layering is your best friend in a heavy downpour. Synthetics or a merino wool base layer are a good start to keep you warm and dry quickly. An insulating layer may be necessary depending on temperature, but obviously, this depends on the situation. A good rain jacket as your outer layer is ideal.

If you’re looking for a rain jacket for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor sports I recommend looking into products that make gear for those activities. While there are plenty of great options on the market, a few brands to look into sited below:

These are not the only options, just examples that are good to start researching. Outdoor companies make products that will be more comfortable, ventilated, and suitable for higher levels of movement than other clothing brands.

Hardshell Jackets

Hardshell jackets are more suitable for higher amounts of rain, snow, and wind, and they’ll keep you protected in more hardcore weather.

Softshell Jacket

A softshell jacket will also often be waterproof, but will not offer the same protection as a hardshell jacket. Softshell jackets are generally more comfortable and breathable but offer less protection. 

Picking your ideal options comes down to the conditions of your backpacking trip, and how bad of weather you are expecting. There’s no need to break the bank, but especially if you’re going on a longer backpacking trip, making an at least mid-range investment will pay off.

Rain clothing with vents also makes wet, humid weather a bit more bearable. In especially rainy areas a pair of rain pants may be helpful as well. A waterproof, breathable pair of pants and gaiters go a long way when backpacking in the rain, especially in lower temperatures.

If it’s very warm, you may be better off shedding layers instead of adding them. On a hot day, if you’re comfortable with wearing a pair of shorts with a rain jacket or light shirt. If you’re comfortable with it and the weather is warm, hiking in the rain without a shirt feels great.

When Your Clothes Are Wet

When backpacking in the rain, if you’re soaked through your layers, do your best to evaluate your warmth. Generally, it’s alright to keep on your wet clothing, especially if you’re wearing multiple layers of synthetic or wool items. 

As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!

As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!

It may not be comfortable, but unlike cotton, it will dry over time. When you get into camp and you’re set up, change into dry clothing. If possible, hang up your wet clothes to dry.

If you do not have the opportunity to set up a clothesline or dry them in the sun, putting wet clothing under a sleeping pad if you have one can help them dry quicker. 

You should always have some dry clothing if hiking in bad weather, especially if the forecast is expected to stay bleak and rainy. In a pinch, staying in wet clothing can dry it off. It may be uncomfortable and take a while, but if you’re relatively warm and safe it won’t be a problem. 

Type of Backpack To Bring Backpacking in the Rain

Be sure to bring the right equipment if you'll be backpacking in the rain

Be sure to bring the right equipment if you’ll be backpacking in the rain

I recommend using dry bags (trash bags and baggies work as well) for clothing and sensitive items in your pack, and a waterproof backpacking cover if your backpack’s waterproofing isn’t reliable. Trashbags aren’t bad in a pinch, but a waterproof backpack is a better option by far.

The extra cost means your gear won’t end up drenched on the trail. Most outdoor companies offer waterproof backpacks made for hiking and backpacking. 

Check The Weather

Checking the weather is perhaps the most important piece of advice I can offer. It’s great to have all the best gear and know-how to use it, but if you don’t know what’s coming it won’t help you.

Knowing the weather can help you avoid poor conditions if you don’t want to deal with them, and be ready for them if you do.

It’s also good to know if you’re in for a storm or a shower, which can prevent potential issues down the line. Check the weather often, and be ready for the conditions coming your way. 

Picking a Campsite and Staying Dry

Especially when faced with rain, picking the right campsite is crucial

Especially when faced with rain, picking the right campsite is crucial

Picking the wrong campsite when backpacking in the rain can easily leave you in a puddle with your tent waterlogged. Look for a flat spot that’s not in a depression or low ground ideally with some tree coverage overhead. Never camp in a dry riverbed.

It’s also important to orient leeward of the wind, along with some sort of protection like boulders or trees. Make sure to avoid especially moist ground, and dead branches.

If you notice any dead branches above you, it’s a good idea to move your tent. A branch falling on you in the middle of the night is a less than ideal way to wake you from a deep sleep after a hard day of hiking in bad weather.

A tent footprint or a tarp is also ideal to prevent damage and leaks on the floor of your tent. If your tent has vents, put them to good use. Condensation buildup is no joke, and properly ventilating your tent when you have the chance will make your setup much more comfortable.

Otherwise, make sure your tent is waterproofed properly (You can manually waterproof it if an older tent is beginning to have trouble keeping water out), and utilize your rain fly or shield, or even a tarp rigged overtop of it. 

Practice Before Backpacking in the Rain

For the experienced and newbie alike, practicing the proper use of your equipment can be a huge time saver in a bad situation. If you’ve never pitched your tent but you need to in a storm, you’re most likely going to make mistakes, and at worst have to redo your setup at a less than opportune time.

Practice using any equipment you’re unfamiliar with, because you may not always have the time to learn on the fly. This rule is especially important for tents, as it can be the most essential item to put up in heavy rain, but you can easily end up drenched for the night if you do it wrong.

Terrain Dangers

Backpacking in the rain means taking extra precautions

Backpacking in the rain means taking extra precautions

I’m sure you’re already aware of the fact that you’ll face slick, puddled trails and that rocks, logs, and slopes will be hazardous, but you should be conscious of other potential problems ahead of you.

The most common danger you will encounter will be slick surfaces. Navigating difficult terrain can be hard already, but slippery rocks, hills, and so on can easily leave you injured.

Trekking poles can be very useful if you know you’ll end up on some especially slick terrain. The two added points of contact with the ground might save you if you need some extra balance.

If hiking in bad weather, sticking to forested areas can also assist in avoiding many of the problems faced when backpacking in the rain. The added coverage from trees often makes rainfall less intense to deal with. 

Larger rainstorms could make a river crossing much more dangerous. Surging river levels could make a generally easy crossing challenging. The same rules apply to most river crossings.

Be aware of what is downstream in case you’ve swept away, be wary of strainers to catch logs, brush, and debris in streams. Water flows through, a person can’t. If you have to cross, look for an area where the water is running slower, like undercuts or straight stretches to cross. Use extra caution if utilizing things like logs as a bridge, and have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong in a potentially dangerous crossing. 

Flash flooding, mud, and rock slides are all more common in rain as well. If you plan to hike in a canyon, make sure to frequently check the weather in case of flash floods, and be aware of how to quickly get to high ground if necessary.

Heavier rains also make mud and/or rock slides more likely, a danger that occasionally kills hikers. Be aware of your surroundings, listen for sounds indicating moving debris, and be alert to changes in weather. 

Know When to Bail

If you aren’t prepared for hardcore rain on your backpacking trip, if you’re miserable because of how drenched you are and how hard it’s getting, or if you’re unsafe due to heavier storms and lightning with little shelter, it’s ok to bail.

It’s not an especially fun option, and you may feel the need to press on, but the thing to remember is that it’s more important to be safe if you’re doubtful.

I’m not saying that you have to quit at the sight of a cloud that’s a little too gray or once you smell rain in the air, I’m saying that you will know when you should hang it up for the day. Like most things in hiking, the time you decide the weather is too much for your backpacking trip will vary from person to person.

If you’re a more casual hiker who wants a short, comfortable, and fun trip, you may not enjoy your experience beyond light to moderate rain. If you like a challenging trip, it’s perfectly acceptable to be outdoors in heavier rainfall or storms. It all comes down to what you want your experience to be, and if you’re prepared for the task at hand. 

Conclusion

While there are obstacles to backpacking in the rain, if you’re prepared it can be a great time. You’ll probably be one of the few people on the trail, and it can be extraordinarily peaceful. I personally love to be in the woods or on the trail in the rain.

If you properly prepare and make sure you’re aware of the potential dangers, you’ll have no problems. You’ll probably end up wet, and it may not always be a great time, but there’s no reason to fear a day backpacking in rain.

Your Travel Insurance Questions Answered – Covid, Cancellations, and Beyond

No matter where your next adventure takes you, be sure to protect your trip with travel insurance. Don’t get lost in all the options out there, review our expert tips below to navigate all your travel insurance questions. When you’re ready to buy, we recommend using an easy service like Travel Insurance Master to find the best travel insurance for your specific trip in just 3 easy steps.

Travel insurance is more important than ever and it may seem complicated to find the right benefits for you but it doesn’t have to be! Gone are the days of having to jump from website to website to compare different companies’ plans, leaving you with more questions than answers. Now you can simply visit TravelInsuranceMaster.com and view clear side-by-side plan comparisons from the world’s leading travel insurance providers all on one website.

In just 3 steps, you can request a quote and quickly find your recommended plan and best value for your trip. You can also compare your recommended plan with other similar plans and even filter those results by the benefits most important to you.

When to Purchase Travel Insurance

The best time to purchase travel insurance is early on in your planning process, usually the same day you put down your initial trip deposit or within a few days so you have the most options to choose from.

Your initial deposit date, or the earliest date a payment was made towards your trip, is very important to note and will be required for travel insurance. It’s also important to note the date of your final payment, although you can request a quote and purchase travel insurance before your trip is paid in full.

For one of the most popular requests, the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit, you will usually need to buy your insurance within 1-21 days of your initial trip deposit. CFAR benefits are just that – you are able to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever usually up to 2 days before departure for a reimbursement up to 75% of prepaid non-refundable expenses. 

Remember CFAR is an additional benefit and does not replace your regular trip cancellation benefit that covers you 100% for covered reasons, most commonly when you, your family member, or travel companion gets sick.

If you’re worried a pre-existing medical condition could flare up and affect your trip, it’s also a good idea to purchase travel insurance early. This will allow you to take advantage of time sensitive benefits like the Pre-existing Medical Conditions Waiver.

Covid-19 Travel Insurance Coverage

With Covid-19, all Travel Insurance Master’s Trip Cancellation plans cover trip cancellation or interruption if you get sick or test positive with COVID-19. It’s important to note that travel insurance treats COVID-19 the same as any other illness, and depending on your trip and needs, many benefits can provide coverage if you are diagnosed with COVID before or during your travels.

The fear of contracting COVID is not a covered reason for cancellation, however that’s when a CFAR plan may be right for you. Trip Interruption may provide reimbursement of non-refundable prepaid trip costs and expenses for your return home if you or your traveling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a physician while on your trip.

Trip Delay provides coverage for additional hotel and meal expenses if you are delayed due to quarantine required by a physician on your trip. Emergency Medical and Evacuation benefits will provide coverage for medical expenses if you were to contract COVID-19 during your travels and evacuation if medically necessary.

Travel insurance can also help you meet the new foreign tourism requirements in many countries. Before purchasing, be sure there is no travel ban during your travel dates and view the requirements.

Use Travel Insurance Master’s helpful filters located on the left-hand side of the plan results page to narrow down plans that meet the requirements. Be sure to review your plan details and certificate for coverages, limits, and what documentation and proof you will need to provide.

Adventure Sports Coverage

Adventures can sometimes include some riskier than normal activities and sports that you will want to be sure are covered with your travel insurance plan. On the left-hand side of the plan results page you will find the customizable filters like Sports – Hazardous and Amateur.

Choose one or both of these options to find the best plan for you and your itinerary. Click on the benefit under each plan for a brief description.

Although some plans may have exclusions for these types of activities, there are plans like the AIG Travel Guard Preferred plan that include an Adventure Sports Bundle, which removes the exclusions for Adventure and Extreme Activities. View the certificate of the plan you are interested in purchasing to check out all the details on what’s covered and what isn’t.

Travel Medical Coverage

The most popular travel insurance types are Comprehensive plans that offer both trip cancellation and travel medical options. There are also Limited or Travel Medical plans that will provide coverage in the event of an illness or injury while traveling.

Most regular health insurance plans provide very little or no coverage while you are traveling outside your home country. Travel medical options fill that gap in coverage. Emergency Medical and Dental benefits provide coverage if you were to become sick or injured on a trip.

You can also find AD&D, and Medical Evacuation coverage for emergency medical, medical repatriation, return of remains, and trip interruption.

Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travel insurance is not just for trips abroad. It can truly be useful on any trip that takes you 100 miles or more from home. Any type of travel can be affected by delays, cancellations, hurricane and weather, and more.

Travel insurance can provide cost saving rental car coverage, and may reimburse your non-refundable prepaid trip expenses like RV rental or campground reservations if you have to cancel or shorten your road trip due to a covered reason.

But my Credit Card Offers Travel Insurance?

Although your credit card may offer travel insurance, in general they do not offer much protection. They have very minimal benefits and protection for small inconveniences like delays or lost luggage.

Trip Cancellation, one of the most popular plan types, is not usually offered by credit cards and emergency medical is also not usually covered.

How to Get Travel Insurance Quickly and Easily

Remember travel insurance is the easiest way to protect your travel investment for very little, and gives you invaluable protection, flexibility, and the ultimate peace of mind. Travel Insurance Master will find the best travel insurance plan for you in just 3 steps so you can get back to the fun part, planning and ultimately enjoying your next adventure! Be sure to check your specific plan details for full description of coverages.

Things to do at Home Before a Long Trip

You’ve decided on a destination. You’ve scoured the internet for packing essentials. But have you considered all of your responsibilities at home before you embark on a long-term adventure? It would be great if you could simply forget about things like mail delivery and bills while you trek through New Zealand, Bolivia, or Budapest – but the adulting show must go on! You’ll enjoy your trip much more if you’re well-prepared. 

Here are just a few things to do before you take off on a long trip:

Set Up Electronic Billing 

Set up electronic billing from home before backpacking

Set up electronic billing from home before departing your trip

Even while galavanting around the world, you still have to pay bills, unfortunately. Thankfully today, almost all services use electronic billing, allowing you to pay from virtually anywhere and even set up payments in advance. 

If you’re not already using automated billing, be sure to set this feature up well before you leave for your trip. This can be done online or on the phone. Setting this feature up at least one billing cycle before a long trip is a great way to confirm that the feature is working and that money is being taken out of the correct account. 

However, even with autopay, it’s still important to have access to your accounts and statements. Most companies offer apps where you can see statements from anywhere you have cell service or a Wi-Fi connection. Downloading these apps allows you to check your accounts while you’re away in case of fraud or an unexpected charge. It’s also wise to have the customer service numbers of any services you have, in case there is an issue. 

These tips will help you most of the time, but there are a few services that do not offer online billing. For these utilities, contact the service provider to make a plan regarding payment during your trip. If possible, suspending these services while you’re away will save you money and a headache. 

Stop Mail Delivery

Though setting up electronic billing will cut down on the amount of physical mail you receive, that doesn’t cover everything. Everyone receives junk mail, letters from friends and family, as well as important documents (particularly around tax season). 

Especially if your mail is delivered to your address in an unlockable box, there is the risk of others snooping through your mail and even stealing packages delivered to you. This, of course, puts you at risk for identity theft and the loss of important documents and packages. 

If you’re going on a shorter adventure, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to pick up your mail and keep it safe until you return. Keep in mind, that according to the United States Postal Service (USPS), to have someone else pick up your mail at the post office, you must give them written permission. If you use a P.O. Box or live in an area where mailboxes are locked, make sure to give the other person a key.

If your trip is longer, make sure to reach out to your post office to hold your mail while you’re away. Your post office can hold your mail for up to 30 days while you’re traveling. It’s important to put in the request to hold your mail early to ensure mail doesn’t arrive at your address after you leave. 

For trips longer than 30 days, there is the option of forwarding your mail to another address for up to one year. If you will not have access to a set address while traveling, consider asking a family member or friend if they would be willing to receive and set aside your mail during that time. You can also sign up for Informed Delivery, which allows you to see previews of your mail on your phone to make sure you don’t miss anything important. 

Let Your Bank Know You’ll be Traveling 

Let your bank know before departing on your backpacking trip to avoid any issues

Let your bank know before departing on a long trip to avoid any issues

If you’ll be traveling outside of your home state or country, it’s wise to let your bank know ahead of time. Oftentimes, banks will flag purchases made outside a certain geographic area as “suspicious,” and will freeze or restrict your account to help protect you from fraud. However, this could be a major inconvenience if it occurs while traveling. 

To prevent this, make sure to call your bank ahead of time and tell them the general area you will be traveling in and for how long you plan to be there. If your trip is taking place outside of the country, check your bank’s policies on foreign/international transaction fees. These fees can be quite expensive and cost you a significant amount of money. 

If you plan on making several purchases during your trip using a debit or credit card, consider opening a bank account without foreign transaction fees. This can save you a significant amount in fees throughout the length of your trip. The account can then be used on other international trips you make in the future. 

Prepare Your Home to Rent or Sublet 

Why not make some extra cash while you are exploring? In today’s world, there are several safe and reliable ways to rent or sublet your home while you’re away. Taking advantage of this opportunity allows you to bring in income while you’re gone, and believe it or not, many long-term travelers have benefited from this arrangement. 

However, if you want to lease out your home to others, there’s more to it than tidying up quickly. It’s important to make all necessary repairs before renting out your home. A rental with issues can lead to bad reviews, or worse, the tenants leaving and requesting their money back. You also want to make sure any problem areas of your home are fixed before your long trip starts. Something like a busted pipe or roof leak can be catastrophic if you’re not around to immediately notice and fix the issue. 

Homeowners can tap into their home equity to cover the costs of any necessary home improvements. For example, features like a coffee nook, quality lighting, and fresh new flooring can help you get more renters and better reviews. Investing in quality furniture, towels and bedding can also positively impact your guests’ stay (and your rental rate).  

These improvements will also increase the value (and equity) of your home as well as making your home a more pleasant place to live. For renters, make sure to reach out to your landlord for any needed repairs before you leave. Also, make sure your landlord allows subletting as some leases do not allow this. 

Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions Before Your Long Trip

Subscription boxes like meal kits and beauty packages are awesome, but will be of no use to you during your long trip. Oftentimes, the product will be expired or unusable by the time you get back. 

Before you leave, make a list of any subscriptions you have (this is also a helpful tip for budgeting in general). Then, determine which ones need to be cancelled while you’re away and which ones are worth keeping active. For example, a subscription like Netflix or Hulu might be useful on a trip, while something like a meal kit would go bad quickly. 

Also keep in mind that some companies allow you to temporarily suspend your subscription while you’re away instead of outright cancelling. This can save you a lot of headaches when you return. And of course, make sure to resubscribe to everything once you’re back home. 

Consider Adjusting Your Mobile Plan 

Mobile phones are a necessary expense for the vast majority of people. However, depending on your mobile service, you may be charged extra for international usage. If you’re travelling internationally, this can be a significant added expense. 

Adjust your mobile phone plan before your backpacking trip to avoid hassle on the road

Adjust your mobile phone plan before a long trip to avoid hassle on the road

Before your long trip, review your mobile plan and see if you have coverage in other countries and if there are additional fees. If your provider doesn’t enable service where you’re traveling, you can consider buying a prepaid phone to keep in contact with others during the trip. 

If you need suggestions, ask other long-term travelers who have visited the area for their suggestions for remaining connected during your trip. In the case that you don’t know anyone personally, consider looking at online forums and sites about how to manage your mobile plan abroad.

Have Someone to Check on Your Home 

If you can’t or don’t want to rent out your home, finding a house sitter is an important step in securing your home. There are several options for making sure your home is safe while you’re away. For example, you could ask a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member to check in on your home once a week to make sure nothing is out of place. 

When this isn’t an option, there are also several services that will match you up with a person to house-sit your living space. These services offer verified sitters and support and communication through an app. These apps are especially helpful for pet owners because they often offer veterinary support in case something goes wrong. Regardless of who you choose to watch your home, remember to provide them with keys and anything they will need as well as a list of things to look out for. 

Going on a long trip is an excellent way to see the world, stay in shape and make lifelong friends. Although the preparation for a trip may be stressful, follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way in no time.