Month: February 2020

  • 11 Things You Learn By Traveling The World

    11 Lessons You & Your Family Can Learn By Traveling the World

    If you’ve never traveled much, it can be awe-inspiring to talk with someone that does. They have a wisdom and understanding of the world that you can’t gain from camping at the local lake or vacationing at a condo in Florida.

    Global traveling gives you a more complete picture of the world. If personal growth is important to you, international travel can accelerate your development and your children’s.

    Change your perspective with these lessons I’ve learned over a decade of global traveling:

    Materialism Is Overrated

    When you travel abroad, it’s not easy to bring your guitar collection, BMW, and fine silverware with you. You quickly find that you can do just fine without all of the items you seem to love so much back home. You also see other people living perfectly happy lives with very little in the way of possessions. As much as I love our western comforts as much as the next mom, your kids and mine will be MUCH better off. (I promise)

    Different Cultures Have Different Priorities

    While our society values fame, fortune, possessions, and other forms of material success, many other societies (dare I say most?) have little concern for this sort of thing. You’ll notice that other countries put a heavier value on things like friendship, family, religion, adventure, and comfort (but not in the way you think). This isn’t to say that one culture is inherently better than another, but differences do exist. For example, you might find you like the idea of an afternoon siesta (this is when a country pretty much takes a pause, a complete stop & rest for several hours in the afternoon/evening hours. Usually between 3-7)

    There Are a Lot of People in The World That Don’t Have The Basics

    We take many things for granted. There are people that walk 20-plus miles each day just for water (Trust me, I know it first hand). You can see people living with dirt floors or playing soccer with a ball made of rags. It’s too easy to forget how much of the world lives on less when you’re so high up. This is such a great way to teach kids gratefulness.

    Friends Can Be Found Anywhere

    You don’t have to limit your friends to just the people you get to see five times a week. (& you can stay in touch with some of the ways I’ve outlined below.)

    It’s Possible To Create and Maintain Friendships Across The Globe

    Nowadays, it’s easy to stay in touch with people because of all the technology available. I’ve found that people in many parts of the world are far less guarded than they are in our neck of the woods. Of course, this isn’t fully inclusive but common for the most part.

    Here are some ways to stay in touch:

    You Learn To Be Flexible

    Many things are less reliable than in the western world. From bus schedules to electricity, it’s not uncommon to have your plans disrupted on a daily basis (can you hear the New Yorker in me screaming?!). You’ll learn to be more flexible and creative and bring that new skill back home with you. Ask me how I know…

    That feeling when you shower and water stops running…

    Or you’re SHOCKED half to death with STONE COLD water…

    Or the washing machine shakes due to lack of water…

    Or your home turns PITCH BLACK

    Or the food that you’re cooking STOPS cooking

    Or that public transport you were waiting for…never arrives

    Or the public transport you’re ON stops or switches route…JUST because they CAN…wtf?

    Alright, I’m done. For now…lol

    You Waste a Lot of Time

    When you’re traveling, you won’t want to spend your time staring at your smartphone or watching TV. You’ll want to be out living and experiencing the local scene. You’ll soon realize how much time you waste back home doing things that provide little to no value to you and your kids.

    Being Able to Travel Is a Privilege

    Traveling can be a spectacular thing. You’ll also find people on your journey that travel a lot more than you do. Few places work even close to the hours and weeks we do. There are also people that have never traveled outside their town (this is common, so prepare yourself and your family NOW for small-minded perspectives).

    People Are All The Same

    While cultures can differ considerably, many things are the same. People love their children regardless of what country they’re in. Everyone is striving to be happy and to find meaning in their life. The most important things are the same wherever you go.

    Your Perspective Of The World Will Change

    If you get out of the country and visit someplace new, different people and societies will teach you a lot about the world and yourself. It’ll challenge and even rattle everything you’ve ever known and been taught. Luckily, you’ll be able to raise your kids differently and work through it while raising them. If they are older, then you all get to talk about it and walk through it together.

    Travel Is Expensive (If You DON’T Know What You’re Doing)

    There’s no doubt that in order to travel you NEED money and a lot of it depending on where you’re going and what you need. Go on and multiply that by how many family members you have and it adds up quickly. However, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, if you know HOW to save. Nevertheless, begin saving today for a trip that can be fun and might change your life.

    family traveling, searching
    shock woman traveling

  • 7 Ways To Occupy Kids On A Long Haul Flight

    Children and Vacations: How To Have a Calm Flight

    Vacations bring some of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have. Planning and organizing your family’s travel can make the difference between having a trying, tiring flight or a calm and restful one.

    Here are some ways to make your flight enjoyable for everyone:

    1. Get the kids emotionally *ready* for the trip. Gather all the necessary information in advance about your travel destination and share this information with your children to prepare them for the trip.
    • Plan an activity each day that the children will like.
    • Discuss these activities with your children in advance so they’ll have something to look forward to.
    1. Read a book about flying. If your children are seven years old or younger, look for books about flying that are written for their age ranges. Preparing children through stories and pictures can go a long way in quelling any fears they might have about riding an airplane.
    • Make the storytime fun and add in some of your own flying experiences for discussions with your youngsters.
    • For children who’ve flown before, talk about the prior trip to help refresh their memories.
    1. Take something familiar. Take a familiar item along for the ride to serve as a calming influence for your child.
    • Help the kids select a favorite small toy or belonging to provide a sense of security during the flight.
    • Instead of a new toy, choose a well-loved item. This might be a stuffed animal your child sleeps with or carries with him throughout the day.
    1. Include simple, inexpensive toys and games your children enjoy. Purchase some of these items to pack in your carry-on bag. Then, pull out surprises every hour or so during the plane ride.
    • Plan to have enough surprise items for the trip home as well.
    • For example, if your son enjoys crossword puzzles, buy a new crossword puzzle magazine and pack it with a pencil.
    • Maybe your daughter enjoys reading and has a favorite author. You might surprise her with a new book by her favorite author to read on the plane.
    1. Fun gadgets keep their attention. Let’s not forget the incredible benefit of technological gadgets to keep the kids occupied during the flight. If your kids are old enough to have their own gadgets, whether to play games, listen to music or watch movies, ensure they’re packed in the carry-on.
    • If it’s feasible, give your kids a new game or new music for the trip. This could keep them quiet, calm and occupied for the duration of the plane ride.
    1. Consider the flight as quality time. Engage the kids in discussions of subjects you want to talk about with them.
    • Listen to each of your kids talk about school, their favorite subjects, and their current interests.
    • When the kids wind down from this discussion, shift gears and bring out some of those little surprises mentioned earlier.
    1. Be aware of how the seating arrangement on the flight determines whether the flight is calm or calamitous. If your two children bicker frequently, it may be wise to have them sit on either side of you to keep a little distance between them during the flight.
    • Another option is to seat the children side by side to see if being together helps keep them occupied with positive interactions.
    • If need be, you can switch the children’s seats later to separate them.

    Planning ahead for your family’s flight increases your chances of having a peaceful travel experience. Follow the above suggestions to ensure that your family will arrive at your vacation destination relaxed, calm and ready to enjoy a memorable family vacation.

    children window airport travel occupied
    7 Ways To Occupy Kids On A Long Haul Flight 2
    kids family on airplane playing

  • Why You NEED Travel Insurance

    What Is Travel Insurance and Do You And Your Family Need It?

    Not Everything Always Goes as Planned When You Travel

    No matter how carefully you plan your trip, something unexpected might come up. You might have to cancel your trip for a number of reasons or run into some unexpected expenses during your trip.

    It’s always best to have an emergency fund for unplanned situations. Travel insurance might benefit you as well.

    Travel Insurance Is a Type of Short-Term Insurance Policy

    All you have to do is plan your vacation and purchase a policy that would cover a number of scenarios that could come up during your trip. You can choose between different plans or buy a customized policy in the amount of coverage you want.

    Consider These Advantages of Travel Insurance:

    The main advantage of buying travel insurance is that you’ll get your money back if you have to cancel your trip. Travel insurance usually covers the entire cost of your trip if there is a death in your family, if you or a family member becomes ill, or if you lose your job. The scenarios covered depend on the amount of coverage you buy.

    Travel Insurance Covers Medical Expenses

    It could be very beneficial if you don’t have a health insurance policy or if your current policy wouldn’t cover you in another state.

    You Can Buy Additional Coverage

    This is important if you plan on practicing dangerous activities such as skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, or any other extreme sport.

    Repatriation Is included In Most Travel Insurance Policies

    This is another one of the main reasons why this type of coverage might be needed while you’re traveling. Having to buy a plane ticket home at the last minute if you’re ill or injured could be very expensive and makes buying travel insurance well worth it.

    You Can Insure Your Material Belongings

    It’s not uncommon for luggage to get lost or stolen, and you could actually lose some valuable items such as your laptop or digital camera.

    The exact amount of coverage depends on the policy you purchase. Assess which risks you need coverage for. Where are you going and which activities do you have planned? There is no need to buy travel insurance that includes coverage for medical expenses if your health insurance will cover you while you’re away from home.

    Buying travel insurance is not very expensive and it can really save your vacation. You can rely on your travel insurance policy to cover unexpected expenses. You’ll find that your trip is a lot more enjoyable with the peace of mind of having travel insurance.

    If you plan on traveling soon and have already booked your trip, look for a reliable travel insurance provider. The insurance provider you currently use for your other policies might offer this type of coverage. Otherwise, you can easily buy travel insurance online or simply contact different insurance providers to ask for quotes.

    Don’t hesitate to contact a travel insurance agent directly to see if they can write a customized policy for you. This is usually a good way to save money since you might not be able to find a policy that matches your needs. You can also remove or add coverage from an existing policy in view of what you need.

    Global Medical Insurance: How to Find a Plan That’s Right for You

    Living in a foreign country can be an enriching and exciting experience, but it can also have some challenges. One of the primary challenges world travelers face is regarding health insurance. While many foreign countries have excellent healthcare programs for citizens, you’re likely to find that you don’t qualify.

    The most important part of finding an appropriate insurance plan is to understand the insurance itself.

    Learn About The Basics of Global Medical Insurance:

    How are the premiums determined? Just like any individual policy, premiums are based primarily on your age, medical history, and the area of coverage.

    Many plans have two separate premiums: worldwide and worldwide excluding the USA. This is due to the high cost of health care in the United States.

    Some policies will give rates for just a particular country, but you’ll only be covered for medical care in that country.

    Most policies are ‘globally portable,’ so you can use them wherever you happen to be when the need arises. However, the policy won’t provide coverage when you return to the United States.

    These policies are usually purchased on an annual basis. If you’re planning on being abroad for a relatively short period of time, a travel medical policy might be a better solution. These policies cost less, but are only in effect for a specific period of time.

    Examine Your Needs

    If your health is solid, you might be best served by a basic policy with a high deductible and co-pay.

    If you’re prone to health issues, it might be better to get a policy with more comprehensive coverage for the smaller bills. Increasing the coverage will also increase your premiums, but it might be worth it.

    Consider Using a Broker

    The cost to you is the same, but you’ll get several quotes from different companies. Compare the plans, costs, and policy specifications.

    Understand Your Policy

    Not every policy is the same. Some policies will pay the medical provider directly, but some plans only reimburse you for your medical costs. This means that you’ll have to pay the bills with your own money before the insurance company will pay up.

    Know the difference between a basic and a comprehensive policy. Most insurance companies will offer one or more levels of coverage. Read the information about the specific policy beforehand.

    A basic plan will generally only cover inpatient costs. These are typically going to be your more serious medical conditions and injuries. For example, a trip to the doctor for a sore throat wouldn’t be covered. Emergency surgery, however, would be.

    A comprehensive plan will cover all the items in the basic policy, but will also cover outpatient care.

    Your pre-existing conditions may be covered. While not all pre-existing conditions are eligible for insurance coverage, in some cases, they may be. With some policies, the pre-existing condition is eligible, provided no treatment has been received in the previous 24 months

    Be Aware of Any Exclusions

    Unfortunately, exclusions exist and most are related to routine or elective care. Elective surgery and routine physical examinations are two such examples. There are many more, but they vary from policy to policy.

    It’s never wise to be without medical insurance and being overseas is no exception. There’s a slight chance that your current policy in the US will cover you while out of the country, so check it out.

    Get online, do some additional research, and pay attention to the small print. Talking to a broker is a great idea. It doesn’t increase your cost, and you’ll have an expert on your side.

    travel insurance contract

  • What To Do If You’re Afraid To Travel

    9 Ways to Conquer the Fear of Change During Travels

    Change can be a scary thing. When you make a change in your life, you bring yourself into the unknown. You travel from a safe place to one where you don’t know exactly what will happen. (It’s even more difficult when you throw kids into the mix)

    The truth is, there’s nothing you can do to stop change. This world is always changing -sometimes for good and sometimes not. The best thing you can do for yourself is to discover how to adapt to change (and fast). You’ll soon learn that there’s no reason to fear!

    Here’s a list of strategies to conquer your fear of change:

    Think Positive Thoughts

    When you embark on a change in your life, think it through in a positive way. Instead of thinking about what could go wrong, picture it all going right. If your kids struggle with focusing on the positive, teach them HOW to acknowledge the negative and push through that to the other side. Meditation techniques work amazingly for this.

    Learning Life Lessons

    Think about some of the past changes you’ve gone through in your life and include both the positive outcomes and the negative ones. Regardless of your past, it’s likely that you’ve learned an important life lesson. Yet, if you keep your life stagnant, you’ll lose out on the many important life lessons and experiences.

    Write Your Thoughts Down

    Writing down your innermost thoughts can provide a similar release as confiding with a close friend. Change can be scary, but if you provide yourself with a way to conquer the fear, you can find the courage underneath.

    Try Hypnosis

    Hypnosis and self-hypnosis techniques have been known to help when we need to alter our thinking. Hypnosis can help you relax by feeding you transformative thoughts.

    Positive Motivation

    If you want to get over your fear of change, you have to actually want the change. If you do, you’ll do whatever it takes to get motivated. You can do this by reciting affirmations, writing directions down for yourself, or asking a trusted friend or family member for help.

    Stay in the Present

    Staying in the present moment can help you conquer any fear. It’s far too easy for your mind to get caught up with regrets about the past or worries about the future. In moments of self-doubt, focus only on whatever you’re doing at the moment. This moment is all you have, so you might as well enjoy it!

    Break Down the Change

    If you’re planning a big change in your life, perhaps it will help to break down the change into a series of smaller steps. Doing so will help you to feel less overwhelmed if you can easily transition into a change instead of feeling shocked and scared.

    The Right Time

    Remember that it’s always the right time to change. Don’t make excuses for yourself. Believe that you can do it and go for it!

    The Back-Up Plan

    When you embark on a path of change, it may be the unknown that scares you most. If possible, carefully plan through your change. Think about all the possible scenarios and outcomes – positive or negative – then make a plan. When you have a plan, you’ll ease your fears of the unknown and feel at least a little more comfortable with the change.

    Change for the Better

    Change is going to find you one way or another, so you might as well learn how to go with the flow and learn how to let go. Sure, this is easier said than done, but, learning how to better adapt to change can improve all aspects of your life!

    What To Do If You're Afraid To Travel 3