5 Tips for Snowbirds Escaping Winter

1. Health care preparation

If you are going away for 3 to 6 months, make sure to schedule a check-up with your primary physician or specialist prior to travelling. Do you have prescription medication? Double-check if you have enough to cover you for your entire vacation. It’s also a good idea to ask your physician to write a summary of your medications and their purpose. How about eyeglasses? Ensure you bring along a copy of your prescription in case you break or lose them. As well, it is recommended to look into Travel Health Care insurance as health care costs in the US can be expensive.

2. Plan your finances

Before you leave for your trip make sure to get your finances in order. Things to consider are pre-authorized payments for bills, setting up online banking and downloading your banking app if you have a smartphone so you can easily manage your account anywhere you go. Also check the expiry dates of credit and debit cards as well as your insurance policies. Don’t also forget to call your bank and credit card company to let them know where you’re going and how long you’ll be out of the country.

3. Documents

When traveling for an extended period of time ensure your passport, licence and health card won’t expire while you’re away. Make photocopies of important documents and keep a copy with you for emergency purposes. Do you have a smartphone or tablet? You can easily take a picture or scan and email all your important documents so that you have a digital copy easily accessible on your mobile device.

4. Home security and maintenance

One of the most important steps before leaving for your trip is making sure your Canadian home is maintained and secured while you’re away. Worried about your mail? You can arrange a mail forwarding service so it won’t pile up. How about maintenance? You can hire someone to clear the snow from your driveway and sidewalk after a snowfall.  You can also ask a trusted reliable person to inspect your house and regularly visit during your absence. Lastly, ensure to unplug all unnecessary electronics and appliances and clean the kitchen of any perishable food.

5. Stay in touch

Make sure you have a reliable telephone or mobile phone to keep your family and friends up-to-date while travelling. Give them all of your contact information and make sure you update them often for their peace of mind, whether through text, call, email, Facebook or Skype. Prepare your own list of emergency contacts and keep a copy separate from your contact list in your phone.

Zoomer Wireless makes staying in touch easy with our new Canada/U.S. plans*!  You can pair the Canada/U.S. plans with basic and smartphones and use it conveniently while in Canada or the U.S. all year long! These plans are perfect for Canadian Snowbirds who travel back and forth in both countries – one plan, one phone number and one SIM card for both your Canadian and U.S. wireless needs.

Did you know?

Zoomer Wireless provides affordable cell phone and home phone service to Zoomers across Canada, and convenient solutions to stay in touch while you are travelling abroad.

If you would like to ask more questions related to phones, talk with a dedicated live agent at 1.888.655.1252.

_{*For full plan details visit www.zoomerwireless.ca/rate-plans/canada-us-plans or call 1.888.655.1252.}