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What To Look For In Free Singles Sites Before Joining

February 7th, 2012

If you spend a very good amount of time on Internet, then it is sure you must have heard about free singles sites. You can easily find several attractive advertisements of such websites asking you to join them for free. But are they really free? As all free dating sites cost nothing, then can you decide which site to join?

For knowing the answers of above questions and much more, it is important to know about the hidden truth of free dating sites. The hidden truth is that not all dating sites that claim to offer services for free are actually free. There are many websites that offer only the membership for free and charge money for additional services. Thus, it is very important to select the site that is actually free. In addition, there are some important features which you must consider while joining any free dating website.

The following are few important things which you must keep in mind while joining a free dating site.

• Look at the profiles of the candidates: It is important to have a look on the profiles of the candidates to see if there are good profiles available on the website or not. There are few good dating websites that has a clientele of over 2 millions and so it is considered wise to join such websites.

• Look for the time period that is allowed to access services for free: There are many websites that allow access to their various important services for free but for limited time period only. After the expiry of certain period, such websites ask for money and then there is no choice left for the person than to pay in order to continue their association.

The above mentioned are just two points that can help you join free singles sites without any trouble.


About the Author: By keeping a few important things in mind, you can really get benefited from the Free Singles Sites easily. You can visit this website at http://www.online-dating-service-sg.com to know more about good dating sites.

Mini Storage: Great for Garage Sale Preparation

February 6th, 2012

Usually one knows pretty far in advance when they plan to have a garage sale or a yard sale. Maybe it is something that you do on an annual basis. During the course of the year many people may drop off things that they think will suit the upcoming sale or maybe you run across things here and there that could be sold. Some people see things in other people’s trash and grab it real quick with the future garage sale in mind.

While this is all a great idea, the problem is likely that you are accumulating this stuff all around your house. It might be jamming your garage, maybe it is filling your basement, and maybe your yard looks like a salvage yard but whatever the case may be there is no reason to continue on like this. If you rent a mini storage unit near your home (there are plenty) not only can you eliminate all of the build up around and in your home by dropping it off at the storage unit but you can also use the unit for preparation when the time comes nearer for the sale.

If you are very organized then as you drop off the stuff to the unit you will categorize it so it is somewhat easier to deal with later on but for those that are not so tidy, the unit itself will make a big difference in the end and in maintaining your sanity. The nest time your sister drops off a bag of clothes that her children have out grown, it’s off to the unit rather than on your living room floor for days before it gets hauled to the garage or the basement. Plus, consider that you need to keep your garage as accessible as possible as that will be the place to be once your sale is up and running.

If possible, place things in tote according to category, separate clothing at least by gender and separate kids clothes from adults. When it comes time for pricing it will be a lot easier. The cost for a small mini unit is very lean so just reimburse you at the sale. Often there is more than one person conducting or participating in the garage sale, if that is the case split the cost.

When the time gets nearer to the actual event you can use the storage unit and a work station for pricing and setting everything up then all you will have to do is move it to your garage and there will be tables and racks just waiting to accept it in the most organized manner possible. The stuff will be priced and all set to go. More importantly, you didn’t have to run around your house trying to get it all together.

A yard sale is a great way to purge space taking items that you no longer need, but someone else may need, and at the same time earn some cash. For the yard sale to be successful, it needs to be organized well. Start sorting. Organize your yard sale in the same way you look for things in a department store and sort your items by category, i.e. kitchen items, appliances, linens, household items such as lamps, throw pillows, clothes, luggage, sporting goods, auto, etc.

Without being organized with a defined goal and plan intact, you will likely not be very successful. That is one of the main reasons that renting the storage unit is so great! It is a work station away from home, your own little private space to set up your sale. Advertise your sale in the newspaper, on the internet, use flyers and get the word out. Make sure you know how much lead time you need to place an ad. The day of the sale, make sure you start early! Yard sale shoppers are early birds and will sometimes line up a good half hour or more before your advertised sale time.

This will be no problem for you because you will have set everything up the day before when you visited the storage unit. At this point you should have cleared out the unit and fulfilled your contract so that what is not sold must either be donated or tossed. The purpose of the storage unit is only to get you organized in the preparation and success of your upcoming sale. The idea is not to keep adding stuff throughout the year anticipating selling it the following year.


About the Author: Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?

Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

The Mountain Biking Benefits Of Clipless Pedals

February 6th, 2012

If you’re a mountain biking and are riding in sneakers and toe clips, you may want to consider making the upgrade to mountain biking shoes and clipless pedals. Here are three reasons why clipless pedals will make your next ride safer, more efficient and more comfortable.

You’ll notice instant efficiency gains when moving to a clipless system. While most mountain biking shoes don’t have soles as stiff as road cycling shoes, they are much stiffer than a running shoe. The more a shoe flexes, the more energy from the legs is lost. A clipless system allows better energy transfer through a more rigid platform and more precise foot placement. You don’t have to worry about your feet being properly positioned on the pedals because the cleats force you into the optimal position.

Once you get the hang of clipping-in and clipping-out, you’ll find clipless pedals to be safer than toe clips. Toe clips have a tendency to snag your feet in a fall and are difficult to get out of in a pinch. That said, there is a learning curve with clipless pedals and you’ll probably fall a few times before you get the feel of twisting your foot to clip-out. However, once you’ve become accustomed to that motion, it becomes second nature when you have to bail at the last second. If for some reason you don’t have time to clip-out before a crash, you’ll probably disengage from the force of fall if you don’t have the cleat tension set too high. If you’re nervous about a tricky section of trail, you can also use the pedal platform without clipping in. Some pedals have wider platforms specifically for this use.

If you’ve ever hammered the pedals for an hour or so in sneakers, you’ve probably felt some soreness and fatigue in your feet. This can result from the constant flexing of the foot and improper positioning of the foot on the pedal. Mountain bike shoes are made for this very specific foot motion and are built to keep your feet comfortable pedal stroke after pedal stroke. You wouldn’t run five miles in stiff mountain bike shoes, so why would you hit the single-track in running shoes?

PS. Remember to wear cycling identification in case you have an accident.

If most of your rides are two and from the coffee shop and are less than two miles, it may not make sense to go with clipless pedals. However, with the discussed considerations in mind, it makes sense for many recreational mountain bikers to ditch the sneakers and toe clips in favor of mountain bike shoes and clipless pedals.
By: mountain rider


About the Author: ICE ID – enjoy mountain biking safely.
www.iceid.co.uk

How Can I Get Back Together with My Ex – 3 Powerful Steps

February 5th, 2012

What should you actually do at this point? What you shouldn’t do is what you’re likely feeling. Do you feel like calling your ex? DON’T! Do you feel like staying inside and crying all day long? DON’T! Instead, follow these three basic steps and you will have the answer that you need to the age old question “How can I get back together with my ex?”

Step 1 – Accept the Situation!

No amount of denial or wishful thinking can change what has happened. You are already emotionally damaged. Brooding over it or being morose about it will only damage you more.If you avoid this, it will eliminate a large amount of the tension and stress you are feeling. This will take a lot of pressure off you and if your ex still has feelings for you, your relaxed attitude will also take a lot of tension and pressure off him or her. This is best for you both and can smooth the way for a possible reconciliation.

Step 2 – Do not contact your ex!

This will only make him or her feel badgered and he or she will likely be angered and resentful. This will definitely hinder your chances of getting back together with your ex. The best thing for both of you at this point is to have some “away” time. This will allow both of you time to let things “simmer” and reflect on your relationship. After a period of reflection your ex may begin to miss the good things about you and want to get in touch. If so, great! Move on to step three.

Step 3 – Plan Ahead for the Get Together!

Provided step two was successful, you can start thinking about where and when you should meet again and also what should be said when you do. Make sure that whatever you do and say is low key. Don’t be pushy and don’t try to move too fast. If you have gotten to this point your ex obviously still has feelings for you and there is a good chance that you can get back together. If you jump the gun you will blow it. Treat this as a first date and be on your best behavior.

“How can I get back together with my ex?” This can be a little more complicated than the three steps above. But they are a good start and will greatly improve your chances of winning your ex back.

There is much more involved in getting your ex to come back to you than can be included here. To learn the rest of what you absolutely MUST know check out the resources below.


About the Author:

I am a former teacher turned entrepreneur. I love animals, cars, motorcycles and guitars(and my wife as well, of course). You may contact me at jirish37@gmail.com

“The Magic of Making Up” is an incredible resource. To get more information you can either click the book title or go to this address http://www.ExpertRelationshipStrategies.com

Tips for Choosing a Storage Rental Company

February 5th, 2012

Choosing the right storage company to rent from can be a difficult process. Most cities and towns have many different companies to choose from which can make things difficult. It is important that anyone needing a good storage rental company takes the time to careful research the background of all available facilities before making a final choice. There are many things that can be done to help make the best possible decision.

Has anyone that you know of ever used the company? Word of mouth is often the best way to choose a good storage rental company. Try to find a friend or relative that has either used the companies units or who knows someone that has used the units. Talking to someone with first hand experience dealing with the storage rental company that you are considering will help you make a choice that will leave you with some peace of mind.

Look for a storage rental company that is insured or offers insurance. Accidents can happen even under absolutely perfect situations. When these accidents happen in a storage facility you could suffer serious property damage or loss. Find out whether or not the storage rental company in your area offers insurance for free or at an additional monthly rate. If so, take advantage of it! This will help you avoid losing money when you property is damaged through no fault of your own.

Always visit the unit that you will eventually be assigned to. Visiting your unit before the paperwork is signed will give you the opportunity to voice any complaints you might have. If you do not like the interior because of existing damage or if the unit is in a location that you do not like you will have an opportunity to voice your concerns and get a new unit. Waiting to visit the unit until after it has assigned will create a difficult situation for you and your storage rental company.

Get an exact price quote. Always find out how much the storage rental company will charge you per month. Make sure your quote includes any insurance fees, access fees, and taxes. Do not set yourself up for a rude surprise when your first month’s storage fees are due. Also find out if there are any fees for canceling a storage contract or if there are any discounts available for paying storage fees in advance by six months or one year intervals.

Understand the access rules and policies. Some storage rental companies offer 24 hour access to storage units. This can be extremely convenient for late night, last minute, moves or storage needs. However, many storage rental companies are switching to set hours of operation limiting access to storage units to the day and early evening. This can be extremely inconvenient to individuals who work late or simply are not able to get the storage facility during the normal access hours.

What kind of safety features do they have in place? Finding out safety measures and every day security features is extremely important. The worst thing that can happen to many people is to pay monthly for storage rental only to have all of their important belongings stolen. A storage rental company that offers security features helps increase the security of your personal items and reduces your chance of personal loss.

Inquire about staffing arrangements. This might seem trivial to some people but knowing how many staff members are usually on site can be useful in the future. If you are considering a storage rental company that has only one person on the premises for a shift, be prepared for long waits if you have a problem or need to discuss an issue. In addition to making it difficult for you to get any immediate help, storage rental companies with only a small staff create an additional security risk. It is hard for one person to properly monitor the activity of a busy storage facility which could lead to your property being lost.

Always consider more than one company. It is extremely important that you never settle for the first storage rental company you find. Visit at least three companies to get quotes, ask questions, and hopefully get answers. Even though many storage rental companies will try to press you into making a fast decision and even claim they have only one unit left do not let yourself be pressured into a hasty decision.

Choosing a storage rental company might seem like a time consuming process but if handled correctly things can go easily and efficiently. Taking your time to browse around and find the storage rental company that is best for you will help you save time and money in the future.


About the Author: Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?

Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Storage Rental Solutions for Moving

February 4th, 2012

As an adult, you’ve had the pleasure of moving at least once in your life. If you’ve gone away to college as a young adult, you’ve moved around more than once. No matter if you’re young or old, chances are there have been a few occasions when it was necessary to pack up and move. Maybe you’ve just gotten married and are moving into a new apartment or home. Perhaps your job has you relocating to another city for a long term assignment. There are many occasions that represent the necessity to move. Some of these moving scenarios are not permanent and require temporary storage rental solutions for moving.

Storage rental solutions for moving differ from other needs for storage rental solutions because you know up front that the storage rental you need is only for a specified period. The manner in which you store your items in these storage units can be quite different. If you are searching for storage rental solutions for moving, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you package your items in a manner that will make them easy to get to when you need them.

If your storage rental solution for moving is the result of needing to store things while you wait for your new home to be finished because it is off schedule and you’ve sold your current home and have to downsize to an apartment, you need to take special care in how you pack your things. Items that you will not need can go in the back of your storage unit. Other items that may have to go to the storage unit but need to be exchange regularly should be placed near the front of the unit. All boxes, furniture and other items should be situated in the unit so that there are aisles for you to walk between items without having to move them. Likewise, fabric furniture should be covered and mattresses should be stood up and supported so that they don’t get a permanent sag mark in them.

Storage rental solutions for moving a small business office can involve a similar storage scenario where items that will be needed right away should be stored near the front of the unit and large items such as desks, computers, chairs, tables should be stored to the rear of the facility since they won’t be needed and can be heavy and cumbersome to move.

Storage rental solutions for moving should be respective of the amount of time you need to rent. Many storage rental facilities allow rentals from week to week, which is the best way to rent on a temporary basis. If you are not sure that you will need the storage for more than a week, you may do well to try to leave the items where they are rather than move them for just a few days.

No matter where you choose to temporarily store your items for moving, it is important to make sure that you follow the rules. Not all storage rental facilities are the same so be sure to read the rental contract before you sign and pay. Make sure that you can store all of the items that you need to store in the unit. Remember that although you are paying a rental fee to rent private space, you do not own the space and the owner does have the right to inspect your items to insure that you are complying with the terms of the agreement.

Further, there are state laws that govern what you can and cannot store in public storage, even temporarily. Undoubtedly these rules will be incorporated into the rental contract. If they are not, you will want to inquire about these rules and ensure that you are compliant. Failure to comply can result in having your items removed from the storage unit and cause your rental contract to be severed, forcing you to also have to remove the rest of your items from the unit as well.

Many storage rental solutions for moving are like a one stop shopping source. They offer not only storage units but packaging items such as boxes, bubbles, peanuts, plastic crating and even moving trucks to help you get your items relocated to the storage unit where they can stay temporarily either on a week to week or month to month basis and are protected with video surveillance and gated access by key only.


About the Author: Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?

Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Wood Panels for Interior Design

February 4th, 2012

Wood paneling is a traditional method of creating a beautiful interior. Wood paneling has the characteristic of providing the aura of coziness and comfort to any home. It comes in many types depending on the type of wood used.
Wall panels are becoming an integral part of interior design. These are used for different purposes. Many business establishments use it to hide any electrical wiring and are excellent to decorate the interior of any room.

Portable wall panels are also used as a divider for offices or cubicles. Wall panels are commonly made of wood and sometimes combined with wallpaper or other textured materials to decorate it. For recording studios, a special wall panel is used which is capable of absorbing sound for better acoustics.

There are many types of wood paneling available in leading hardware. They vary in sizes, color and quality.

Surface Types
The veneer finish wood panels are made of three plies such as the face, back and the core which is in the middle. Pre-finished wood veneers are the most expensive types. Some variants consist of grains to achieve an excellent finish. Less expensive wood panels does not have grains.
Vinyl coated type consists of different wood designs which are laminated into plywood. The designs are usually printed through photo process. This type of wood panel can be cleaned easily but must be treated with care to avoid scratches.

Surface printed is one of the less expensive types of wood panel and commonly used for DIY projects. It consists of wood grain finish by the use of state of the art photography. It is important to use specific cleaning substances for such materials to avoid damage to its finish and color.

Printed paper panel makes use of printed paper with various designs which is then laminated into wood to create a beautiful finish. This the ideal type for a low cost interior.

Backing types are generally available anywhere. They can be made of medium density fiberboard (MDF), hardwood or plywood. If you are short on your budget, you may opt to use hardwood. The expensive variants of wood panel are more tolerable from any moisture because it had been manufactured using various wood treatments.

Grooves are used for wood panel surfaces. This can either be real groves or the painted grooves. Real grooves are the best in quality which can be identified by visually inspecting it. Grooves which are straight and sharp are of high quality. Painted grooves are typically cheaper compared to real grooves.

Wood paneling is continuously gaining its popularity especially that there are more options which are being introduced by many leading manufacturers. More and more variety of wood panels is designed for Do It Yourself projects where you can easily install your own wood panel in your home.

Make sure that the walls are leveled and dry before installing to avoid moisture from building up and warping it. For concrete walls, it is important to do some sealing by using furring strips as a spacer to help evaporate any builds up of moisture. Even if you are going to use moisture resistant wood panels, you still need to do the first steps.

Wood paneling provides you a lot of options in designing your wall. It is also essential to do regular polishing to avoid moisture and help increase the durability of your wood panel. As long as you know how to take care of your wood panel, you will enjoy the benefit of its beauty for many years.


About the Author: For more information on Wood Paneling and Decorative Wall Paneling.Please visit our website.

Succession Planning For Collectibles

February 3rd, 2012

Assuming that you do not need an estate plan is one of the worst assumptions you can make and could cost your family loads of money in taxes and hours of frustration. The only people who can honestly say they would not benefit from an estate plan are those unfortunate enough to have no family or assets or property of their own, which would in fact represent a very small fraction of the population.
You will more than likely be surprised at the total value of your estate when once you actually start documenting your assets. Your estate includes everything you own – investments, insurance policies, real estate, jewelry, vehicles, cash in the bank and even your coin or model aircraft collections or any other collectibles. What happens to everything in your estate after your death can be determined with a good estate plan.

Collecting is part and parcel of human nature and most of us are collectors of some kind. Some of us may own collections passed through generations or left to us by a friend or relative who felt that we are the chosen one to inherit their collection. Others among us may have started their own collection based on our own interest or passion for a collectible item and it may all have started as a hobby.

One thing all collections have in common is value – whether it is in monetary value or the pleasure and sentimental value of owning these collections. Either way, an important element of a collector’s overall estate planning is an art succession plan. The goal of such a plan is to preserve and distribute the collection to heirs with the least expense and confusion. Here are a few suggestions offered by collectors and art succession planners.

• Maintain a Proper Inventory of Your Collectibles

A comprehensive up-to-date inventory of the items in the collection should always be maintained by the collector.
Each and every purchase and sale transaction should be recorded and if available all documentation relating to the collection should be documented. This includes all Certificates of Authenticity, origins or sources of the collectibles and if sold all subsequent owners. Specially designed software is available if so required but if the collection is relatively small a simple spreadsheet should suffice.

• Have the Collection Valuated

The general rule for federal state, gift and income taxes is that property is transferred at its “fair market value”. Sometimes, the tax authorities will accept the buyer’s cost, or a recent sale, as evidence of fair market value. Most often, however, fair market value will need to be determined by an official appraisal of the collection. If your collection’s monetary value is of any significance then an appraisal or valuation for each item in the collection may be required by the IRS. The appraiser will be required to meet the standards set by the IRS. One of the most important considerations in planning for the disposition of art and collectibles is the correct valuation of the collectibles as incorrect valuations for tax purposes could result in additional taxes and penalties being imposed.

• Discuss your Art Succession Plan with your family

Discussing estate planning and art succession planning with your family can not be done without talking about death and money – two very sensitive issues that most of us prefer to avoid. When an aging parent discusses death with their children it is too close for comfort and they shy away from this topic pointing the discussion in a different direction.
A sudden death or incapacitating illness may cause you to have missed the opportunity to ensure that your collectibles are distributed according to your wishes and it is imperative that your succession plan be discussed openly with your family. If it is your wish that your collection remain intact then you must know which, if any, of your family would be interested in inheriting and maintaining your collection. If you discover, or are aware, that none of your immediate family shares your interest in your collectibles alternative plans must be made for the succession of your collection. Museums, fellow collectors or charity organizations are options to consider but proper planning is essential to ensure that any allowable tax benefit is optimized in your succession plan.

A good financial adviser will be best able to advise you of all the advantages or pitfalls of the various options available and the tax implications of each. The most important step is the first one – realizing that very few of us do not need an estate plan and that collectors need to include an art succession plan in their estate plan.


About the Author: If you are a doll collector recommended reading:

What Will Happen To Your Doll Collection When You Die,

Planning a Doll Inventory ,

Photographing Your Doll Collection

How To Build A List Of Eager Subscribers

February 3rd, 2012

How To Build A List Of Eager Subscribers

Every online business provides great service to generate satisfaction among their customers. As each and every customer receives satisfaction over their products or the services they get, there is a great chance that they will become a return customer and buy again. Better yet, they will recommend you to other people that could generate more business for you and your site.

As more traffic is driven to your site, you can entice many of them to subscribe to your mailing list or opt-in list. This is a list where in website visitors agree to be sent promotional materials such as newsletters, catalogs and such that could keep them updated about your site or the niche of your site. These promotional materials are sent via e-mail to the members of the list in different time intervals.

When using e-mail as the media of your marketing and advertisements, you eliminate the need for high costs. Email is free and if you can manage to make your own promotional advertisements you can also save a bundle there. With an opt-in subscribers list, you are pretty sure that what you are sending out is received, viewed and read by the subscribers and not simply being deleted. They have signed up for service and have consented in receiving it.

This means that there are constant reminders to your subscribers about all your products, new products and services as well as any promotions and special deals you are having. There is also the chance that they can be forwarded to other potential customers as they tell their friends and families about you and your site.

Of course you should be also aware that a subscriber may unsubscribe when they feel that they are not getting what they want or expected. Make sure that they are satisfied with your opt-in marketing strategies and keep them excited in receiving your newsletters and catalogs. Here are some tips that can help you build a list of eager subscribers.

Make your promotional materials interesting and fun. Try to use a little creativity but not too over artsy. Build around what your product or service is about. For example; if you are selling car parts, put some pictures of what is new in the auto parts world, a new wing door possibly that can fit any car and make it look like a Lamborghini.

Try to research what people are looking for, these way, you stay one step ahead of them all the time and you will be their bearer of new tidings. They will be eager to receive what you are sending them because they new you always have fresh and new things to share with them.

Write good articles that can be very informational but light at the same time. If your subscribers enjoy your articles, they will go to your site by clicking the links that you will be putting on your newsletter to read some more. You can provide articles that can connect to many people. Be diverse in your articles. Put something humorous, then put something informational, then put something that has both.

Are you wary about this because you don’t like writing? No problem, there are many professional and experienced article writers that can do the job for you for minimal fees. They know what they are doing and can provide the need that you have for your newsletters, the money that you pay for your articles are going to be met by the many sign-ups and the potential profit from the sales that you will get.

Create and send an E-book to your customers about anything that is related to your business or site. Use your knowledge and expertise in the field you have chosen to help other people who are similarly interested. Offer this e-book for free. You can write about anything informational and helpful to your subscribers. For example; you can do manuals and guides in so many things. This e-book could be used as a reference for many people.

Share this e-book with everyone, even other sites; just make sure that they don’t change the links in the e-book that will lead people to your site. If you want, you can always get some people to write it for you just like your articles. Your investment once again will be covered by the great marketing this will generate.

Add e-coupons in your newsletters that will help them avail to special discounts. Put a control number in your e-coupon so that they can only be used once. When people get discounts that can be found in your newsletters, they will be eager to receive your newsletter in anticipation of what you are promoting next.

If your subscribers can get benefits from your newsletters, they will be very eager to receive them. Just don’t flood your mailing list with mails so that you don’t annoy your subscribers.


About the Author: car accident compensation

Why just switching on your phone on holiday could cost a fortune…

February 2nd, 2012

Despite new EU guidelines which came into effect on 1st July 2009 limiting the maximum a mobile phone provider can charge for services in Europe to 37p per minute to make a phone call, 16p per minute to receive a phone call and 9p to send a standard text message, bills for using a mobile phone abroad are still high and providers have some sneaky ways of charging you that many of their customers don’t know about.

As well as high charges for making calls and sending texts, the minute you switch on your phone when you’re abroad your phone registers with a local network. From then on, you will be billed at overseas rates – opening yourself up to the risk of a high bill. You will have to pay to receive calls, for someone leaving you a voicemail message and also to pick up voicemail messages. So even if you don’t use your phone to make a call, you could end up with a high bill just for turning your phone on to check it’s working, using it to take a photo or to set the alarm clock.

Don’t risk coming home from a dream holiday to a mobile phone bill nightmare – follow these top tips to make using your mobile phone abroad more affordable:

•Tell friends and family to try to text you rather than call while you’re away – you won’t be charged for receiving a text.

•Speak to your mobile phone provider about overseas charges – many of them have special roaming packages or passports which give you a better rate while you’re out of the country.

•Make sure your voicemail is switched off while you’re away – that way you won’t end up paying if someone leaves you a message.

•Avoid using data services and the internet on your phone if you’re out of the country – you can run up an enormous bill just checking your email, the football results or downloading something.

•If you’re taking your phone away in case of emergency only switch it on if you need it.

•Text rather than call where possible – it’s a far cheaper option.

•If you are a pay as you go customer, make sure you top up before you travel so you don’t get caught out without credit.

•Look into buying an international SIM if you know you’ll need to make calls while you are away – it could work out cheaper.

•If you’re travelling with a partner or family, think about taking one mobile between you to keep the cost down.


About the Author: Daniel is a writer based in south-east England, specialising in issues around personal finance including mobile phones.