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Travelite Packing Tips
February 2000:
Aloha traveliter.
This month's Travelite Tip is dedicated to Cyntia Oti, an investment broker and popular California Bay Area radio show host of "Financial Fitness," who died tragically this past Monday on Alaska Airlines flight 261 on her return from vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
As a regular listener of her show, I learned a lot about the importance of financial planning. Cynthia always found the quirkiest songs to play after commercial breaks ("bumper music") and they always had to do with money. Unlike some financial planning folks who encouraged Scrooge-like lifestyles, Cynthia also encouraged people to enjoy life; her getaway to Mexico was just such an example. She had an infectious laugh, a wonderful voice, and a generous heart. I will miss her very, very much.
As lovers of travel, none of us want to think about how we might meet tragedy while away from home. But what happened to Cynthia should be a reminder that it is possible, and it does happen. And thus, my February Travelite Tip is about a slightly different kind of planning -- planning in case you encounter a major tragedy while traveling.
At the higher levels, all of us should consider preparing and updating our wills. Who will take care of your minor children? What will happen to your assets if everyone in your immediate family was traveling together with you? If you cannot afford an expensive lawyer, at least check into preparing a will with a software program like WillMaker. An excellent legal resource is Nolo Press' Web site, at http://www.nolopress.com. You can find articles on wills, probate, living trusts, estates, powers of attorney, and final arrangements under their section for wills.
What if you are injured or fall ill while traveling? Does your medical insurance cover out-of-state bills? Overseas treatment? Read the fine print. Did you pay for your trip with a credit card that provides travel insurance should you need to return home immediately because of an emergency? Read the fine print.
On a lower level, make sure that you leave your full itinerary with people whom you trust. Your loved ones at home, housesitters, neighbors, friends or relatives, make sure *SOMEONE* has a complete list of travel plans, including flight and hotel information. If you're the type to wing it, provide at least a general schedule of what cities you plan to be in on which days. It might also help to include your reservation numbers on the itinerary as well.
If you are leaving your itinerary with someone other than your immediate family, make sure you include "in case of emergency, contact" information.
While most of us are pretty good about providing this information for a major trip, don't forget to provide information even for your shorter weekend jaunts.
Finally, please give your loved ones a hug. We're here on this planet for such a short time. You don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to tell them that you love them.
-- Lani
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