4 essential money tips when traveling overseas for work

20230526050600_64703e3833fb5.webp

Money-saving tips for work-related travel

 

Travel is exciting, whether for work or personal reasons. While traveling for work should sound stressful, strangely it usually isn't for many millennials. Add in the perk of having your trip financed by a third party, probably your company or client, and it might get way too exciting. So much so that you start dipping into your own cash reserves.

 

While you may not be the one spending the money. Traveling overseas for work presents a great opportunity to save up some cash, probably enough to travel again in the future.

 

The first step as with any frugal spending approach is to sit down with pen and paper and examine your budget; what is essential and what is trivial. What can you live without and what is crucial. Keep these four money tips in mind when next you're traveling for work.

- Consider going for cheaper accommodation. An economical option might be opting for short-term Airbnb units instead of expensive hotels. There are also services, like Homestay, which allows you to stay with a host in your destination for a reduced price. Often, you get to mix with the locals and actually experience what living in that city or country feels like. However, ensure to find out if this wouldn't be in violation of company policy.

 

- Check out cheaper airlines. You can snag a deal on flights and other essentials with a service like Lowfares that allow you to compare rates on airfares, hotels, and car rentals. Another tip is to travel during off-peak periods.

 

Generally, weekdays, especially midweek, are a great time to secure cheap rates. FareCompare CEO, Rick Seaney, in an article on USAToday https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/seaney/2018/01/02/best-and-worst-days-fly-2018/995658001/ , puts Jan 9 - March 16 as the cheapest times to fly through Europe. Since prices drop as much as 40% over holiday fares.

 

- Cut back on restaurants and drinks. Money spent on food per day can easily add up, especially when you're not the one spending. However, it only takes a little discipline to be thrifty and get some cash saved. One tip is to plan out what you'd eat every day and how much you want to spend. Don't get too cut up in the local cuisine, while ignoring your pocket. An advantage of a service like Homestay is that it allows you to spend little on food.

 

- Teach a language or offer a service. You can try a service like Diverbo, which will cover some of your vacationing costs and in exchange, you help locals with their English. AdventureWork shows listings of jobs in the adventure space. Folks literally pay you to teach skiing and snowboarding etc. You can also babysit or teach a language. https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2016/07/27/23-companies-that-will-help-you-travel-the-world-for-free-and-maybe-even-pay-you-to-do-it/#4e5d1881e0fd . So, if you have some free time on your hands, you can consider offering a service or volunteering.

 

There are also discount services or loyalty rewards on hotels and fares. You can take advantage of these if you frequent the same location multiple times a year.

 

Traveling overseas for work presents an opportunity to work, have fun and maybe get enough money saved up to finance your next travel.

Previous Post

5 cities with the highest cross border real estate activity in 2018

Next Post

Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Related Posts

20230526051644_647040bcbea7d.webp

Who Else Wants to Move Abroad? 5 Tips for Moving Abroad

  • 28, August 2023

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

Moving broad for work or fun is both exciting and frightening, here are some things you should know

An ancient quote says, 'those who travel across the seas only change their skies, but not their souls", nowadays the opposite is true. Studies show that people who live abroad find it easier to engage with other cultures. Moving abroad gives you more perspective on life. But it's not easy to take the first step. The thought of leaving your family and friends can be distressing coupled with the fact that you may not know anybody in the new country. However, it's an opportunity to leave your comfort zone and explore different cultures and issues you haven't seen before.

But there are challenges you'll encounter. Paperwork can be exhausting; The stress of trying to blend into a new environment, especially when you're not fluent in their language; The guilt that comes with leaving your family and friends, which they may not initially understand. But facts prove that the distance could actually strengthen your relationship. So if you're tired of the same old routine and want some more adventure in your life, you'll find that you can master the skill of dealing with the challenges that come with living in a foreign city. Whether you're a millennial moving to another country for work or a retiree just seeking adventure, these tips will help make the move as painless as possible.

Tips For Moving Abroad

1. Make some research. You already know this is important. It's a no-brainer. Know a bit about the political climate of the country, the economic climate, geography and important public figures. Also learn something of the culture, history and staple foods.

2. You don't really need much stuff. Unless you're running away from your home country, never to return, you'll find that excess luggage is just what it's called; excess luggage. It's a given that there will be stores and large shopping outlets in the country you're moving to. Also leaving back the excess stuff might be a way to dispose of materialism and reprioritize what's important in your life. However, never forget to take the important stuff. Don't forget to take your favorite 'Abercrombie' shirt or else your mind might not leave home.

3. Don't expect to settle in at once. It might take at least three months before you fully integrate with the culture of a particular place. You might find it hard to make friends during this time. So, don't rush and don't feel like you've to immerse completely while trying to socialize but stretching your limits of comfortability. During this time, you can observe. Also, maybe, get some interesting 'alone' activities to keep it fun.

4. Experience new things. Travelling abroad and not trying new foods, people and customs is like going to school and not learning anything. Don't be afraid to experience new things. Also, don't limit yourself to the big cities. If you travel to Spain, don't spend all your time in Madrid. Check out the smaller town, you'll learn and experience much more.

5. Make local friends. As a new property investor abroad, your local friends will be able to assist you a lot. They'll give you practical information and might even put in some legwork for you. Generally, you're not moving abroad to hang out with fellas from your home country. Therefore, mingle with the locals.

 

 

 

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
20230526053617_647045517f690.webp

5 Invaluable Property Negotiation Tips For Overseas Real Estate

  • 25, February 2023

In the book Cross-cultural Business Negotiations by Donald W Hendon, there is this story about a US sales professional with years of negotiating prowess in the US, pulling down walls due to his aggressive negotiation skills. He was asked to negotiate a business deal in Japan and he failed because the same aggressive skills that brought home the bacon in the US was considered a sign of weakness and insincerity in Japan. So negotiating on foreign soil presents a little more challenge.

But whatever the reason for negotiating or the country in which you are negotiating, the important thing is looking beyond the surface and understanding the motivations of the other party. This might be hard to do when you have barriers like cultural, socio-economic, political and religious differences. But you can break through those walls and infer the motivations of the other party; study weak points, analyze your strong point and get a win-win result. Here are property negotiation tips to achieve these whether on home or foreign soil.

1.     Be respectful.

Being respectful and courteous tells the other party you’re calm and might signify you have the strong ground. This would make the negotiations an enjoyable ground for you. Moreover, everyone likes respectful people. Likability can work in your favor. But going in all firing with an aggressive attitude and you could be sending the wrong signals.

 

2.     Do not be afraid to ask for what you want.

Successful negotiators are assertive and challenge everything - they know everything is negotiable. Being assertive means asking for what you want and refusing to accept NO for an answer. (Check the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness). However practicing being assertive will take care of your interests while maintaining respect for the interests of others. When you put your own interests in front of others and with a lack of respect, then you are negotiating aggressively.

 

3.      Listen.

The most popular word in the English language (or any other language for that matter) is "I". Therefore, it stands to reason that most people love to hear themselves speak. Communication is imperative in any negotiation. Negotiators are looking for that point that will unite the two sides and create a platform for a result. Good negotiators ask questions and then listen. The other party will tell you everything you need to know - all you have to do is listen. Follow rule 90/10 - listen 90% of the time, speak 10% of the time. Make a lot of open questions sit back, relax and listen and you will be amazed at what you hear.

 

4.     Be Prepared.

It’s not a good strategy when you have to sit down at the negotiating table and think "I wish I'd known that" or "If I just found out before leaving the office. Know whatever there is about the house, the neighborhood and the state before getting to the negotiating table.

 

 

5.     Always be willing to walk.

Never negotiate without options. If you rely too much on the positive outcome of a negotiation, you lose your ability to say NO. When you say to yourself: "I will walk if I cannot secure a negotiation that is satisfactory," the other side perceives that you mean business. Their resolution will force them to make concessions.

Doing your homework is vital to successful negotiation. You cannot make accurate decisions without understanding both sides of the process. The more information you have about the people you are trading with, the stronger your negotiating power.

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
20230526051448_6470404819b05.webp

5 Inexpensive Home Improvement Tips To Improve Your Homes Value

  • 29, August 2023

Depending on your home's value, your market and comps in your neighborhood, you could consider making renovations in your home before listing. In a place like New York, however, where houses are being snapped up fast and prices are over the roof, renovating your house for sale might be a crazy idea. But in suburbs with high inventory, your house needs to measure up.

 

When selling, you wouldn't be looking through the same eyeglasses as a new homeowner. Your calculations and priorities will be much different. The most important thing when you have to consider value is return on investment. What renovations will make my house sell fast and at the same time give good return on investment? Before you embark on gutting your circa 1990 kitchen, the first thing you might need to do is consult an experienced realtor who knows what works best in your particular neighborhood.

 

You might find out that minor cosmetic upgrades will get more buyers through the door. And yea, the door is important. Instead of spending money on pricey renovations like adding a deck or basement revamp, Remodeling magazine’s 2015 Cost vs. Value Report says that replacing your existing front door with a new steel door will net you a 101.8% ROI for a minimal replacement cost of $1,230. Knowing which areas to spend on will help save you a lot of money when making renovations. Let's look at five low-cost ways to increase your home's value.

 

        Inexpensive Home Improvement Tips to Improve Your Home’s Value

 

1. Consider curb appeal. Nothing says 'welcome to this lovely house' to a prospective buyer as a nicely mowed lawn, a few shrubs here and there and a well-swept walkway. The first impression buyers have as they drive to your home is truly important. So, it's necessary you set the stage right. Hiring a good landscaper will be worth the money. Not only will your home appeal to prospective buyers, your neighbor would also love the effort.

 

2. Have a cohesive kitchen. Kitchen plays a big role in home improvement. Many Realtors call it the heart of the home. Indeed it is; since an average American homeowner spends at least 37 minutes daily in the kitchen. Sprucing up your kitchen demands that you create the impression of a clean and updated kitchen. One way to achieve this impression is creating cohesiveness, especially with color. Mix and match kitchens are not the best. If your kitchen appliances don't match, consider ordering new doors, e.g new cabinet doors or face panels for them.

 

3. Work on your bathroom. Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are important to potential home buyers. You can make a difference in your bathroom at a low cost by adding new toilet seat and a pedestal sink. These are also pretty easy for homeowners to install on their own. One thing you may not be able to do on your own but which will add value to your bathroom is replacing an old, discolored, bathroom floor with vinyl tiles. Bright, energy efficient lighting will also improve your bathroom's appeal.

 

4. Update closets. Cramped storage spaces are not attractive to potential buyers. You can step up your storage by adding a do-it-yourself wire and laminate system to bedrooms and pantries.

 

5. Check the mechanics. Having a minor inspection and working on existing faults in your home like faulty outlets, loose wires and water leaks give the impression that someone has really taken care of the home.

 

 

 

By Bebuzee Admin Read More