by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, PicketFence.Life

Getting ready for a trip is always exciting - to pack the bags is all part of the fun. Seasoned travellers have a lot of tips on how to be a pro in getting everything in and you can find many examples of practical tips on social media. Packing for a trip to the wild is a different story.

Have you ever met that girl who brings a suitcase on a trip to the bush? Packed to the brim with ‘just for in case” items? How about the girl with a hairdryer, a straightener, an electric hair brush, not mentioning the special iron that will make the clothes look very swab? Seriously? Too much stuff not necessary at all.

The men can be just as silly. The guy with the safari pants, pockets and zips all over. Stuffed with items that can rescue an army… so he says. Other travellers pitch with only a pair of shorts and a skimpy top. Not considering a possible storm or a scorching sun, no protective gear. Is the girl with the suitcase going to cope? Did these travellers check the itinerary?

The moral of the story? Make sure you are packing the correct items to see you through any type of journey.

We tend to pack our financial backpacks with similar mind sets. Some of us get lured in with promises of extra cash, easy payment methods for debt, cards with massive available funds and financial risk products that are not necessary. We pack our bags to the brim.

We might not pack any proper financial products. Do you check up on your products that you have in your own financial suitcase? We expect to weather the storms hoping that what we have will help us to survive. Unfortunately many people are not covered at all or have too much costly “stuff’ in their bags. This might even be the cause for them to stumble financially. Research shows that the entrepreneur is a great target for the marketplace.

Consider this short financial checklist:

Correct risk products for your lifestyle and business.
Ditch extra credit cards and accounts.
Only buy necessary products.
Make sure you keep a good credit record.
Be informed on the interest rates of your debt.
Make sure your medical insurance is correct and up to date.
Pay the best rates for the best protection for short term insurance.
Tax friendly savings products must be in the bag.

Make sure the backpack is easy to carry - don’t let your finances become a burden. The longer the journey the heavier it will feel. Ask the expedition leader for professional help. Be informed.

Eldari Visser and her unique company, Picketfence Life, is providing access to information, advice and a powerful network of experts to help consumers find solutions to various serious issues. The company focuses mostly on easy blogs written by financial coaches, lawyers, accountants and tax practitioners, life and business coaches, and even psychologists. It gives practical tips and help and is the expert on your side of the fence. --- You can reach Eldari at www.picketfence.lifeor www.askgerald.com