A week of vacation can leave a traveler returning to a small pile of mail. But 2, 3, 4 or more weeks of traveling can require another vacation just to sort through current and past due bills. Follow the steps below to make your journey to India easy and worry free.

1. Sign up for ETF, or Electronic Funds Transfer, programs which are offered by nearly every creditor. Individual companies generally have information on how to enroll posted on their websites; and most have an application form built directly into the site so you can complete and submit online. Other options may be to print the application and mail by hand. Either way, directions will be included to easily locate the Routing Number and Bank Account Number necessary to enroll.

2. Check that your creditors such as cell providers, water & utility companies and insurance agents, accept credit cards as a form of payment. This option has become increasingly popular among companies allowing the customer, much like ETF’s, to set up recurring monthly payments posted to your credit card. You’ll rack up reward points or frequent flier miles with this option.

3. Some services, I.E. cell phone providers, let you “suspend” your account by keeping it in limbo while you travel for a certain period of time. All you need to do is to reactivate it on your return….this way you MAY NOT have to pay while you travel, but it is important to check with your cell phone carrier to see what options they offer to you while away.

4. Enroll in your bank’s bill pay program. This way, if you travel with your laptop or frequent internet cafes across India, you can log in anywhere to pay current bills. Contact your bank for details on enrollment and program details.

5. Over-pay the last payment for each monthly bill before you depart. In some cases your monthly payment may be a fixed amount so you would simply double the current payment. If the monthly payment varies, estimate what the following charge may be based on history or current trends. Any overpayment will be issued as a credit and carried through until the following statement.

6. Have a friend or neighbor retrieve your mail. Leave pre-signed checks addressed to those companies for which they can fill in the appropriate amount and mail on time.