Tag Archive: guides

  1. How to plan driving home for Christmas

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    Christmas is coming and family members who are currently away will be feeling the call to return home. Perhaps you’re away at university or maybe working in another part of the country? No matter what the circumstances, this is the one time of year when being together really matters.

     

    Although the roads are often exceptionally busy, for many of us, there are clear advantages to driving. You may need to bring luggage and perhaps have lots of presents to transport too. It can be a lot easier if you have your own wheels – or, as is increasingly happening, can borrow someone else’s. If a friend, for example, will not be using their car, then they may lend it to you to drive home and you can ensure it is fully covered with GoShorty.

     

    GoShorty makes it incredibly easy to buy online, providing fully comprehensive short term car insurance in minutes. You can take out insurance from an hour right up to 28 days, which should be more than enough for your Christmas family break. Drivers aged from 18 to 75 are eligible and you can insure a car with a value of up to £60,000 as well as protecting the owner’s No Claims Discount.

     

    So, the transport and the insurance are sorted, now all you have to do is plan for the journey. These are some of the best ways to go about it.

     

    Plan the route

    It may be a trip you’ve done before or it could be the first time, but check for any changes or possible disruptions. It can be worth having a paper route, just in case you lose signal.

     

    Make sure the car is serviced and perform some basic checks

    If this is a car you do not drive regularly, ask the owner to run through the controls and to confirm with you when it was last serviced – this is particularly important if it’s a longer journey. Then check the tyre tread, tyre pressure and fluids such as oil, screen wash and coolant. Check the brake lights are working well and also where the spare tyre kit is kept. Check out our more detailed post for further car maintenance tips.

     

    Be prepared in case you are in an accident or breakdown

    Knowing the vehicle is in good condition means that breaking down is unlikely. But, if you’re in an accident, have the necessary claims number to hand. If you already have personal breakdown cover, this will provide protection and you can even join roadside assistance organisations as required, if necessary, although the call out bill will be higher.

     

    If you’re travelling on motorways, be aware where service stations are and if on a smart motorway, what to do if you need to pull over. There have been a number of smart motorway accidents in recent years and the advice is to try and reach a refuge as soon as you can and then phone for help. If this is impossible, pull up as close as possible to the nearside verge/boundary or slip road, switch on hazard lights and if it is not safe to get out, call 999. Emergency services can then reroute traffic.

     

    Get your timing right

    If at all possible, try to leave on a day and time when you’ll avoid the crowds. If you don’t drive that much, you may prefer not to drive at night, even though the roads can be quieter. Can you leave really early in the morning instead?

     

    Check the weather conditions

    It does not look that likely we’ll be experiencing a white Christmas this year. But, frost and extreme rain can make roads more hazardous. Check the advice and be ready to act accordingly. In the rare event that there are warnings not to drive, you should heed these. But, if driving does appear reasonable, then be prepared to amend your route, such as through avoiding any roads that might be affected by flooding.

     

    Rest well before the journey and avoid alcohol

    The festive season can involve many nights out and social occasions. But if you have a long drive, potentially starting early in the morning, avoid alcohol, which could not only affect your judgement, but also potentially lead to you driving when over the limit.

     

    Stop and have a break every couple of hours

    Be sure to have a break and if you leave the car, that it’s left somewhere secure. Ensure piles of gifts are not clearly visible, put these in the boot or cover with blankets or coats.

     

    Have an emergency pack readily to hand

    This should include your torch, phone charger, food and drink as well as any medicine you need regularly, car essentials such as de-icing spray, scraper and a powerful torch.

    Plan a playlist

    Although the radio can be useful in terms of traffic updates, particularly when on the home stretch you may want to start feeling in the Christmas mood by listening to your favourites. This is when your carefully planned Christmas playlist you’ve spent time on before the journey, will come into its own.

     

    If you are driving home for Christmas this year and need temporary car insurance from GoShorty, get a quote today.

  2. How to plan a road trip with friends

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    Road tripping with your friends is a fantastic experience that you will remember for a long time. Road trips are great for re-establishing friendships, making memories together, and seeing your country.

    Unfortunately, road trips with friends are not as easy as simply jumping into the car and heading out. There are some steps to take to ensure you have an epic road trip to your final destination without any hiccups or conflict.

    Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning fun road trips with friends.

    Checklist Before You Depart

    Before diving in, here is a cheat sheet of what to keep in mind when undertaking the planning process for your next road trip:

    • Travel with the right people
    • Establish a budget
    • Decide on your destination and stops
    • Get the right transportation
    • Prepare the vehicle for a long car ride
    • Spread the responsibilities
    • Communicate openly
    • Design a well-rounded playlist
    • Get healthy road trip food
    • Stay safe and connected

    Consider car insurance

    A road trip with friends is fun, but you also need to be responsible. You should consider temporary car insurance for the journey, to give yourself peace of mind.

    If you are driving a standard car or SUV, take out temporary car insurance. For larger vans, you can get temporary van insurance. If your friend group includes someone who has a learner’s license, consider temporary learner driver insurance.

    1. Travel With The Right People

    You will be spending hours in the car with your friends during your road trip, so you must select the best people to join you. Even your very best friend can test your patience, so you will want to make sure you and your partners are all on the same page about the trip’s goal, destination, and budget.

    You don’t want to spend the entire trip arguing about minor inconveniences, so invite friends who have similar interests and a similar budget to you.

    2. Establish A Budget

    The most crucial step in planning your road trip with friends is determining the budget.

    The amount of money you all have available to spend will determine where you go, how long the trip lasts, which fun things you can do along the way, what car you will take, and where you will stay.

    The easiest way to discuss a budget is to have everyone over for a meeting. Talking about finances can be touchy, but good friends will understand their financial constraints and be willing to work around them and compromise their expectations.

    Splitting the fuel bill

    The most significant expense whilst on your adventure with friends will be paying for the fuel for a long road trip.

    You can either take turns filling up the car or establish a fuel fund where everyone deposits equal amounts upfront, which the driver can then use to fill up the car.

    3. Decide On Your Destination And Stops

    The awesome thing about road trips is the freedom to go where you want. It is a fun way to explore your country, but it is still a good idea to decide on your destination and stop-overs before you head out.

    Once you have a destination in mind, spend time on Google Maps to find the best way to get there and what to see along the way.

    Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on your road trip destination:

    • How much time do you have to get there? This will determine how far you will be able to go.
    • Will the weather be warm or cold?
    • What is your budget?
    • What kind of experience do you want. Do you want to backpack and spend time outdoors or travel to a luxurious resort destination?

    4. Get The Right Transportation

    If you are going on a more extended trip, you will want a vehicle to get you there safely and comfortably. Preferably, you will want a car with plenty of cargo space, Bluetooth connectivity so you can stay entertained, an aircon and heater, and something fuel-efficient.

    Should your journey take you on dirt roads, you should consider getting a four-wheel-drive vehicle to make the long journey more comfortable.

    5. Prepare The Vehicle

    Before heading out on your adventure, you should make sure the vehicle is in a good condition.

    Firstly, the vehicle must be up to date on its services. Secondly, you should check the following to make sure the car is ready for the long drive:

    • Have a mechanic check the brake fluids, transmission fluids, and coolants. Top them off if required.
    • Check the wear on the tyres. Replace tyres that are worn down. You can also have the tyres rotated and aligned for a smooth drive.
    • Make sure the spare tyre is in good condition and that you have a car jack and wrench.
    • Check that the headlights, brake lights and indicators are all working.
    • Make sure the car battery does not discharge when the car is switched off.
    • Pack the following items for an emergency:
      • Jumper cables
      • Tyre repair kit
      • Reflective triangle to use in an emergency
      • Charged flashlight
      • Fire extinguisher
      • First aid kit with disinfectant, scissors, bandages and pain killers.
    • Keep these documents in the glove compartment of the car or on your person:
      • Driver’s license
      • Proof of insurance
      • Emergency contacts
      • Car’s manual and service booklet

    6. Spread The Responsibilities

    Don’t let the responsibility of planning the entire road trip fall on only one person. Divide the tasks and responsibilities between all the friends to ease the process and avoid arguments.

    How do you spread the responsibilities between a group of people? Simply give each person one crucial task.

    • Have someone research accommodation options along the route.
    • Appoint someone to research fun things along the route and at the destination.
    • The financial-savvy friend can keep track of the budget and expenses.
    • One person can be responsible for packing the car.
    • Someone can provide the onboard entertainment, such as coming up with fun road trip games, playing music, and providing snacks.

    Discuss each other’s findings frequently to make sure everyone is in agreement.

    7. Communicate Openly

    Your road trip with friends will quickly become a nightmare without proper communication. Before one person dominates the entirety of the road trip planning, make sure everyone agrees. This includes discussing the destination, where to stay, and other bookings and reservations.

    Road tripping is a team sport, and everyone should be able to speak their minds and have their opinions heard.

    8. Design A Well-Rounded Playlist

    You are probably going to want to play music on your drive.

    The best way to make the experience in the car fun is to design a playlist that will keep everyone happy. Ask everyone to contribute their favourite music to the playlist and mix in some classic songs to listen to on the road.

    You can also incorporate some podcasts and stories to make the time go by quicker.

    9. Get Healthy Road Trip Food

    You can save a lot of money on expensive takeout if you pack food for the drive.

    As you will be spending a lot of time sitting down, it is recommended that you pack healthy snacks for the road that will keep you full without making you feel heavy or sluggish.

    If you do not have a cooler or fridge in the vehicle, you will do best with non-perishable or dry snacks. Also, make sure always to have fresh water in the car.

    Here are some healthy food ideas for a road trip with friends:

    • Pretzels
    • Nuts, raisins and seeds
    • Popcorn
    • Citrus fruit
    • Bananas (although they don’t do well if left in a hot car for too long)
    • Yoghurt-based smoothies
    • Muffins
    • Crackers and peanut butter

     

    10. Stay Safe And Connected

    Staying safe is crucial when you are going on an extended road trip. That means you will also have to keep in contact with friends and family back home, so they are updated on your travels. You also want to be able to contact emergency services in a pinch.

    Here are some tips for staying connected while on the road:

    • Always charge your mobile devices and laptops so that you can call someone in a pinch.
    • Invest in a portable WiFi router. This will allow you to stay connected even if your phone does not have data.
    • Share your live location with loved ones when driving long distances so they can track where you are.
    • Notify people of your expected arrival time and tell them where you are staying.
    • Get a paper map so that you won’t get lost if anything happens to your phone or GPS device.

    Final Thoughts

    Planning a road trip with your closest friends means you get to make memories, enjoy fun activities, and bond for many hours each day.

    By following our road trip planning tips and tricks, you will have an enjoyable experience on your next road trip, and the planning part should go smoothly before you hit the open road.

  3. How to Get Rid of Unwanted Furniture

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    If you’d like to change the look of your home, are planning to move, or are sizing up or down, there’s likely some furniture and other items you’re not taking with you or that aren’t serving you any longer.

    But what can you do with unwanted furniture that’s still in good condition and other household waste?

    In this guide, we’ll explain all of the different options for getting rid of furniture in a creative and hassle-free way, from searching for buyers to moving it using short term car insurance.

    Consider restoring or upcycling your furniture 

    If you want to renovate your home, an easy and cheap way to do so is to give new life to your old furniture by restoring it. You can paint your wooden furniture in different colours or replace doors and handles with more modern options.

    Recycling or trying to repurpose your old furniture is a great option too. Upcycling old items has become a big trend in recent years, and there are many incredible inspirations to give your furniture a stylish new look.

    For instance, you can give an old sofa an entirely new look by just stripping the upholstery and changing it for a new, more stylish fabric.

    Upcycling is also a more environmentally friendly way to repurpose old furniture. It saves carbon emissions by reducing waste as you are not throwing away anything or buying new items.

    If you have any wood left over from old chairs or a table, you could also donate these furniture items to local businesses or people you know.

    Hold a sale

    An easy and fun way to get rid of old and unwanted furniture is by having a sale where all your neighbours and local collectors can come by and look at your old furniture. This is also a good way to have a say over the price of your old sofas, beds and other items, and you might get some good money for your old furniture.

    Another possibility is to attend a car boot sale or take your furniture to a local market.

    Some people might also be interested in trading your old furniture for some of their own, which can be a fun and inexpensive way to explore new items for your home!

    More ways to get rid of furniture without selling it include offering it to a friend or a family member who is just starting out or has some emotional attachment to the item. This way, you might still be able to sit on your old sofa once again, and it’s a lovely way to give your items a second life!

    Advertise furniture online

    Another effortless way of getting rid of unwanted furniture is to advertise pieces online. This way you can reach a broader audience that might be interested in your furniture. Facebook Marketplace is a brilliant option for this.

    Just because you don’t like or want a piece of furniture any longer, doesn’t mean it can’t be of good use to someone else!

    You can set the price you wish to sell your items for on Facebook, Gumtree or even eBay. Or, you could offer them online for free on other websites such as Freegle.

    Similarly, you can use these platforms to find new furniture online for yourself as well. There’s not always a need to buy new!

    Donate your furniture 

    Donating them to charity might be a quick solution if you don’t have the time to upload all your items to an online platform or organise a  sale.

    Several charitable organisations in the UK will accept furniture donations, such as the British Heart Foundation.

    A local charity selling or giving away old furniture should let you bring your items to a drop-off location and then take them from there.

    Other organisations might even offer to pick up your bulky items for a small fee if you want to get rid of anything quickly.

    If you have any smaller items, you could also take them to a scrap dealer.

    However, you should be aware that some organisations require to see your furniture items first and ensure that they meet safety regulations and other requirements.

    Mattresses are always a complicated item to get rid of, and, understandably, most people don’t want a used mattress for their bed for hygiene reasons. However, many charitable organisations, animal shelters and humane societies might be interested in taking your old mattress.

    Another easy way to get rid of your furniture is to put the items in front of your house with a “free” sign. You would be surprised how many people are happy to see a chair or vase in good condition and will make a plan to take it home in no time!

    Throwing away old furniture

    However, sometimes none of the above is an option, and the only way to get rid of a furniture item is by throwing it away. It could be that your items are unusable or damaged beyond repair.

    You can contact your local waste collection services or find the nearest furniture disposal place for any unwanted furniture that can’t be saved or salvaged any longer. This is also a good idea for things like old mattresses.

    Always make sure to check the details of your local waste and recycling centre as each has different guidelines on what you can and can’t bring.

    Transporting your items

    No matter which option you choose, you’ll likely need to transport your furniture safely in some kind of way. Hiring private waste or furniture collection services can be very pricey. A far more affordable and handy option is to ask a family member or a friend if they have a van you could borrow.

    Another option is to rent a van for several hours, which can still be cheaper than having your furniture picked up by a company at your home. Temporary van insurance is a great way to make sure you’re ensured while you transport any unwanted items.

    Most van rental services offer the option to book online, making it all the more convenient.

    Consider short term vehicle insurance from GoShorty

    To ensure you are fully covered against accidents or damage when driving your van or car to transport your furniture, you should consider short term vehicle insurance.

    GoShorty is a quick and easy option for this. It only takes a couple of minutes to go online to arrange a temporary car insurance quote or purchase fully comprehensive insurance for the time you use the vehicle.

    Remember to get dedicated temporary learner driver insurance if the person driving the van hasn’t passed their test yet.