Category Archives: Advice

Tourism During the Pandemic: Things You Should Know!

Head Planter Guadalajara
At wits end from having coronavirus delay or cancel the trips of my carefully planned travel heavy 2020, I was determined not to be thwarted again. So late last month (Oct. 2020), I took off for Mexico! A “pro” travel article in the New York Times a few weeks before my trip assuaged my light doubt and guilt. (I ignore the adjacent “con” article). So if you’re wondering how leisure travel is at this time or tempted by cheap hotel and airfare pricing, read on!

Planes 

Delta Air Quality Notice Screen
Some flights had middle seats kept open (I just read this will most likely stop January 2021 for the few airlines still doing it); some were packed (fewer available flights due to fewer travelers). Most flights loaded the planes back to front and handed us a sanitizing wipe as we entered; brilliant! Although (at least Delta) there is about a 20-minute sanitizing process between flights that (per the flight attendant that sat next to me on one flight) does even include seat belts, tray tables, screens, etc., I would rather be safe than sorry and wipe down everything I’ll touch.

Boarding times seemed to start 45 minutes out rather than the typical 30. Masks are mandatory for passengers and crew. I was amused to see a couple of passengers during my 6 flights sporting hardware store rubber goggles in addition to their masks! About half my flights deterred crowding during disembarking by announcing who could stand and exit by rows front to back.

Airports 

Mexican Covid Test Status
I’ve read a few things that stress that there’s no need for concern about the planes since the HEPA filters and mask mandates make for a very low chance of virus transmission. The guy monitoring the post-TSA pre-terminals walk-by infrared people scanner at one airport smiled under his mask as I said, “Cool!” At some airports, there were declaration of health forms—either paper or online via my phone’s browser—that I was required to complete before going into TSA. Every other seat or so in the flight gates waiting areas was stickered off to encourage social distancing, but be prepared…TSA stations and other spots like fast food waiting lines will tend to bunch up and not space out 6 feet.

In Atlanta, most restaurants in my terminal were closed! So bring some snacks just in case, or be prepared to have a sandwich & chips from an airport Hudson store like I did. I only had my temp taken once between destinations and that was when I walked off the plane at my first international connection.

Hotels

It’s a good idea to bring your own alcohol-based or antibacterial wipes to clean all common surfaces in your hotel. Some upscale hotels may provide a mask if you forgot or lost yours, but best to bring your favorite with you.

Cities

Coronavirus prevention entry point at a bar (Guadalajara)

Due to spikes in case numbers, unexpected government decrees caused both of the cities I visited (Guadalajara & Mexico City) went into weekend lockdowns. While one didn’t affect me, the other closed pretty much everything but gas stations, drug stores, (hospitals etc.), and very small grocery stores—Ubers were even forbidden. My city tour (Tripadvisor) was canceled a couple of days before its date and is set to be refunded. Watch for all your refunds (and anything special you need to do on your end that may initiate the refund); even though the email I got said my refund was issued, when it never arrived I found out that there was a system issue, and had I not called, I probably never would have gotten the refund.

Man on the subway with the best face shield I saw on the whole trip

During the day, national guard type officers armed with semi-automatic rifles were present on some of the popular streets of Guadalajara to encourage people to stay home and sometimes made announcements to that effect over patrolling vehicle loudspeakers. But despite walking past them, my friend and I were never sent home. Most people wore masks, especially indoors. Upon entry, some bars and restaurants either issue a squirt of hand sanitizer and/or took my temp. A hot springs water park I visited had the most elaborate screening system: taking my temp, giving me hand sanitizer, and sending me through a full body walk-through box that sprayed me all over with disinfectant of some sort.

Before You Book

Coronavirus prevention process at hot springs water park

Before you buy airfare or pay for any tours, definitely do some online searching to see if the borders to your international destination are open for tourism and if they require any covid test (before entry) or quarantine period (upon arrival.) More at-risk travelers should buy window seats to reduce exposure to other passengers. Be aware if you’re flying pretty much any other airline than Southwest that you will most likely incur a change fee (think $150) if you reschedule your trip. Finally, I think it’s a good idea to hit up a public coronavirus station for a test when you return, just in case.

So if travel is in your blood and your wanderlust is reaching a frenzied peak, know there is hope for doing a trip. Just be a little flexible, plan for periods of staycation while at your destination, and be prepared for changes along the way. After all, it’s still better than sitting at home!

More info from Scott’s Cheap Flights

Moving Soon? 12 Things You Should Do to Ease Your Transition

12 Moving Tips
Photo: Tomais Ashdene

Whether it’s across town or to another state, moving at some point is a fact of life and always a challenge. Since I moved to Nashville in 1995, I’ve been through 4 moves…guess that averages out to about 1 every 4 years for me. Since I despise moving so much, I’ve always tried to keep it to a minimum. But through the pains of life comes knowledge, so in this post I want to share some things that will help ease your transition in the form of a reminders checklist!

1) Have a plan: A couple of months out, make a budget, and save as much as you can to cover expenses. House/apartment shop, and have your new place lined up. Then choose the date of your move.
2) After you’ve signed the lease on (or bought) your new place, get the key, set up all utilities before you move in, do any painting, repairs, etc.
3) Choose, book, remind, and coordinate the movers (if you plan to use one), or schedule reliable friends and a truck. If using a moving company, try to book your move on a Mon.-Thur. so you may be able to get a lower price than a weekend move.
4) After your new residence is sure/secure, change addresses with any person or company sending you mail. Do as many online as possible, then others by phone. Examples: friends & family, work, magazines to which you’re subscribed, credit cards, financial planner, car loan payment, insurances, the IRS (form 8822), Social Security office, internet service provider, college alumni associations, cell phone service, Motor Vehicle Bureau for your state, voter registration…
5) Fill out/submit the online change of address form to the Post Office.
6) Give notice to your [homeowners or renters] insurance company to switch your coverage to the new place on the date you move in.
7) Get moving boxes (and packing tape). Check paper-only/recycling dumpsters behind large stores or places of business before buying boxes. Ask first.
8) Go through all your belongings. Sell, give away, trash, or donate as many things as you can. Less stuff means less to pack, move, and unpack!
9) Get crackin’ on some packin’. Plan to have it all done the night before the move (except for your last minute items). With a thick black marker, label your boxes by the room they go in. Use as many items as a box (e.g., laundry baskets, waste baskets, milk crates on hand, luggage, etc.) as you can to conserve space.
10) The morning of the move, pack your last minute things, help the movers move some of your more fragile things to the truck, and load any items you’d rather transport yourself into your car (I always move my component stereo system). At your new place, let the movers know to set boxes as labeled in the respective rooms. Then be unpacking kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom items while the movers are working.
11) Save all moving related receipts (including your donations), and log your mileage  between your old place and the new so you can write them off on your taxes (unless your new company is paying for the move!)
12) If need be, choose a new primary care doctor, dentist, bank, church, etc.

Like many things, with a little planning and a checklist, you can make your move go more smoothly and be less stressful.

What other tips would you add? Comment in the “Start the Discussion” blank below.

 

Looking for a new job? Want to get what you want fast? Check out my book, Here Today, Hired Tomorrow (kurtkirton.com/hthtbook), and subscribe to my blog (kurtkirton.com) for free advice on your job search.

Tesla’s Solar Roof: What’s Real & What’s Pure PR (Guest Post)

Smooth Tesla Solar Shingles on a Roof
Tesla’s Solar Roof became one of the
 company’s most talked about products once CEO Elon Musk said that they were taking orders in May 2017. Interested homeowners were asked to put down a $1,000 deposit for the sleek solar paneling, which lets people invest in a new roof and clean energy.

Deposits started to swiftly pile up, and the company said in early August 2017 they were already sold out of the product until early 2018. The actual solar roof technology puts the energy generating devices right into roofing tiles, making them purportedly stronger and lighter than traditional shingles.

They are designed in a couple of different styles so they can seamlessly integrate with any home and look pretty much like a traditional roof from afar. Other solar shingles can actually still stand out on a roof because they are usually just one shade of blue and black (which can still not match a roof). The roof comes with warranties that cover both solar functionality and physical durability.

Tesla’s ambition with the solar roof cannot be understated, David Sarkisian of the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center said the scale of implementation was “revolutionary.” Still, there’s been a lot of questions about what aspects of the Tesla solar roof are real, and what is just embellishment that looks good in a press release.

Keep reading to learn about what is real and what is pure PR.

Real: The Roof Won’t Necessarily Help Save You Money

Yes, nothing that Tesla builds is ever cheap. But you’re not going to necessarily be saving money going with Tesla’s roof as opposed to other options.

Homeowners who already have a pretty sturdy roof are going to find it much cheaper to just install solar panels if they want green energy. Calculations comparing the Tesla roof versus solar panels for a California home found it would be 68% cheaper to go with normal rooftop solar panels if the roof was relatively new and 35% cheaper if the roof was really old.

Pure PR: Solar Shingles Are a Game-Changing Technology

Even though Tesla’s doing their best to tout their new technology, solar shingles still have a very long way to go to truly be an industry game-changer. Traditional solar panels have a reliable track record and have been out on the market for over four decades now. In contrast, solar shingle technology has only been commercially available since 2005. Even though Tesla’s solar roof has gotten a lot of attention, companies like Dow Chemical have had to shut off their solar shingle line because of a lack of interest. The solar single market is still pretty small, and companies like Aesthetic Green Power are now deliberating whether they will continue creating solar tiles.

Real: The Solar Roof Warranty Is Really Good

One of the reasons many think Tesla’s solar roof will succeed is thanks to the great warranty. The tiles have a warranty that is good for the life of the house, and the shingles are guaranteed to make power for 30 years. A lot of traditional solar panels have a warranty for just 20-25 years. Tesla also says they are willing to remove an old roof, manage all aspects of the solar roof re-design, and oversee the operations and maintenance of the system, all with just a one week install time.

Tesla’s generous warranties pretty much assure that a lot of the stress and worry surrounding rooftop damage and replacement are eliminated, especially since common asphalt shingles usually need to be replaced every 15-30 years.

Pure PR: Tesla’s Hail Demonstration

One of the ways Tesla has touted their solar roof is through video. The company released a clip putting their roof through a hail test to show off how strong it is. However, the video did not talk about how traditional solar panels are also not really damaged by hail, and that having a set of panels on the roof is only going to strengthen it from the elements. Plus, some people are saying the conventional roofing materials used in Tesla’s video for comparison were mounted incorrectly without the right cement composition, which would make them appear weaker than they really are.

Right now, Tesla’s solar roof is just available in California. Despite the price, they represent an interesting and aesthetically pleasing way for a homeowner to go green and get a new roof. Since so few companies offer solar shingles, Tesla is undoubtedly going to be leading the way in the near future for this market.

About the Author: Kyle Pennell is a Content Manager for PowerScout.com and loves accelerating solar adoption with helpful authoritative content about residential solar!

 

Looking for a new job? Want to get what you want fast? Check out my book, Here Today, Hired Tomorrow (kurtkirton.com/hthtbook), and subscribe to my blog (kurtkirton.com) for free advice on your job search.