Suspending Memberships/Utilities When Going on Holidays

Lmttb123 on 06/08/2024 - 10:27

Just wanted to ask here who suspends/pauses their memberships/utilities when they go on holidays? I'm referring to things like gym, private health insurance, home broadband, etc

I'm planning to go on an 2 month holiday soon. I plan to do the following:
- suspend gym membership - costs $5/week. Annoying, but cheaper than paying my normal rate
- stop private health insurance. Ordinarily I would have been permitted to suspend my PHI for those 2 months by applying online, but they don't allow suspension if you're a member for less than 12 months, which is the case for me.
- stop home broadband. There doesn't appear to be way to temporarily suspend the service, so I'll probably cancel the service and reconnect on my return.

Has anyone had any success suspending water and gas services while they're away, or is it more trouble than it's worth? Any other memberships or utilities that I should pause?
I don't have any streaming services at the moment, so no changes there.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 06/08/2024 - 10:29
    +5

    water and gas services while they're away,

    Nope. Utilities will just say, opt for disconnection which will cost you more.

    • cloudy on 06/08/2024 - 10:45
      +1

      But if you sell your place you can stop connection, and new house owner moving in has no separate connection fee….

      cant see why OP cant try that

  • jv on 06/08/2024 - 10:41
    -1
    • stop private health insurance. Ordinarily I would have been permitted to suspend my PHI for those 2 months by applying online

    Depending on you income, the tax implications may not be worth it…

    • SimAus007 on 06/08/2024 - 13:32
      +1

      Not sure why the negs, what you have said is 100% a fact!

      • mttb123 on 06/08/2024 - 17:39

        Does pausing PHI for 2 months really mean I'm liable for the medicare levy surcharge?

        • miwahni on 06/08/2024 - 21:33
          +2

          For those two months, I believe so. The question on your tax return asks the number of days you had full coverage during the financial year. If your answer is less than 365 then you'll be liable for some portion of the MLS.

  • jv on 06/08/2024 - 10:41
    -1
    • stop home broadband. There doesn't appear to be way to temporarily suspend the service,

    There is with Launtel.

  • jv on 06/08/2024 - 10:43
    -2

    Any other memberships or utilities that I should pause?

    Marley Spoon

  • holdenmg on 06/08/2024 - 11:02
    +3

    Let your Bank know if going Overseas.

    Mail redirects via: https://auspost.com.au/receiving/manage-your-mail/redirect-h…

    If where you live will be unoccupied, let your House and Contents Insurer know.

    Get Travel Insurance.

    Sign-up to https://www.smartraveller.gov.au

    • jv on 06/08/2024 - 12:13

      If where you live will be unoccupied, let your House and Contents Insurer know.

      You insurance may lapse if you are away for over 60 days and you have not told them…

  • jv on 06/08/2024 - 12:11

    Rubbish bins not being on the curb is a sure sign the house is empty…

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/08/2024 - 12:59
      +1

      Cancel neighbours' rubbish bins then?

    • ihbh on 06/08/2024 - 13:05
      +2

      So just leave it out for the 2 months and let passers by put their dog poop in as a community service?

      • jv on 06/08/2024 - 13:05

        You'll get fined for leaving it out…

        Also, leaving it on the curb on non-bin nights is a sure sign the house is empty…

  • SimAus007 on 06/08/2024 - 13:36
    +1

    Have you cancelled Only Fans? Will finish at the end of the current billing cycle, according to a friend ;)

    • mttb123 on 06/08/2024 - 17:40
      +1

      haha I don't have an OF subscription at the moment. Maybe in the future :)

  • wwwboy on 06/08/2024 - 13:42
    +1

    I have done gym pause like you have done before, and also paused private health. Private health I can only do 1 time a year which sucks a bit..

    If longer then 2 months consider getting a cheaper SIM card to help retain your number in aus perhaps.

    worst luck I couldn't find anything else to pause when I travel.

    Have a good trip.

    • mttb123 on 06/08/2024 - 17:42

      Thanks wwwboy.

      I'm currently using a prepaid SIM, so won't pause it

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