Some individuals opt to minimize their possessions when moving, selling or donating many of them in order to save both time and money in the long run – especially when they’re headed to Hawaii.

Heavy items can be shipped across an ocean via container, crate or pod shipping; alternatively air travel (checked luggage) may also be an option; freight shipping typically offers the best value, but what can you do to send your things to this beautiful state?

Cars

When shipping your car to Hawaii, there are several different options available to you. Flying is ideal for luxury or vintage vehicles that require fast transport times; cargo shipping is more economical; most people opt for this latter method due to lower costs. Before sending off your car though, be sure to have all necessary documentation ready including title registration proof of insurance certificate as well as paperwork regarding quarantine inspections – Hawaii has strict rules against invasive species so make sure it’s clean inside and out to avoid any hassle.

Most car shippers will inform you in advance which documentation they require from you before collecting your car, typically including copies of both vehicle titles and valid driver’s licenses matching up with those listed on registration documents (https://www.quora.com/What-documents-do-I-need-to-ship-my-car-to-Hawaii). They may also require an authorization letter from lenders in case the owner still owes on or leases it from them.

Keep in mind that most car shipping companies can only accommodate vehicles small enough to fit on one of their vessels; thus if you own an SUV or trailer you must find alternative means of transporting it to the islands.

Based on your planned return frequency to the mainland, selling your current car before shipping it may be worthwhile. Many island cities provide excellent public transit systems and may meet all your daily needs without it.

Large Items

Hawaii is located far from the mainland United States, so shipping items there requires additional time. Therefore, its costs tend to be more costly than for shipping in other parts of the country and businesses should carefully consider their options when planning their supply chains.

There are various options available to individuals, as well. Based on the size and nature of their shipment, businesses may opt for either parcel or freight services to ship items or shipping car to Hawaii (especially the Big Island). Parcel carriers such as USPS and UPS often represent cheaper solutions when shipping smaller shipments that do not need fast delivery.

Ocean freight services provide reasonable rates and secure, reliable shipping to Hawaii for larger shipments. Please keep in mind that there are restrictions on some items being sent into Hawaii such as food, animals and plants, while any hazardous or flammable materials must be declared to the relevant authorities before being sent there.

When shipping large items to Hawaii, it is important that everything be packed tight and securely to prevent breakage or damage during transit. Crates or old mattresses are an effective way of keeping items from shifting around inside a container; using lots of packing tape helps secure them so they won’t fall down during transport.

Fill large appliances and furniture first against the wall near the opening before stacking lighter boxes and goods on top of them. Make sure the weight distribution is even, without gaps – fill any such spaces with pillows to smooth over any irregularities in weight distribution.

Other Things

Your destination of Hawaii for work or recreation likely means bringing some of your most treasured items with you, whether work-related or vacation related. Air freight may be the ideal solution, and costs can depend on item size and whether or not priority or insurance delivery services are needed.

Items of less substantial size may be suitable for packing in your checked or carry-on luggage or shipping them via UPS or USPS; please bear in mind, however, this link states that Hawaii’s hot temperatures could damage packages during shipping so be sure to select a service with tropical climate expertise when choosing their provider.

Collapsible cooler bags make an essential addition to any beach packing list, enabling easier and faster food and beverage transport after long days at the beach, without ice getting in your hotel room or having to make multiple trips back out for delivery. They’re also great to bring along when kayaking or sailing so your belongings stay secure when out in the water!

Sand-resistant beach towels are another handy item to have when traveling to Hawaii, and come in all sorts of designs and colors. Not only do these towels prevent water absorption or spray sand onto passersby, they’re much more practical than traditional towels! Many travelers bring their own when visiting, though you can often find these at most resorts or hotels as well.

Consider packing some light reading material for both the plane ride and your time on the islands. Nothing beats a good book, but don’t over pack as this will take up valuable luggage space. Rent a Kindle instead or support local bookstores by buying them locally.

Photo by Liza Summer
Whether you own a business or are thinking of making a personal donation, there are so many reasons why you should give to charity.

Discover six reasons why you should start donating to charity, from more altruistic reasons, such as to help those less fortunate than yourself, to more selfish ones like lowering your tax bill.

• Based on personal experience

If you have had direct personal experience with a particular charity, why not make this the year you decide to give something back?

Maybe someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer or has needed an urgent blood transfusion. Whatever it is, when a charitable organization directly impacts your life, many realize that they want to support you in one way or another.

• To make a difference

When you choose to support a charity, whether that be one that is helping people in your local community or a national charity such as the American Red Cross, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.

 Even a small monthly donation allows charities to continue carrying out crucial work that can mean the difference between life and death for some people.

• To give a sense of belonging

Sometimes, life can be hard, even for those who are fortunate enough to have a roof over their heads and a stable income. However, when you get involved with a charitable cause, there is a sense of belonging and a feeling that you are all in this together.

Some charities even offer memberships and regular events that enable you to connect with other like-minded individuals to organize events and to effect real change for the future.

• To feel good

On a purely selfish level, when you give to charity, you feel good about yourself and your choices when you think that you are making a difference to those who are in need.

In fact, research suggests that people who regularly support charitable organizations experience better life satisfaction and are less likely to experience feelings of depression than people who don’t.

• To save on your taxes

Did you know that charitable donations are tax deductible? In fact, they are the most of the best tax-saving methods available.  

If you are self-employed or run your own business and have donated to charity over the course of the tax year, then make sure you itemize it on your tax returns to make sure it is deducted from your total.

• To set a good example

If you have children, giving to charity or getting involved in a local community project can help instill good values in them. Furthermore, when other people, such as family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, see you making a difference, they may be inspired to act, too.

Although you may not think that your actions will greatly impact the world around you, you may be surprised how many people you can motivate when you decide to support a local charity.

Photo by Matias Henriquez
Individuals who like to spend their time outdoors know how expensive the gear used can be. However, a person can save on these products. They just need the right information and some tools to keep costs under control. The following tips will help in achieving this goal.

Know What to Buy

While it would be nice to have every new item at an outdoor products store, a person must narrow down the list to those items that are essential. Once this has been done, they can make a list of items they would like to have.

Every person must set a budget before shopping for outdoor gear. Although it would be nice to purchase one of every item without having to consider the price, most people cannot do this. They need to know exactly how much they can spend before shopping.

Doing so ensures the right gear is selected for the individual’s needs. They can spend their entire budget on essential items and then purchase desired products if money remains. The easiest way to narrow the choices is to make a list of preferred outdoor activities. A person who loves to go boating will find they need different gear than someone who spends their time outdoors hunting.

In addition, consider the weather conditions where the outdoor activities typically take place. This will make it easier to select gear appropriate for that climate. Gear requirements change based on local weather conditions, so take this into account when determining which products to buy.

Furthermore, consider the skill level of the person who will be using the gear. Beginners should select gear that is easy to use. The option of upgrading in the future is always available, so they should start with gear that they are comfortable using.

Research Different Products

Thanks to the internet, a person can learn more than they ever wanted to know about most products. People love to share their opinions online, and people who are shopping for outdoor gear benefit from this wealth of information. Read reviews from different sources to get an accurate representation of a product that might be purchased.

When reading these reviews, discard any that make a product sound perfect in every way. In addition, ignore those that make a product sound like a complete piece of junk. Look for reviews that list the pros and cons of an item to get an unbiased view of the product and what it offers.

It’s impossible to make everyone happy. However, a glowing review may be written by someone from the company that makes the product. On the other hand, a horrible review might be the product of someone who didn’t know how to use the gear.

Ask friends and family members who engage in similar activities what they recommend. They may have suggestions that would otherwise be overlooked. Online forums provide another great resource when researching outdoor gear.

Brand Comparison

Spend time comparing the same product offered by different brands. While the two products may appear similar at first glance, review the features of each. Pay attention to the quality of these items and look at the manufacturer’s warranty.

If the warranty is considerably shorter on one product, it may be a sign of low quality. This isn’t always the case. However, when two items appear almost identical in every way, but one comes with a much lower price tag, the consumer must question why.

The features may be the reason for the lower price tag, particularly when the item has fewer features than products offered by competitors. It may be that the warranty is much shorter, and the consumer will need to replace the item sooner than expected. The manufacturer knows they will recoup the money through repeat sales.

Price Comparison

Before purchasing any outdoor product, learn what the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is. Often, this information can be found on the manufacturer’s site. That information provides a starting point for price comparisons.

While each retailer determines its own price for a product, the consumer needs to look at other factors that may affect this price. For example, one company might offer customer service around the clock, while another retailer is only available to help during normal business hours. A person may wish to pay more to have access to extended customer service hours.

They know they will use this gear on nights and weekends. As a result, they want to have help if something goes wrong with the gear. This leads them to pay a premium to have that help when needed.

Quality also plays a role in the price of outdoor gear. Higher quality often means higher prices. However, this isn’t always the case, and it falls on the customer to know why an item may be priced higher than competitors.

This helps to explain why reviews and research are critical when purchasing outdoor gear. They provide crucial information a consumer needs when making a purchase, particularly a high-ticket one.

Consumers do have the right to negotiate. Some retailers aren’t willing to negotiate a price. However, a person might find they are working with a retailer who is willing to lower the price to make the sale.

For example, ask about a discount bundle. Agreed to purchase a set of items in exchange for a lower price. Many retailers will agree to this, as they know they will make a bigger sale than they would otherwise. They also don’t want to see a consumer with money to spend go to a competitor.

Refunds and Returns

Never make a purchase without learning the retailer’s refund and return policy. If something goes wrong with an item, or the customer isn’t satisfied once they try it in real-life conditions, the retailer should refund their money or exchange the item.

Certain stores offer a full refund. Other retailers only offer store credit. The consumer should know this information before making a purchase.

Don’t forget to ask about shipping for returns. Some retailers offer free shipping for return, but not all do. Review the return and refund policies carefully to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises if the items need to be returned for any reason.

A consumer should consider many things when purchasing outdoor gear. This includes their budget, product quality, and the retailer’s return policy. Those who follow these tips find choosing the best outdoor gear for their needs isn’t difficult.