Buy T-bills directly

You can avoid paying commissions to a broker or financial services agent by establishing your own account to buy U.S. Treasury bonds and bills.

Start online by going to treasurydirect.gov and follow the instructions on how to open an account. You’ll need your Social Security and bank-account routing numbers. The latter is on your checks.

You’ll get e-mail confirma- tion from Treasury your account has been registered with them. An access card should be delivered by the postal service a few days later so you can start buying Treasury securities.

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If the to-do list to tasks is extensive — draining and maintaining a swimming pool, trimming shrubs and mowing grass, notifying the homeowner of any “important’ mail, for example — you might add a charge for these services. That’ll help pay for your vacation. It might even allow you to tack on some additional days to be completely on your own.

As in any contract, write down in detail the services you will provide, how long you will provide them, and what you will be paid for those services. Also write down the length of time you will be permitted to be away from the premises. Write down how utility bills will be paid while you’re living in the house, and who will pay them.

You also should check on your medical and liability insurance coverage while your house sitting, especially in a foreign country.

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