The Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, are an amazing vacation spot. With a variety of fauna that is not found anywhere else in the world, exploring the Galapagos Islands is the trip of a lifetime.

Weather is no concern when planning your trip. The weather is excellent year around, making it easy to vacation at a time that works best for you. The cooler, drier season runs from June to December, while January through May is the rainy season. Don't let thoughts of rain discourage you, as the sky clears to a brilliant blue between storms, leaving plenty of time for exploration.

Because of ocean currents that bring cold water close to the equator during the cool weather months, plan on bringing a wet suit if you hope to explore the waters surrounding the islands.

When planning your trip, take the time to decide what type of adventure you want to experience. There are tours for every taste. If you want a calm vacation with plenty of time to photograph nature, choose a tour that specializes in these types of trips.

Many of the tours offered by Galapagos Island outfitters are more rigorous, and if that isn't the type of activity you had in mind, you may not enjoy these amazing islands. If you are up for some hiking, there are a variety of choices that allow you to explore one or more islands over the course of your trip.

For those interested in exploring the surrounding water, consider a tour that offers time for snorkeling. Depending on the length of your stay, you may find you have plenty of time for hiking, snorkeling, and relaxing.

Although a trip to the Galapagos Islands is most attractive for those looking forward to a more off-the-grid excursion, several of the islands are inhabited. Spending an afternoon or day exploring these areas is worthwhile if you can budget the time.

Floreana, Baltra, Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal are all inhabited, with Isabela being the largest of the Galapagos Islands. Head over to the west coast of the island for a view of dolphins and whales.

Galapagos tours offer a range of activities for every member of your group. While hiking and snorkeling provide excellent opportunities to see much of the unique wildlife that makes these islands their home, an experienced tour operator will provide options for those interested in a less active trip to experience the flora and fauna found only on the Galapagos Islands.

Many people gravitate towards credit and debit cards when considering ways to pay for goods and services. Another good option is a prepaid credit card.

While prepaid credit cards might resemble traditional credit cards, they are linked to an account that is funded ahead of time. This is different from a credit card, which does not require a deposit and where you essentially borrow the money and repay it monthly.

Prepaid credit cards are a good option if you want to minimize your spending and remain within budget, don't have a bank account, don't have good credit, or if you want to give your kids a way to buy their things without giving them cash.

You can load money into your prepaid credit card through direct deposits, from savings or checking accounts, from a mobile banking app, or using cash at the participating retailers' register.

Like traditional credit cards, you can use your prepaid cards to pay for services, goods, and bills. They are also accepted almost everywhere because reputable card networks like MasterCard, Visa, and American Express back them.

One of the most significant advantages of using a prepaid credit card is that you never have to worry about overspending because you can only spend the money that you load into the card. This is a great way to stick to a budget.

You also don't have to worry about qualifying to get a prepaid credit card, unlike when getting a traditional credit card, where you must have a high credit score. This makes it more accessible for everyone regardless of income or credit standing.

Even with all these advantages, prepaid credit cards have disadvantages. You may have to pay additional fees when you initially set up the card, reload your card, withdraw cash, make purchases, or check your balance. Some cards might also charge you when you use an ATM and for monthly maintenance. Ensure you check any additional fees with your cardholder to determine whether it is worth it.

These cards might also be a disadvantage if you have an emergency that requires more money than you have loaded in them. Often, the ceiling for these cards isn't very high--sometimes maxing out at as little as $500. This might not be enough money to cover some larger items, like the deposit for a rental car, emergency airline tickets, or vacation package deposits or rentals.

Water or flood damage can occur at any moment and wreak immediate havoc. Luckily, there are water damage restoration services dedicated to cleaning up water damage completely, so it’s like the damage never even happened. When trusting water damage cleanup to a company, however, it’s important to go with a trusted source that has the right experience and equipment to get the job done right. There are several companies that operate nationwide for you to choose from, though most areas also have smaller, local companies that can get the job done quickly and efficiently, as well. If you’re in need of water damage cleanup, the top nationwide water damage restoration companies to choose from areServPro, ServiceMaster Restore, and PuroClean. Keep reading to learn more about these top companies, so you can choose the one that’s right for your water damage restoration needs.

ServPro provides 24/7 emergency service, because they know that immediate action is imperative in reducing further water damage in your home or office. They use advanced equipment and techniques to remove water quickly, then closely monitor and document the entire drying process to make sure everything is dried properly and thoroughly, to minimize the risk of future damage or growth of mold and mildew. Their highly-trained water restoration specialists are at the ready to help restore your home or office quickly and efficiently, and ServPro is a preferred vendor for many national and local insurance companies, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.

ServiceMaster Restore offers professional restoration services for whenever disaster strikes. They specialize in fire and water damage,  and have been in business for over half a century. ServiceMaster has over 4,500 locations worldwide, so no matter where you live, there’s a good chance there’s a ServiceMaster nearby. ServiceMaster is also a ConsumerAffairs Accredited Brand, so you can feel confident in the service you receive. ServiceMaster understands that the time right after a disaster can be difficult, so they work hard to answer your questions and carefully explain your options, while working with you every step of the way.

PuroClean prides themselves on being the experts in water damage clean up and restoration. With 24/7 availability, PuroClean offers near-immediate response, which can be crucial in minimizing further damage to your home or office. In addition, PuroClean uses the PuroClean QuickDry System™, which helps get things back to normal faster than many other services, all at a lower cost than you might pay elsewhere. They use state-of-the art equipment for dehumidifying, drying, deodorizing and disinfecting, all while working with minimal disruption so you can get back to your life as quickly as possible.

Its evident from research that traveling has numerous mental and physical benefits. When choosing a destination, ensure it provides a serene environment to unwind and break from hectic routine schedules. A place to stay is one of the most important factors to consider before your trip. Luckily, plenty of options are available depending on your taste and budget. You can choose to stay in vacation rentals, VRBO, Airbnb, or a hotel. Before deciding where to stay, it's essential that you weigh the pros and cons of rental properties over hotels.

Rental units have more and better amenities that are unavailable in hotels. Such amenities include canoes and kayaks if they are located near a beach, great views on ocean fronts, and ample free parking areas. In addition, there are better entertainment fixtures, including a TV and good sound systems. Besides, you get to enjoy more freedom on the property than you would in a hotel. For instance, its possible to visit the unit with a pet and play in the outdoor space. You can access the facilities, such as the laundry area, at no extra cost. In most hotels, the services are not free; you'll be charged for using them.

At times, hotels are very crowded, which makes it hard to have some personal space. You easily bump into strangers in the elevators, which may create awkward moments. Aside from overcrowding, other guests might have children playing around, making the environment noisy. This might not be something youre looking forward to, especially on a solo trip or a business trip with colleagues. Most rental apartments are in secluded areas/ remote destinations where you can enjoy peace and quiet. For example, you choose one in the mountains, which provides a great nature experience.

Staycations in rental units are quite affordable compared to hotels. For starters, most hotels are located in the central business districts or near attraction sites. This makes their demand higher, which translates to higher prices. Additionally, rental apartments have kitchenettes where you can cook, thus, cutting meal expenses. Besides, you can still watch your diet by cooking your favorite healthy meal, unlike in hotels where you have to eat whats available.

Contrary to what most people think, staying in holiday rentals doesnt have to be expensive. There are plenty of options available that fit your budget. Book a vacation rental for your next trip and enjoy comfort away from home.