The good news, you can do much of your homework without ever setting foot on a plane--and it is not only cost-effective but also wise to do so.

FORBES: International Property Buying Guide

Buying a new car can be painless if you do your homework.

FORBES: Buying a New Car Painlessly

Whichever route you choose you need to do your homework carefully and make sure that you are making your money work as well as it can for you, in as tax-efficient a way as possible.

BBC: Fergus Muirhead

If you do, you can offer your dog-ate-my-homework excuse then .

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But if I can't stress anything, do your homework before you come in and sit down at an auction.

NPR: Housing Auctions Surge as Foreclosures Mount

While Chile is a safe and stable country, with an honest police force, be sure you do your homework to find a professional estate agent who can help you get money into the country legally and efficiently.

BBC: Living in: wine regions