Top 5 Things To Do Before You Leave On Vacation
Are you preparing to leave on vacation?
I am a planner. Probably because I learned years ago that the adage "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance." is actually true. Things run more smoothly when you plan beforehand. This is especially true when it comes to travel. Now, of course, you can't plan for everything. However, the more you plan the fewer things are likely to go awry. One of the important yet often overlooked parts of planning your vacation are all the things you need to do before you even leave.
While the list of things you need to do before you leave on vacation is different for each person, there are a few things that are universal. Here are my top 5:
Plan what you want to Pack.
I know it is easy to want to pack everything you own for your trip. I mean be prepared and all that. However, the more you pack the more you have to lug around which can be sooo inconvenient while traveling. Which is why I am a firm believer in packing light yet smart. Make sure you have plenty of underwear and socks, toiletries, and clothes that you can mix and match and layer for multiple looks. Also, I would advise that you chose clothes that travel well without wrinkling.
Create an Itinerary for your Trip.
Before you leave, it is a good idea to create an itinerary either on paper or e-doc with all your important trip information. Information for any flights, hotels, attractions etc. It is a good idea to not only take a copy with you but to also leave one with a friend so they know where you will be.
Call your Credit Card Companies & Bank to let them know you are going out of town and where.
I love how on the ball my bank and credit card company are when it comes to fraud prevention. However, it is because of this that if I don't let them know in advance that I am going out of town there is a potential they will freeze my card when purchases in a different state or country show up which can be inconvenient. Which is why I now always call ahead.
Arrange for a friend/neighbor to pick up your mail (and if necessary feed your pets & water your plants)
Having your mail stack up can be a clear sign you are out of town which can make your house a target for thieves. You can avoid this by arranging for a friend to stop by your house each day to pick up your mail. If you have pets or beloved plants it is a good idea to arrange for them to be taken care of so that they don't you know...die while you are gone.
Clean your House
There is nothing worse than getting home from a long day of travel to a messy house. It feels so overwhelming and honestly depressing. So even though you just want to head out to fun and adventure, taking the time to clean up your home, is really worth it. That way when you get home you can slide right into your life.
When you do these things (as well as any other thing you need to do before you leave, you will have more peace of mind while you are gone and will have a better experience when you get back.
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