So, you’re going on vacation. When you’re finally getting down from the high of imagining all the fun activities, you’ll experience, reality sets in.
It’s time to actually prepare for vacation, which includes creating a humongous to do list. But, if you play your cards right and properly prepare, then the days leading up to a trip don’t have to be chaotic.
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Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the best eight tips on how to start your vacation on the right foot.
1. Ensure Everything Is Clean Before Going on Vacation
When you’ve been away for a long time, there are few things nicer than returning to a spotless home.
Clean the day before you depart for your future self as a gift. Get all the dirty dishes washed and put away before going to bed; wash the clothes, and put new sheets on your bed.
Removing and using – or donating – any perishables from your refrigerator serves as yet another critical function. If at all feasible, keep your refrigerator open and unplug while you’re gone. Finally, don’t forget to throw the garbage out.
Your nose will thank you for it.
2. Plan for the Care of Your Pets and Plants
You’ll have to plan ahead for your pets, depending on how long you’ll be gone.
Some pets like cats and fish may just need someone to come in once a week or once a month to come feed and clean up after them, while dogs will most likely need to be taken in by a family member or friend.
You may also look at pet motels as an option. Or, you can simplify the process and find the best dog boarding here.
Let’s not forget about the plants you’ve worked so hard to keep alive while thinking about your pets.
Try to get someone you can trust to water and trim your plants on a regular basis. For individuals with dogs and plants, a home sitter may be the best option.
3. Get Your House Into Order
You should also take care of these little details before you go.
Reduce the amount of work you have to do by creating a brief checklist.
- Disconnect large appliances from the wall
- Cut down on your heating and cooling costs by lowering the thermostat
- Turn off the water supply if you see a dripping faucet
- Close the curtains or add shades
- Pour baking soda down the drains and into the toilets
- It’s time to turn off the oven
This way, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll come back to an ordered and clean home with no issues.
4. Organize Newspaper and Mail Pickups
Make sure to tell a neighbor or a friend that you’ll be away for a while, and ask them to take care of your mail and newspaper delivery while you’re away.
It’s simpler for burglars to target your house if your mailbox and porch are overflowing with mail and newspapers, which might be a sign that you’re not at home.
5. Contact Your Financial Institution
Poor preparation and planning may lead to holiday nightmares.
Being unable to access your bank accounts or credit cards is one of the most frustrating experiences a person can have. Security-conscious banks are typically to blame for this since they respond to questionable activities.
As a precaution, you should tell your bank that you’re planning a journey to the furthest reaches of Thailand. If you don’t, your cards may be banned.
In order to prevent this, contact your bank in advance and inform them of your trip intentions.
6. Set up Automated Bill Payments
Before you go on vacation, make sure to pay any outstanding debts. When you get home, the last thing you want to see is a mountain of unpaid invoices and late astronomical penalties.
In the event that you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, you should set up automatic payments with your bank or online service providers.
While you’re abroad, don’t count on being able to use your phone’s internet and applications. To avoid forgetting to pay the bills while you’re on vacation, it’s a good idea to set up automated bill payments in advance.
Take into account all of your utility and mortgage payments while you’re gone.
7. Take Photos of Essentials
All of your travel documentation, including medical prescriptions, should be photographed before you leave for your trip.
In the event that you lose the originals, this provides you with a backup and may aid you in an emergency. The images may also be sent to yourself or a friend so that even if you lose your phone, you have backups.
8. Lock and Secure Your Home
Last but not least, ensure that your house is appropriately secured. If at all feasible, ensure that all windows and entry points are closed and secured.
Make sure you test your alarm at least a week in advance. Remove your emergency key from the outside and give it to a trusted friend or family member.
If your area participates in a watch or police patrol program, let them know that you’ll be away for a while. Please notify them if you have somebody stopping by to take care of the plants or pets.
Preparing for Family Vacation Tips: Simplified
Preparing for travel or a vacation can be both an exciting and stressful endeavor.
We hope that with the use of our eight tips before going on vacation, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your trip with complete peace of mind.
And, if you’re interested in learning more about taking care of your pets, you should check out our care section for all the additional tips and tricks you could possibly need.
