If you have followed my blog for any lenth of time then you know I LOVE to travel. I have learned over the years {through a trial and error–well, mostly error} that a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to getting the most out of vacations.
Here’s 10 tips to try BEFORE you leave on vacation to ensure you have a great vacation and an easy transition once you return home:
- Use up all of the food in the fridge. A week or two before I leave, I start to look at my perishables and plan around them. Wasted food is a pet-peeve, so I try to use it all up.
- Go through your purse/wallet and remove any extras you don’t need. There’s no need to bring extra credit cards, etc., especially should you lose your wallet/purse or have it stolen. Removing the items means less hassle. I like to travel with a money belt.
- Remember to close you curtains/blinds. Lock all of your doors. Unplug any unnecessary electronics, etc. Let your neighbors know that you will be gone, so that they can keep an eye on your house.
- Stop mail or arrange for a friend/family member to pick it up. Nothing says “I’m gone” like a back-log of mail in the box.
- Turn down your water heater {I know some people who turn their water off completely}. Turn up/down your thermostat. No need to pay for heating and cooling if you aren’t going to be there.
- Water your plants.
- Arrange for a dog/house sitter, if necessary. It’s best to do this in advance, in case your pet needs additional vaccines before going to the kennel.
- Remember your chargers. Pack cell phone and laptop chargers.
- Do ALL your laundry ahead of time. That way, when you get home, you’ll have clean clothes while you are doing laundry from your trip.
- Take out the garbage. Man-oh-man, nothing says “welcome home” like stinky garbage. {I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.}
How about you, do you have any tried-and-true vacation preps that you use?
~Mavis
Looking for more Travel Tips? See the full list of Travel Tips HERE!
National Geographic Traveler Magazine – It’s awesome!
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Madam Chow says
I have food in the freezer for when we get home so that I don’t have to run out to the store the first day back.
The part about stopping newspapers is so important – one of my mom’s neighbors, in a nice neighborhood, never bothered because they felt “safe.” One vacation, burglars watched the house, and after a few days of accumulated newspapers, they pulled up to the house in a moving van, broke down the back door with an axe, and literally stole everything, including the appliances.
Candice says
Thanks for this. We are leaving for Iceland in a few days. Highly recommend it if you haven’t been there
Kendra says
Iceland is on my list! Especially now that Iceland Air has direct flights from Seattle.
Deb Miller says
Great tips Mavis. We set lights to come on and go off periodically in the evening/morning time so ti looks like someone is home. We also have the tv set to come on and shut down as well.
Judy N. says
good tips..I am leaving soon for a 6 week road trip across the united states from the east coast to the west coast..it will be so much fun..
Heather T. says
Great tips, we have a 3 week vacay this summer so everything needs to be taken care of.
Carrie says
I always have a meal plan for non perishable or freezer food for the first 2 days back from vacation and buy a small carton of milk with an extended date that we wait until our return to open. With 2 toddlers it makes the first morning home go so much smoother without a frantic dash to the store.
Cecily says
Turn the water to your washing washing off to take the pressure off the hoses. You don’t want to come home to a flooded house because a hose failed.
PamZ says
Home insurance policies require you to have someone check your property at least every three days while you’re away, in case of broken pipes or something, which is a high risk in very cold weather. My friends travel regularly and ask me to either stay in their home, or to come by every other day to pick up flyers, change which lights are on, water the plants, and check the house. We can usually keep in touch by text or email so if they’re getting home late at night I ask them if they want me to buy them some milk or bread or something they’ll need in the morning. Automated light timers are okay, but nothing beats a trusted friend or family member being in your house making sure everything is okay.
One very cold winter some friends went away and I stayed at their house to look after the cats, fish, and plants. The furnace went off for some reason and I used the two gas fireplaces in the house to keep it warm until I got the furnace going again. If I hadn’t been there the pipes would have frozen and burst in a few days.
Amanda says
Clean the house and wash the bedding! No need to make the return home from housekeeping service and relaxing any more brutal than necessary!
Pay bills that normally get paid during the time that you are going to be away or set them up to be withdrawn or charged automatically.
For long flights, layovers, etc., charge all electronics completely before leaving and pack extra memory cards for the camera.
Don’t pack more than you need! 15 outfits aren’t necessary for a 10 day vacation!
Check and double check for dishes and make sure they’re all clean before you leave! Yucky dishes=stinky AND five times as much work to clean later.
Put vehicles in the garage or shed, especially if you live in an area that has unpredictable weather. (Better yet, do this all the time so that it isn’t easy to tell when you are or aren’t home.)
For families with kids, get at least some of the homework done ahead of time, rather than having twice the work load immediately after getting home.
Plug drains (bath tub, sink, etc.) if you’re going to be gone for long to avoid bugs making their way up when they’re not being run regularly. Silverfish=super ew AND ruin cloth! (Seriously, they gross me out. So much.)
Double check window locks.
As another commenter said, set lights and/or TV/radio to come on periodically, especially if you won’t have someone keeping an eye on the house.
If traveling to a warmer climate, pack a warmer layer in the vehicle for when you return.
Freeze produce, baked goods, dairy products, etc. that won’t be used up or keep until you return. (For that matter, do this in general. If something is getting near its last leg and isn’t on the menu for the next few days, clean and chop veggies like carrots, celery, peppers, onions, etc. for soup or stew. Just throw them all in a baggie and cover with broth, tomato sauce, or water. Clean, chop, and freeze fruits for smoothies. Freeze yogurt and milk for smoothies or to thaw later.)
Dena says
Living here in Gig Harbor close to the State Women’s Prison, I have boarded my dogs there at the Prison Pet Partnership Program. Now they only take dogs under 10 yrs of age, but the dogs get to participate in the the assistance dog training program, get lots of love from the inmates & can’t get out of the prison! I’ve been know to write Post Cards daily to “my dogs” that the inmates read & thus get a view of the outside. Always have had excellent care & my dogs have always come home obeying commands well. At least for the first three days or so …..
Annette says
Just learned this by accident after leaving to return college kids from Spokane to Bothell, Don’t forget your daily Medications if needed. It’s a hassle cutting into family fun having to track down prescriptions when your out of town.
Jannette says
When I first skimmed by this post I thought it said things to do before you leave the Vatican.
Pope Benedict’s last day in office to do list:
Let’s see…turn in keys (of St. Peter);
have mitre dry cleaned and sent back;
send change of address cards , etc. etc
Sorry about that. I wasn’t wearing my glasses. I am now — so I’ll be quiet.