It’s getting to be that time of the year once again. The weather is starting to improve, school breaks are starting to take place, and seemingly everyone is beginning to dream about taking the long-awaited (and well-deserved) vacation.
If you’re about to head out for your vacation, then it’s important that you prepare yourself. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you’re bringing everything that you need while you’re away from home… But, before you even set foot outside of your front door, there are some things you should tend to on the homefront.
In the list below, we’re going to share 20 things that absolutely everyone should do before they leave on their vacation. Hopefully you already know to do many of these things, but even so it never hurts to have a friendly reminder. And, for all of you out there that always worry that you left the stove on or something of that manner, then these are definitely things you’ll want to take care of…
With all that in mind, let’s take a look. Here are the things you should be doing before you head out on your next vacation!
1. Clear Out Your Wallet
It’s time to clean out that George Costanza wallet that you’ve been carrying around for all of these years!
2. Need ‘Em All?
Do you need to bring every credit card you have on vacation? If not, it may be best to leave a few of them at home.
3. Hold the Mail
When robbers see mail stockpiling in a box, they know that’s a green light. Get the post office to hold your mail before you leave.
4. Photographs of Travel Documents
Protect yourself by keeping a few pictures of your travel documents on your smartphone.
5. Email Them Too
In fact, in case you lose your smartphone, you may wish to email photographs of your travel documents to yourself too!
6. Call the Bank
Especially if you’re traveling far away, make sure the make knows. Otherwise, you might have access to your account suspended, which is never fun.
7. Reading Material
Don’t overpay for reading material at the airport! Head out to a magazine rack before you leave.
8. Load Up Your Tablet
In fact, if you have a tablet, then there’s no reason to pay for physical books and magazines. Load that tablet of yours right up!
9. Wash the Sheets
Give yourself a great home to return to by taking the time to wash your sheets and make the bed before departing.
10. Settle the Bills
Nothing’s worse than coming home to find one of your utilities has been turned off… So, pay those bills before you leave!
11. Automatic Payments
In fact, if you really want to make your life easier, then finally get around to arranging those automatic payments.
12. Clean the Refrigerator
Coming home to a stinky refrigerator is the worst. Clean out everything that will expire while you’re away on vacation.
13. Empty the Trash
Speaking of not wanting to come home to nasty smells, make sure the garbage bins are all empty before you leave!
14. Unplug Appliances
Appliances still draw power when they’re off and plugged in. So, unplug those appliances while you’re gone.
15. Switch It Off
Make sure that anything that can’t be unplugged is switched off before you leave… Unless you own the power company, of course!
16. The Work Calendar
Get a jump on what you’ll be returning to when you’re done with your vacation by updating your work calendar before you leave.
17. Automated Email Response
After you’re through sorting your work calendar out, it’s time to type up that automated email response that means vacation is here!
18. Checklist Time
Want to make sure you don’t forget anything? Make a checklist of what you need to bring before you start packing…
19. Check Your Checklist
And remember that checklist is only good if you use it… So, double-check yourself as you’re packing!
20. Check the Stove
Come on, you didn’t really think we’d let you go without this time-old advice. Double-check that the stove is turned off!