I just got back from an amazing trip over seas and thought I’d write about how being prepared and organized helped alleviate the stress associated with getting out-of-town.
I’ve written about organizing and getting prepared for travel before and those blogs are on my website. However, this time I’d like to address the things to do before you leave to alleviate some of the stress associated with getting away.
The following 15 tips create a great checklist to prepare for an upcoming trip:
- Make sure you have your REAL California ID if traveling nationally. If you want to board domestic flights beginning May 7, 2025 you must have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.
- Make sure your passport is up to date. More importantly, if your passport is going to expire within 6 months of your travel dates, you do need to get it updated. This can take some time so don’t wait!
- A few days before you leave, call your credit card company to let them know you’re traveling so that they allow your transactions to go through without a problem.
- Call your mobile company to find out what options are available to save on long distance calls, texting, etc.
- Make sure your neighbors know that you’re going to be away so they can alert you or the authorities if necessary. Perhaps you can ask them to keep an eye on things for you.
- Notify your alarm company and consider having more security while you’re gone.
- Put timers around the house so the lights will go on and off at different times in different rooms to give the looked of a “lived in” house.
- Have the Post Office put your mail on hold until you return.
- Activate your RING camera so that you can answer the door and keep an eye on who is coming and going.
- If you’re going for a long period of time, consider having someone you trust stay in the house to water the plants, feed your pets, bring in the mail, etc.
- Take photos of your drivers’ license and passport and keep them on your phone. I also suggest taking photos and leaving color copies of both with a friend or family member not traveling with you.
- Give a friend or family number your itinerary so someone knows where you’re going and when. Make sure to let them know of any changes in your itinerary.
- If you’re driving, make sure your car has been serviced. Check all fluids and brakes so that you can feel safe on the road.
- If you’re flying, check in with the airlines 24 hours in advance to make sure your flight is on schedule, check in, get your boarding passes to avoid any surprises when you get to the airport.
- If you’re checking luggage at the airport, make sure that your luggage is going where you are. CHECK the ticket that they attach to your luggage and make sure it says the name of the airport that will be your final destination. TRUST ME! If you do nothing else, heed this advice. This can make the difference as to whether you will ever see your luggage again. It happened to me and it’s one mistake I’ll never make again.
Although the goal of a vacation is to have fun and relax, getting ready to go away can be stressful. Being prepared as best you can will go a long way in making sure that things go smoothly.
If you or anyone you know needs help with Organizing, Downsizing, Relocations, Estate Sales or Estate Clearing, please give us a call at #310-560-5060. We’d love to be of service!