Gearing up for a vacation? Your mind may be focused on your destination, but don’t forget to take care of your home, sweet home, before you leave it behind. I’m on the road, near constantly, since 2011 and over the years I’ve learned to take care of a few things before leaving for a trip. My to-do list, once crafted, has been serving me for many years, and while I allow some room for flexibility, I’m also a creature of habit who likes to keep things easy and simple.
Things to Do Before Leaving for a Trip
While there a few more things you may have to do before setting off, here I prepared a few that are unavoidable and the majority of us need to take care of.
Sort Out Your Finances
First things first, shore up your financials. That means paying off any outstanding bills and, if you’ll be gone a long time, possibly arranging for a pause in services. If you have automatic payments scheduled, it’s important to remember this when drafting your vacation budget.
My tip: Don’t leave this until the very last moment. It might happen that it will take a while to cancel a payment you no longer want to extend. Also, some transactions need to be cancelled in person so the sooner you do it, the less stressed you’ll be in your last days at home.
That budget will depend mainly on what kind of trip you’re taking. If it’s no business and all pleasure, feel free to go crazy at that Disney souvenir shop in Orlando, Florida. But maybe you’re a real estate flipper and want to set aside some time while you’re in Wisconsin to scout Milwaukee houses for sale, it might be a good idea to reserve a portion of your funds for possible investments. In either case, don’t forget to factor in non-recreational essentials like food, lodging, and transportation.
Inform Important People
Next up, make sure that the people who need to know you’re going away do indeed know. Don’t just assume if you haven’t told someone directly, either. Make sure of it yourself. Take a moment to think about everyone who should be informed, not just friends, family, and employers, but also co-workers, teachers, local police and fire services,