The driving force behind going on vacation is the need to get away. But before you do, make sure you’ve properly prepared yourself for the journey ahead. This not only means taking steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, but making an effort to leave town in a way that guarantees a positive return. Before departing on your deserved adventure out of town, adhere to the following pre-vacation must-dos:
Clean Your House
You’ll have a lot on your plate in the days before your departure, but take the time to get your house looking as immaculate as possible. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a vacation to a messy house. Doing this increases peace of mind and helps reduce the post-vacation blues.
Tell a Neighbor
If no one is going to be at your home for a week or longer, make sure somebody living nearby is aware. Burglars are always on the prowl for obviously vacant homes, especially around peak vacation times in the year. It never hurts to notify someone of your absence to help keep your home secure and in the event of an emergency, you won’t be caught off-guard upon your return. This is a safety issue that must be added to your vacation must-dos list.
Buy Snacks in Bulk
You don’t want to see half your travel budget go to paying for expensive food items bought on the road or in the air. Prevent this by stocking up on snacks before you go. It also pays to bring a water bottle in order to keep yourself from buying expensive bottled water while traveling.
Make a Payment Plan
Depending on where you’re going, certain methods of spending money are better than others. If you’re going abroad for instance, then you’d want to avoid a credit card foreign transaction fee. If you’re riding the rails, then traveler’s checks or the best cash back options are smart bets to limit the risk of theft. Always plan for how you expect to pay, or else expect to have to constantly hunt down an ATM.
Pack Extra Socks and Underwear
This is a classic travel rule no individual or family should ever neglect. When there’s not enough time in a day of travel for a shower, a change of socks and underwear can go a long way in terms of feeling cleaner on the road. These items are easy to squeeze into the spare pockets of your luggage, so never hesitate to pack as many undergarments as possible.
The point of a vacation is to relax and have a good time. But in order to make sure this happens, a certain level of travel planning must be undertaken. By making sure you cover all your bases before departing and checking off your vacation must-dos list, you increase the likelihood of experiencing a vacation you’ll never forget.
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