Everyone loves going on vacation, and by planning, you can make your travels stress-free and make the most of your time away.
Yet, even with the best intentions, work and life events can get in the way, and plans can go awry.
So let’s take a look at 15 things you’re probably forgetting to do before going on vacation:
Empty the Trash
While forgetting to take out the trash is a relatively minor problem if you are heading to work in the morning, forgetting to do it during a two-week summer vacation may cause some issues.
From the appalling smell to attracting flies and other pests, this is not a problem you want to come home to after a long journey.
Lock All Windows and Doors
If someone is usually always home, it’s easy to forget to do this on a regular day.
But before you go on vacation, systematically go through your house and lock all your doors and windows. This will secure your home and prevent any issues with the insurance company if there is a break-in.
Set Your Thermostat
Your thermostat can save you a lot of money by ensuring that the heating is only on when people are likely to be up and in the house.
However, forgetting to change the program when you go on vacation can undermine these efforts. Nobody wants to waste money heating an empty house.
Turn Off Lights
Another energy-saving tip: make sure you check every room to ensure that all of your lights are turned off.
Forgetting to do this could unnecessarily increase your energy bill, and lights in smaller areas, like downstairs bathrooms and cupboards, are easy to miss. Not to mention, you will wear out your lightbulbs faster.
Unplug Electronics
It’s tempting to leave your electronic devices plugged in, particularly if you can control them remotely.
But unless there is a good reason to do this, it’s best to unplug them. Televisions consume a lot of power when left on standby, and even chargers use energy when left plugged into the wall.
Water Your Plants
If you’ve cared for plants all year round, the last thing you want to do is forget to water them before you go on vacation, particularly in the middle of the summer.
Go around the house watering all your plants, water your garden, or set up an irrigation system before you leave. If there’s a plant-lover in the area, you could even drop your plants around theirs.
Check All Faucets
It’s essential to check all your faucets before leaving for your vacation.
Even a faucet that is slightly turned on can add to your water bill when you are away. Also, leaving the water running while you are out of the house can be dangerous, especially if any of your pipes get blocked.
Arrange Pet Care
Don’t forget your pets!
A helpful neighbor can feed your fish for you, and your cat will be perfectly happy alone in your house, provided someone checks in daily to feed them.
Other animals, like dogs, might need to be taken to a sitter. Even better, ask a friend who is happy to stay in your house while you are away and can look after them.
Bring Chargers and Adapters
Make sure you have a charger for every electronic device you bring and travel adapters if the electricity system is different from that in the US.
So you don’t get caught out on your journey, charge your devices fully so that you start your trip with all your devices at 100%, just in case.
Check Your Luggage Weight
Always check the weight of your luggage before you go to the airport, as your bags being over the allowed weight can attract additional charges or may result in your luggage not being allowed on the plane.
You can buy a digital luggage scale to measure the weight of your cases accurately, but if you don’t have one available, you can use the bathroom scales.
Add a Tag to Your Luggage
It’s easy to forget: Don’t let your case get lost among a sea of generic black luggage. Doing so will slow you down and may even result in you picking up someone else’s bag.
Use a luggage tag to help you find your case easily, or if you don’t have one available, use stickers or colorful string.
Exchange Currency
While you can exchange currency at the airport, this is very expensive.
Exchanging currency in advance will get you a far better rate, and there are online providers that will give you an even better deal. Also, check out currency cards that give you a good deal on spending while you are away.
Confirm Reservations
You may have made your plans months in advance, written notes, and saved the details on your phone, but mistakes happen.
Double-check the original information you were sent when you made your bookings so that you are sure of the flight times, hotel names, and taxi bookings. Doing so in advance could save you a lot of stress later.
Check the Weather Forecast
Everyone checks the average temperature of potential destinations before booking their vacation.
However, checking the forecast as your departure date approaches is essential. Even the locations with the most pleasant temperatures can experience unseasonable weather, so make sure that the clothes you are taking are appropriate for the current conditions.
Leave a Spare Key with a Friend
If you have a neighbor you trust enough to leave a spare key with, you are lucky!
While it is unlikely you will need to call on them, having someone back home who has access to your house means you have someone who can help in emergencies. You can pay them back by offering to do the same for them when they go on vacation.
