Your Ten-Point Checklist For Vacation Planning
When you're planning your vacation, it's easy to forget the more boring details of your plan when you're caught up in the excitement of where you're going. This ten point checklist provides you with an easy cheat sheet to check off before you leave. It can be disconcerting to be on a plane going overseas and suddenly remember one of these important details left undone.
1.Here's one many people don't even think of, yet is an essential vacation planning task. Always leave a copy of your itinerary and numbers where you can be reached with a neighbor, preferably one who lives within sight of your home. Should there be a fire, or your home is robbed, you're immediately in the know.
2.If you're a parent traveling with a child overseas, get a notarized letter from your spouse that gives you explicit permission to leave the country with your child. Otherwise, you may be stopped and hassled by customs and end up with a big mess to resolve.
3.Check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for correct operation before you leave. Have a couple of garden hoses hooked up with high-powered spray nozzles attached. Have one at the front and back of your home.
4.Here's another vacation planning task that's seldom addressed. Unplug all appliances that won't be used. You're avoiding the chance that one of these will short out. Don't unplug the frig and freezer!
5.While you're at it, it's a good idea to clean out the frig. Freeze items as possible.
6.Have the post office hold your mail. If you receive a lot of email, set up your email program's filing system to automatically direct regular newsletters and such to folders. When you collect your email, you won't have 500 to sort through. If you subscribe to a newspaper, have a neighbor collect them or just stop the service until you return.
7.Your vacation planning is flawed to the tune of some big bucks you'll owe if you don't return library books and videos before leaving. Make sure bills due during vacation time are all paid. Check your calendar and reschedule doctor appointments and lunch dates.
8.If you have pets, either board them, hire a responsible kid or ask your neighbor to feed and water your pets. Same goes for aquariums. Leave any special instructions in a designated spot. The frig is good.
9.Put a timer on lamps in various rooms, as well as porch lights.
10.If you have items at the dry cleaners, pick them up. Try to get all the laundry done to avoid a stinky home when you return. If you've got time, put fresh sheets on the bed so you don't have this bother when you arrive home, ready to go to sleep.
This quick reference pre-fun vacation planning checklist should help ease your mind and really enjoy yourself. You can even delegate portions to older kids! Bon Voyage!
Summary
Tips for planning a vacation are leave a traveling schedule with someone you trust in case you need to be contacted while you are away. Hold your mail and newspaper. Make sure any bills have been paid. Make arrangements for pet care. Pick up dry cleaning before you go. Unplug appliances.
