Some travelers think that a successful vacation is only about securing cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, or cheap vacation packages. While getting the most out of your travel dollars is important, it is also important that you make preparations in advance of a pending trip.
In order to fully enjoy your vacation you want to take the steps necessary to ensure that everything will run smoothly in your absence:
Make arrangements for your pets, plants, newspaper, and mail. If you will use someone to take care of your pets while you are away , the same person can water your plants and pick up your mail. If no one will be home, devices like Aqua Globes can water your plants while you are on vacation. If your house will be empty, make certain you contact the U.S. Postal service to hold your mail until your return.
If you are leaving any family members behind, take steps to ensure they will have everything that is needed during your absence. Freeze a few family favorite dishes. If you are leaving children behind, leave specific instructions for everything from snack preferences to bedtime routines to reduce disruptions.
Leave a message for your email and voice mail at work providing your return date and the names and numbers of people at work who can help during your absence.
Give family members not traveling with you an itinerary and information how to reach you. Provide flight numbers, hotel names and addresses. Give phone numbers for where you will be staying in case there is a problem reaching you via your cell phone.
Depending on how long you will be gone, arrange for payment of bills that will come due while you are away. Most bills can be scheduled online for payment when due. Pay bills early if online payment options are unavailable.
Empty out your refrigerator. Throw out leftovers as well as any item that will expire prior to your return.
Set up timers to turn on and off lights throughout the house. Set them to turn on at different intervals. Arrange for your lawn to be mowed.
Make certain, you have properly set the thermostat, as a frozen water pipe while you are gone in the winter will certainly be an unwanted surprise.
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