7 Things to Do Before Leaving for Vacation
The days leading up to vacation are stressful for many—myself included. However, there are a few things I’ve realized over the years that can help y’all be in the best position possible before you head out for some much-needed time off. To make it easier on yourself, here are some things to do before leaving for vacation.
Find a Pet-Sitter
Unfortunately, you usually can’t take your pet with you on vacation, so you must find a pet-sitter. Some options you have to include going to a local dog or cat sitter in Dallas (or elsewhere), or you can find someone you trust to take of them. This is usually the first thing I sort out before going on vacation.
Make Sure You Have a Valid ID
In 2020, various states will require a REAL ID to fly domestically if you are over 18 years old. If you live in one of these states and have an expired passport, then you’ll need to get one. Don’t wait until the last minute—get it all sorted out before your vacation.
Alert Schools
Before you leave, make sure you also call in your kids from school if necessary. Also, tell your kids to remind their teachers so they can either get ahead on schoolwork or have it ready to make it up when they return from the trip.
Do Some Car Maintenance
If you plan on driving instead of flying, I recommend you look out for signs that your vehicle might need a checkup in the weeks leading up to your trip. You don’t want something to go wrong when you’re on the road, so don’t put off any much-needed maintenance.
Pause Your Mail Service
To avoid the risk of coming home to an overstuffed mailbox, I suggest you either ask a trusted neighbor to collect your mail or put it on pause until you return. To pause your mail, simply call 1-800-ASK-USPS or fill out a form at your local post office.
Set Your Thermostat
Another thing you should do before leaving for vacation is to set your home’s thermostat. We recommend you simply adjust it a few degrees more so you can avoid coming back home to mold and other potential issues.
Do Some Cleaning
I also recommend that you do some cleaning before you leave. Go through your fridge and throw out anything that will go bad while you’re away. I usually vacuum the floors, wipe down counters, and take out all the trash before I head out, too. And be quite honest, I would also add looking up a professional organizer for hire, so that even when you come back from vacation your life won’t be surrounded by chaos. It is a dream of mine to hire someone to get my house in order.
