I love lists. I make them for everything especially travelling. I have two important lists: what to pack and what to do before I leave.
A Few Days Before You Leave
Tell your neighbour that you will be away and perhaps ask them or a friend to collect your mail, newspapers, deliveries and fliers while you are away. Hide valuables.
I make a point of bringing my expensive jewelry to the bank safe deposit box and hide other valuable items.
Arrange for pet care and/or plant care.
Give your yard and flowerbeds a good water.
Refill prescriptions.
Pay bills that will become due while you are away or soon after you return.
Create an itinerary and emergency contact list for relatives, friends and caretakers. Keep a copy for yourself for easy reference.
Make a copy of your passport and store it in a bag other than your purse or wallet.
Let your credit card company know where and when you are travelling to so they won’t freeze your account due to suspicious transactions.
- Call your cell phone carrier and purchase a roaming plan. This is a biggie if you are travelling overseas or to the US. Roaming charges can kill!
On the Day You Leave
- Sort through your wallet and remove unneeded credit cards, loyalty cards and other stuff. Store in a safe place. I usually only bring a bank card, a credit card, insurance card and my license – and of course money!
Set automatic timers to turn lights, radios, televisions on and off. I have a variety of timers and use them throughout the house varying the days and the times lights and other things go on and off. I also make a point of drawing my drapes and blinds on the main floor so that someone cannot look into the home.
Tune your radio to a talk show set on low volume to simulate conversation and make it seem like someone is at home. This actually works wonders. I had a student come to my home to water plants and she was certain someone was in the house! It actually spooked her a bit.
Hide car keys. I make a point of hiding the car keys for the cars that we are leaving behind. That way, if someone does break in, the keys aren’t easily accessible.
Unplug small appliances – think irons, coffee makers, toasters
Empty your trash, run your dishwasher, get rid of perishables in your fridge.
Double check that you have money, passport, tickets, credit cards, confirmation numbers, itinerary, and prescriptions. Anything else forgotten can be purchased!
- Smile you are going on vacation!