This pre-vacation checklist was designed to make the days leading up to a trip easier and stress-free. Leading up to a trip can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be this way!
Here’s the deal
It is important to come up with a pre-vacation checklist so that you can be organized before leaving on vacation.
Our goal is to help you reduce those stresses so that you can enjoy your travel adventures to the fullest!
Want to know more?
We’ve compiled a pre-vacation checklist with detailed explanations and instructions.
With this checklist, you will be ready to leave your worries behind you!
Your Pre-Vacation Checklist
Stop Mail
Be discrete that you are out of town.
Having a mailbox that is overflowing alerts bystanders that your home is currently unoccupied.
There is good news:
Submitting a mail hold request can easily be done online at USPS.com
Step 1: Visit the USPS website to schedule a hold.
The easiest way to hold your mail while you’re on vacation is to visit the United States Postal Service (USPS) website and schedule a hold. You can do this up to 30 days in advance and for a maximum of 30 days. Simply enter your address and the dates you’ll be away, and choose whether you want your mail delivered when you return or if you’ll pick it up at the post office. You can also schedule a hold by visiting your local post office or calling 1-800-ASK-USPS.
Step 2: Choose the dates you want your mail held.
When scheduling a hold on your mail, it’s important to choose the correct dates that you’ll be away. Make sure to include the day you leave and the day you return, as well as any additional days you may need to account for travel time. Keep in mind that the maximum hold period is 30 days, so if you’ll be away for longer than that, you may need to schedule multiple holds or arrange for someone to pick up your mail for you. It’s also a good idea to schedule your hold at least a few days in advance to ensure that the post office has enough time to process your request.
Step 3: Select the method of delivery for your held mail.
When placing a hold on your mail, you have a few options for how you want your held mail to be delivered to you once you return. You can choose to have it delivered to your home on the day you return, or you can pick it up at your local post office. Another option is to have your mail delivered to a different address, such as a neighbor or family member who can hold onto it for you. Whatever method you choose, make sure to provide the necessary information and follow any additional instructions provided by the post office.
Step 4: Confirm your hold request and receive a confirmation number.
Once you have submitted your hold request, it’s important to confirm that it has been processed and to receive a confirmation number. This number will be used to verify your request and ensure that your mail is held as requested. You can confirm your hold request online or by calling your local post office. Make sure to keep your confirmation number in a safe place and bring it with you when you pick up your held mail or have it delivered to your home.
Step 5: Pick up your held mail or have it delivered upon your return
Once you return from your vacation, you have two options for receiving your held mail. You can either pick it up at your local post office or have it delivered to your home. If you choose to pick it up, make sure to bring your confirmation number and a valid ID with you. If you prefer to have it delivered, you can schedule a delivery online or by calling your local post office.
It’s important to note that if you don’t pick up your held mail or schedule a delivery within 10 days of your return, it will be returned to the sender. So, make sure to plan accordingly and retrieve your mail in a timely manner.
Stop Paper
Many people don’t receive the paper anymore, but if you still do… this is your friendly reminder!
Clean Out Fridge
Don’t come home to roaches and other critters. Now is a good time to clean out your refrigerator.
While you’re at it, take the time and just toss those food items that expired a year ago.
Empty All Trash
Dump all the trash in the house.
If you can, take your garbage can to the road for trash day. See if a neighbor can bring it back to the house if you will be gone awhile!
You don’t want to leave signs that you are away on vacation.
Cash From ATM
It’s always a good idea to have some cash available, especially in the case of emergencies.
I would much rather be prepared and NOT need the cash than vice versa.
For international trips where you will be gone longer and need to withdraw more money, it’s a good idea to keep cash in multiple places for safety purposes.
Notify Credit Card Company
Don’t risk having your credit card declined!
Credit card companies have many security features in place and when they notice a change in spending patterns or location, you risk them marking the transaction as fraud.
This is avoidable.
Nowadays, you have options for setting up travel notifications. Depending on the credit card carrier, you can set up travel notifications through phone, online, or the mobile app.
For detailed instructions on the most common carriers, check out How To Set A Credit Card Travel Notification.
Notify Sheriff’s Department
There are some Sheriff departments that will ride by your house if requested. They will notify you of any suspicious vehicles and so forth.
Check with your local Sheriff department to see if this service is offered.
Set Thermostat To Vacation
Do not turn your AC off when traveling, but rather adjust the temperature so it can be more energy efficient.
Traveling in the summer? Turn your thermostat to 80 degrees. This will prevent excess humidity that might occur if you were to turn off your unit completely.
Traveling in the winter? Turn your thermostat to 55 degrees. This will prevent the furnace from operating unnecessarily, but also to a point where the pipes will not freeze and burst.
Turn Water Off
Don’t come home to a water disaster! It’s better to be safe than sorry! Plus it only takes a couple minutes to turn the water off to the entire house.
Not sure where your water shut off valve is located or how to turn it off?
We had difficulty with this when we first bought our home. Thankfully, there are many resources on the internet and youtube. To get started, check out this article.
Do Laundry
You don’t want stinky clothes piling up, enough said.
Pay Bills
If you don’t already do auto pay, look into that right now. It makes life so much easier. Check to make sure there is no outstanding balance that needs paid prior to vacation so you can enjoy your trip stress free.
Arrange Pet Sitter For Animals
You’re probably so busy planning for your trip that arranging care for your furry loved ones might have slipped your mind! I’m sure your pets would love to go on vacation with you. Unfortunately, sometimes this just isn’t feasible.
There are so many options for choosing pet care!
First, decide what kind of care you need for your pet. For example, our dog is very social and high energy. He needs to be in an environment where he can let out some of his pent up energy so our house isn’t destroyed. My preference are dog sitters in the sitter’s personal home. I love the intimate and personal care that Woody receives.
When going on vacation, decide what is best for your pet and then do some research. There’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find something in your budget if you plan enough time in advance!
Some out of town options:
- Dog walking/ Drop-in visits
For dogs that do not require lots of stimulation, extra attention, or do not excel in a social environment, this could be a good choice. With dog walking, someone usually will come to your house and walk your dog for a select amount of time.
For those with cats or other animals, drop in visits are increasing in popularity. Someone will stop by your home, feed your pet, and play with him/her for a period of time. Downside? They are left at home alone. Many animals, however, enjoy their alone time and won’t be bothered by this set-up.
- Dog sitting (in the sitter’s home)
In this setting, your pet will get a lot more personalized attention in the comfort of someone’s home. Our dog, Woody, does not adjust quickly in a new environment, especially when he is surrounded by strange noises, smells, and dogs.
By staying in a sitter’s home, he is around a smaller group of dogs, is provided play time all day long, and gets all the love he needs!
- Dog sitting (in your home)
If you want your dog to enjoy the comforts of their known habitat, you can pay extra to have someone stay in your home overnight. Some sitters will even get your mail and water any plants around your home.
- Kennels
A more traditional approach for boarding is placing your pet in a kennel. Over the years, kennels have become larger, more comfortable, and some even offer video live streaming.
If your pet is not bothered by loud noises and being crated for extended periods of time, then this could be an easier option.
We boarded Woody at a kennel a few years ago and they would walk the dogs 3x/day. We got an extra charge for him being “challenging.” Now he is forever known as Wild Woody!
How do I find pet care?
Now that you know what options are available, it can be challenging knowing where to find pet care in your area! Some of the most popular websites for finding pet care are: Rover.com and Wagwalking.com. I also like asking my neighbors through nextdoor.com.
If you are looking for a kennel, these can quickly be found via a google search or even asking your vet! Some vets offer boarding services as well!
Arrange For Yard To Be Mowed
If you are traveling during the warmer months, be prepared to come back to high lawns! We like to minimize this to deter people from knowing we are out of town.
How do you do this?
Mow your yard right before leaving to go on vacation
Josh tries to mow the yard right before we leave! If you are gone for 2 weeks or less, you can probably avoid hiring a lawn service. Just be prepared to mow the lawn upon your return!
Arrange for your yard to be mowed
If you don’t have a lawn service that you have used before, reach out to your neighbors via nextdoor.com. They are a great resource! We’ve also had great luck using thumbtack.com to find professional services.
If you live in an apartment complex, condo, or townhome – lucky you. No need for you to worry about lawn care!
Share Emergency Contact Information
Share your trip details with family and/or friends.
Pertinent Information could include:
Flight number
Flight times and dates
Hotel name and phone number
General itinerary
We hope that you find this pre-vacation checklist helpful in preparing for your next adventure! Have fun and be safe friends!
Until next time...
xxx Sara & Josh
FAQ’s
Should I turn my water off when I go on vacation?
Don’t come home to a water disaster!
It is better to be safe than sorry! Plus it only takes a couple minutes to turn the water off to the entire house.
How do you prepare a vacation checklist?
- Stop mail
- Stop paper
- Clean out fridge
- Empty out all trash
- Cash from ATM
- Notify credit card company
- Notify sherriff’s department
- Set thermostat to vacation
- Turn water off
- Do laundry
- Pay bills
- Arrange pet sitter for animals
- Arrange for yard to be mowed
- Share emergency contact information
Do I have to notify my bank when traveling?
Don’t risk having your credit card declined!
Credit card companies have many security features in place and when they notice a change in spending patterns or location, you risk them marking the transaction as fraud.
This is avoidable.
Nowadays, you have options for setting up travel notifications. Depending on the credit card carrier, you can set up travel notifications through phone, online, or the mobile app.
How do I prepare for dog sitting?
- Start early and do your research.
- Decide what setting works best for your pet.
- Set up a meet & greet (if applicable)
- Good fit? Schedule your pet sitter!
- Gather all vet records and emergency contact info for the pet sitter.
And please do me a little favor and share this article with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travels!
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