Taking a vacation requires a lot of planning. Between booking flights and hotels or deciding which roads to take and sights to see, there are a lot of moving parts to a great vacation plan. But as you coordinate your travel plans, don’t forget to think about the home you’re leaving behind. Here are 20 steps to take before leaving for your vacation.
1. Notify Your Credit Card Company
If you’re going to make credit card purchases during your trip, you may want to notify your credit card company. Unusual purchases made in novel locations are sometimes interpreted as fraudulent charges and your credit card company may suspend your card to be on the safe side. Avoid the in-store embarrassment of having your card declined by calling your credit card company ahead of time.
2. Hold Your Mail
You can contact your post office to order a mail hold or you can ask your neighbor to pick up your mail for you.
3. Maintain Your Lawn
If you will be gone for more than two weeks, be sure to have someone maintain your lawn. It can be difficult to mow your lawn if it has been left to grow for more than two weeks. Plus, the neighbors might complain.
4. Move Outdoor Furniture Indoors
Move high-value outdoor items that could be stolen to your basement, garage or shed. This includes grills and lawn decorations.
5. Park Your Car in the Garage
This can help prevent weather damage and burglary.
6. Clean Out the Fridge
Remove anything from your refrigerator that could spoil while you’re away and empty the garbage and recycling.
7. Wash Your Dishes
Specks of food left on dirty dishes can evolve into a biology experiment fast. Don’t come home to a kitchen that smells like a dumpster. Wash all your dirty dishes before you leave for vacation.
