There’s a lot to do when you prepare for vacation. Wrapping up projects at work, finalizing plans, figuring out what to pack. It can be overwhelming!

And while the list can feel seemingly endless, these are twelve of the most important things to do before setting off on your next adventure.

Travel Prep

1. Confirm Your Reservations

First and foremost, you need to confirm all your reservations. Flights, hotels, tours, transportation, etc. Because nothing’s worse than showing up, luggage in tow, and hearing they don’t have your booking.

Whomp, whomp.

Avoid the headache and simply check all your reservations before you leave. And with apps like TripIt, keeping them all in one place has never been easier. With it, pulling up confirmation numbers and reservation details is a breeze!

EXPERT TIP: Give a copy of your itinerary and the first page of your passport (for international travel) to a friend or family member in case of an emergency.

2. Decide What You Want To See/Do

In addition to confirming your reservations, it’s also a good idea to decide what you want to see and do when you prepare for vacation.

However, you should avoid being too regimented (because planning every minute of your vacation will make it feel more like work than an escape). Simply have an idea of a few highlights you want to hit up before you go.

Before my travels, I like to search Instagram or other travel blogs for ideas of what to see in the places I’m visiting. Then, I mark the locations on Google Maps so I can easily find them while I’m gone. That way, I don’t miss a thing!

3. Get Any Necessary Vaccines

If you’re heading abroad, then you should check the CDC website for health warnings and recommended vaccines. Otherwise, you may bring back an unwanted souvenir like Typhoid or Hepatitis, which can plague you long after you’ve returned home.

Plus, the CDC offers tips on ways to stay healthy in your particular destination. How great is that?!

Discover more tips on how to stay healthy while you’re traveling here.

4. Pack Appropriately

A couple of days before your trip, check the weather in your destination to see what you can expect while you’re there. Will the sun be out without a cloud in the sky? What are the chances of rain? Can you expect a cold snap? Knowing what the weather will be like will ensure you pack appropriately.

Then, when it comes time to finally get your bag ready, utilize packing cubes and compression bags to fit more in less space. And, fight the urge to overpack! Lay out what you’d like to bring and cut it by half. Trust me, you still won’t wear it all and it’ll save you from dragging around a heavy bag.

Learn more expert packing tips for carry-on luggage here.

Home Prep

5. Make Arrangements For Pets & Plants

While you’re away you want to make sure things at home are safe and sound. And, the most important things in your house are those little living beings that enrich your life. Dogs, cats, and even houseplants that need to be cared for while you’re away.

So, making arrangements for them with a neighbor, friend, or family member is the most important step to prepare for vacation when it comes to your home. Choose someone you trust, leave instructions, and don’t forget to give them a way to contact you in case there’s an emergency.

6. Hold Your Mail

To avoid coming back to gobs of mail in your mailbox, ask the post office to hold your mail. Similarly, if you have other delivery services (newspaper, milk, meal services, etc) you should pause them as well. The last thing you want to do is advertise you’re away to would-be robbers!

7. Set Your Lights On A Timer

Speaking of not advertising you’re gone, setting lights on timers will make it appear as if you’re home. They’re inexpensive, simple to set up, and can be used even when you’re not away to make life that much easier. I’ve used them for years and absolutely love them!

EXPERT TIP: Lower the air conditioner or heat to keep costs down while you’re away.

8. Throw Out Perishable Food

No one wants to come back to a fridge full of spoiled milk and a pantry packed with moldy bread. So, before you leave take a look through your kitchen and get rid of anything that will go bad before you return. Or, vacuum seal things you can freeze and enjoy them later.

9. Tidy Things Up

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do when I get home from vacation is clean the house. I’m exhausted, battling jet lag, and can barely muster the energy to bring my suitcase inside let alone do chores.

To save yourself from returning to a mess, do a quick once-over before you go. Dust, vacuum, and get your laundry done (because you’ll have plenty of that when you unpack!)

Financial Prep

10. Pay Your Bills

One thing you don’t want your vacation to cost you is a mountain of late fees. And, it’s easy to forget when payments are due as you lose track of the days on a beach somewhere.

To make your life easier, simply set up your bill payments online before you leave. Even better, set payments to automatically pull from your checking account when they’re owed so you never have to worry about due dates again!

11. Notify Your Credit Card Companies

Nothing is worse than swiping your credit card only to have it declined. The cashier awkwardly offering to swipe it again. The person behind you trying to look empathetic but really thinking how frustrated they are that they chose the wrong line in check-out roulette. You searching your wallet for an alternate form of payment.

Mortifying!

Sadly, this happens quite frequently on vacation. That’s because creditors often restrict your card if they notice irregular activity on the account. And, what’s more irregular than transactions occurring nowhere near where you live.

To avoid having the dreaded decline happen to you, simply notify your credit card companies of travel plans before you go. It can be done pretty quickly with either a phone call or by using your credit card’s app. Easy peasy!

12. Contact Your Cell Phone Provider

Similar to your credit cards, you also want your cell phone to work while you’re gone. It’s not a huge issue when traveling domestically, but if you’re abroad it can certainly be a problem. Without forward planning, you could end up with excessive foreign transaction fees or finding yourself without a functional form of communication.

So, review your cell phone plan to find out what countries your carrier provides service in. Then, add coverage for calls and data abroad if they’re not already included in your monthly plan.

By taking these steps to prepare for vacation, you’ll be able to avoid common pitfalls and truly enjoy your time away. Then, return home recharged and ready to plan your next adventure!

What are some things you do to prepare for vacation? Comment below, I’d love to hear your tips!

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