Congratulations to ALL 2017 GRADUATES! We are so proud of you for completing this big milestone in your life. We wish you the best as you start a new journey in life!
School is out! Time to Prepare for Vacation… Checklist!
School will soon be out and it will be time to get ready for vacation! YEA! Packing up your family to leave for vacation is a crazy and chaotic project, which often leaves you wondering if going away is worth the effort involved! In order to simplify your departure, follow these tips to ensure your peace of mind:
Three days before departure:
Suspend your mail and newspapers. Both of these tasks can be accomplished online.
For the mail, go to www.usps.com, and for the paper, check out your local paper’s website.
Stop other delivery services.
Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may need to arrange to have your lawn mowed. An overgrown lawn is a big giveaway that the homeowners are not at home!
Take a quick look at your personal and/or business calendar.
Do you need to cancel any appointments or RSVP to any meetings or social events that will occur while you are away? Or which will occur during the first few days that you are back at home? Get these phone calls done!
Pick up dry cleaning, especially if there is something you’d like to pack that is at the cleaners or at the tailors.
If you are going for an extended vacation, arrange for your trashcans to be set out for collection and then returned to your garage.
If you are lucky, you have a neighbor’s child who can help with this! Kids are also great for watering plants and flowers while you are away.
Confirm pet care if needed.
If driving, check air pressure in tires, coolant, oil and wiper fluid.
Pick up any needed refills of prescriptions.
Pay bills.
Confirm reservations.
Begin packing! I find that if I put an empty laundry basket in everyone’s room, I can fill the baskets gradually with the travel clothing and then just pack the suitcases right before leaving.
Purchase timers to be set on a few lamps around your house. Lights timed to turn on and off at appropriate hours will give your home a lived in look while you are away.
Take one day before departure a minute to set up those timers you bought three days ago! Set the timers to go on and off at different times.
Clean out your refrigerator and discard all perishables. Make sure that your refrigerator isn’t set to a “super cool” temperature. Since it will not be opened and closed while you are away, you can drop the temperature a little!
Get cash and fill up your gas tank if you are driving.
Charge rechargeable.
Set DVR/VCR.
Leave a copy of your itinerary, cell phone numbers and a house key with a trust worthy relative or neighbor. This way you can be reached if something goes wrong during your vacation. Check the weather forecast for your destination.
Three Hours Before Departure
Turn up your air conditioning temperature (summer) or turn down your heating temperature (winter). However, in either case, do not turn the heat or air completely off! Without heat, pipes could burst and without air, mold and mildew will grow, not to mention your favorite candles may melt!
Adjust window shades and blinds to a semi-open position and park a car in your driveway, again trying to maintain the feel that someone is at home.
Empty your trash cans.
Water your plants.
Load the car with all necessary luggage.
Unplug your washer and dryer, coffee maker, the iron if you were doing some last minute touch ups, toaster, hair dryer, phones without answering machines, radios and TV’s. This will save electricity and reduce damage should there be a power surge.
If you use gas, turn off the pilot light and shut down the water heater. Turn off the water to the dishwasher and clothes washer – again, a pressure surge could burst a water pipe!
Fifteen Minutes Before Departure
Double check that you have the most essential items: wallet with funds; driver’s license/photo ID, health insurance card, proof of car insurance, auto registration, AAA card, cell phone laptop and chargers, iPod, airline tickets and itinerary/confirmations, credit cards and passports if needed. Bring your camera, date book, emergency contact information/important phone numbers, medical history, list of medications, prescriptions, travel insurance, and if traveling by car, maps, directions or GPS device.
If you are traveling by plane, you may also want to take along chewing gum, snacks, earphones, earplugs, sleeping mask, and travel pillow.
Lock all doors and windows, including the garage door into the house if your garage is attached to your home. Make sure you take the keys with you!
Following this vacation checklist should make your departure as pleasurable and easy as your impending trip. Source: Busy Bee Lifestyle.
