Before You Go, Remember to…

Before you go on that amazing adventure you’ve been planning for ages (last month), don’t forget to do these things.

It sounds crazy in this digital world, right? But when you travel, things happen; phones die, break, or get stolen, Wi-Fi doesn’t always work (regardless of your service provider), and other times, digital documents aren’t accessible because you forgot your iCloud password or Gmail isn’t supported in the country you are visiting.

Also, if your passport is ever lost or stolen, having a copy helps embassies or consulates efficiently verify your identity and get a replacement.

Pet owners, be sure to check your pet(s) food and snack levels at least a week before your trip. I remember the call from my parents when Seamus (my black pug, very friendly) ran out of food during my trip. One forgotten errand turned into a long-distance problem—and a gentle reminder that travel prep isn’t just packing a suitcase. Luckily, my parents were able to get him some food while his food got delivered. Unfortunately, my parents gave him the wrong food, so his stomach was a little upset. Now I always make it a point to buy his favorite Hill’s Science Diet Adult dog food and Fruitables Skinny Minis dog treats at least a week before my departure.

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I normally like to download a variety of entertainment to keep myself from getting bored:

• A Book – if you like hardcopies, order a week before your trip to allow enough time for delivery. I try to read books that are related to the destination I’m visiting, or a book that inspires the next trip. I recently read Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets: A Novel and it inspired my upcoming trip. More on that soon. If you are an audio person, check out Audible. Disclosure:  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
• Movies – I download a few different genres. I also try to watch movies related to the location I am visiting.
• Games – I like solitaire and sudoku on my iPad. My husband always brings cards to play crazy 8s.
• Podcasts – I also recommend a variety of genres to keep things interesting.

Is mail still a thing? If mail is a thing in your life, then consider placing a mail hold during your trip. A mail hold is easy to do on the US Postal Service (USPS) website. USPS will hold your mail until you return from your trip. Why is this important? Because when your mailbox looks full, it could be a sign that no one is home and make it a target for theft, especially for mailboxes that are not in a lockbox.

While most of my mail is paperless (trying to be environmentally conscious), I do occasionally get mail that contains personal information. So, I always place mail holds for trips longer than five days, even if I don’t expect any mail. Better safe than sorry.

If you die while on vacation, people will judge you based on how you left your house. At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m deep cleaning before my trip.

If you survive your trip, you will come home to a clean house, and that is one of the best feelings in the world! So do it for the post-trip version of yourself.

 Wishing you a WanderFull adventure!