{"id":7545,"date":"2020-03-19T07:04:39","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T14:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/?p=7545"},"modified":"2023-06-12T10:06:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T17:06:15","slug":"leaving-house-vacation-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/leaving-house-vacation-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaving the House – A Vacation Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leaving the House – A Vacation Checklist <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting out the door before a trip can be the most stressful part of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A misstep here could result in a significant inconvenience (at best) or disaster (at worst).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve compiled a list of things to prepare to help you leave the house safe and sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A month before leaving the house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arrange for a housesitter, if necessary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ask a neighbor or hire a teen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this is an extended trip, or you have pets, consider using Trusted Housesitters<\/a> or Normador<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These housesitting services connect homeowners with travelers for a win-win housesitting experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extra Pack of Peanuts has a podcast episode and information on all things housesitting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Score Incredible Accommodations for Free!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPOP 032: Housesitting 101<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"handing<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Make reservations for pets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have pets and need to board them, set up a reservation well ahead, especially if traveling during a peak season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get the car serviced (for road trips) <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re going to service the car yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the tire pressure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the oil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fill windshield washer fluid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the coolant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check brake and transmission fluid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check headlights, brake lights and turn signals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure the spare tire is ready to go<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"old<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Make grooming appointments <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to have your hair done or visit any beauty professional, make arrangements well ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week before leaving the house<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let neighbors know we will be gone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And be sure to program their phone number into your cell phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a housesitter or anyone you’re expecting to drop by, let the neighbor know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a grocery list<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Include snacks for the plane or road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camping trips seem to require a HUGE amount of food!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snacks for Air Travel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear out the fridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eat up the perishables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan a quick meal for the return<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having something in the freezer or the ingredients for a simple, go-to meal will be a huge help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It means you don’t have to run to the store right away or eat out (yet again).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your future self will thank you for thinking of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stock a supply box in the car<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet wipes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paper towels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tissue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anything in our 10 Must-Haves post<\/a> is a good idea for a car supply box.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Baggie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Confirm reservations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After two “unbooked” hotel reservations, I never skip this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to get distracted or confused when booking lodging. For whatever reason, you think you made a reservation, but the hotel doesn’t know you exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is easy to deal with from the comfort of your living room – it’s not so fun when you show up at the front desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get all necessary directions, numbers, and addresses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Navigation systems let us down sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid confusion by having the address and phone number of your destination written on a piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think there’s even a remote chance of losing cell coverage, print a copy of the directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know, old-school, but this little ounce of prevention could save hours of frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"folded<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Check prescription medications <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will you have enough to get through the trip?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take photos of the labels (stored on your phone).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay bills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check the calendar and see if anything is going to come due during your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to look ahead a few days after our return; it can take time to get back into a routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notify your bank and credit cards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If traveling internationally, call your bank and let them know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alert your credit card company too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider doing this for domestic travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We rarely have a problem using our cards in-country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a few weeks ago, I went to a grocery store 5 hours from our hometown and tried to buy a large denomination gift card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hello, fraud alert!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most credit cards and many banks allow you to place travel notifications online.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"black<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n


Grooming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take care of your grooming needs – or go to those appointments you scheduled a month ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haircuts, color, nails, waxing, and anything else you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prep food<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are preparing a significant amount of food (i.e., a camping trip), now’s the time to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to freeze as many things as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cold food adds back-up ice to the cooler and keeps the food safe a little longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day before leaving the house<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stop mail if necessary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And if you get a newspaper (what?),  stop that delivery too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suspend or delay any automatic deliveries from Amazon, Costco, Thrive, subscription boxes, etc…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USPS Hold Mail Service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"white<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make copies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make a copy of the contents of your wallet, your passport, travel visa, and ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep this tucked away, possibly in the lining of your carry-on, in case your documents get stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while you’re in your wallet, clean out any unnecessary items. You don’t need to take your coffee shop loyalty card around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a backup, save all this information, along with photos in your password organizer. We like Last Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you need to add or subtract anything on your packing list?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wash all laundry and put away<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just be sure to transfer that last load out of the washing machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to prop the door of the washer open while we are away; it can get a little musty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tidy up the house and yard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s so lovely to come home to a neat house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the yard for loose items to put away, mow the lawn, and water if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean out the car<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

See above.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hand<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Water indoor plants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Or leave instructions for the housesitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fill the car with gas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grocery shopping<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pick up snacks appropriate for the flight or road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick up cash<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We like to take $100 in dollar bills for every 10 days we will be gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dollars come in handy for tipping, small purchases, and street vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tipping Etiquette: Are You Confident or Confused?<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"dollar<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Return library books<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You don’t want to get dinged by the fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backup computer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether I’m taking my laptop or not, I find leaving on a trip a good reminder to update my external hard drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download podcasts, audiobooks, and movies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Besides my local library, some of my favorite places to download media are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scribd<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podcast Addict<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon Prime – Try it FREE for 30 Days<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Charge electronics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check phones, tablets, laptops, and camera batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this article about using public USB ports (spoiler alert: it’s a bad idea).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Never Use Airport USB Charging Stations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decide what time to leave the house<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When to leave is a surprisingly charged topic for many couples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought we were the only ones to start every trip by bickering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not so, many people have told me they have disagreements with their travel partners before they even leave the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agree before the rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check into your flight online<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be sure the flight is on-time, and the gate hasn’t changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick your seat and print boarding passes, if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"airplane<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Post-it notes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Put a note on the door to remind you to grab last-minute items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A phone charger, eyeglasses, curling iron, and pillow are a few examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hour before leaving the house<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turn off water valves to the washing machine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn off or unplug other water sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I unplug my instant-hot water heater, so it doesn’t run unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider turning off the valve that supplies water to your fridge, if it’s accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unplug electronics and appliances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Especially delicate ones, like TV’s, the printer, computers, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it saves a few pennies of electricity, but the main reason is to prevent power surges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had a small TV “blow” during an electrical storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the stove and oven to be sure everything is OFF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn down the heat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Or adjust the thermostat if it’s programmable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flush toilets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Put in a dash of vinegar and close the lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For extended trips, it’s worthwhile to cover the bowl with plastic wrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This slows water evaporation, which can cause a permanent ring in the bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trash out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn on lights or set a timer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lock all exterior doors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can also disable your garage door opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, remove any openers from parked cars and store them in the house.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"key<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Set the alarm, if needed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you get in the car, have everyone hold up their wallet, picture ID, and passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have paper tickets of any kind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t assume – lay eyes on these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one time someone leaves their passport in the house, and you catch it before arriving at the airport, you will send me flowers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did I miss anything? What do you do to leave the house before a trip?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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\"Jaunty<\/a><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Leaving the House – A Vacation Checklist Getting out the door before a trip can be the most stressful part of travel. A misstep here could result in a significant inconvenience (at best) or disaster (at worst). We’ve compiled a list of things to prepare to help you leave the house safe and sound. A …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7827,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,354],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7545"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}