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10+ Tips for Making Life Easier™ When Traveling

The Week Before Your Trip:

Compile a list of the important information you need to take on your trip and give an identical copy to your spouse or traveling companion just in case yours is lost or stolen. Include the numbers of important documents (driver’s license, passport, travel insurance, etc.) and phone numbers (family, friends, hotels, airlines, credit card companies, American Embassy, etc.). Print the information in a small font size and put it in your wallet. Leave a copy in a file at home and/or with your neighbor.
Create one good general all-purpose list (see attached) of the things you should pack in your suitcase whenever you travel, laminate it, and use an erasable marker to cross things off as you pack. Add extra lines at the bottom for trip specific additions or use a sticky note to add additional items unique to your trip. If you prefer, make several copies of the list and use a copy for each trip. Once your packing is completed, put the list in your suitcase and use it to repack for the trip home. That way you won’t forget anything.
Tuck away valuable jewelry in your home safe or a discreet hiding place, like the tip of a shoe, inside some kitchen pots, in your sewing basket, etc. The jewelry is out of sight and even if you forget where you put it, you’ll eventually find it when you get back into your normal activities. To keep jewelry extra safe, put it in a safety deposit box at the bank.

Arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail. Cancel the newspaper and other deliveries. Hire someone to cut the grass or shovel snow.
Make a list of all the things you want to do right before you leave: toss out leftovers and perishables; empty wastebaskets and take out the trash; park a car in the driveway; set the heat or AC to conserve energy; turn down the hot water heater; unplug appliances/computers; set automatic timers on lights and a radio and/or TV; and adjust the shades or blinds to look like someone is home. Laminate this list and keep for future reference.
Give your neighbor or family member your itinerary with contact information. If you are traveling out of the country, leave them with a photocopy of your passport in case yours is lost or stolen.

Pack a small overnight bag with emergency supplies in zipper-locked plastic bags. Be sure to include prescription and over-the-counter medications, mints, gum, high protein snacks (nuts, energy bars), candy, deck of cards, book, and change of clothes. If your bags are lost or you are delayed along the way, you will have what you need.
Set two alarm clocks. One that plugs in and one that winds-up. (Just in case of a power outage.)

Flush the toilets.
Grind up food in the garbage disposal and take out the trash.
Double check that all the doors and windows are locked. If you have an attached garage, make sure you lock the inside door to the house as well as the garage door(s).

Update your vaccinations and inoculations
Take medical insurance policy information
Purchase trip cancellation insurance
Create an emergency contact Information list – a list for you and one for a friend or neighbor
Obtain your passport, visa, and or photo ID and make copies to leave at home
Print tickets, itinerary, and hotel info
Have flights credited to Frequent Flyer account
Get Travelers checks, cash, & foreign currency
Credit Cards & ATM Cards
- Inform the credit card company of your travel plans so your card is not blocked when trying to use the card at your destination.
- Take credit card company telephone numbers to be used to cancel the card if it’s stolen.
Telephone calling card
Contact your cell phone company about use of your cell phone outside of the country

Stop newspapers & deliveries
Hold mail at the post office
Arrange for the care of lawn, plants & pets
Set up a timed lighting system
Adjust thermostat & water heater
Leave trip itinerary & copy of your passport and credit card information with a trusted friend or neighbor
Lock all windows & doors
Reconfirm schedule with airlines