Travel is exhilarating, adventurous, and—quite simply—a fundamental part of life for many of us. It’s an activity that broadens our minds, pushes us out of our comfort zones, and feeds our wanderlust. Yet, for as thrilling as travel can be, it doesn’t come without its fair share of pre-departure jitters and post-excitement when it comes to ensuring your home is in order.
Amidst packing suitcases and finalizing itineraries, there’s a crucial checklist of to-dos waiting at home—a list often forgotten in the midst of travel dreams. In this post, we’ll weave through a foolproof guide for the tasks you shouldn’t overlook before you jet off to your next grand adventure.
1. Making a Checklist
A comprehensive checklist is your beacon in the storm of pre-travel chaos. Before engaging in this more extensive planning, practitioners suggest organizing a preliminary to-do list. Consider common action points such as forwarding mail, setting up an auto-reply to your email, informing your bank of your travel plans, and preparing your out-of-office messages.
This list should not only include actionable items but also emphasize the need to classify these tasks by priority and time sensitivity. For instance, canceling or pausing your daily newspaper delivery may not need to be attended to as urgently as ensuring your travel insurance is up to date.
2. Securing Your Home
Home security should be at the top of your list before any extended travel. There are several measures one should implement to protect your residence from potential theft, damage, or other undesirable incidences like a water leak or electrical issues.
Invest in affordable security systems or enhanced locks for your doors and windows, install timed indoor and outdoor lighting, and consider electronic devices that can simulate human presence. For longer trips, you may wish to invite a trusted friend or family member to check in periodically, making sure any unexpected occurrences are quickly addressed.
3. Managing Bills and Subscriptions
Forgetting to pay a bill may not only be a nuisance but could lead to credit score implications in the long run. With technology at our fingertips, there are various ways to ensure that your bills and subscriptions are kept in good order while you’re away. Many banks and financial institutions offer online bill payment services that allow for secure, automated payments to be set up in advance.
Digital wallets and auto-renewal subscription options also simplify the process of managing these respective channels. This is an excellent time to evaluate which subscriptions are truly necessary and which could be paused or terminated during your travels, an effort that can save not only money but your peace of mind as well.
4. Preparing Your Finances
Travel often invites a mix of financial opportunities and obstacles. It’s critical to plan your finances well, which includes informing your bank of your travel plans to avoid the inconvenience of declined transactions. This is also an excellent time to explore travel-friendly financial tools such as fee-free debit or credit cards, traveler’s checks, and travel insurance to safeguard your finances in case of emergencies.
Beyond daily transactions, consider larger financial responsibilities like your mortgage or rent. Automation is a traveler’s best friend in this realm, allowing for peace of mind that these significant expenses are settled while you’re enjoying your journeys abroad.
5. Health and Safety
No one wants their well-earned vacation time to be derailed by avoidable health mishaps. Having up-to-date medical protection is imperative while traveling. You might not think you need it, but something as simple as bunion surgery insurance might be a necessity after returning from long or intense travel. It is also essential to stock up on all necessary medications and perhaps consider getting a supply for the entirety of your trip, depending on the duration. Check the expiration dates for over-the-counter medications and restock as needed.
It’s also prudent to perform a quick home safety check to ensure that things like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are in functioning order. Requesting a hold or forwarding of mail can deter burglaries, and it’s also a good idea to unplug non-essential electronics to save power and prevent potential hazards.
Always Better To Be Prepared
Preparations for extended travel can be intricate and time-consuming, but they are worth the effort to guarantee that your trip is as stress-free as possible. Procrastination may tempt you, but starting early and tackling one task at a time on your thorough checklist is the best course of action. Don’t underestimate the power of technology to simplify these homebound tasks, nor the necessity of these practicalities to ensure that your physical and financial back doors are well and truly closed as you set off to traverse the world. Safe travels, wanderer. Your home and your adventurous heart will be waiting for your return.
Article Submitted By Community Writer