10 Things to Do Before You Leave Home

[SarahS]

Are there certain things you do before every trip, such as calling your house sitter or printing out a subway system map for the city you'll be visiting? Check out these must-do's from Traveler's Ed and then tell us what YOU do before you leave home!

[Up4Travel]

One thing I always do -- that I didn't see covered in the article -- is to contact my credit card company to let them know I'm traveling. Differences in usage patterns may become suspect, and they may shut down your access if they don't know you are REALLY in Timbuktu!

[seaweed]

Remember to pack your cell phone RECHARGER!

[ronbuckles]

Here is my list:
– Arrange yard care
– Arrange cat sitter (for cats, mail, newspaper)
– Give cat sitter/relatives an itinerary
– Get money - US and foreign
– Take e-copies of glass prescriptions
– Charge camera batteries
– Synchronize camera clocks
– Pay bills
– Stop newspaper
– Scan credit cards – front and back.
– Pay last minute bills
– Wash any dishes. Leave dishwasher open.
– Freeze/trash leftovers
– Clean kitty box and fill kitty waters
– Take out trash
Sorry, more than 10...
Ron

[jocap]

I always strip and re-make the bed, so that it's just there to drop into when I return.
Jocap.

[BonnieC]

Before a long trip I always empty the refrigerator of perishables. But that leaves me with little to eat when we first get home. So now I make sure there are a few dinners, some bread and butter, etc. in the freezer so I don't have to go out to the grocery store right away. Just milk from the corner store and we're set for a day or two.

[jocap]

We've a long drive home from our next cruise, so I asked on one of my cruise forums, where was the nearest motorway service station to my home with a Marks and Spencer....it's just before we turn off, so I hope to buy some ready meals and fresh salad. Milk I can buy locally, fresh from the farm, and there's a lovely rye bread loaf already in the freezer.... If we carry on up the motorway for 20 miles, the station there has a Farmers' Market, with all kinds of tasty goods direct from the farm. The food at that station is all home made, too....so it may be the place for a late lunch.
Jo.

[djwilson3251]

I always let my friend know my whereabouts, the time that I'll be traveling and when should I be contacted, just in case... Always make sure that there will be food available by the time I went home.

[JDV]

I agree with seaweed, never underestimate the power of being forgetful. I had to buy a charger at the airport but at least now I have one that I just leave in my luggage--hopefully I won't accidentally take it out of the bag and then assume I had it in there! =)

[hellofalife]

I always strip and re-make the bed, so that it's just there to drop into when I return.
Jocap.

I totally do this as well. Even though it has nothing to do with preparing me for the actual trip, I feel like I can be a little bit more at peace while away. In addition to making the bed, I also like to clean, vacuum , and make sure the toilet is clean. Call me crazy! At least when I come it will be "home sweet home" instead of a giant "mess".

[BonnieC]

I think we are somehow programmed to clean the house before we go on a trip. Just about all the women I know do this to some extent.

[hellofalife]

hahaha, yes. Agreed. I used to think my mom was totally crazy because she used to really stress out about it. And now that I am older/wise, moved out of the house, and basically living my own life, I found that I too feel compelled to complete this process.

I am glad more women agree too

[lynclarke]

10 things we do before we leave home- write detailed note for cat sitter, cancel mail, tell neighbors to watch house, arrange friends to visit and check inside on a random schedule, arrange for lawn mowing, take expensive jewelry to friend's or safety deposit box, freeze bread and one complete meal, unplug most appliances, leave only 1/8 tank of gas in car left at home, buy metro tickets round trip (trip return ticket from airport is three times higher than in town!), turn off power to garage door, and finally arrange for all bills to be paid. That is it!