Are you a list maker? Some people are and some people aren’t, though if you’re going on a vacation, you should make a packing list. That way you’ll have a written record of what you plan to bring with you, including pieces of clothing and personal care items.
Things to Remember
Before a vacation, besides making your list, you’ll also want to “finish up” some things at home, including whatever’s perishable in your fridge, taking care of answering emails/any business “loose ends,” and all the laundry you can get done so you’ll have clean clothes for your trip and for when you get home. You’d be surprised at how many people forget to finish up their laundry before they leave home, only to find stiff clothes left in their washing machine days or weeks later…
Have the newspaper stop delivery during the time you’re away and also fill out a form so the post office holds you mail, too. If you have pets, plants or other things that need “looking after,” either hand them over to someone you trust or have them stop by on occasion to “feed the dog” or “water the plants.”
When packing your suitcase(s), throw in lots of stuff. Then, go through all of it and take some things out to make your load lighter. For instance, maybe you only really need 5 t-shirts instead of 8.
As for planning ahead, you need to figure out the logistics of travel: how are you getting there and back? Where are you going to sleep? How much cash will you need on hand for this trip?
You’ll also want to “clear” out your phone so it won’t run out of memory; back-up data, too. Make sure you have your charger(s) for any devices you’re bringing on your vacation.
Before you leave your house or apartment, make sure you’ve got any needed medication/medical equipment with you. Turn off power strips and unplug certain items. Turn the thermostat down so you’re not wasting heat while no one’s there. Alert neighbors and/or family that you’ll be away so they can “keep an eye” on your place and contact you if anything should go wrong.
Finally, if your vacation brings you to Maine, reserve your room at Travelers Inn in Brunswick-– call 207-729-3364 for info.