Travel Connection

 

Before you leave home

✓ Check expiration dates on your driver’s license and passport

✓ Check your cell phone and medical/emergency coverage

✓ Have enough prescription meds to last a few extra days

✓Alert your credit card company

√Prepay all bills that aren’t paid automatically

✓ Stop your mail and newspaper. Visit www.usps.com for the form to hold mail.

✓ Clean out your refrigerator and dispose of all perishables, and ask a neighbor to set out your garbage.

✓ Give a house key to a neighbor.

✓ Make a plan for pets

✓ Turn off the water

✓ Lock doors and windows, and notify your local police department

✓ Adjust the thermostat

✓ Unplug electrical devices, except a timer.

✓ If driving, check road conditions online. Consider a GPS system or, at the very least, a compass. 

That’s all it takes: a bit of planning, some organizing and your list. 

Follow it carefully and you can eliminate a lot of stress. You’ll feel confident that you’ve packed the right clothes, brought enough medicine and unplugged the iron.

Enjoy the trip. 

SpringsComm member Mannie Boom (Travel Guide) is a freelance travel writer.