To-Do List For Traveling

We were leaving in around 90 days and we already had a list of things to do to get ready. From our bank to our pets, we had so many items needing checked off before we went.

Do ASAP:

• Find a travel agent.... TADA! Just look at the top of the page and you are there! It is free to use my services and I can get you discounts and more that you wouldn't be able to get as a normal traveler.

• If you are going to a resort, schedule your trip ASAP. Or if you are heading to an amusement park (Disney/Universal/Sea World) get those

• Schedule a place for your pets to go.

• Get your flight booked! Most flights are cheapest between 6-12 months out from your trip. The closer you get to your date of leaving, the more you will pay.

• Apply for your passport or at least FIND IT! (Seriously so many people cannot seem to find theirs right before they are ready to leave!) Some places take up to 3 months for you to get your passport.

• Get your pets their updated shots.

• Get any shots that are required for your trip. You will need your chart records for many of the places out of the country, but some areas in the USA are requiring a COVID-19 vaccine record.

• Call your vehicle insurance agency to see if your car insurance covers rental vehicles.

• Call your medical insurance agency to understand what you would need to do while out of state or out of country.

• Apply for an emergency credit card if needed. Do not use it unless you have to during your trip. This is great in case of hotels being overbooked, medical emergencies, vehicle emergencies, and more.

• Find a travel insurance (Your travel agent could help with this and many times you may not need it... but it is very helpful! With the ever changing world of COVID or the world issues, you could actually lose money if you had things come up and had to cancel trips. Travel insurance makes sure that you will get most of your money back).

Do 6 months or later:

• Book hotels if you are driving.

• Schedule your pick up for the rental cars.

• Pick a person to be your home base - This person will need copies of your itinerary, your vehicle and medical insurance cards, your pets veterinarian information, keys to your home (and possibly to your vehicle if needed).

Do the week of:

• Call your mail delivery and put your account on hold a day or two before you leave. You may have to fill out a form for it to stop.

• Call your bank and let them know where you are going and the route that you are taking.

• Take any outfits to the dry cleaners if needed.

• Start packing.

• Go and purchase snacks and drinks to take on the trip. This will save you time and money.

• Compression hose - this may sound goofy, but they are life savers. Many times when you are on trips, you do not eat as well as you should. Your sodium level can make your legs swell. Also just the sheer volume of walking can do the same. Compression hose

• Clean out the refrigerator of the items that will expire.

That Morning/The Night Before:

• Turn off your ac if necessary. Do not turn off your heater, it could make your pipes leak and/or break.

• Run the last load of dishes and put them away.

• Make sure the washer is empty! Nothing is nastier than moldy clothing.

• Take your pets to the boarding facility or your friend/family member. Having them go the night before can be helpful so you do not have to rush to get them where they need to be.

• Pull out money if needed from the bank. It is nice to have money for toll passes and some businesses still do not accept credit card, so having some on hand helps.

• If you are getting a rental vehicle, it is nice to grab it the night before and pack the vehicle with the luggage.