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10-30 days before departure

  • Checklist: Download or create a packing list appropriate for your trip and activities.
  • Pets: Arrange pet care; plan far ahead for pet boarding, particularly for travel during holidays.
  • School: Prearrange school abscences for children.
  • Luggage: Ensure luggage is sufficient for needs of upcoming trip.
  • Vehicle: Schedule pre-trip maintenance.
  • _____________________

5-7 days before departure

  • Meetings: Reschedule appointments; notify others of your absence in advance.
  • Bills: Check due dates for bills; pay early if payment is due before you return.
  • Prescriptions: Ensure your supply matches or exceeds the duration of your trip.
  • Books: Pick up a guidebook, paperback, some magazines and/or load your electronic reader.
  • Support: Leave a copy of your itinerary/contact info with a friend (and at trailheads, under your car seat.
  • ______________________

2-4 days before departure

  • Newspaper: Suspend newspaper delivery.
  • Mail: Suspend mail delivery, or arrange for a neighbor to collect it for you.
  • Yard: Mow lawn, or arrange to have it mowed (and plants watered).
  • Trash: Cancel trash/recycling pickup (or ask a neighbor to handle the task for you).
  • Lights: Set automatic timers at different times throughout the house.
  • Batteries: Charge rechargeables (for camera, phone, laptop, headlamp, music player or other items).
  • Documents: Organize paperwork (tickets, passports, maps, permits, medical info) in 1 location.
  • Reservations: Reconfirm reservations (plane, hotel, airport transportation).
  • Weather: Check forecast for your destination; adjust packing list accordingly.
  • Begin packing: Organize what you can ahead of time.
  • _______________________

1 day before departure

  • Refrigerator: Clean out perishables.
  • Office: Display a note informing coworkers of your return date.
  • Computer: Set out-of-office automated response.
  • Check-in: Use online check-in; print airline boarding pass at home to save time at airport.
  • DVR/VCR: Set timer to record favorite shows.
  • _________________________

Day of departure

  • Plants: Water inside and outside.
  • Heating/cooling: Reduce thermostat and water heater settings; raise air condtioner setting.
  • Electricity: Unplug iron, toaster, coffee maker, computer, hair dryer, other idle devices.
  • __________________________

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