8 Things to Do Before You Leave for Vacation

You’ve got your bags packed, your hotel room booked, and you’re counting down the days until you’ve landed in your location. But hold on just a second! Before you lock the door and head out, there are a few things you need to check off your list. Taking care of these now means you can actually relax once you get there instead of lying awake at night wondering if you left the oven on!

Stop Your Mail and Packages

Nothing screams “nobody’s home” quite like a pile of mail and Amazon boxes sitting on your porch for a week. Hop online and put a hold on your mail through USPS, or ask a neighbor to grab everything for you. Same goes for any packages you’re expecting. Either pause those deliveries or have them sent to a friend’s house. An overflowing mailbox is basically an invitation for trouble!

Clean Out Your Fridge

This one’s not fun, but it’s necessary. Go through your fridge and toss anything that’s going to turn into a science experiment while you’re gone. That half-empty carton of milk? Gone. Those strawberries that are already looking suspicious? Into the trash. Take out the garbage too, especially if there’s anything remotely smelly in there. Future you will be so grateful when you come home to a house that doesn’t smell like a dumpster.

Adjust Your Thermostat

You don’t need to keep your house at a perfect 72 degrees when nobody’s there to enjoy it. Bump that thermostat up a few degrees in the summer or down a few in the winter. Your energy bill will thank you. Just don’t go too far in either direction because you don’t want to come home to a house that feels like an oven or an icebox. Find that sweet spot where you’re saving money but it’s not so extreme!

Unplug Your Electronics

Even when they’re turned off, a lot of electronics are still sucking up power. Go around and unplug things like your TV, coffee maker, toaster, and phone chargers. It’s a small thing, but it adds up. Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about in case of a power surge or electrical issue while you’re on your trip.

Tell Someone You Trust

Let a friend, family member, or neighbor know you’ll be out of town. Give them your dates and maybe even a spare key. If something weird happens at your house, you want someone who can check it out. Plus, they can water your plants, feed your fish, or just keep an eye on things. It’s nice to have someone looking out for your place while you’re off having the time of your life.

Double Check Your Locks

This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget to lock a back door or a window. Do a full lap around your house and make sure everything’s secure. Check the garage door, the side gate, and any basement windows. It takes five minutes now and saves you from panicking about it halfway to your destination.

Set Some Lights on Timers

A dark house every single night is a pretty clear signal that nobody’s home. Pick up some cheap timers and set a few lamps to turn on and off at different times. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just having some lights go on in the evening and off at bedtime makes it look like someone’s there. It’s a simple trick that gives you a little extra peace of mind!

Pay Your Bills Ahead of Time

The last thing you want is to come back from vacation to a stack of late fees or, worse, a shut-off notice. Go through your bills and either pay them early or set them up on autopay. Check your credit card due dates, your utilities, your mortgage, all of it. Getting this sorted out before you leave means you can actually disconnect and enjoy your vacation without stressing about money stuff.

Now you’re actually ready to go! Handle these things before you leave and you can spend your vacation doing what you’re supposed to be doing: relaxing, exploring, eating great food, and making memories. Your future self will be glad you took the extra time to prep, and you’ll enjoy your trip that much more knowing everything back home is taken care of.