There are a few important things to remember before you leave on your holiday.
For a short holiday of just a few weeks there are a few things you want to make sure you have sorted out before you leave. Here are a list of five important things to organize before you go:
1. House Sitter
Do you have someone who can check on your place every day or two while you’re gone on vacation? This is especially important if you’re leaving in the winter as you risk pipes freezing and bursting and making a big mess in your house. Having someone who can make sure everything okay puts your mind at ease while you’re on vacation.
2. Get a Pet Sitter
Do you have a pet cat, dog, or snake that needs looking after while you’re gone? If you have a house-sitter, they probably are taking care of your animal as well, but make sure you have plans set in place for your pets to be cared for while you’re gone. Either ask a friend or family member or take them to a kennel.
3. Change your voicemail, auto-email, and auto-text to let people know you’re away
If you’re gone for more than a few days, set-up an e-mail auto-response to let people know you’re gone. You can also change your voicemail and sometimes set up an auto-text as well. Let them know how long you’re gone for and an alternate way to get a hold of you in case of an emergency.
4. Know your cell phone plan terms and conditions
You do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in data roaming while you’re traveling, so call your cell provider ahead of time and ask about the plans they have for the country you’re travelling to. Most Canadian companies offer plans or add-ons for those who travel to the United States, but they might also have options for countries further away. Make sure you know all the details before you go.
5. Clean out your fridge
Don’t forget to get rid of anything that could spoil while you’re gone. Give it to a friend or family member instead of throwing it in the garbage. A smelly, rotting fridge is not something you want to come home to after a relaxing holiday.
To check out more general things to do before you leave, check out my article here, and if you’re traveling for more than a few weeks, you’ll want to read up on things to take care of here.