• Don’t put out the “we’re not home” sign – install timers on lights and a radio or television so your home looks and sounds lived in. I never leave on vacation without setting my timers.

• Let trusted neighbors know how long you’ll be gone and how to reach you in an emergency. Ask them to keep a watchful eye on your place. Have them collect your mail and newspapers, or suspend deliver until you return. Perhaps they could park their cards in your driveway occasionally. In snowy climate, ask them to shovel your walk and driveway

• Remove home address and phone numbers from your luggage tags and add your cell-phone number instead, in case an unscrupulous baggage handler gets any shady ideas.

• Lock up and hide your valuables. Keep some shades partially closed to keep expensive items (such as big-screen TV) out of view. (But don’t completely close all window covering, or it will be obvious that no one is home)

• Set the thermostat to an energy-saving level. Unplug most appliances to save electricity.

• Remove all perishable items from your refrigerator, and take out the trash so you don’t return to unpleasant odors.

• To avoid a musty smell from having your home closed up, before leaving on your trip, place small bowls of distilled white vinegar in each room. The vinegar will keep the air fresh, so you’ll breathe easier when you get home.

• If you’ll be gone long enough for mildew to form, place the top of a cardboard storage box in each bathtub and pour some clay kitty litter into it. It will absorb moisture and prevent mildew while you’re away.

• It may seem obvious, but don’t to forget to lock all doors and windows. If you leave a vehicle in the driveway, be sure to remove any garage door openers.

• Lastly, hire a housesitter to bring in your mail, remove newspapers or flyers at the front door, alter the lights inside and out, and water plants.

Here’s a great service to check out to find a reputable housesitter, babysitter, petsitter, caregiver, or nanny:  SitterCity

Originally posted 2009-06-22 09:30:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Pack light. When in doubt, leave it out! Adopt a European standard for fashion by wearing your favorite things multiple times while on vacation. You can hand-wash in the hotel sink if necessary. No one ever wishes they had brought more stuff on vacation! (But you might consider bringing an empty duffel bag or backpack to cart home souvenirs.)

• If you’re flying, consider taking only a carry-on to save time and frustration upon arrival. If you’re checking luggage, make sure to pack essentials (change of clothing, bathing suite, medications, toiletries, snacks) in a carry-on bag, just in case you’re separated from your checked bags.

• Invest in handy travel accessories, such as a mini-clothesline, “compression sacs” to compress your clean or dirty clothes, sleep mask, ear plugs, and inflatable neck rest.

• Know the current airline carry-on restrictions by visiting www.faa.gov/passengers  or www.tsa.gov/311/ before you go.

• Clean out your wallet before you leave. Take only bare essentials, such as two major credit cards, ATM card, your driver’s license or state ID, passport (if traveling abroad), health and car insurance cards, and cash or travelers checks. Leave all other cards at home (you can’t lose them if you don’t bring them!)

• Make a photocopy of the front and back of your wallet essentials and stash it in your suitcase or leave it with a trusted friend or relative back home. If you should lose your wallet, you can more easily get replacements. Also, leave a copy of your itinerary in your suitcase in case you misplace your original.

Recommended Products to simplify and organize your travels:

Pack This – packing organizer pad

The Travel Organizer

Next up – Home Sweet Home – Keep Your Home Safe During Your Travels

Originally posted 2009-06-22 09:30:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Consider having a ready-packed bag for basic toiletries that you use every time you travel, like razor, band-aids, travel-sized soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tissue, clothes-line, etc. Having these items pre-packed and stored with your luggage means less packing and risk of forgetting something.

CLOTHING

• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweater/sweatshirt
• Pants – dressy
• Pants – casual
• Pants – jeans
• Shorts
• Capri Pants
• Skirt/pants
• Suit/dressy clothing/ties
• Swim suite/cover-up/goggles
• Underwear/socks
• Shoes – dressy
• Shoes – casual
• Shoes – flip-flops
• Sleepwear
• Work-out clothing/sweatsuit
• Jacket/rain poncho
• Umbrella
• Hats – beach, baseball
• Accessories – jewelry, purse

TOILETRIES

Knock Knock travel organizer

• Shampoo/conditioner/soap
• Deodorant
• Lotion/lip balm
• Toothbrush/paste/floss
• Shaving equipment
• Personal hygiene products
• Nail file/clipper/polish
• Comb/brush/hair dryer
• Laundry detergent/spot remover pen
• First aid kit
• Glasses, contact lens, sunglasses
• Prescription medications
• OTC medications
• Sunscreen/insect repellent
• Electrical adapter

FOR CARRY-ON

• Wallet/passport/cash/traveler’s checks/money belt
• Reservation confirmation – tickets/hotel/rent car
• Itinerary/maps/guidebooks
• Travel ear plugs, sleep mask, neck rest, pillow
• Books/magazines/travel games/laptop
• Camera/film/batteries/memory card/tripod
• MP3 Player/iPod/charging station
• Cell phone/charger
• Snacks/gum
• Notepad/pens/stamps/address book/journal

 OTHER LITTLE NECESSITIES to CONSIDER

• Pillowcase
• Antibacterial wipes
• Zip-top bags
• Beach towel & beach toys
• Alarm clock/flashlight/candle

At the end of every trip, review your packing list and cross off any items that you found you didn’t really need to bring.

Originally posted 2009-08-03 14:17:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

No need to fear – In my 5-Part series on organized vacation planning, I’ll help you plan an organized vacation, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a month-long European vacation.

From helpful packing tips to keeping kids (and grown-ups) happy on a long journey, you’ll learn how to leave home happy – not harried.

Here are the topics of my 5-part series:

Part 1 - PERFECT PLANNING (below)

Part 2 - PACK IT UP – how and how much

Part 3 – HOME SAFE HOME

Part 4 – THE ORGANIZED PACKING LIST

Part 5 – HAPPY TRAVELS WITH CHILDREN

Bon voyage!

PERFECT PLANNING – part 1

Perfect vacations rarely happen without some thoughtful planning. While not always as exciting as a spur-of-the-moment getaway, a well-thought-out trip may be less likely to deliver stress and frustration. To start the vacation

planning process, compile all your trip details in a 3-ring binder or a spiral notebook plus a 2-pocket folder. Whether you’re in the early planning stage or just days away from your trip, gather these items so they’re at your fingertips when you need them.

- Your travel agent’s phone number and email address
- Airline or train reservation information, plus phone numbers and website addresses (to check in online or verify on-time status
- Car rental agency phone numbers, coupons, and confirmation numbers
- Hotel brochures, phone and confirmation numbers
- Maps of the area you’re traveling to, as well as maps and directions to help you get there
- Brochures of interesting places to visit on the way or upon arrival at your destination (museums, state parks, theme parks, historic sites, etc.
- Complete itinerary of your trip

Also, to keep your home tidy in the days or weeks leading up to the trip, dedicate one central location (such as a laundry basket tucked away in a closet or spare bedroom dresser) for take-along items.  As you encounter things that must be packed (such as travel books and beach towels), toss them in and forget about them until packing day.

Next up is Part 2 – PACK IT UP – How and how much

Originally posted 2009-06-20 14:23:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter