This week we are sharing our favorite tips for when you are about to embark on a vacation or a long trip. Whether you're flying, driving, or taking any other mode of transportation, we are providing you with valuable advice to ensure you have a stress-free, safe and organized trip. From preparing for emergencies to managing finances, taking care of pets and plants, and handling personal and business matters, we’ve got you covered. So grab a pen and paper or get your digital note-taking device ready as we take you through the checklist.
In this episode we talk about:
- Organizing Tips for a Relaxing Getaway
- Who to contact when you are out of town
- Customizing the checklist to suit individual needs
- Actions to consider before you head out of town for a long period of time
Mentioned in this Episode:
“Before you go on a trip” Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqq3J-8JDwF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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Review the Transcript:
Are you heading out of town, especially for a long period of time. If so, then this episode is perfect for you. Today we are talking about preparing to go on vacation. Some of our favorite organizing tips that we recommend for people that are heading out of town for a long period of time. This can either be whether you're flying somewhere or driving somewhere, you are just going to be away from your permanent or primary residence. And therefore just need to prepare a little bit. So today we are talking about our tips that would give you some peace of mind so that when you're away, you're not feeling stressed or feeling like you left anything behind. So here we go. Welcome to the organized and productive podcast with me organized Flamingo. I am your host, Stephanie, a professional organizer and productivity expert, ready to explore the right organizing and productivity solutions for you. Yeah, well, then let's go.
So on theme with most of our podcasts, I like to give you a table of contents, if you will, just a what's to come in this episode, so that you can plan accordingly. Because after all, we are organizers here and we like to give people the heads up on what's to come.
So what we're gonna do today is I'm going to give you some of our favorite tips on what to do when you're heading out of town like things that you can pre plan ahead of time. And there's about six sections, so they're short, so don't you worry, they're not like six long sections, I wouldn't say they're six tips, because within each section, there's like one or two tidbits that I'd like to give you. And the reason that these tips are some of our favorites here at the organized Flamingo. And what we'd like to remind people of before they head out on vacation or long trips is because we have noticed that these are the things that when they're done or at least considered ahead of time, then people just tend to enjoy their vacation or time off a little bit more because it gives them a peace of mind that these things were taken care of in some way, shape or form. Now, some of these may not apply to you. And some of these will be will need extra attention. Okay, so we are obviously giving you a generic list. But it's a list that has been vetted by us and we think is and has some of the most popular things that people worry about on their vacation. As always, if you would like your own personalized list of things to consider before you head out out of town, then give us a call, send us a message and we will provide that over to you more specifically and more personalized. Okay, so let's talk about checklists for just a second because the tips I'm about to give you serve really well if you do it as a checklist or you create a checklist based out on the tips we're about to give you. Now, checklists are meant to work for the mission that you're trying to accomplish. So there's going to be different checklists for everybody. And depending on what your mission statement is like is this, you're trying to make sure that everything is taken care of so that when you come back from your vacation, you want to feel less stressed like that is a mission in itself be as specific as possible.
For some people their vacation mission statement is to enjoy the time away and not have to worry about anything back home. If so then your checklist is going to reflect that. Okay, so that's out of the way. Now that you have your piece of paper or your digital note taking device out, let's start making your list. The first section is about in case of an emergency. That's what we're going to title it, it's all about okay if something were to happen if I needed help, especially if you're going overseas, or you're going to a foreign country somewhere where you've never been or any of those then this is an even more important section. The in case of the emergency so notify family and friends, anybody that you are close to you trust, let them know of your travel plans and how to contact you in case of an emergency. Again, if you are going to a place that has limited cell phone service Wi Fi any of that then there should be at least a way to contact you even if it means that they will need to reach you with a donkey and a two mile hike let them know that that is the only way they will be able to reach you but at least one or two people several of you really ideally would like but at least one person so they know make copies of your travel itinerary passport and other important documents and leave them with that trusted friend or family member. The further away you're going the you know the further away or the a place you've never been is even more important to let somebody know where you will be. Print out copies of important phone numbers such as your hotel, the emergency contacts, all of that in case you cannot access your phone. It breaks anything were to happen with your digital life and your digital organizing system if that were to happen. What
When you're going out of town for a really long time, we highly suggest that you at least print out a quick one pager with those important phone numbers. Things like where your hotel is the address all of that just so that you have it handy, and you have a backup. For our next section here is the Money and Finance section. This is where you will set up your bill payments or make arrangements for someone to pay your bills. while you're away. This is the section where at least you think about it, if it means that you're taking the payment with you, and a lot of people need to mail it out. So if that's still you, then make sure that you bring an envelope and stamp and whatever method of making the payment will be with you so that you can send it out while you're away. This is also the section where you will notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans. So the further away or the most obscure places that you go to, the more this is important because your note your bank may notify you or maybe giving you some red flags saying hey, there's someone using your credit card in a place that we don't recognize. So you definitely want to call them ahead of time, so that you limit those red flags. I have seen many clients who do that and still get the red flags. Honestly, I'd rather get the notifications than not, it's supposed to be there for your protection. So I personally welcome them. I know a lot of clients have gotten them before, even though they notify their bank and credit card companies up ahead of time. But hey, you can only do so much and at least if anything, you will have documented that you told your credit card company and you know, if there's any issues there, at least you told them ahead of time. This will also prevent any fraud prevention, if you are in a place where you know, of course that you did not approve of. And that way it's recorded in some way, shape or form.
So notify those financial institutions really quick. Also, as part of notifying your banking credit card company, you should also let them know that you might be logging in from a computer or device that is outside of your usual locations. That also applies to Wi Fi and all of that, okay, so if you're going to a place that like a foreign country, where the web, you know, the socials is a little different, the connectivity is a little bit different, you definitely will want to let them know, you may not be able to log in online. And so this is where at least you thinking about that will be really important so that when you are away, and you can't log into your bank application or your app or your website, you're not surprised at least you understand that that may happen. And you have made arrangements to take care of that stuff ahead of time in case you're not able to get in. Okay, so let's keep going to the pets section. It is all about your friendly animals and your furry animals and your babies back home. This also includes plants by the way so actually pets and plants we should label this is arranging for someone of course to take care of them the plans and other living things in your house while you're gone. But doing the check in tell them when do you want them to check in with you do you want them to send you pictures or updates do all of that in this section like the pets and living things that you're leaving behind section that is not including, that is not net? You know, kids, I just mean more of the pets and plans and things like that. And just make sure that you you write down what you want the people that are visiting and taking care of those things to do while you're gone.
Okay, moving on to the personal this is just all about your personal stuff like it's not business related or finance related or any of that like this is the you and or your loved ones that are going with you take care of any necessary medical appointments. Of course ahead of time, look at your calendar and make sure that nothing needs to be confirmed before you go. In today's age. A lot of the doctor offices are looking for you to confirm your appointment, 48 hours, 72 hours 24 hours in advance and if you don't they will cancel it. So take notice of that look at your calendar a week after you will be back and see if there's anything that unity you need to be confirming ahead of time maybe before you leave or and or while you're on vacation, make sure you set a reminder so that those things aren't taking care of the next on our personal section here is stop your mail and newspaper or any deliveries from coming, you know, arrange for someone to pick them up, arrange for them to not come in and be held at the post office, whatever your arrangement needs to be. Take care of that so it doesn't pile up. It doesn't get damaged. And also just so that people don't don't see that you're out of town. They don't take it especially with packages and things like that. Make sure your home is secure by locking the doors and windows and setting up the security system may put that on your checklist. I think sometimes we just go on on our daily day like our daily
routines and we forget about our security systems that those also need to be charged. Maybe if there's a battery that needs to be charged for your cameras, you know, is there a special code that you need to do before you head out for a long period of time, if you do have a security system, let them know so that they're aware and more diligent about the security that they may be giving you in your area. I know some of you have security systems where they'll do check ins in your home. So anything to do with the security of your home, make sure you do that ahead of time. And then the last on the personal section is, for all of you who not like to come back to a nice clean home, make arrangements for that either, you know, however, you are going to clean your home, make it a reminder do that ahead of time, don't get caught in the last minute frenzy of trying to do everything all at once, is really stressful and not fun. So make arrangements to do that well ahead of time.
So that when you come back, it's nice and clean, if that's important to you. And the say on a similar note, it's to empty the fridge you know, or like any perishable items, take note of what's in your fridge, throw it away, if you think it's going to get damaged in your refrigerator, or wherever you're storing it and make plans for that. Maybe somebody comes and picks it up, you throw it away and make sure that you don't miss trash day so that it doesn't just sit in your trash bin and get all stinky and smelly. So make plans for those perishable items. Okay, let's move on to our business section. It's anything business or work related. The first is let your clients and business contacts know that you will be out and what to do in case they need you while you're gone. If you have a backup, if you have the plan of attack, if while you're out of town, what should they be doing, you can either do it from your out of office, I know a lot of people just will put it in the out of office instead of telling people ahead of time, because at the end of the day, it's nobody's business. And you don't need to be telling everybody what your plan is for vacations. But if you do have clients and business contacts looking for you, and you did not tell them, then this is where the out of office will come in very handy. So that when they do message you when they do call you, they understand that you're not just ignoring them that you are are out of office.
And the next step is to do XYZ for the last section of your checklist. We can call it other or other things to consider. Now this is where you will get to put in whatever is applicable to you and your circumstance in your household and space. But here are some of the suggestions that I have under other one is make arrangements for someone to check on your home periodically to ensure that everything is working, okay, I don't put this under the security or personal section because this is really more about checking in on your plumbing or if you live in a place where you're susceptible to freezes or hurricanes or big storms or wind gusts or whatever it may be. This is the section where you ask someone to come in just to check in and make sure there's no flooding that you know your house is okay, maybe you live in an area where there's wild a lot of wildlife that can get into your house and space. So this is where hey, you will ask someone to come in and just check in and make sure that it's not getting invaded by the elements of the surroundings around you. Okay, so that's the second this part.
The other is arrange for your car, what to do with your car like for someone or something or for somehow you to check in on your car, such as storing it, maybe you're going to take it into a storage facility, you will put it in your own storage and just making sure that it's okay, especially for those older cars or cars that need to get started every once in a while. Again, if you are susceptible to freezes or harsh weather patterns, you will want to check in on your car. So make arrangements for that probably the person that will check in on the house, the plumbing and all of that that I just mentioned, probably this person can do it too. They can just quickly turn on the car, make sure that it's working okay, if you're heading out of town and out of the country, this is Eve for long period of time, this is even more important, right because you will have no way of doing it yourself at all. I've got two more for you here under this other section. And that is to unplug or have a surge protector available for the electronics especially the electronics that are important to you. This is one of those tips that you will need to determine what's important and what's not to you. You know I can't decide that for you. For some people, the computers are going to be really important and for some people it is but not really or your television that you saved up for whatever that may be just make sure it's protected.
Unplug it and or have a surge protector some of You have are equipped with that with it because you live in an area where there's natural activity like thunder, like big storms and big freezes. So you are used to that. But if you're not, and you don't need to be, then you don't need to worry about this section. But if you do, then heads up and put it on your checklist, this is a tip really quick that I learned a long time ago from a client. And she said that she would put a cup of water in the freezer. And then if you know, put the coin on top, so a frozen ice cube Ice Cube essentially, and then you put the coin on top, if the coin has sunk, you know that the fridge was out was off for a long time and the food may be bad. So that is for all of you who you know, you never know the electric company comes in. And they have to do some work in your neighborhood. And you had no idea that it was scheduled. So they turned off the electricity around there. Or maybe there was a cable that came down, you had no idea you came back, everything was backup, like nothing happened, you had no idea that your fridge was unplugged for two days. So this is a really good, I thought it was a really good tip in this section.
But whatever that may be, just make sure that you're aware that things can happen while you're away for a long period of time. And just have some kind of checklist, some kind of way of of having a checklist so that when you come back, you feel good about pre planning a little bit, you don't have to be a stress, you don't have to think about all these other things that that you could have prevented ahead of time if there was an emergency. So okay, that is the list for today. Let us know if this was helpful. I am putting in the show notes, a link to where you can find this list as well, if you just kind of want to really quickly print it out or go look at it somewhere else. Because you didn't want to write it down yourself, I get that sometimes you're just you just need to have it in both formats. You're listening to it, but you also need a list. So I've compiled that for you. But the reason I didn't mention this when the episode started was because these checklists should be specific to you and your needs. I'm giving you our favorite tips here. But you should be able to pick and choose what is applicable to you. You don't have to write all of them down so it doesn't just become more information you don't need just apply the ones that are important to you the ones that you need to know and make your checklist personable to you. Okay, so that's why I didn't mention it had ahead of time. But if you do want to start with a template, we do have one it's free, and it'll be in the show notes. That is it for our episode today. With that being said Happy Travels Safe travels. Enjoy your trip. And until next time, happy organizing.
Thank you for listening to the organized and productive podcast with the organized Flamingo. If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love it if you'd leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It helps with letting people know that we're here are full show notes and resources head on over to the organized flamingo.com/podcast Happy organizing.