There is always so much to do and plan a trip.   Besides actually planning the trip, I have a list of things to do before I travel.  Here is my list of 15 things to remember to do before you travel!

1. Use a Travel Advisor

Trust me, we are worth it!  Read my post about 8 benefits of working with a travel advisor.

2. Purchase Travel Insurance!

Most of the time, everything will go smoothly and everything will be fine. However, what if you lose your luggage? Get sick or injured while traveling? Your flight gets canceled? There are so many variables that could go wrong on a trip – have travel insurance to make sure you are covered!

3. Prepare your house

Let your neighbors know that you will be traveling. Have someone pick up your mail and packages. Or, you can have USPS out a hold on your mail. If you can, have a house sitter or at least someone to come check in on your house a couple times while you are away.

4. Tell your close friends and family

In addition to your neighbors, I make sure my close friends and family know I am traveling. Furthermore, I send at least one other person my travel itinerary.

5. Pay your bills

You do not want to come home without any electricity.   Make sure to pay off all your bills or schedule automatic payments.

6. Make copies of important items

Most importantly, have a copy of your passport. Also, make sure you have a copy of your passport, credit cards, itineraries, etc. I always scan or take a picture on my phone of the important documents. I keep a copy of that information on my phone AND in my email.

7. Call your bank and credit cards

Make sure you call your bank and credit card company to let them know you will be traveling. You do not want a hold on your funds while you are traveling!

8. Edit your wallet

Remove any cards you will not need (but, make sure you have a backup card that is not stored in your wallet). Take out all business cards, gift cards, reward cards, and whatever may take up room in your wallet. If you are traveling out of the country with a different currency, make sure there is enough room for the new currency and change!

9. Clean the house

No one wants to come home to a dirty house. I know, it is another thing to do before you leave, but trust me, make the time to clean your house.

10. Wash your sheets

When you get back from your trip, you already have a lot of laundry to deal with. You don’t want to have to strip and wash your bed on top of all of that! Plus, after being in hotels and traveling, you will be looking forward to coming home to your own bed with clean sheets!

11. Clean out your fridge (and pantry)

Clean out your fridge and pantry. Throw away all perishables. Make sure you take out the trash too!

12. Take care of work responsibilities

Remind your co-workers your travel dates. Reschedule any work commitments. Make sure you set an automated email response. Go a step further and change your voicemail greeting to let people know you are out of town.

13. Refill all prescriptions

Make sure that you will not run out of any medication during your trip, especially if you are traveling out of the country! Make sure you have enough medication to last you your entire trip. If you are up for a refill while you are gone, contact your doctors’ office to let them know you need an extended supply of your medication. In some cases, you may have to call your insurance company to approve an extended supply of your medication.

14. Make a list and check it twice!

I always have several lists, including items such as passports, money, chargers, electronics, prescriptions, itineraries, emergency contacts, packing lists, etc.

15. Prepare your cell phone

International calls, data usage, cell phone roaming, etc. can be very expensive. Purchase any international plans with your cell carrier. If you do not have an international plan, then make sure you keep your cell phone on airplane mode (you don’t want any roaming charges)!