No matter how often you travel, it seems you forget at least one thing, hopefully, something not too important and that can’t be purchased when you get where you are going; so it really is a smart idea to make a checklist; even just a packing list for a weekend trip is useful. When you are going on an extended trip for a week or more it is even more important to make up a checklist of everything you need to do before you go

It is a good idea to start at least a week in advance taking care of everything you possibly can. The more you get done before the day you leave, the less stress you will have getting out of the door.

Miami Port Parking

One Week to Go

1. Notify the post office to hold your mail or ask a friend or neighbor to pick it up for you, same goes for the newspaper; you don’t want it to be immediately obvious to any would-be thieves that you are not at home. You can even go online to put a hold on the mail and to restart once you return at USPS.com.

2. Make arraignments for your pets either at a kennel or with a pet sitter who will come in to care for your pets while you are away. You can take this a step further and hire a house sitter who can take care of the pets, plants, mail, and make your house look lived-in.

3. Look ahead to what bills are coming due while you are out of town and pay before you go to avoid any late fees or missed payments. Many people pay their bills online and they can be scheduled with a future date in case you need to wait for funds to arrive.

4. Plan for downtime, layovers, or just leisure days by stocking up on reading material. You can hit the local newsstand for magazines, check out some books from the library or download some e-books on your e-reader.

5. Check your stock of any necessary medications and refill if needed ahead of time. You may be able to get a refill where you are going but it is better to be prepared ahead of time if you can, especially if you will need to get authorization from your doctor’s office.

6. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with a family member or friend: this way someone will know where you are and how to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. Also, make sure you update your contact numbers and leave the name and number of hotels and other places you will be.

7. Arrange for a ride to the airport or, if you will be driving, make arrangements for airport or port of Miami parking. Parking at the regular terminal can really add to the cost of your vacation; however, there is a solution. Safe Cruise Parking can actually save you 50 percent over Miami cruise port parking rates at the terminal and we offer free shuttles to and from the port, 24-hour security, and lighted lots.

24 to 48 Hours Before

1. Clean out the fridge and any fruits and veggies on the counter that will go bad before you return. You don’t want to come home to a stinky fridge or fruit flies everywhere.

2. If you have an alarm company, let them know you will be away as well as if there will be someone coming and going while you are gone such as the pet or house sitter.

3. Wash your dirty laundry including your sheets to keep the odors down and to have fresh bedding and clothes to come home to, especially since you will have more laundry to be done during your trip.

4. Print your airline boarding passes and check in to your flight online to save time at the airport and cut the stress of getting through the airport on your travel day.

5. Confirm your reservations for things like hotels and car rentals. You don’t want any hassles or surprises when you get to your hotel or to pick up your car.

6. Charge all your electronics, run the dishwasher, and pack everything you don’t need the morning of your trip.

Make your vacation an enjoyable one by planning ahead. You’ll be glad you did.