Decide where you are going
Passports and Travel Insurance
Cash, credit and debit cards
Home sitter and timers
Cancel magazines and newspapers
Medications and vitamins
Avoid smells
Freeze a meal for when you get back
Double check those documents
Lock up
Luggage fees

Decide where you are going

The first step in any travel arrangement is to decide where you are going. Perhaps there are multiple destinations. Perhaps this trip is a once in a lifetime vacation. Or, it could be a simple getaway. Whatever your reasons for leaving it is important to find out what your destination has to offer. Are there any good shows or events? What tours are available and do you need to book them in advance? What is the weather like? Can you eat the local food and drink the tap water? Knowing these details beforehand can help make the most of your vacation. May want to obtain a general map of the area. Also look up a few important official offices - police, U.S. embassy, etc.

Passports and Travel Insurance

Perhaps you are travling abroad? In used to be there wree a few places you can go abroad that did not require a passport. After 911, you pretty much need one anywhere outside the U.S. Ensure your passports are up to date and that each member of your family has one. This includes kids. Also, if you have recently changed your name you will need to ensure your passport has the most current info. Should you need to apply or renew it is best to do this as early as possible as it can take months. Waiting for them to come can be nerve wracking if on a tight deadline. It is also a lot more costly for rush service.. Regarding travel insurance dont chance it. You get insurance because of things you cant foresee. Research various agencies and see which ones can offer you the best rate as well as the best services.

Cash, credit and debit cards

Choosing what method of payment to take along on a trip requires careful planning. Here is where your research will come in handy though. Is your destination credit card and ATM friendly? If not, travelers checks or local currency might be your best option. May want to check with your credit card company but most will charge you a "conversion" fee. Whatever you decide it is always a good idea not to hide it all in one place. Perhaps a travel belt can come in handy. There are quite a few accessories that are not metalic and will not require you to take off at airport checkpoints.

Home sitter and timers

It is always a good idea to have a friend or neighbor check on your home if you are gone longer than a weekend. However, timers can play an important part if they are set up appropriately. You arent fooling anyone if the same lights turn on at exactly the same time every day. If you are comfortable with it, having someone stay at your home provides great peace of mind. They will be there in case the furnace or air conditioner shuts off, the water tank bursts or a storm hits the area. Plus, more and more insurance agencies are requiring that at a minimum someone must walk through your home every few days. Double check with yours to see what the expectations are.

Cancel magazines and newspapers

Even though we live in an electronic age where we can pay bills and shop online, the amount of mail that stuffs our mailboxes is incredible. Dont attract attention to your home with one that is piled high with flyers and magazines that are dated from last week. Plus, why would you pay for a subscription you arent even going to read? However, if you do have a home sitter, you can keep your subscriptions coming and catch up on the news and that weeks fashion trends when you return.

Medications and vitamins

Most people who have prescriptions wont forget to pack enough for their trip. However, it is always a good idea to bring a little extra. Your flight might be delayed, a storm may hit and you need to stay a while longer or theres just one more stop you decided to make. Play it safe not having what your body needs is a stress you can avoid. It is also important to buy enough vitamin C, Tylenol and Imodium. Purchasing these abroad can be quite expensive.

Avoid smells

It only has to happen once and you will never forget to empty all the garbage before you leave again. What a horribly potent smell. Carve out some time the day you leave to empty all the garbage cans. Another must do empty the fridge of items that may spoil. This can include fruit, meat, eggs, milk and those leftovers from last week. Theres no need to grow penicillin while you are away. Something you might not think of is to clean and flush your toilettes before you go, especially if you are potty training the kids. Remembering to flush is a hard thing to do for the little ones so make an extra round just to make sure.

Freeze a meal for when you get back

One of the saddest parts of a vacation ending isnt that you have to go back to work. Its figuring out what to make for dinner again. Youre cooking before you go in any case so make a little extra and freeze it. Sometimes getting to the grocery store takes a back seat to all the other must-dos that are eagerly awaiting your return.

Double check those documents

Ensure that you have your car rental slip, airline tickets, hotel confirmation numbers, passports and travel insurance. It is best to not do this the day of. You may have forgotten to do something and having more than a day to do it will make it feel less stressful. If you havent already, purchase an organizer that can hold all of your documents. Saves you the hassle of checking, and rechecking, those suitcase pockets when you need to have them ready.

Make sure all your windows and doors are locked. This includes basement windows, that side door you rarely use and your garage. Be careful to not make it look like your house is sitting empty though. For example, it is a good idea to leave your blinds the way you normally would. Keep in mind if all your blinds are closed it is easier for an unwanted visitor to take what they want no one from the outside will be able to see what they are doing.

A Few FYIs and luggage fees:

Travel rewards are no longer free. Airlines are charging a additional surcharge to use mileage points. Check with airlines for specifics.

checking luggage is no longer free. Check with airlines for specifics.

Delta: as of May 2008. Check one bag per passenger free of charge when traveling in the U.S. One carry-on item onboard the aircraft, plus one personal item.
www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/baggage_allowance/excess_baggage/index.jsp

AA:

Within And Between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:
Customers who purchase domestic Economy Class tickets on or after August 14, 2009, will be charged $20 each way for the first checked bag and $30 each way for the second checked bag.

The U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to, from or through Europe and India:
(Exception: Checked bag charges between Chicago and Moscow on AA have not changed at this time.)
Customers who purchase tickets on or after September 14, 2009, may check one bag for no charge and a second bag for $50 USD within the size and weight limitations for the destination. Customers purchasing Economy Class tickets prior to September 14, 2009, may check two bags at no charge within the size and weight limitations.

www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

Continental: as of April 2008. within the U.S. One bag carry-on. No charge.
Checked bags = $25 fee for customers checking a second bag when traveling within the U.S. www.continental.com/web/en-Us/content/travel/baggage/checkbag.aspx

Southwest Airlines: as of Jan 2008. One bag carry-on free. Two free checked pieces at a maximum of 50lbs per piece. Excess baggage fees for extra luggage/oversized luggage/overweight luggage start at $25 and run up.
www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html