Get Going! 4 Simple Things to Do to Prepare for Your Next Vacation

Preparing for a vacation is almost as exciting as actually going on it – the anticipation is incredible! Plus, we all know that it’s a lot more fun packing to go away than unpacking is when you’re home again. No one likes that feeling of sadly shaking sand out of their sneakers. But it can also be pretty stressful preparing to go on vacation. Here are some tips to help you be able to sole focus on your trip while you’re away!

Start Getting Your Budget in Check:

First of all, it’s important to plan your budget carefully. You know that old quote to take half the stuff and twice the money, it’s basically always true in my case. Not everyone can afford to spend the same amount on their vacations. If you’re going with a group of friends then you all need to get together and make sure that you all have the same expectations about your trip. If one of you is expecting to go to Michelin starred restaurants every night, they might not be too happy with your plan to buy some bread and cheese for lunch every now and then. Remember that you should leave some money over for emergencies – you might have to come home earlier than you intended due to a family emergency. Having extra money in your budget gives you the freedom to do exactly what you want. I also recommend travel insurance – I haven’t had to use it yet, but it does give me a peace of mind.

Don’t Forget to Plan Your Trip!

It’s important to know about a city or region before you visit it – otherwise,  you’ll get there with no plans whatsoever and waste a morning highlighting your new guidebook. A lot of the time, I don’t bother with buying the latest Lonely Planet because things change so quickly. Instead, I get an outline from those and use sites like Travelsphere in addition to guidebooks and maps because things might just have changed. Also, travel blogs offer some cool, and sometimes more unique recommendations of what to do. Make sure that you’ve researched the public transport system of wherever you’re going so you’ll know how to get from the airport to your hotel. However, my other tip is not to plan too much. You’ll hear about things when you arrive as well. Make an outline of musts and then fill in the gaps as you go.

Prepare Your Home

If you’re on vacation, it’s important to know that everything at home is okay so that you don’t end up lying awake at night worrying about it. If you’re a homeowner or renter be sure to check the locks and windows. If you’re a pet-parent and aren’t traveling with them, don’t forget to make sure they’re well taken care of. Also, my biggest tip is to clean your home, however large or small, whether you rent or own. There’s nothing worse than coming home from a trip to find that your place is an absolute wreck.

Get Packing

Chances are, you don’t need as much stuff as you think you will, don’t become a victim to overpacking. My biggest adult tip is to sure you take sunscreen. Men, wear it all the time. Ladies don’t forget to put on even underneath your makeup. Packing, of course, depends on what type of trip you’re taking. Backpacking? Pack clothes that you can mix and match. Luxurious trip? Take plenty of darling dresses. Iceland in winter? Snow boots and a down coat. Just research what to take to specific destinations.

Now you’re ready to take off on your next adventure! These tips will help you prepare and travel at peace. Now the only real question is where will it be?