As you count down the days to your end-of-summer trip, your mind has probably wandered to where you’re going — imagining the warm sand between your toes or the stunning landmarks of your eyes are shining. (If you’re hoping to capture those sweet vacation memories on camera, travel cameras are the essentials to keep.)
However, you may find that your pre-vacation anxiety is overshadowed by stress, as there are likely to be many errands to run before you leave. After you schedule your time away from the office, you need to prepare your home for your absence and make sure it is safe. Then there’s figuring out what to pack, not just packing it all into your suitcase.
But all of those crazy tactics are much easier to handle once you’ve put together a clear to-do list. The tips below will make your vacation a walk in the park. Or, better yet, a walk on the beach.
Packing list essentials most people don’t think about
A few small additions to your suitcase can reduce stress and increase comfort when you travel. Here are some essential items that you may already have in your home. (If you want to bring your laptop or tablet on your trip, be sure to also check out our list of travel must-haves.)
1. Pack a reusable water bottle
With the current heat waves, this is a must – especially if you don’t live in an environment with easy access to free water. A hydration pack (a bag that fits in your backpack and delivers water to your mouth through a long hose) is a good option for some hiking-oriented trips, though remember to cleaning is a bit more complicated. Either way, you need some kind of container that can be used to keep you hydrated. Otherwise you have to rely on buying bottled water, which is expensive in tourist areas and not always possible in most rural areas. Here’s a list of our favorite water bottles for 2022. If drinking tap water isn’t possible where you’re going, try a water bottle with a filter inside.
2. Bring dryer sheets
Interestingly, it’s bad for your hair. But your dryer will do wonders for your smelly shoes. Stack them up and tuck them in (or, for shoes, on the insoles) before you go to bed. On the same subject : 6 reasons to use a travel agent when planning your next family vacation. This will reduce the odor that is sure to accumulate after days of walking. Tumble dryers can also remove various drying stains from clothes and flatten flyaways. (Here are 20 unexpected ways to use dry cloths.)
Attach grocery bags to protect dirty clothes from getting dirty on your clean clothes.
3. Don’t forget plastic bags
Nothing fancy, just the discarded shopping bags you left in the back of your store. Although they are not the most expensive travel items, plastic bags prove their worth in many situations. You can fold and store your finished clothes in plastic bags to separate the dirty laundry from the rest of your suitcase and protect the rest of your clothes from getting dirty. Read also : State Offers Summer Travel Tips | Lifestyle | thedailynewsonline.com. They can also provide temporary storage for wetsuits and dirty shoes. Also, if you have a chance to buy food on your trip, you can reuse those plastic shopping bags in countries where grocery stores are banned. from providing or requiring stores to pay extra for them.
Packing tips to fit more and travel easier
Once you’ve decided what to store, the next step is figuring out how to store it. Read also : Nevada Global Business offers students a valuable career opportunity. Whether you’re trying to fit your belongings into a checked bag or fill a suitcase with more room than you plan to check in at the airport, the four Horizontal packing can increase the space in your bag and make it easier to find what you need. a lot.
4. Fold, roll and cube your clothes
All travelers have their favorite ways to store clothes: Some fold their clothes, others roll them into trunks and others flatten them into compact boxes. We recommend a combination of these three strategies. Fold your oversized clothes to be more organized: jeans, pants, formal wear and button downs. Then roll up the rest of your clothes and store them in the remaining space in your suitcase. For some extra flatness on the bottom, squeeze some of those rolled-up clothes into packing boxes.
Fold or roll? It depends on the garment you are dealing with.
5. Prepare for TSA
To get a load through security, you need easy access to your electronics and liquids so you can put them on the belt. Keep it in the top or outer pocket of your suitcase (or your personal belongings). Otherwise, you’ll have to mess up your full install as you dig around for your laptop, waiting in line behind you in the process.
6. Put the most important things in your carry-on
When you check your luggage, you might lose it. This makes your cargo or personal belongings the best place for the most difficult-to-replace essentials: your wallet, contact lenses, eyeglasses, medications, electronics or anything you hate to be stuck without for a few days.
7. Track your bags
To give your bag extra protection from loss and theft, equip your bag with tracking devices and tracking devices, such as Tiles or Apple AirTags. Knowing the exact location of your luggage can definitely save you if something goes wrong: AirTags enabled Ross Feinstein, of CNET’s sibling site The Points Guy, to find his bag went missing and went on a connecting flight in time.
8. Leave luggage wiggle room if necessary
Have a chance to pop into the shops or pick up some souvenirs? While you’re loading your luggage, consider any extra space you’ll need on the way back. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you bought, say, a great pair of pants for your destination, but your suitcase is so full that you have to consider sacrificing some things to fit. (True story.)
Pre-vacation home checklist
Running a few quick errands before you leave will help ensure you’ll return to find your home just as you left. Check out our full list of family activities before the holidays.
It’s important to unplug your device when you’re away because some of them conduct electricity even when turned off.
9. Unplug your electronics
This will lower your energy bill and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Before you leave, unplug your devices, lamps, chargers, routers, computers and TVs.
10. Lock your windows
In addition to triple-checking all your doors, make sure you secure your windows, another easy entry point for thieves. Even better, a smart lock can alert you when a window is open and allow you to lock it remotely.
11. Put timers on your lights
To make it seem like you’re home, add timers to your lights or install a smart light bulb that can be controlled remotely. Set your indoor lights to turn on and off as usual, and set your outdoor lights to turn on at night.
12. Keep your plants alive while you’re away
Don’t punish them for drying up in your absence. You can make an irrigation system from a plastic water bottle by filling it with water, drilling holes in the top, turning it over and placing it in the soil deep enough to cover holes. For larger pots, water-filled wine bottles work well. (No need to drill extra drainage holes: Just leave the jar open.) For more ideas, check out our guide to helping your plants thrive as you leave.
With this user-friendly hack, there’s no need to spend money on hacking globes.
13. Stay cool
You can keep the summer heat out of your home without going up on your electric bill. Close your shades if you’re in a sunny area, and use a sunscreen if your climate calls for it. Set your heater 5 degrees higher than you normally would, or get a smart thermostat that you can set to vacation mode.
Figure out how your phone will work abroad
If you keep your phone’s default settings while traveling abroad, it won’t work the same way. Also, without your company slapping huge international charges on your phone bill.
14. Sort out your SIM situation
To receive full calls, SMS messages and data, you need to get another SIM card that is supported abroad. Some newer phones have eSIM technology that allows you to do this digitally, but many still require you to remove your SIM card and replace it with another.
With eSIM support becoming increasingly common in new phones, special cards will soon be a thing of the past.
15. Know where to get a SIM if necessary
International airports often have counters or kiosks where you can buy pre-paid local SIM cards when you arrive at your destination. ugh. But if you want to sort it out first and get service while your plane touches down, CNET has previously recommended KnowRoaming, which now offers eSIMs.
16. Let your contacts know what’s happening
With a new phone number comes snafus that you want to expect. If you don’t want to contact your cell phone from a number they don’t know, let them know you’re going out and tell them to reach you on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, which is only the use of data.
17. Work around two-factor authentication obstacles
You may need to access services or information that requires two-factor authentication to log in. Before you go, make sure the verification method is set to email instead of your phone number.
Stash money safely while traveling
Your mind is often in a million places at once while you’re traveling, so it’s very easy to let your guard down and lose your money. With a little planning ahead, you can greatly reduce the risk of losing or withdrawing your money.
18. Don’t be an easy target
Keep your cash in a money belt or backpack, which makes it more difficult to steal than in a tote or outer pocket of a backpack.
Wallets and wallets make it easy to find your money (not wallets).
19. Hide your money
Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket… or all your money in one place. Put an extra card in your carry-on or a few small bills in a second wallet. That way, if one purse or wallet goes missing, you won’t be stuck penniless. (Just make sure you remember all your hiding places; maybe check them in a password-protected book on your phone.)
Looking for more travel information before your next vacation? These things on Google Maps and Google Flights will help you save money and find your way. Here are seven things we recommend packing, along with our staff’s favorite suitcases. Plus, elevate your travel photography with these 12 expert tips.
What happens when you don’t flush a toilet for a long time?
Accumulation of urine and hard water leaves hard mineral deposits on your toilet bowl over time. These deposits build up quickly when you let the turkey sit. In some cases, the rings that remain for a long time are almost impossible to remove without proper cleaning methods and can be worse for the environment than those four flowers. add.
How much water do you save if you don’t flush the toilet? Not flushing saves nine gallons of water. Most people flush 6 or 7 times a day, so if you flush every time and use 9 gallons, that means you use about 60 gallons of water every day just the wash.
How often should you flush an unused toilet?
The Five-Minute Sweep Whenever a yard is left unused for a period of time, a weekly sweep is a great way to reduce the problem. occur. It’s easy to do and it only takes a little time.
What do I need for a vacation checklist?
The Complete Lookbook: 50 Essential Items You’ll Need
- Travel Documents.
- 1 â Passport.
- 2 â Papers Required at the Town.
- 3 â Travel insurance.
- 4 â Driving License.
- 5 â Paying Vehicle Registration.
- 6 â Travel Schedule.
- 7 â Travel Document Management.
What do I need for 5 days off? Pack enough clothes to get you through the week. For a 5-day vacation, you’ll want to bring 2-3 pairs of shorts or pants, 3-4 tops, a light jacket (or heavy jacket, depending on where you’re traveling), and 1 formal wear if you plan. attending a nice restaurant or event.
What are 3 things you prepare for a trip?
Travel Preparation Checklist: Visit a travel doctor and get the necessary vaccinations. Pack a first aid kit (or not). Book accommodations for the first nights (at least) and airport pickup. Buy comprehensive travel insurance.
How many jeans should I pack for a week?
It is best to wear a few pairs of bottoms (leggings, shorts, or skirts) for each week of your stay. Plan to bring four shirts a week, and two jackets to keep warm (if you’re traveling in a cold or wet area). For a two-week trip, you’ll need four bottoms and eight tops.
How many pairs of pants do I need for a 10-day trip? Bring only three or four bottoms, including a mix of pants or shorts and a dress or skirt. Pack four or five different tops, plus one or two warm tops like sweats.
How many jeans do I need for 2 weeks?
For a two-week trip, I don’t recommend bringing more than 2 pairs of pants (3 at most). It should include one pair of jeans and one pair of black (or khaki pants), so it’s easy to mix and match.
How much clothes do I need for a 7 day trip?
Do an outfit count: If you need a mantra to help simplify your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weekly trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and shirts, four tops, three. bottom, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The menu should be customized to suit your needs.
How many pairs of jeans should I pack for a week?
1. 3 pairs of pants. Pants are essential, and having three good pairs of pants while you’re traveling is the perfect amount for a weekend getaway. If your vacation is longer than this, you may want to pack a few extra pairs or find a place to do your laundry.
