Can you believe that Christmas is just 4 days away!? Whether you are travel by car, bus, train or plane, traveling 20 minutes or 20 hours, traveling during the holiday can be a stressful time. So as many of you begin to pack your bags to travel to see family for the holidays, here is a last minute tip guide on how to travel safely this year so you can all enjoy the holiday.
Pets
There are a lot of different options for pet care while you’re gone for the holidays. These include kennels, pet sitters and even the fabulous pet hotel. If this is the first time you will be leaving Sparky at home for an extended period of time, you may want to do a trial run beforehand. Even if it is just for a day, you can make sure that they will be comfortable and will behave well while you’re away. It will also give you ease of mind that they are being well cared for.
Transportation
- By Car – Make sure your automobile is up to date with its maintenance. Check your tire pressure and change the oil, especially if your trip entails driving long distances. If you are traveling through or to cold areas, prepare your car for winter storms and snow emergencies; just in case!
- By Plane – Bring some snacks to munch on in order to save time and money while waiting at the airport. Also be sure to arrive early as there is bound to be delays with many people trying to head out of town for the holiday and the new, more stringent security policies and potential inclement winter weather.
Financial
- Make sure your bills are paid before leaving for vacation. The last thing you will want to be thinking about while you’re supposed to be relaxing is whether or not you paid the gas bill.
- Bring cash on your trip. You should always carry some cash on you in case you need it for an emergency where you can’t use a credit card. As many people like the convenience of paying with a debit or credit card, cash can get you out of a bad situation, if one was to arise, and it can also help you limit your spending if you bring a certain amount along that you are allowed to spend.
Home Security
Let a trusted neighbor or friend know that you will be out of town. Have them keep an eye on the house for any suspicious activity and ask them to pick up your mail and newspaper so that it doesn’t pile up. Also, make sure you leave your contact information with that neighbor or friend in case they need to contact you for any reason. Don’t forget to repay this friend with a tin of Christmas cookies or agreeing to do the same the next time they leave town.
When Walking Out the Door
- Throw away any perishables in your fridge and take out the trash before leaving. You don’t want to come home to smelly surprise in the kitchen when you return.
- Run the dishwasher a few hours before you leave so that dishes are clean and there are no food particles hanging out in your dishes for the extended period of time.
- Disconnect appliances or anything electrical that doesn't need to stay plugged in while you are away.
- Set your thermostat at 55 degrees F. This is the lowest temperature that you can safely have home dip down to.
Information from MoneyCrashers.com.
Last, but certainly not least, have a safe and happy holiday with your family and friends!
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