The Ultimate Organized Travel Guide

Preparing for Departure

Here is a simple checklist for what needs to be done before leaving your home for an extended period of time:

- Arrange care for plants, pets, yard, and mail.

- Pay any bills due in advance.

- Empty your perishables from fridge. (Give away to friends/ family, or your local donation center)

- Take out the trash (nothing worse than coming back to a smelly home!)

- Unplug your appliances and electronics.

- Close fireplace flue.

- Lock all doors and windows.

- Set thermostat to a reasonable level for pets and plants left behind.

- Double check that stove and oven are shut off.

- Leave a key and itinerary with a close friend, a trusted neighbor, or your plant/ pet caretaker.

- Leave a light on to deter burglars or set timers if your home is equipped! We use these smart lights that come with an app to your phone.

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Sample Packing Lists

Clothing Essentials for Everyone

Flipflops/ sandals, walking shoes, dress shoes

Jackets, sweaters/ sweatshirts

Underwear, socks, pj's, bras

Shirts, tshirts, beach coverups

Shorts, trousers/ pants/ jeans, athletic bottoms

First Aid

Prescription medications

Vitamins and supplements

First aid kit (bandages, hydrocortisone cream, triple antibiotic ointment)

Hand sanitizer/ wipes

Cold Medicine

Diarrhea remedy

Insect repellent

Motion sickness remedy

Pain relievers

Gadgets

Phone + chargers

Headphones

Disposable camera/ film camera + batteries/ charger

Laptop/ Tablet + charger

Important Documents

Cash

Credit and ATM Cards + Contact info for cards

Drivers license

Health insurance info

Itineraries

Photocopies of important docs

Travel tickets and reservations

Travelers Checks

Personal Hygiene

Brush/ Comb

Contact lenses/ solution

Cosmetics

Cotton swabs

Deodorant

Feminine hygiene products

Floss

Glasses

Moisturizer (face and body)

Nail clippers

Razor

Shampoo and conditioner

Soap

Sunscreen and lip balm (reef safe if you're going to the beach)

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Travel Towel

Tweezers

Travel Aids

Daypack

Earplugs

Flashlight

Luggage Locks (TSA- Approved)

Reusable water bottle

Travel sewing kit

Travel blanket

Travel pillow

Umbrella

A few product recommendations that I use for travelling:

Toiletries bag

Travel First Aid Kit

Travel Document Holder

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Apple AirTag - add an AirTag to important items such as your checked luggage, wallet, etc. in the case something gets lost.

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Lists by Vacation Type

Beach Vacation

Aloe Vera

Bathing Suits

Beach Chairs

Beach Totes

Beach Toys

Beach Umbrella

Cooler

Flip Flops/ Sandals

Mosquito Net

Rash Guards

Reusable Water Bottle

Sarong/ Beach Cover Up

Sun Hat

Sunglasses

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Wetsuit

Business Trip

Belt

Briefcase

Dress Socks / Pantyhose

Dress Shoes

Laptop, Case, Charger

Ties / Scarf

Watch

Camping Trip

Air Mattress / Sleeping Pad

Camping Chairs

Can Opener

Citronella Candle and Bug Repellent

Clothesline

Cooking Stove + Fuel

Cooler

Cot

Dishes and Cutlery

Downloaded Maps of Park and Trail

Drinking Water

First Aid Kit

Hammock

Headlamp

Lantern

Lighter / Matches

Pots and Pans

Sleeping Bags

Tent + Tarp

Toilet Paper and Zip Top Bags

International Trip

Auto Insurance Card

Foreign Currency

International Student ID Card

Passports and Relevant Visas

Universal Electrical Adapter

Translation App

Vaccination Records

Water Purification Method

Ski Trip

After-Ski Boots

Apres- Sun Lotion

Boots and Carrying Straps

Fanny Pack

Gloves and Liners

Goggles

Granola Bars

Hand and Toe Warmers

Hat and Earmuffs

Knee Brace

Long Underwear

Scarf or Neck Gator

Ski Pants and Jacket

Ski Socks and Liners

Ski Sweaters

Skis and Poles or Snowboard

Sunglasses with Neck Strap

Sunscreen and Lip Balm

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Carry-On Essentials

When it comes to you carry-on bag, pack only those items you will need during the flight or that you can't do without in the event that your checked luggage doesn't arrive. Your carry-on should include cash, jewelry, passport, travel documents (including itineraries), traveler's checks, keys, laptop and power cord, medications, makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a clean pair of underwear.