7 Things to do Before Leaving for a Lengthy International Trip

Heading out for a weekend trip in the mountains is one thing. But if you’re leaving the country for weeks at a time, it’s important that you plan ahead. After all, the last thing you want is for something to go wrong in your absence, which could affect an otherwise amazing experience abroad.

Here are some important items to add to your to-do list:

Pay Bills

Just because you’re going on vacation, doesn’t mean your mortgage lender or electric provider is traveling abroad. They still expect to be paid in full and on time. If you won’t be able to make payments while you’re out of the country, call ahead and make the necessary payments. (You can also switch manual payments over to automatic withdrawals for the time being.)

Notify Your Bank

It’s always a good idea to call your bank and credit card provider to let them know that you’ll be traveling out of the country. Give them your specific destinations and dates. This should prevent any triggers that would otherwise deactivate your card. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask about foreign transaction fees and other charges that may be applicable. 

Get Health Checkups

You might not be as diligent as you should with regular health checkups. Most of the time, this doesn’t create any problems. However, the last thing you want is to leave the country and suddenly have an issue that you could have prevented or corrected prior to leaving. 

Don’t have a primary care doctor or dentist? No worries – you can find providers fairly quickly.

Let’s say, for example, that you live in Fort Myers, Florida and need a dentist. By using a platform like Healthgrades, you can search for a dentist in Fort Myers and get a list of reputable options with reviews and ratings. The same goes for a family doctor or even specialists. 

Once you find the right doctors, schedule appointments. If any pressing health needs arise, deal with them right away. Long-term issues can typically be dealt with after returning from overseas.

Put Mail on Hold

You don’t want to send signals to criminals and burglars that your home is unoccupied. If at all possible, you should put a hold on mail, newspapers, and deliveries. You can usually do this by contacting your local post office, or by having a trusted friend or neighbor swing by the house every couple of days.

Set Light Timers

Burglars also watch for activity in the home. If they notice that your lights never turn on – even during the evening – it’s an easy sign that homeowners are away.

For just a few bucks and a couple minutes of your time, you can buy light timers that turn specific lights on and off throughout the day. Many newer models even have apps that you can control from anywhere. (This makes them useful even when you aren’t on vacation.)

Throw Out Perishable Food

There’s nothing worse than returning from vacation and discovering that your house smells like a garbage dumpster. Unfortunately, this is exactly what will happen if you leave leftovers in the refrigerator, fruit on the counter, and other perishable items in the pantry.

Prior to departing, throw out any food items that could spoil in your absence. It’s also smart to empty all trash cans and remove anything that could cause foul odors. 

Turn Off Main Water Supply

Few things are scarier to a homeowner than an undetected water leak. But if you’re away on vacation, you have no way of knowing when a leak occurs.

“Before you head out of town, you’ll want to shut off the main water line to prevent any change of water damage while you’re away,” handyman Matt Boley writes. “Many water meter setups have two valves, one on the street side of the meter and one on the house side. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll typically find the main shutoff in the basement near the front of the house. In warmer climates, it will be outside your home attached to an exterior wall or in an underground box with a removable lid.”

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Traveling can be stressful. Between packing and getting through airport security, vacations often begin with more angst than relaxation. By planning ahead and knocking out some of these items prior to leaving, you can enjoy a much more enjoyable and stress-free travel experience.