Summer is fully here and with summer comes plans of travel.
Joshua winds up his first half of summer clerkship tomorrow and then we’re headed out of state to stay with family for a month and a half while he does legal research.
Extended trips take preparation. Especially if you’ll be gone for weeks.
Even if you’ll just be gone for a few days, a bit of preparation saves money and makes the return more welcoming.
The weekend away to do list:
- Do a quick clean: just 15 minutes spent washing the dishes and wiping down the bathroom makes coming home much more pleasant.
- Water the garden and indoor plants.
- Turn the air conditioning up (or the heat down. ) No need to keep the spiders cool!
- Unplug unnecessary appliances. Just having them plugged in takes electricity.
- Finish the milk and anything else in the fridge that’s likely to go bad quickly.
- Empty all trashes: otherwise the ants might take it as an invitation.
- Put dinner in the freezer for the night you get home.
- Leave an energy efficient light on and lock the door!
If you’re going to be gone for an extended time, a bit more planning is in order, but definitely worth it!
10 things to do before an extended trip:
- Clear out the fridge: for a few weeks before a long planned trip, focus on eating from the fridge and pantry. It uses up food that might otherwise go bad and saves on the grocery bill!
- Bug-proof your pantry. Store food in buckets, glass jars or the fridge.
- Wash and dry all the laundry. It makes packing easier and avoids moldy stinky clothes. Leave the washing machine lid open. A bit of residue water collects in the machine (at least my model.) Let it air out while you’re gone to avoid mold.
- Leave a clean house. An empty house is temptation enough for bugs, unwashed dishes and a dirty bathroom make it even worse! Maybe even set a few bug traps…
- Be energy smart: Unplug unused appliances, turn up the A/C and turn the water heater to “vacation.”
- Ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on things and water the garden or indoor plants.
- Make sure valuables are with you or safely stored.
- Have your mail held: you can do it easily online at the USPS website.
- Plan for your return: have dinner and bread in the freezer to make unpacking easier and last until you restock the fridge!
- Don’t forget the kids! in the midst of the packing take a break and relax with the munchkins.
Have you traveled this summer or do you have big plans? What do you do to make the return better?
photo by Nicolas Raymond
Anna, I’ve done most of these things, but have never thought to have meal in the freezer. What a great idea! I don’t know why I didn’t think of it–I am usually stressed on the way home thinking about what to make for dinner in the midst of tiredness and unpacking.
I’ve learned from experience that the last thing I feel like doing after hours in the car with loads of dirty laundry and piles of stuff to put away is make dinner.
Ooo- nice idea! And if you’re able to empty out your freezer, unplugging the fridge/freezer will save lots off the electric bill.