It’s 6 am and you’re groggy because you stayed up late packing, but now you’re in a rush to go to the airport to catch your flight.

As you walk out your front door, you wonder, “Is there something I’m forgetting to do around the house before I leave?”

Did I turn all the lights off? Did I take the trash out? Did I pack the cell phone charger that I usually keep next to my bed? Did I adjust the thermostat so the air conditioning or heating isn’t running the whole time I’m on vacation?

This is the perfect moment to have a checklist, so you can feel confident as you’re running out of the house that you’ve done everything you need to do.

CHECKLIST – THINGS TO DO BEFORE LEAVING HOME

• Refrigerator – Throw out anything in the refrigerator that’s perishable. You don’t want to come home to moldy food in the fridge.

• Trash – Take out the trash. Coming home to the scent of 5 day old garbage is not pleasant either.

• Thermostat – Adjust the thermostat to an eco-friendly temperature so you aren’t spending tons of money to heat or cool your home while you’re out of town.

• Security Alarm – Remember to set any security alarms or remote monitoring webcams before you go out of town.

• Alarm Clock – Turn off your alarm clock so it doesn’t beep for days while you are gone.

• Unplug Appliances – If you have space heaters, toasters, hair dryers, hot water dispensers, humidifiers, or other potential hazards, it’s a good idea to unplug them before you go out of town.

• Check Mail – If you’ll be gone for more than couple days, it could really pile up. Make arrangements for a friend to pick up your mail if you anticipate it overflowing, or if your unchecked mail would be a very obvious signal to a potential intruder that you aren’t home.

• Windows and Doors – Close all windows, close all blinds and curtains, and lock all doors.

• Turn off Lights
• Cell Phone Charger

THINGS TO BRING ON THE PLANE OR IN THE CAR

Pre-Roadtrip Checklist

• Music – Download music to your offline playlist so you have plenty of music for the car ride.

• Podcasts – There are lots of free podcasts that you can find on the Podcast app of the iPhone, whether you’re interested in celebrity interviews, entrepreneurship, or learning a new language. Download a few while you have a wifi connection so you can listen offline.

• Audiobooks – Unfortunately there’s not a wide selection of free audiobooks available, but if you’re willing to pay a few bucks, this is a great way to get through your reading list.

• iPad with movies or games
• Snacks and water
• Coffee
• Full tank of gas
• Sunglasses

Pre-Flight Checklist

These items might be more important for your comfort during longer flights.

• Neck pillow
• Foot rest – A necessity for shorter passengers
• Lower back support cushion
• Blanket
• Eye mask
• Snacks
• Medicine – For those who are vulnerable to motion sickness, allergies, headaches
• Reading material