A Short Checklist to Help You Prepare for Leaving on Vacation

By Phin Upham

When you leave for your vacation, you’re leaving your home vulnerable. The last thing you want to do is spend your time worrying about what was locked or what was hidden, when you should be out and about enjoying the world around you. Travelling abroad can cause anxiety, especially if you’re gone for more than a week at a time. It helps to develop a checklist of things you can do to prepare to step on the plane, including taking care of your home and yourself.

Taking Care of the Home

Arrange for a caretaker for your home, especially if you have pets. This caretaker should have access from a key only they can find, so lockboxes are a good idea if you can’t arrange a meet up before you leave. Also, check your country’s foreign ministry websites to make sure there are no travel restrictions placed on the country you plan to visit. Download a currency exchange rate application for your mobile device, and check with your provider to find out how GPS and Internet will work while you’re overseas. If you can, pay for a plan to add international services. You’ll be glad you did.

Travelling

You should arrive roughly two hours before your plane departs. This allows time to pass through customs and security. Don’t leave your luggage unattended, and be selective with who you give your personal information to.

Arrival

Always pay attention to your surroundings to try and develop a sense of direction, and stay safe. If you carry a purse, sling it over your shoulder to protect your belongings. As is usual for any city, avoid poorly lit alleyways.

---

About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or Facebook page.