Countdown to Paradise [Pre-trip prep]: Get your Affairs in Order

October 03, 2013

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I'm about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, and given I travel a lot (and have learned a ton through that experience), I want to share my best pre-trip tips with you!

Traveling can cause anxiety for most people (usually starts around 7 days prior to the trip). The anxiety is a byproduct of the uncertainty that comes with traveling to a new destination. Our bodies are trained to view this as fear, when really it's you stepping outside your comfort zone. This is a good thing!

Let's minimize that stress by getting your affairs in order.

6 Days pre-trip: Get your affairs in order

Sometime around 6 days prior to your trip, you should start planning (if you haven't already, keener!).

Map out an Agenda

Map out a bit of a plan for your trip - I do mine in Excel so I can email to friends, family and work in case they need to reach me. Include the days you are traveling, hotel details (website/ph #), and flight #s. Put an emergency contact as well. This is a good time to check your flights -make note of the terminals you are flying in/out of (especially for tight connections), and call airlines if you have meal preferences as well to check luggage restrictions.

Banks, Insurance and more!

Call you bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. I find this experience actually REALLY fun. The Customer Service agents are always so excited that you are going on a trip!

This will help avoid mistaken fraud charges and optimize your transaction fees while abroad. Some credit cards come with travel insurance (mine does, but it's max 15 days). Extend or purchase trip insurance (particularly for medical) and check your work coverage as well. Photocopy your major credit cards/passport etc and store in a safe place at home (locked file cabinet works or give to a relative), and keep a copy in your suitcase locked up.

Check your Meds

This one is important - if you are on prescription medication of any kind. Get a refill and bring it with you (along with the prescription receipt). Depending on where you are traveling, your prescription may be hard to come by. If I'm traveling to a country with non-western medical care, I bring a course of antibiotics.

Love your Pets

If you have a cat, dog, fish... whatever. Now's the time to make some arrangements for care during your trip. Call your sitter or friend or family member to make sure they are well taken care and given lots of love while you are away.