| | 1 YEAR AHEAD: |
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| | Start saving money. |
| | Start planning your trip. |
| | Read Guide books, speak to returned travelers, surf the internet. |
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| | 6 MONTHS AHEAD: |
| | Start looking for special deals and other discounts for which you may qualify. |
| | Book and confirm all flights and additional travel arrangements. |
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| | 3 MONTHS AHEAD: |
| | Check the valid dates on your passport |
| | Don't forget visa requirements for the countries you are planning to visit. |
| | Notify the Credit Card Company |
| | They should know you’ll be traveling, so they will expect charges from your destination. |
| | Check the valid dates and available spending amount |
| | Make sure the dates will remain valid and ask for a spending amount increase if needed. |
| | Take care of medical and dental checkups and vaccinations. |
| | Make reservations. |
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| | 1 MONTH AHEAD: |
| | |
| | Check your driver’s license |
| | Make sure it will remain valid while you’re traveling. |
| | Make an arrangement with neighbors, friends or relatives to check your home from time to time. |
| | Set up an email account you can use around the world. |
| | Keep them separate from the originals while you are traveling. |
| | Visit the dentist and your family doctor. |
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| | 3 WEEKS AHEAD: |
| | |
| | Purchase automatic light timers to switch on and off in the evening. |
| | Purchase travelers cheques. |
| | Record their serial numbers and keep a copy at home. |
| | Arrange for someone to start your car during very cold or very hot weather. |
| | Arrange for pet care. |
| | Start breaking in new shoes (if any) you’ll be taking with you on your trip. |
| | If traveling by car, get the car checked and fixed. |
| | It may take time to get parts may need to be ordered and to drive around to make sure that whatever is fixed stays fixed. |
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| | 1 WEEK AHEAD: |
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| | Make arrangements to purchase some foreign currency if you are traveling abroad. |
| | Get a telephone calling card. |
| | Leave destination information with your relatives and friends. |
| | Cancel power, paper, phone, newspaper delivery, re-direct mail. |
| | Reconfirm flight and departure times. |
| | Put your valuables and jewelry in a safety deposit box. |
| | Pay all the bills. |
| | Reduce the amount of food you buy. |
| | Milk, fruit and other perishables you’ll have to throw out the day you leave. |
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| | ON THE DAY: |
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| | Lock all windows & doors |
| | Turn your refrigerator to its lowest setting or turn it off. |
| | Turn water heater down to the lowest setting. |
| | Close blinds and curtains on ground level |
| | Unplug computer. |
| | Ensure you have passport, ticket, credit card and travelers cheques. |