Before Going on Vacation, Prepare Your Home

If you are going on a week-end trip, business relatedin using your Master or Visa card, and it is a secure
trip, or a well deserved vacation you don't only need away too. By taking the one-time payment option you
"things-to-remember" list, but also a "Home To-Do List"can assure you will only be charged this one time while
as well. You do not want to find yourself in the middleyou are away enjoying yourself. You can check this
of a business meeting, on the nice sunny beach orout further on visa's website
even just a 100 or so miles away when you get thatNot only do you have to make arrangement for your
panic feeling of "did I forget... did I remember... to do this,pets, but your plants as well. You can hire someone to
to do that?", pay that due bill, leave fresh water andwater them or put them near your automatic sprinkler
food for the cat, etc.system if you have one. If you must leave your pets
So, when leaving, make these 4 tasks completeat home, make sure you ask a neighbor who is reliable
before you go, and also check out our time savingand can feed and give them water daily. I also suggest
ideas as well.they have their own vehicle to transport the pets in
It is highly suggested that you utilize automatic lightcase of an emergency.
timers that work just as well on radios, televisions, toTo save on some of the energy billing and reducing
make the home looked lived-in, like you are not away.costs, turn off gas and water, unplug some of the
Stop newspaper delivery for the time you are away,appliances like the microwaves, televisions and other
these piled up on your doorstep or end of drivewayones that you will not be utilizing. This also reduced the
can be a real sign that your home is empty and nodanger of power surges if you should experience a
one is there, leaving you wide open and vulnerable. Mailpower outage while you are away. If you have gas
too can be held at your local post office and resumestoves, turn off the pilot lights to save even more while
delivery when you return home.you are gone.
You can also use auto pay for your important bills. PayThere tips, as little as just paying a bill ahead of time, or
utilities online so that the payment will be made viausing auto bill pay to putting lights on automatic timers
internet through your account, so you can rest assuredcan save you much stress and anxiety while being
that you do not miss a payment and a bill is notaway from your home and assuring that your home
awaiting your return. You can even call your paymentsand pets will be safe upon your return.