To do list for leaving

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

What is on your to do list for leaving for a week or two week timeshare vacation when no one will be home?

For example:

Put a hold on your US mail

Put a hold on your paper delivery (yes some people still get the newspaper instead of reading it on line)

Turn on security system

etc.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I have several trip lists depending on where I am going and they include turning off the circuit breakers for the stove, water heater, dryer and water pump and unplugging the coffee pot and toaster oven. Unfortunately I'm on my laptop and I don't have the word files to look at---will add some later today.

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

When we travel, our son's best friend (who is like our second son- they have been BF's since they were 4 years old) comes to stay at our house. He looks after our kitty. I stuff the freezer with food for him, and bake him loads of cookies and banana bread. We never worry about things while he is here.

Dori

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Kind of like Tony, but is a less organized check list way, I turn down the water heater, unplug the leeches (wall mount power transformers-always sucking electricity), make sure all computers are off and their back up power supplies are unplugged. I have fish that have an automatic feeder plus I add a 7 day feeder, I have to fill the feeder and drop in the 7 day feeder block. I water the plants and fill their little water chambers. I turn down the furnace in the winter or make sure the AC is off in the summer. I open or close the shades, depending on the view or the time of season. And yes, as mentioned, the mail gets held (DW does that online) and the paper is stopped with the Sunday paper starting when we get back.

And finally...When everything is done and the car is packed, I do a final walk through. I check every room and pretty much recheck everything that I have already done.

You know, maybe I should make a check list to make sure it gets done.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Dori, isn't that wonderful!! I recently befriended the fellow that frames all my pics at AC Moore and he now comes and housesits. Sometimes I think my dogs love him more than they do me, and when I come home my house is sparkling clean!! It's cheaper or about the same than boarding them and I think it's the best thing I've ever done! shaggy

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Here's my Maine check list ( details not included):

Make credit card plan, which card to use
make vacation menus
plan menu to use up perishables
obtain necessary cash
shop menu items
pack non-perishable groceries
pack cooking supplies
Inform neighbors of plans
remind Elaine (housechecker/feline care giver)
pack laundry supplies
pack first-aid kit & meds
pack canned goods
pack suitcases
pay bills
hold mail at PO
trash to dump
set automatic lights
suitcases to car
bag footwear/slippers
refrigerate soda & water
freeze ice (if necessary)
water plants
clean cat corner
note for Elaine-include phone numbers
pack vitamins and toiletries
turn on heat, if necessary
pack cooler
turn off and unplug coffee pot and toaster oven
snacks and munchies to car
resort paperwork & maps to car
leave Puma's dish full (and now also Goldie's)
check for keys, wallets & cash
watches
empty dehumidifier
credit cards and park pass
shut off hot water and pump
shut off range and dryer

for foreigh travel, passports are on the list and a note to contact the credit card companies as to where I will be using the cards.

[PHILL12 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PHILL12]

If our daughter going with us we have her best friend and feels like our second daughter stay there. I can trust her and this in most important part to us as she takes care of our home our dog picks up mail and news papers and puts garbage out. She works in area so its closer commute and she can enjoy our swimming pool during the summer.

All this and she makes money for doing this for us.


PHIL

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Tony, I need a vacation from your list. You wore me out!! shaggy

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

Throw away all food items in the fridge that won't make it till we get home.

Take out the trash.

Run the dishwasher.

Make sure there still isn't a load in the washing machine. Did that once and I returned to a washer full of moldy towels.

Make sure the coffee grinds from the morning coffee have been thrown away. Yes, they get moldy to after a week!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

When we travel, our son's best friend (who is like our second son- they have been BF's since they were 4 years old) comes to stay at our house. He looks after our kitty. I stuff the freezer with food for him, and bake him loads of cookies and banana bread. We never worry about things while he is here.

Dori

Dori, isn't that wonderful!! I recently befriended the fellow that frames all my pics at AC Moore and he now comes and housesits. Sometimes I think my dogs love him more than they do me, and when I come home my house is sparkling clean!! It's cheaper or about the same than boarding them and I think it's the best thing I've ever done! shaggy

If our daughter going with us we have her best friend and feels like our second daughter stay there. I can trust her and this in most important part to us as she takes care of our home our dog picks up mail and news papers and puts garbage out. She works in area so its closer commute and she can enjoy our swimming pool during the summer.

All this and she makes money for doing this for us.


PHIL

For those of you who have pet/house sitters, what do you usually pay them?

Throw away all food items in the fridge that won't make it till we get home.

Take out the trash.

Run the dishwasher.

Make sure there still isn't a load in the washing machine. Did that once and I returned to a washer full of moldy towels.

Make sure the coffee grinds from the morning coffee have been thrown away. Yes, they get moldy to after a week!

I think I've made just about every one of those errors at least once while running out the door to catch a plane.

Science projects are not fun to come home to.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

A couple of things I haven't seen:

• We turn off the water to the inside of the house at the master switch (which is in the garage--how convenient).
• Have a neighbor check for the advertising newspaper, which we can't stop, and place it in our courtyard.
• Tell our Security Patrol we'll be away so they patrol more.
• Board the dogs.
• Give girlfriend's number to Security Patrol
• Make a "car bag" if we are driving (maps, munchies, confirmations, etc.)
• Collect old undies to take along

That's all for now.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

For those of you who have pet/house sitters, what do you usually pay them?
::

Lucky me- it's my neighbor a cat lover that won't take money for it. But, I do bring home something for her and furnish her with summer vegetables. She also collects a certain kind of China and whenever I spot it-I buy it and give it to her. Last fall I stacked about 10 cords of wood for her.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

It depends on how long I'm gone. If I'm gone 4 days ususally $75 a week between $100 & 150. I'm giving him $200 for my upcoming trip cause he'll be there from Wed night to Sat afternoon. I also loan him my Honda to use to drive to work so he doesn't have to worry about catching the bus. I also give him free range of the refrig.

I used to put my doggies in the vets for boarding but this is so much better. I don't have to worry about M & M and I come home to a clean house.

shaggy

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

What is on your to do list for leaving for a week or two week timeshare vacation when no one will be home? ...

This is the overall check list. Pretty much the same, but I' absent minded so to list all I can think of and of course only take as the situation requires; When doing cross country to various places, to several TSs, if flying, if leaving country, etc.




Before you leave home:

• Get cash
• Stop Mail
• Leave emergency info
• Put infor in luggage
• Rid fridge of perishables
• Clean dishes
• Clean beds
• Clean laundry
• Rid ALL trash from house
• Adjust thermostat
• Unplug power strips
• Turn off unneeded circuits
• Turn off icecube maker
• Turn off house water

Medical:

• Bite stick
• Allergy medications
• Benadryl cream
• Burn spray
• Cold Medications
• Cough drops/cough syrup
• Hydrocortisone cream
• New skin liquid
• Pepto Bismol
• Q-tips
• TUMS
• Tweezers
• Tylenol/Asperin/Ibuprofen
• Vitamin C
• Eyeglasses

Electronic conveniences:

• A/C adapter/cords
• Power converter
• Camera(s)
• Cell phone
• Laptop, batteries & USB computer cable (download pics from camera
• CPAP machine

Documents:

• Auto insurance policy number
• Driver's License
• Medical Cards
• Passports
• Credit cards
• TUG cards
• Maps
• Park Pass

Kitchen necessities:

• Chip bag Clips
• Coffee mugs
• Thermal mugs
• Corkscrew
• Sharp Knife
• Paper towels
• Plastic utensels
• Trash bags (4 large sized)
• Zip lock bags (various sizes)

Edibles:

• Water
• Cereal Bars
• Crystal lite
• Tea Bags
• Coffee
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Booze
• Sugar/sweetener

Niceties:

• Quarters
• $1 bills
• $5 bills
• Address Book
• Cooler & Ice
• Magazines
• Hair dryer
• Nail clippers
• Paperback books
• Extra pillows
• Plastic sacks
• Rubber bands
• Scissors
• Shampoo / conditioner
• Stamps
• Sunglasses
• Toothpicks
• Videos/CDs
• Wash clothes
• Laundry bag
• Extension cord
• Flashlight
• Nightlight (for bathroom)

Wearables:

• Cap/Hat
• Raincoat
• Fanny pack
• Robe
• Swim suit
• Windbreaker
• Walking shoes
• Water shoes

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

The young man who takes care of our house and cat is like our second son. For years we took him on vacation with us to Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and other TS's. He was always a semi-permanent fixture at our dinner table. Now, when we want to pay him for staying, he refuses, saying it is "payback time".

The only compensation he will accept is homemade chocolate cookies, banana bread and coffee cake. So I fill the freezer with these items, and lots of food. We are so lucky to have him!

Dori