Back to Reality - Stress Free

Everyone loves taking a vacation, but the to-do list before you go & when you return can be overwhelming. Fortunately, with a little organization and planning your transition to and from vacation can be stress free. Here are our tips:
Plan Ahead:

• Tidy before you go! Get all of your laundry done so you don't have a back log when you return. Now this may be a total buzzkill, but if your rental has a washer/dryer, think about doing laundry throughout your time away. I know, vacation is supposed to be vacation, even from the laundry, but we promise you that it'll be worth it when you can unpack suitcases of clean clothes.
• Clean out your refrigerator of all food that are expiring and make a list of what you will need when you return. If you have a food delivery service in your area such as Pea Pod (www.peapod.com), take advantage of it. You can order groceries online before you leave and designate a convenient delivery or pick-up time for when you return. If food delivery is not an option, consider asking a neighbor to pick up the basics for you, especially if you're arriving home late at night.
• Put a hold on your mail for the duration of your vacation. This can be done online through the US Post Office. You can choose to have it delivered in bulk on the day of your return or pick it up in person at the post office. Also, ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for any special packages or deliveries. 
• Take out the trash. Empty all of your waste baskets and recycling to avoid any odors or critters while you are away. 
• Make arrangements for your pets. When arranging a kennel or babysitter for your pet, consider extending their vacation. You know you will be missing Fido but it may be a better reunion if you get the suitcases unpacked and the house back in order before your fur baby comes home demanding your full attention. 
• Update your calendar. Avoid missed appointments when you return. Make sure your calendar is up to date with all appointments and activities for the week following your vacation. 
• Use SMART Home technologies. Set your thermostat for vacation mode so you are not wasting money on heating and cooling while you are away, but are comfortable when you return. If you have SMART lighting consider setting it to go on at night so you don't return to a dark home. It is also a deterrent for burglars. 

When You Return:

• Pack all of your dirty items in one suitcase. Upon your return you can wheel the suitcase with dirty clothes right to the laundry room. Kids can be great helpers at sorting laundry into piles! Wishful thinking? Probably. 
• Articulate your game plan. If you have school-age or older kids, tell them what you expect of them upon your return. Again, perhaps wishful thinking, but designating tasks to children on what they are responsible for bringing inside/putting away is a great time-saver & incentive for screen time later. 
• Sort the mail. After the mail is delivered/picked up, sort it into four piles: bills to be paid, magazines and newspapers to read, trash/junk, and urgent. Address any urgent items. Place bills in your office or near your computer for electronic payment, place magazines and newspaper on a coffee table to read at your leisure, and toss or shred the junk mail.
• Unpack your suitcases and return them to their storage area. While immediately unpacking your suitcases and putting them away will be the last thing you want to do, this one task will likely be the most rewarding as it'll be the most time-consuming. And once it's done, it's done!
• Download your photos & return electronics/chargers to proper location. Grab your phones, cameras, go pros, or whatever electronic method you used for capturing memories and place them by your computer to be downloaded, updated, and recharged when time allows. 
• Take a break! Finally, spend time reflecting on your vacation, relax, or get some fresh air! Rome wasn't built in a day.

Later/Next Day:

• Head to the grocery store. If you were not able to arrange for grocery delivery, take your list and head for the supermarket, but don't feel bad if you can't get a home cooked meal on the table for your first night back. Take out, dine out, have a bowl of cereal...it's ok!
• Start your laundry. Get through at least 2 loads and get those clothes put away (next to unpacking, the most time-consuming and dreaded, ugh!).
• Get ready for reality...work & school. Get those backpacks, lunches and brief cases packed and ready. 
• Create a photo book or update pictures. Make your memories permanent. Create a scrapbook or photo book. We love shutterfly.com. You can upload all of your pictures to their site and either design a photo book yourself or Shutterfly has a great feature that will format a book for you. Or you can order prints and update your favorite memories in picture frames.

We hope our tips make your next trip the best yet!
-Christine & Leslie ~SOLD Home Organizers