Forgetting Something?

6 Last-Minute Things to Remember Before Leaving for Your Trip

Every single time I walk out the door for a trip, I have a nagging feeling that I am forgetting something. I run through the list in my head, check to make sure the stove is off approximately 800 times (anybody else with me on this?), and triple check to be sure I have all of the irreplaceable items.

If you’re like me, it’s helpful to have something to confirm that you aren’t leaving out the most important thing. Here are my top tips for prepping for your trip to ensure that you’re ready for adventure before you walk out the door!

Wanting to make sure you packed everything you need? Check out our Ultimate Vacation Packing List to ensure your suitcase or backpack have everything you need!

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Phone, Wallet, Keys

My life would be so easy with my phone, my wallet, my keys-y. Adam Sandler was on to something.

The reality is that most things in your suitcase can be replaced at nearly any destination that you’re traveling to, because (believe it or not) people actually live there! Rest assured that as long as you pack the irreplaceable things, then the worst case scenario is not that bad.

Before heading out the door, make sure you have these items: Phone, Wallet, Keys, Passport & any other necessary paperwork (visas, vaccination records, etc.), & Medications.

Are You TSA Ready?

TSA processes vary by airport (& sometimes even by terminal!), so make sure you are prepared for a seamless TSA process by tending to these items before you leave for the airport!

  • Have your ID & boarding pass (just in case!) ready. Real ID laws go into effect in the U.S. on May 7, 2025, so be sure to bring your Real ID or your passport if you are traveling internationally.

  • Make sure all liquids in your carryon/personal items are 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and are in a clear quart-sized bag. Put this bag in an accessible pocket so you can easily pull it out if asked during security. Be sure to toss any drinks or empty any water bottles before entering the security line! Food items can generally be kept in your carry-on bag as long as they are not liquid (& yes you can travel with snacks in your carry-on!).

  • If you are traveling with a laptop/tablet, make sure it is in a location where it can easily be removed for screening. All electronics larger than a phone must be removed and placed in a bin with no other items.

  • Wear shoes (with socks!) that you can easily slip off during screening. Not all airports require you to remove your shoes, but it’s better to be prepared.

  • Get ready to place all bags, jacket, shoes, laptop, & liquids in the bins. Again, TSA varies by airport depending on their screening machines, but it’s best to be prepared to place your bag on the rollers along with a bin containing your jacket/shoes/purse/liquids and a bin containing your laptop/tablet.

Jot Down Hotel Details & Directions

Whether you’re on an international trip without access to phone data or you’re traveling to a remote area where cell service is spotty, it’s helpful to have screenshots or notes about your accommodation details. We once stayed at an AirBnB in Prague where we couldn’t access the unit without needing to walk several blocks to a coffee shop late in the evening to contact our host. It ended up working out easily, but saving these important details can help avoid any potentially stressful circumstances.

Before leaving for a trip, we always save hotel or campsite details, as well as general details for getting to & accessing these accommodations. If any codes are needed, make sure you have these saved so that you aren’t relying on finding nearby WiFi in order to settle in for the night!

Book Your Travel Insurance

If you haven’t done so already, make sure you have your travel insurance booked. This is especially helpful during international trips as it helps protect all luggage and, most importantly, provides supplemental medical insurance just in case something were to go awry on your trip.

For those with multiple trips booked, I would recommend Allianz Travel Insurance! They have plans for individual trips, but they also have an annual plan that will cover your trips throughout the year.

Let Someone Know Where You’re Staying

It’s always best practice to let someone know where you’re staying, so send a text to a friend or family member & let them know your general whereabouts just in case you run into an emergency situation or need to be reached for whatever reason. We always text a friend the details of any hotel, AirBnB/VRBO, or campground that we are staying at so that someone will know where to reach us if there are any issues.

Prep Your Household

If you’re all squared away with TSA, have your pockets filled with must-have items, and your travel insurance is booked, you’re well on your way to a worry-free (or at least worry-limited) trip! We always make sure to tend to the following items in our household just to be sure that all is well at home while we are away:

  • Adjust the thermostat. Check the weather and make sure no cold snaps are in the forecast that may jeopardize your pipes. Otherwise, I would recommend turning down/up the thermostat a few degrees depending on the season to save on your energy costs while you’re away. Make sure the temperature you set the thermostat to is still within the range to protect your home and your belongings.

  • Leave a spare key with a trusted person. Several years ago, a chair on our apartment balcony was rocking during a particularly windy day and our apartment complex needed to come into our unit to make sure everything was okay. The problem is that we were out of the country! Luckily, I left a key with a close friend & she was able to go in with the apartment’s maintenance crew and get to the bottom of the incident. This is very helpful if an issue arises at your home while you’re out of town!

  • Toss any old food in the fridge. Nobody wants to come home to a science experiment. Save yourself the trouble & just go ahead and get rid of anything that may become an eyesore (or nose sore) while you’re away.

  • Do some light cleaning. When we return from a trip, we are usually both exhausted and a bit sad to have ended our travels. There’s nothing better than crawling into your bed with a fresh set of sheets that your past self gifted to your present self to help ease the Sunday Scaries.

  • Unplug electronics. We live in an area of the U.S. that experiences a large number of severe thunderstorms throughout the year, so it’s helpful for us to unplug large electronics like our televisions, gaming systems, microwave, etc. just in case a lightning storm were to occur while we are away. This is not a necessity, but it makes us feel a bit better. Make sure to leave your internet router plugged in if you have any security cameras or other electronics that depend on WiFi while you’re away!

  • Water plants. Okay, maybe I just have a lot of plants, but make sure you have a plan for taking care of plants and/or landscaping while you’re away!