White Board Vacation Planner: 5 Expert Tips for Stress-Free Travel Prep

Let the whole family see the vacations, camps, and when mom or dad may be away for work         

Whether you're heading to the beach, the mountains, or hopping across time zones, a little preparation goes a long way. With these 5 tried-and-true tips (and the help of a visual planning board), you can stay organized, reduce last-minute scrambles, and make the most of your well-earned break.

1. Take the trip! 

Recently there was a travel influencer mom, Elise Caffee, who died in a terrible car accident.  She ran the instagram account 3kidstravel.  Her motto was "take the trip."  I'm sure her family is grateful for all the travel they did.  

Not everyone can go to exotic locations!  We have spent many a spring break and fall break staying right here in Utah.  Just going to another city near you for a night can be fun to explore. You may go camping, stay with friends, or visit grandparents; making these memories is priceless. Family time away, free from life's distractions, is always worth it. 

I recently listened to the book "Take more Vacations" by Scott Keys, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights.  He provides numerous valuable ideas and tips - I really enjoyed the book.  He writes, "The happiest part of travel is the anticipation.  In study after study, researchers have found that people's happiness about a trip peaks before they leave." I had never really thought about it that way, but I agree, that the anticipation makes it that more exciting!  And seeing your travel plans on a wall calendar just reinforces that excitement. 

He then writes, "The second best part of travel is making memories."  One of my favorite things to do at night from time to time is to look back on my Instagram posts and see the photos of places we have traveled to. 

*DISCLAIMER:  Sometimes you can't take the trip. You would love to give your kids experiences, but you are struggling to just make ends meet. My absolute favorite writer is Brooke Romney.  She just gets it.  

A few years ago she posted about this very thing - having "experiences over things." She pointed out that "this way of thinking is usually only an option if you have enough money to have ALL your needs met.  This isn't the case for most families." See her post here: Brooke Romney Writes (no seriously, go read it.  It is so insightful.)

2. As soon as you have a trip planned, put it on the calendar

Remind family members to add dates as soon as they know them, and mark them on the calendar. This way everyone can see at a glance what is planned so far.  It also reduces the risk of last-minute conflicts. Use a Yearly Wall Calendar to add the dates that everyone can see. 

Our magnetic marker ensures that there will always be a marker ready to go, to write those dates. 

3. Create a Packing List

I keep this printout in my closet and pull it out each trip to make sure I’ve covered everything, and sure enough, there’s always something I almost forgot. (The time I almost forgot underwear! Yeah.) I update it periodically as our family changes. 

Bonus: Pin several copies of the packing list on a Corkboard and have family members check things off as they go.

4. To Do's Before You Leave

Going out of town doesn’t mean your responsibilities disappear. Just plan for them! Schedule mail holds, and ask a neighbor to water your plants, and arrange pet care. 

Recently our daughter had a house-sitting job, and although she was told all of the instructions, she appreciated having a written list to look at when she went over to the house.  A corkboard would be the perfect place to pin that list. 

If you might receive packages while you are gone, ask a neighbor kid to gather them off the front porch. 

I know some people close all of their blinds and curtains when going on a trip.  To me, that screams "we're out of town!"  We leave at least some of the window coverings open.

THINGS TO DO:
-Put your mail on hold with USPS
-Adjust the thermostat
-Make sure all doors are locked
-Take out the trash
-Set timers for lights
-Throw out perishable food that will go bad while you're gone

If you are going to be gone for more than a few days:
-Turn off the water
-Turn off your ice maker

If you think you might forgot to do any of these things, write it on the calendar or a fridge to-do list, or post the list on the corkboard.

6. DO THIS BEFORE YOU COME BACK HOME 

We went to San Diego last summer. Normally my husband is really good about checking every room for any belongings that were left behind. So sometimes I get a little lazy.  I got home and realized I had left a whole drawer full of stuff in the bathrom - my favorite curling iron, shower cap, etc.  Neither of us checked that drawer for some reason.  Lesson learned!  

So, before you leave any hotel room, airbnb, etc:

-Check all dressers and nightstands.  Look under beds and under sheets. 
-Check bathroom vanity drawers. 
-Check all closets

REMEMBER!
A successful vacation starts with preparation.  Nothing keeps you on track like a visual system that lives in the heart of your home. The Girl Friday Yearly Dry Erase Calendar is more than just a board, it's your co-pilot for easier vacation prep.