Vacations can really be a lot of fun. However, the planning stage is far from it. Locating passports, cramming suitcases full of clothes, finding someone to walk the dog: it almost makes a vacation not even worth it. Actually, it doesn’t. Just a little bit of advice can get you through the planning phase, and right on into the fun phase. First, where on Earth is your passport? If you can’t find it, look into an expedited passport renewal. It’s a little bit more money, but the peace of mind is a huge relief when you’re planning everything else.

Even if you aren’t going out of the country, keeping your passport with you is always a good idea. A passport is a good form of identification, and if your wallet or purse gets stolen, it will prove to be an irreplaceable lifeline. If the dog ate your passport, consider a damaged passport replacement. You’re going to have to do it eventually, so do it now so you don’t have to worry about it later.

Packing without over packing is one of the hardest things to do when planning for a trip. Especially if you have to walk with your luggage, having six bags full of shoes for every occasion definitely won’t seem worth it when you have to transport your bags. The first thing to do is relax and start a checklist. Just throwing things in your bag as you think of them could leave you forgetting something important. Make sure you have all the necessities down, no matter how obvious they are: plane ticket, passport, car keys, hotel reservations, directions, etc.

What will the weather be like on your trip? What kind of activities will you be doing? Where will you be staying? These are all important questions to consider when packing, as they can heavily affect exactly what you bring. For example, for a beach trip, you are definitely going to want to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a cover-up, flip-flops, as well as your bathing suit. If it’s going to be 90 degrees, you would want to bring tank tops and shorts. If you’re going to be hiking, you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes and a backpack. Knowing specifically what you will need prevents any last-minute panic attacks when you are met with an unexpected rainstorm in sunny Florida.

Try to get the travel-sized versions of all your toiletries, especially if you’re flying. Toiletries take up huge amounts of space and are prone to explosions or leaks. You will most likely be able to run into a grocery store or a drug store to replenish your supply if you run out.

Take the time to scan and make copies of all your important travel documents. This includes everything like your passport, your hotel reservation, important phone numbers, social security card, driver’s license, insurance information, and anything else you deem important. After you scan them, email them to yourself so they are easily accessible. Print copies and leave these with family members or the house sitter so someone always knows where you are.

All that’s left is squeezing all your stuff into your bag. Consider every piece of clothing carefully and leave out anything you won’t need. Make sure you have your passports, and if not, invest in an expedited U S passport renewal or a damaged U S passport replacement. Now that you are all set, relax and enjoy your vacation.

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