•Book your trip and make your travel arrangements

•Purchase travel insurance

 •For domestic travel make sure that you have a valid government-issued ID

•For international travel you will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the start of your trip and with at least 3 blank pages. For detailed  information go to travel.state.gov

•Obtain any visas that are needed for your trip

•Have any immunizations that are needed for the trip

•Start reading and learning about your destination

•Decide on your clothing for the trip and purchase what you need

•Call your credit card company to let them know that you are traveling

•Stop mail and newspaper delivery or make arrangements to have them collected while you are gone

•Fill any pharmaceutical prescriptions

•Obtain a copy of your eyeglass or contacts prescription

•Update or create your medical record for travel

•Make an appointment for your hair

•Make arrangements for care of your home/family/pets/plants

•Make copies of your passport, credit & ATM cards, health insurance card and itineraries to take with you and to leave at home

•Research and decide on your free-time activities

•Pay your bills

•Clean out your wallet/purse.  Leave cards and change at home

•Adjust the thermostat

•Wash the dishes and take out the trash