Sep 09
19
You booked the flight and bought a suitcase plus some new clothes. Now it’s time to think about the not-so-fun checklist items you need to take care of before you head out on your vacation. Here’s advice for taking care of the pet and the lawn, plus tips on cameras, currency and kids.
CARING FOR PETS
Pet sitting is by far the best option instead of a kennel. The animals get to stay in their own environment, play with their own toys and eat their own food. Make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured, and you’ve had at least an hour visit with the sitter. You definitely want to make sure the pet has their immunizations taken care of, and have copies of that for the pet sitter. Have a good backup of the vet number and any contact information in case something happens.
GRASS GROWTH
There is no way of slowing down grass growth while you’re gone, short of starving it of water and letting it die, unfortunately. There are no proven retardants for turf because of the varying conditions in the soil. Mowing the yard once a week is good for most Florida lawns. As far as invasive species, there is always the chance Brazilian Pepper or Bermuda, grass could creep in from a neighbor’s yard. You can even have plant material brought in on someone’s pruners. The best way to prevent that is to hire a knowledgeable landscape contractor.
VACATION CURRENCY
Have all three forms of financial currency with you when you travel, just from a safety standpoint. You want some of the local currency for tips or small purchases, traveler’s checks for safety (because if it’s American Express, for instance, and you lose it, you’re safe), and a credit card for big purchases (for warranty protection in the event of theft or loss).
ARE WE THERE YET?
To keep kids calm in the car, the traditional, old school activities where you count different things are good (like buses, yellow cars or Volkswagen Beetles). The other thing to do is to use search puzzles, activity books or DVD players. To get teenagers involved in vacation activities, include them in the planning process. Vacations take a long time to plan, so once the destination is picked, sit down and go through brochures and go through the various options. Assign them the opportunity to go online and come up with a list of places to go.
