December 7th, 2009
Cure a Vacation Hangover
Coming home chores can be such a drag-here 10 do-ahead ideas to lighten your load. Put fresh sheets on the bed and replace the bathroom towels before you leave. That way, your own room won’t seem like a comedown from the hotel you just left. Pay due bills so you don’t come home to a dark, hot house with any electricity, water, telephone or cable. Pre-pay credit cards and mobile phone accounts if you’re planning on going far or spending a lot to avoid any inconveniences resulting from cut lines or overdrawn cards.
Warn friends and family that you will be away – a mass e-mail will do –so they don’t wonder where you’ve disappeared to or forward you too many silly e-mail jokes, which may fill up your inbox and that you’ll have to spend time deleting later. Toss out leftovers and perishables so the smell of spoiled food won’t be the first thing to greet you when you open the fridge.