Planning a vacation can be exciting, but the preparation process can sometimes be overwhelming. From managing mail delivery to ensuring your home is secure, there are several steps you can take to make your time more comfortable. Let's take a look at some practical tips to help you prepare before your next trip.
Click to get Kurt's free CYBERGUY newsletter with security alerts, quick video tips, tech reviews, and easy ways to make you smarter.
Tip #1: Place a Vacation Hold with USPS
You can easily set up a vacation hold through the USPS, which allows you to hold your mail at the post office while you're abroad. You can request it directly online. From USPSEven Check your email for photos of your mail before it arrives via Informed Delivery from USPS..
Tip #2: Set up a Wi-Fi thermostat
If, like me, you live in a place where the temperature varies greatly depending on the time of day. smart thermostat It can make your life easier when you are at home or away from home. A Wi-Fi thermostat can help you keep your home warmer or cooler before you return from vacation. You can also prepare for inclement weather that may occur at home while traveling, such as heat waves or cold waves.
Wi-Fi thermostats are less expensive than smart thermostats. Cool or heat the room according to your instructions. A smart thermostat can track temperature settings and automatically adjust for efficiency. If you need something when you travel, a Wi-Fi thermostat is a more budget-conscious option.
Read more: Another home thermostat found vulnerable to attack
Tip #3: Install a security camera outside your home
If you want peace of mind that your home is safe while you are away, consider installing security cameras around the entrances and exits of your home. We have our list Our top picks to boost your home security here.
See More: 5 Best Light Bulb Security Cameras
Tip #4: Sign up for a grocery delivery service
various grocery delivery app You can download it for those moments when you need groceries immediately after returning from vacation or while traveling. Almost all grocery delivery apps allow you to customize your order, including a drop-off date and time.
You can save money by ordering groceries while on vacation, as they are often cheaper than resort food options. Also, do you come home to an empty refrigerator after being away for a long time? Online ordering allows you to have groceries ready for dinner when you get home from vacation.
See more: The best travel gear of 2024
Tip #5: Install security cameras inside your home
Installing security cameras inside your home can help you monitor activity and give you peace of mind. If you have pets at home, you can use it to check on them while you are away. Leaving them in the care of someone else can be stressful, and using a camera can help ensure their well-being. I often travel with an inexpensive camera to view vacation rentals when I'm away from home. The only time you feel comfortable using your camera inside your home is when you're not home. I'm not a fan of using the internal camera while at home, so when I got home it was immediately moved away from the inside.
Tip #6: Create automatic replies to emails in Gmail
If you handle your email through Gmail, you can set up an out-of-office response for every email you receive. This will let anyone who emails you know that you received their message but cannot respond. As a tech journalist, I need to keep in touch with everyone, and autoresponders make that easy. Here's how to set up an out-of-office response in Gmail:
Gmail
- open Gmail
- in the top right setting
- click See all settings
- scroll down vacation responder and turn it on
- write period, subject and auto-reply message
- at the bottom of the page save changes
yahoo mail
- Your yahoo mail account
- Click Next. gear icon (Settings) at the top right
- Choose Detailed settings
- from the left vacation response
- toggle In ~ switch next to Turn on vacation response
- Below the message “Show vacation responses for these dates” Start and end dates for your holiday response
- Your custom message To let the other person know that you are away
- click get To enable vacation response
eyesight
These Outlook instructions are based on the January 2024 update for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you notice any differences, check for additional updates or specific settings.
- open eyesight
- click file in the top left
- Choose automatic reply
- Check it out Send automatic reply Box
- setting date range for your holiday response
- your craft missed message
- click great To enable automatic response
AOL Mail
- Your AOL Mail account
- click option (gear icon) at the top right
- Choose Detailed settings
- click vacation response
- toggle In ~ that much Turn on vacation response switch
- select date for your response
- Your personalized holiday messages
- click get To enable vacation response
See more: Best travel adapters of 2024
Bonus tip: Make your home look lived-in.
Security cameras and mail storage are great deterrents, but there are other ways to keep your home looking busy while you're away. Here are some ideas:
- Timer lights: Set timers on some lights using: smart light bulb You can turn it on and off in the evening, mimicking a typical routine at home.
- Cars in driveway: If you have a trusted neighbor, ask them to park their car in the driveway from time to time to make it seem like someone is home.
- Radio at low volume: Playing music or talking quietly to the radio can create the illusion that someone is inside.
- Pause delivery: In addition to what we previously discussed with USPS, if you have non-essential deliveries scheduled for the holidays, we recommend pausing them to avoid boxes piling up outside your door.
By following these tips, you can create the illusion of occupancy and deter potential theft.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Vacations are a great way to get away from work, unwind, and spend quality time with friends and family. But when you get home, you're flooded with mail and emails, and if it's too hot or too cold, you might get a headache. These six tips I use every time I go on vacation will give you added peace of mind and help you organize everything when you get home. Autoresponder emails in particular have saved me a lot of stress.
Security issues may vary depending on location. Have you ever had a close call or learned a valuable lesson related to home security while traveling? Please let us know by sending a letter to: Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
For more tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to the free CyberGuy Report newsletter by going to: Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask Kurt a question or let him know what story you'd like us to cover..
Answers to CyberGuy's most frequently asked questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.