Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, but sometimes they become stressful and annoying.  Today’s tips are designed to help you avoid some of the potential hassles and frustrations that crop up on vacations.  In this case, planning and prevention are the keys to success.

Save Time and Hassles:

1. Use a GPS.  Global Positioning System devices save time and hassles on the road, but they could also save your life.  Don’t risk getting lost in a remote area.  Buy, borrow, or rent a GPS device to use on vacations as well as any other trips you may take.  Some newer automobiles and rental cars now offer built-in GPS devices if you don’t want a standalone device.
2. Memorize your car tag number (license plate).  At most hotels and some other places where cars are parked, you’ll have to write your tag number on a form or tell it to a clerk.  Memorizing this number saves you time and potential mistakes.  If you accidentally gave the wrong tag number, your car could even be towed!  Next time a clerk asks for the number, you’ll have it memorized instead of running outside to look at it.  And besides, you know the clerk is making fun of you the whole time you’re outside checking.  Did he just make a funny face at you?  Quick!  Turn around!  No, you just missed it.  Maybe next time.
3. Bring healthy snacks.  Instead of stopping at every convenience store and purchasing overpriced, unhealthy snacks for the trip, bring enough healthy snacks with you at the start.  There’s no need to ruin a diet just because you’re on vacation.  Life is too short to waste on bad food.
4. Bring water and stainless steel bottles.  Staying hydrated is important during the popular summer vacation months.  Make sure to bring enough water for each day, and try to use bottles that won’t leak unhealthy chemicals into the liquid.  People do collapse due to dehydration.  Don’t let that be you or a loved one.
5. Think about security.  Lock doors, carry wallets in front pockets, carry bags with the strap across the neck/shoulder area, keep important emergency numbers and contacts stored in a cell phone, leave valuables at home or in a safety deposit box, backup and encrypt computer data before leaving, scan or photocopy wallet contents before leaving, park in well-lit areas, avoid risky activities and locales, don’t flash money or flaunt wealth, and don’t talk to strangers!  OK, that last one is a stretch.  Vacations revolve around talking to strangers.  In any case, consider security at every step while on vacation.  You don’t have to let it consume you and ruin the experience, but security measures should become a regular part of any trip.
6. Bring enough batteries/film/memory cards for electronics.  While mist glistens in the afternoon sun, a magnificent whale bursts forth from the ocean in all its majesty.  At the perfect moment, you push the button on your camera… and nothing happens.  Dead batteries hurt good people.  Lack of memory space or film is another deal breaker when the whale is showing off for the crowd.  Others will have the precious shot, but you won’t unless you bring enough batteries, memory, and film for cameras and other electronics.  Plan ahead, bring enough, and don’t skimp.
7. Bring a battery charger and rechargeable batteries.  Talking about batteries, you can help save the environment and some money by using rechargeable batteries.  Just make sure to bring enough batteries and the proper charger.  Consider a fast-charging battery system, such as the 15-minute systems that can even charge from the DC receptacle in an automobile.  There have been many times when I’ve charged batteries during the drive to a location where I wanted to take photos.  In fact, that is how I do it most of the time.  It’s quick, easy, and affordable.
8. Carry some cash, but divide it among multiple people.  Even if you plan to use a credit card for vacation purchases, carrying some cash is a good idea for emergencies.  However, keeping the cash all in one place is a bad idea.  If one person lost the cash, everything would be gone.  Instead, divide the cash among multiple people in order to distribute the risk.
9. Bring sunscreen, use sunscreen, and use SPF chap stick (lip balm).  Don’t get burned!  Buy high-quality sunscreens and use them every day if you’ll be outside at all.  Sunscreens usually need to be reapplied a few times throughout the day as well.  Also, use a bit of chap stick with an SPF rating in order to keep your lips from burning.  Avoid the pain, hassle, and health risks of a sunburn by using sunscreen regularly.
10. Pack everything in one or two bags, and use good luggage with multiple pockets.  I vividly remember the vacation when, due to car trouble, my wife and I had to completely unload our car and carry all of our luggage a few blocks to the nearest hotel.  With multiple bags and dozens of pounds of stuff, it was a tough ordeal.  You can be sure that on our next vacation we packed much more responsibly.  We found that packing lightly, bringing only what we absolutely need, and putting everything into one or two rolling bags makes hauling luggage around very easy.  In addition, good quality luggage with many pockets allows important items to be divided and organized.  The next time we have car trouble, we’ll be prepared.  Hopefully you will be, too.

Thanks for visiting Sensible Harmony and reading today’s vacation tips!  Tomorrow, we’ll finish up vacation week with a final set of tips and product suggestions that make vacations easier, safer, less stressful, and more fun!  Let us know your vacation thoughts in the comments section.