The One Thing That Makes Coming Home From Vacation Easier

After a long, relaxing vacation, the idea of coming home and getting back into a standard routine can be daunting — especially when it comes to meals. Before a trip, people tend to use up perishable items so they don’t spoil, but doing so means an empty fridge upon return. And the last thing that most of us want to do is come home, drop off our luggage, and turn right around to go to the supermarket. Thankfully, there’s a helpful hack that makes it simple to come home from vacation to a stocked kitchen.

Preschedule a Grocery Delivery

At-home grocery delivery isn’t a new concept, but it’s one that travelers should be utilizing more often. Several companies allow you to schedule grocery deliveries in advance — for example, Amazon Fresh allows customers to place an order up to a week before delivery, while Instacart allows you to place an order up to two weeks early. Many local stores offer grocery delivery as well. By prescheduling a grocery delivery, you can return to fresh food soon after you get home, which is one less important errand to worry about.

Word to the wise: When scheduling a post-trip grocery delivery, it’s important to take into account the potential for delays. We’d recommend scheduling the delivery for at least a couple of hours after you expect to get back home.

Place a Last-Minute, Same-Day Order

If you didn’t place a grocery order before your trip, don’t worry — many stores also offer same-day delivery (sometimes for an additional fee). This method works just as well as prescheduling an order, as you’ll have fresh food waiting for you shortly after you return a few hours later — all it takes is a few quick taps on your phone as you’re waiting to board your flight home. While you can still always order takeout, it’s nice to have fresh groceries as an option for a more nutritious and satisfying meal.

Don’t Get Burned by the Freezer

Of course, you can always freeze food as well, but here’s another tip for making sure that the food in your freezer is safe to eat after you get back from your trip, in case of any power outages. Before you leave home, take a few ice cubes, place them in an empty bowl, and then put the bowl in your freezer. When you return home, check to see if the ice is still in cube form. If it is, you know that your freezer worked while you were gone; if the cubes melted and refroze as one piece, you’ll probably want to toss the food as it could be unsafe to eat.

Other Proactive Tips To Keep Your Home Safe

Being proactive before a trip helps alleviate the potential for headaches after you get back, and this includes matters besides food. For instance, a smart tip is to snap photos before you leave of items like ovens and other heating elements to make sure they’re turned off or unplugged — doing so not only forces you to double-check them, but also offers peace of mind on your trip. Additionally, consider adding drain stoppers, covers, or metal screens to drains to deter pests from entering your home while you’re away.

You’ll also want to set your thermostat to a proper temperature to keep your house in good physical condition — without racking up a huge energy bill. (Follow our tips here for the perfect temperature.) 

Lastly, did you know that some home insurance policies require that someone check in on your home while you’re gone? According to TD Insurance, “Your insurer may require your home and property to be checked regularly while you’re away to confirm your eligibility for specific coverage.” If you’re a homeowner, be sure to carefully read your insurance plan before departing so you’ll be able to travel worry-free.