No matter how exciting a vacation may be, the planning and preparation part is enough to drive you up the wall. However, taking the planning phase one step at a time can help you plan an awesome family vacation, all while retaining your sanity. Before you even start looking for a destination, make sure you and your family has their passports. Don’t panic if you can’t find them or if the dog ate them. You see, passports renewal services are always getting easier, so you can replace yours without having to jump through too many hoops. If you are looking to go on a vacation, there is no such thing as planning to early. Getting your flights and everything else a head of time can end up saving you a lot of money.

The most exciting part about planning a vacation is picking the destination. Keep in mind exactly who you will be bringing with you and when you are going to go. The weather and the season heavily influence the outcome of your vacation. You don’t want to be traveling to Canada in the middle of the winter. Also, keep an eye out for family friendly attractions and activities. Taking the children to Tijuana probably isn’t the best idea, and there are many other destinations that are both kid and adult friendly.

The paperwork involved in your travel plans end up being some of the most important tools when planning a trip. If you can’t find your passport or if you have a damaged passport, be sure to renew as soon as possible, because sometimes it can take up to six weeks to process a replacement passport request. Call the embassy in whichever country you will be traveling to and see what kind of vaccines you will need, as it varies by country. Also inquire about if you will need a visa or if you will have to pay entrance fees.

Simply writing out your budget can help you effectively plan a vacation without causing huge amounts of stress. Talk with your spouse or whoever else will be traveling with you and discuss how much you will spend on the vacation. A good vacation doesn’t equate to an expensive one. Look online for cheap flight deals and ask friends and family which travel sites or services they use. Many sites online offer hotel, flight, and rental car packages that let you book all of this for less with just one click.

Leave important phone numbers and a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend if you’re going to be gone for a long period of time. Also leave this information with babysitters, pet sitters, and house sitters so they can always reach you. Refill any prescriptions and have enough medication for those who need it for the trip.

Some of the best attractions around the world are completely free, allowing you and your family to have a memorable vacation without having to break your budget. So if you find your passport crumpled up in an old suitcase covered in who-knows-what, spend the money on a passports renewals. A replacement passport doesn’t have many benefits. Last of all, get some batteries and grab your camera, and get ready for a trip that you won’t soon forget.