Vacations can be awesome experiences, but planning for them isn’t at all. Finding passports, packing luggage, and a finding house sitter can really dampen the vacation spirit. However, it doesn’t have to. Getting a little advice can help you get organized, and then all you have to worry about is having fun. First, find your passport. If you can’t, consider getting an expedited US passport renewal. It costs extra, but the peace of mind is definitely worth it.

No matter if you’re going out of the country or not, it’s a good idea to bring your passport. Not only does it serve as a form of identification, but it can help you out if your wallet gets lost or stolen. If your passport has seen better days, invest in a damaged passport replacement. You’ll have to do it eventually, and duct tape can only hold it together for so long.

Packing without over packing is one of the hardest things to do when planning for a trip. Especially if you have to walk with your luggage, having six bags full of shoes for every occasion definitely won’t seem worth it when you have to transport your bags. The first thing to do is relax and start a checklist. Just throwing things in your bag as you think of them could leave you forgetting something important. Make sure you have all the necessities down, no matter how obvious they are: plane ticket, passport, car keys, hotel reservations, directions, etc.

What’s the weather going to be like? What specific activities will you are doing? Where exactly will you be staying? Keep these questions in mind when making your list. Every vacation has a different packing list, and knowing exactly what you need will prevent you from running around looking for your snorkel right before you have to leave. Will you be going to the beach? Don’t forget your beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip-flops. If you’re going to a colder climate, bring gloves, a scarf, and warm coats. Will you be camping? Bring bug spray and a sleeping bag.

Especially if you are flying, try to bring the miniature travel-sized versions of your toiletries. These take up so much room in your bag and hold the potential to explode or leak. Chances are you won’t be in the middle of no-man’s-land, and you will have access to a grocery store or a drug store where you can restock your supply.

Scan and make copies of all your important information. This includes your passport, your social security card, important phone numbers, itineraries, directions, insurance information, and the like. Email this information to yourself so it’s stored safe on a computer where it can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. Leave the copies with friends or family so someone knows where you are and what you’re doing.

All that’s left is squeezing all your stuff into your bag. Consider every piece of clothing carefully and leave out anything you won’t need. Make sure you have your passports, and if not, invest in an expedited U.S. passport renewal or a damaged United States passport replacement. Now that you are all set, relax and enjoy your vacation.