1. Over budget TF out of everything

You know you’re gonna give yourself an allotted amount of money and then over spend that, even if you’re not drinking. Let alone, if bars are an option. So set a budget, then over budget giving yourself some realistic leeway.

2. Have emergency money stashed somewhere safe

Outside of your budget, have emergency money stashed somewhere in case everything goes wrong. Remember: Murphy’s Law still applies, even on vacation.

3. Don’t be stupid, this isn’t spring break; you WILL be arrested.

Know the group you’re going with, and set some ground rules if necessary. If you’re going on vacation with the friend that likes to do one of the following you’ll probably need them:

-Wander off
-Mouth off to authorities
-Insist they’re not drunk, and then get mad when someone tries to cut them off
-Steal stuff
-Fall asleep literally anywhere
-Talk to random strangers
-Prank people

4. Make sure you brought enough clothes for the week

Pretty self-explanatory. No one wants to wear the same pair of underwear two days in a row.

5. Make sure you tell someone where you’re going in case of emergencies.

If you don’t tell someone where you’re going and you get lost/kidnapped/injured and there is no trace of you, that is now partially your own fault.

6. For the love of God bring sunscreen! Apply that sh*t hourly like it’s the cure to aging.

If you know you burn and you’re going somewhere warmer than your usual climate and you don’t bring sunscreen: tough sh*t. No one wants to hear you complain about it because you knew what you had to do.

7. Prepare for the unexpected

If you have a gut feeling about preparing something for the trip that you might need, pack it! Don’t second guess yourself, sometimes it’s instinct.

8. Make a list of things you want to do before you leave.

Don’t be that *sshole that goes on vacation with people and complains about boredom and not wanting to do what everyone else is doing, but didn’t look up anything else to do.

9. Pack snacks and entertainment for flights/trains/drives.

It’s gonna be a decent length trip if you’re going somewhere good. Bring snacks, no one likes to travel on an empty stomach. And bring something to entertain yourself in case of delays or traffic jams.

And last, but not least:

10. IF YOU LEAVE WITH IT, COME BACK WITH IT

Make a list of everything you’re taking with you, because trust me, nothing is more disappointing than getting home with a lot of souvenirs and realizing you left your shoes and your favorite hoodie/hat in the hotel never to be seen again.