More than half of all Americans do not use all the vacation days that they have earned. Taking time off is an important part of work-life balance.

In addition, many companies limit the number of vacation days that you can carry over from year to year. The cut off date for this “use or lose” vacation is usually December 31. (Some companies will buy back unused vacation. You have to decide if you’d rather have the money or the time off.)

We’re a bit more than 3 months from the end of the year, so now is a great time to check your leave balances and see if you have vacation that must be used. If you will, make plans to use it now! All too often, people wait until the last minute to request leave, only to find out that their request is denied because too many people are already off or because something else is scheduled for those days. The earlier you make your request, the more likely you are to get your requested days.

It’s not a waste to use vacation days even if you aren’t going away. Here is a short list of things you can do with those days:

• Schedule the appointments that require you to be home (plumber, chimney cleaning, carpet cleaning. etc.).
• Schedule vacation days to put up your Christmas decorations, do your baking, or wrap your presents.
• Take a day to volunteer at your kids’ school or at a community event.
• Sleep in and then go to the movies in the middle of the day.
• Have a long lunch with an old friend.
• Binge watch your streaming queue.
• Clean out a closet.
• Deep clean the house.
• Do necessary repairs.
• Play tourist in your town.
• Pack a picnic and read outside.
• Have a daytime date with your spouse.

So get out there and use your days. (I have several days to use or lose. I’m debating if I want to use them to paint my house!)