PACK IT UP – How & How Much

How (and how much) you pack can greatly impact your comfort level while on vacation. Follow these tips as you pack your bags.

• Pack light. When in doubt, leave it out! Adopt a European standard for fashion by wearing your favorite things multiple times while on vacation. You can hand-wash in the hotel sink if necessary. No one ever wishes they had brought more stuff on vacation! (But you might consider bringing an empty duffel bag or backpack to cart home souvenirs.)

• If you’re flying, consider taking only a carry-on to save time and frustration upon arrival. If you’re checking luggage, make sure to pack essentials (change of clothing, bathing suite, medications, toiletries, snacks) in a carry-on bag, just in case you’re separated from your checked bags.

• Invest in handy travel accessories, such as a mini-clothesline, “compression sacs” to compress your clean or dirty clothes, sleep mask, ear plugs, and inflatable neck rest.

• Know the current airline carry-on restrictions by visiting www.faa.gov/passengers  or www.tsa.gov/311/ before you go.

• Clean out your wallet before you leave. Take only bare essentials, such as two major credit cards, ATM card, your driver’s license or state ID, passport (if traveling abroad), health and car insurance cards, and cash or travelers checks. Leave all other cards at home (you can’t lose them if you don’t bring them!)

• Make a photocopy of the front and back of your wallet essentials and stash it in your suitcase or leave it with a trusted friend or relative back home. If you should lose your wallet, you can more easily get replacements. Also, leave a copy of your itinerary in your suitcase in case you misplace your original.

Recommended Products to simplify and organize your travels:

Pack This – packing organizer pad

 

 

 

The Travel Organizer

 

 

 

Next up – Home Sweet Home – Keep Your Home Safe During Your Travels

Originally posted 2009-06-22 09:30:04. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Savvy Travelers Start with an Organized Packing List

In this Organized Travels installment I provide an extensive packing list that you can use to develop your own. Use this packing checklist as you gather clothing, toiletries, carry-on  necessities, and more for your next trip.  It may be helpful to make photocopies of this list before you start checking, or order our Packing List notepad which gives you a packing list for any type of weather and for every family member. I keep my packing lists in my luggage so when I get my luggage out of the closet and open the bag, it’s right there when I need it – I don’t have to go searching.

Consider having a ready-packed bag for basic toiletries that you use every time you travel, like razor, band-aids, travel-sized soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tissue, clothes-line, etc. Having these items pre-packed and stored with your luggage means less packing and risk of forgetting something.

CLOTHING

• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweater/sweatshirt
• Pants – dressy
• Pants – casual
• Pants – jeans
• Shorts
• Capri Pants
• Skirt/pants
• Suit/dressy clothing/ties
• Swim suite/cover-up/goggles
• Underwear/socks
• Shoes – dressy
• Shoes – casual
• Shoes – flip-flops
• Sleepwear
• Work-out clothing/sweatsuit
• Jacket/rain poncho
• Umbrella
• Hats – beach, baseball
• Accessories – jewelry, purse

TOILETRIES

• Shampoo/conditioner/soap
• Deodorant
• Lotion/lip balm
• Toothbrush/paste/floss
• Shaving equipment
• Personal hygiene products
• Nail file/clipper/polish
• Comb/brush/hair dryer
• Laundry detergent/spot remover pen
• First aid kit
• Glasses, contact lens, sunglasses
• Prescription medications
• OTC medications
• Sunscreen/insect repellent
• Electrical adapter

FOR CARRY-ON

• Wallet/passport/cash/traveler’s checks/money belt
• Reservation confirmation – tickets/hotel/rent car
• Itinerary/maps/guidebooks
• Travel ear plugs, sleep mask, neck rest, pillow
• Books/magazines/travel games/laptop
• Camera/film/batteries/memory card/tripod
• MP3 Player/iPod/charging station
• Cell phone/charger
• Snacks/gum
• Notepad/pens/stamps/address book/journal

 OTHER LITTLE NECESSITIES to CONSIDER

• Pillowcase
• Antibacterial wipes
• Zip-top bags
• Beach towel & beach toys
• Alarm clock/flashlight/candle

At the end of every trip, review your packing list and cross off any items that you found you didn’t really need to bring.

Originally posted 2009-08-03 14:17:53. Republished by Old Post Promoter