June - August 2010
Travel Light: Packed and Organized

Travel season is here! Whether it is a college reunion, a family beach trip or a big city jaunt, packing and unpacking can be an enormous burden. Here are some simple tips to get you packing!

Getting Ready
Traveling by car or air can make a difference for your packing. Have the right “container” for this - open canvas bag or zipped up luggage. Pack what you can handle yourself without help. Decide early if you are carrying on your luggage or checking it.

Know the rules of the air. If you are planning on carrying on luggage, check out this site on what to carry on or not. Most of these are the items you would not pack but just to be sure, check it out. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

For a car trip be sure to include a small cooler with healthy snacks and a canvas bag with kid friendly activities. Include a few “surprises” for the trip of new toys, cds or books. Place this bag where you and the kids can reach it. Be sure to include some wet wipes and paper towels since accidents happen!

Start a folder as soon as you have your travel in mind. In it, keep all travel related information together including plane reservations, maps, hotel accommodations, website addresses and brochures.

Getting Packed
Keep a list of all the electronic cords and attachments for your and your kids’ technology. Check the list before you leave home. Store all the cords with the technology itself in a Ziploc bag or in a zippered bag all together. Check the list before you leave for home again to be sure you have all the cords together.

One of my favorite organizing tips is to keep toiletries ready to go at all times. Have a small bag that contains all your products duplicated from what you use every day. Small containers fit into quart size Ziplocs keeping mess to a minimum. Include a few medicinal items like aspirin, band aids and cream, and some tummy meds just in case.

Think through appropriate attire for the occasion according to what will pack and wear easily. Pack clothes that can mix and match. Once you have decided what to pack, lay it out on the bed, and reduce it by one third. We always pack too much!

Pack items in containers to keep order in your luggage. This can be Ziplocs, packing cubes or other simple containers. Remember to have the heaviest stuff on the bottom to avoid smushing the other clothes. Keep valuables with you in a bag at all times. If something is especially important, consider leaving it at home.

Travel light this summer!

If I can assist you in assessing or getting started, please connect with me by email, twitter or my new Facebook Fan Page!

    

For more tips on organizing, visit the Tips Archive (left column).

Back to Top