Top Five Packing Tips

Everyone loves to travel, but what do you take with you?

I swear the hardest thing about traveling is the packing. My biggest fear is forgetting something. I know it’s not rational because most items can easily be replaced while traveling. I’ve forgotten nail clippers in the past and had to spend $5 at the hotel store so I could fix a broken nail. Now I always keep extra clippers in my travel bag.

Top Five Packing Tips

1. Make a List – About a week or so before any trip, I start writing out a list of everything I’ll need. I do mine in a specific order to make sure I do not forget anything. I begin with clothing. How many pairs of underwear and socks do I need? After I’ve written out how many pairs of pants and shirts, I move to toiletries. Finally, all electronics and if I’m flying carry on items. 
2. Pick pieces that work with everything you bring. I usually bring a pair of sneakers and wear a pair for travel day. I sometimes will take sandals or specialty shoes (hiking, running) if needed. But I am all about packing as little as possible. I pack jeans or shorts and neutral tops. All items I can mix and match depending on what I feel like that day. I don’t want to end up with a pair of purple pants and an orange shirt on my last day.
3. Before you put anything in a suitcase or bag, lay everything out. I start gathering items the week before and putting them on the guest room bed. This ties into step two because I can survey and make sure everything goes together.
4. Start with shoes. I stuff smaller items into whatever shoes are going in the suitcase. Shoes always go on the bottom. I do bottoms next, then pajamas and shirts. Lastly, I put in toiletries the day we leave. The day before a trip, every toiletry is placed on the countertop instead of back in the medicine cabinet. This way, it’s all out and just needs to be tossed in the bag! I keep a toiletry bag with my doubles of contact solution, nail clippers, and other small travel only items.
5. Cross off items on your list as you go! This way, you know you didn’t forget anything. Unless you didn’t write it down, of course (yup, done that too). And always double-check the list before you pack the suitcase.

What is your best packing tip?