Be A Packing Guru With These Smart Tips

As someone who spends entirely too much time on the road, I’ve got my packing routine down pat when I am getting ready for another trip. However, even I have forgotten something on occasion because I was rushed.

So how do you make sure you’ve got everything you need? Make a list! And start working on that list at least a week before you’re traveling, because inevitably you’re going to remember something that you forgot to put on your list a few days later..

I keep my frequently used travel items pre-packed and ready to go. I’ve got a toiletry bag with my toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, razor, shaving cream, and other travel necessities in there. I also make sure to pack an Old Spice DUO, a flexible, dual-sided body cleanser that scrubs, cleans, and smooths skin. You do not want to chance it and get stuck with some generic hotel soap.

When it comes to packing, rolled clothes keep wrinkles to a minimum and take up less space than fully folded garments. Fill in gaps between certain items to take advantage of the free space you have for the rest of your travel gear. And make sure you keep any liquids in Ziplocs to prevent them from damaging your clothes.

You should also make sure you bring any medicine you might need while you’re away. I use a pill case (the ones old people use for their medication), and load it up with Tylenol, ibuprofen, Pepto, Immodium, Benedryl, and TUMS. This might sound extreme, but hotel gift shop prices are crazy for these types of items. Heck, I once paid $6 for a single Benedryl tablet on a cruise.. Ouch!

If you’re traveling overseas, the two most important things you’ll need are your passport and a travel adapter. Without your passport, you’re not going anywhere, so I make sure to put that on top of my suitcase and stick it in my pocket when I’m leaving home. I also make sure to bring a copy of my passport with me, just in case. And since other countries have different electrical outlets / voltage, I use a Travel Voltage Converter so I can keep my electronics powered up while I’m away.

Speaking of which, don’t forget to pack your cell phone charger before you leave, because the last thing you want is a dead phone with no way to charge it. Worst case scenario, ask the hotel front desk if they’ve got a charger you can borrow, or if there’s one in the lost and found that you can use.

Lastly, make sure you keep your license, passport, medication, and other essentials with you and not in your checked luggage. Because lets face it, airlines have a bad habit of “misplacing” luggage! (That’s why I rarely check a bag, opting to travel with a DELSEY Carry-on Expandable Spinner instead, which fits easily in most overhead bins and can take whatever abuse you throw at it)

Safe travels!