When you think summer, what comes to mind? Sun, pool, umbrella drinks and... TRAVEL! If you’re going away for the weekend or a whole month, either way, one thing is certain: you’ll need to pack. And HOW you pack, will play a big role in the outcome of your trip. Why? For these reasons: 1. Practical packing (aka planning what to bring and strategic placement of the items) avoids the steeps check-in baggage fees. 2. You want to make sure that you arrive at your destination without toothpaste all over your clothing. 3. Avoid having to deal with heavy, bulky bags. OR 4. Arriving at your destination without your favorite swimsuit. If you’re hungry for more, we’re sharing daily tips, hacks and DIY ideas on our Facebook page here. LIKE and enjoy. TIP #1: Make a travel checklist. About one to two weeks before taking off on your trip, start writing down what you’ll need and would like to take. Write down exactly how much you’ll need and of what i.e.: 3 white shirts, 2 jeans, etc. Consider the number of days you’ll be gone, the time spent traveling and any laundry opportunities. We say to start early, because it's easy to forget items at home and typically throughout the course of a week, you’ll randomly remember other things. It’s better to remember before leaving, not after. Here’s a quick checklist of the necessities to inspire you: Important Information, Documents and Financials Driver's license and/or personal ID Passport / Visa Cash and/or credit cards / wallet Airline / train tickets Copies of reservations Contact information for the hotel(s), stops, tours, etc. Printouts of the itinerary Travel insurance Health insurance cards Emergency contact info Grooming Essentials Soap / shower gel Shampoo and conditioner Brush / comb Deodorant Skin care / lotion Shaving kit Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss Clothing Necessities Underwear Socks Pajamas Shirts / tees /sweaters and other tops Pants / jeans / dresses /skirts Shoes / boots / sneakers Outerwear Hat Sunglasses Electronics & Gear Mobile phone and charger Laptop / tablet and chargers Camera with memory card, charger and necessary cables Outlet converters Music player Travel alarm Binoculars Health Sunscreen, sunburn relief Hand sanitizer First aid kit Prescription medications Vitamins Aspirin Cold medicines Tick/insect repellent Basics and Other Essentials Travel Pillow Reading material Water bottle Compass Maps Guide books Headlamp / flashlight You can print this page and cross off items as you're packing them. TIP #2: Measure your carry-on bag. Avoid having to pay additional fees, by not exceeding the size requirements you’re your carry-on luggage. Check the airline's carry-on baggage restrictions TIP #3: We talked about making a list ahead of time and the same applies for packing. Start packing early to make sure that you’re not only taking everything you needed, but avoid packing unnecessary items you might otherwise pack in the heat of being über rushed. TIP #4: Become a layering pro. If you’re heading somewhere cold, a trick to keeping the suitcase slim is to pile on the layers rather than pack a heavy winter jacket. When layering, think thermal gear and thin sweaters. You can also wear the bigger, bulkier items (like coats and long sleeve shirts) on the plane with you, to avoid having to pack them. If you’d rather not wear them, put them away in an overhead bid. TIP #5: To maximize the space inside the suitcase, fold the clothing. When packing, fold each item in half lengthwise, carefully roll it up tightly, then place it inside the bag. On another plus side, the folded clothing is likely to arrive wrinkle-free. If you need to fold dressy shirts, fold them like you normally do, stack them and then place sheets of tissue in between each one of them. This process will help keep wrinkles away. For easy unpacking, consider leaving blouses and dresses on their hangers. TIP #6: If you’re packing something bulky, consider using Ziploc Space Bags. They’re great at compressing bulkier clothing. Remember this though: you’ll need to vacuum the bag again as you pack to come back home. TIP #7: When packing shoes, if you’re not using any bags to put them in, make sure the soles are facing away from the clothes. TIP #8: Pack the heaviest items first and the lightest – last. Don’t forge the Transportation Security Administration three-ounce liquid restrictions. And to help avoid getting your suitcase turned upside down, place the toiletry kit on top of the clothing, so it's within easy reach at the security checkpoints. That’s it for today, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK for more :) Happy Travels! US Storage Centers
