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Top Ten Organizing Tips for Travel!







"He who would travel happily must travel light."

Antoine de Saint Exupéry

He who wrote this, never had to worry about matching shoes to
purses and jewelry.

My husband and I have very different "packing" philosophies. For
him, it is all about how small of a suitcase he can take and still have all
the underwear he needs. For me, it is about how many outfits (i.e.
clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, etc.) I can pack into a small enough
suitcase that my husband won't continually harass me about it for the
duration of the trip.

I realize as a Professional Organizer I am here to encourage and teach
others about simplicity and getting rid of clutter. However, I do not
believe that packing necessary items (within reason) should be
considered clutter. I am also all about having systems in place to
make my life less chaotic, less stressful and more enjoyable.

Here are my Top Ten Organizing Tips for Travel!

1. Have a master list and use it. Here is a great website to help you
with your packing list. This site will have you answer various
questions regarding your travel plans and will then spit out a packing
list for you. This is a good place to start but make sure you customize
it for you and your family. I have a master list for travel with kids and
without. Yes, my list for "with kids" is about 3x the size of the other....

2. Have a "Packing Zone" in place. I have one of these for each child
and one for myself. [My husband is 33 years-old and if he is not able
to pack for himself, he shouldn't be traveling. IMHO.] The "Packing
Zone" should consist of items that you intend to pack as well as your
suitcase of choice. Start the zone a few days before you leave. That
way you will be able to start adding a little at a time and not be rushed
to get it all together at once.

3. Use outfits. I like to lay-out an outfit for each day and possibly
evening as well if appropriate. I lay-out shoes and socks and under
garments for each day. Then I always add 1 or 2 emergency outfits. We
all know sometimes we just aren't in the mood for "that outfit" we
packed...

4. I also have a "Before we leave" master check list. This list includes
things like, check windows/doors are locked, fans/lights turned off,
stove, iron, flat iron are turned off etc.

5. Use a
Hanging Cosmetic Bag
. My good friend used one of these on a trip we took together and I
loved it! She got me one for my last birthday. The best way to use it is
to buy duplicates of items and just keep them permanently in the
organizer. Its great to use during your trip as it just hangs on a robe
hook for easy access throughout your stay. I also like having one less
thing to unpack when I return home!

6. Use a Travel Document holder. You will be asked repeatedly for
your ID if you are traveling by air or train so use one of these to keep
your ID handy. It also holds your tickets, baggage claim tickets,
passports etc.

7. Pack your electronics together. By this I mean cords, Ipods, laptops,
CD's, phones etc. It is easier to find what you need, when you need it
if it is all together in one place. Same goes for items you will need in
transit to your destination including medications and money. Don't
pack these at the bottom of your suitcase!

8. Go to bed early. OK, you're right. This is just a personal tip not an
organizing tip. LOL Stems from traveling with grouchy people on too
many occasions. Yes, I am probably one of them. (At least when I don't
go to bed early!)

9. Leave early. I do not like to be rushed. It adds stress to my day. If
you prepare early, leaving early won't be a problem!

10. Have fun. relax. Make memories. Enjoy.
Organizing Lives * One Room at a Time
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