Trifter

It doesn’t matter if you are going to visit Grandma Ruth out of town for the weekend or for a two week vacation to the Caribbean. Good packing can make the experience a better one. Before you start to pack you should go through a few steps of smart packing. This will not only limit the time of you travel preparations but it will also leave you ready for all of the little mishaps that are part of the most regular vacation or trip.

The Carry-On Bag

Women generally refer to this piece of luggage as their hand bag which they bring along on any trip even if it is just a short one to the supermarket. The most important function of the bag that you never leave out of sight is as the carrier of your most valuable items. This is where you should keep your passport, money, travel plan and other things that you need to access fast. If you are going by airplane you should also make sure to have a few basic pieces of clothing and a toothbrush in your carry-on luggage. It is all too common to arrive hours or even days before your suitcase will so don’t get stranded without something clean to sleep in.

Security Checks

Depending on your destination you might have to go through security checks where they actually open your luggage. The security inspectors don’t have time to put your things back in the neat order that you packed them so think about arranging them in a way that will be hard to mess with. Your smaller items like underwear and socks can be put into plastic bags. This way they won’t be all over the place after a scrupulous security check. Also remember not to put things like scissors or knives in your pockets or carry-on luggage since this will most likely be discarded and not given back to you.

Keep your Clothes Fresh

Even if you have a suitcase that is made out of a very sturdy material you can always expect smells to enter your luggage. This is especially so when travelling by airplane where the strong odor of the fuel can stick to your clothes till you wash them. You can avoid this by wrapping your clothes in a big plastic sack. Before you put the sack with the clothes into your suitcase make sure to flatten and suck out the air (you can even use a vacuum cleaner for this!) to save you space in your bag.

Bring as Little as Possible

The hardest part of packing for a trip is probably to decide what to leave home. It is better to leave more than what you had originally planned. If you are going far away on a longer vacation you are most likely planning to shop so you’ll need space for your new clothing and souvenirs. If you are going to Grandma Ruth you might not stay as long but chances are great that you’ll be returning with more extras than after your trip to Paris!