Packing – Travel Smart With Jodie

You may think you need six pairs of shoes when visiting family or heading to a holiday destination. Maybe you think people care if you wear the same sweater twice.

Think again if you would like to lighten the holiday travel hassle.

Before switching from general features to travel writing, I really did throw five pairs of shoes into my suitcase and wore my comfy gym shoes on the plane.

I used to stuff stuff into a check through bag and a carry-on

I also brought clothes changes for every day and every evening. Of course I had to bring a large suitcase that I checked through to my destination or wrestled with into the car trunk and up the stairs of B and B’s.

By the way, even if my room was on the first floor of a B and B, it typically had stairs up to the entrance. And even if my plane arrived on time, I had to wait way too long for the suitcase to appear on the baggage carousel.

What a difference the change of writing assignments made.

I didn’t realize I had changed so much until I packed for a recent Washington DC trip and threw, well folded, everything into a carry-on that could fit into the overhead compartment.

For me it was no longer a big deal because I hadn’t used a large suitcase in two years.

The realization that I changed came however, when my husband pulled out his mega-sized bag and I asked, “why?”

“Because I need two suits and a sports jacket,” he said. He was attending a four-day conference where he had to speak one day, while I was doing my travel thing around the capital.

After rethinking what he had to pack (the two suits) and wear (the sports jacket) he saw he could fit everything into his carryon as long as he also took a small travel bag for books and the 3-1-1 bag.

Packing habits can be hard to change but after packing lighter once, you may also change. When changing planes, it is also nice to know you have what you need instead of worrying if you and your bags will ever meet again.

Here are some tips to lighten the load and stop worrying where you suitcase is.

1. Coordinate your outfits so you don’t have to pack more than two pairs of shoes. Wear the bulkiest third pair on the plane or in the car.

2. Limit slacks, shorts or skirts to two to pack and one to wear

3. Women can use tops for costume changes with different teddy’s and tees but should look for ones that are wrinkle free or hang out well. Jewelry also changes a look but don’t travel with favorite or most expensive jewelry.

4. Men also use different colored dress shirts and ties or casual shirts for different looks.

5. Instead of a purse, women can bring a Sac or other sling-over-the-shoulder bag to carry items that don’t fit into the small suitcase. Pills and make-up should go into this bag. Pack a dressy purse or neutral one.

6. Men will find that a small sports bag will carry items not packed into the small suitcase.

7. If presents are an issue remember that TSA does not want them wrapped so best is to mail ahead instead of packing them unless traveling by car. If returning with presents, mail the bulkier ones back home.

Finally, a new online travel magazine is running a holiday list of items that make travel easier. See the items at Striped Pot.

Happy Holiday Travels

Even veteran travelers forget something or are so busy getting everything done before leaving town that it’s a relief to just get into the car or a taxi to the airport. Then come the oops…forgot to stop the papers and oh no, not more road construction.

Here are ten travel tips to avoid hassles that may sound obvious until one of the should-haves pops up:

1. Packing list Making a list is not enough. Check things off when packing the suitcase or car then take the list with you to check off when leaving a resort or town. Anyone who thinks the second check-off isn’t necessary hasn’t left chargers plugged into hotel outlets, slippers under a bed or a wet bathing suit out on a balcony chair -yet.

2. What-not bag Throw in a First Aid Kit, blister-style Band-aids, sewing kit and nightlight. Add a small sound machine-alarm clock to drown out hotel noise and ease worries of late wake-up calls.

3. Sun protection Don’t wait to pick up what you want when you arrive. That arm stuck out the car window can burn. The shop may not have the greaseless sun-block you like and you may stop to sightsee on the way. Bring an extra pair of sunglasses. Throw in a hat to protect the scalp.

4. Charge Take care of those tech tools ahead of time then remember to bring chargers and extra batteries. Frustration is a missed call or photo op.

5. Map it GPS is helpful but it isn’t always right. A recent experience was only funny when the GPS wandered off the highway to cut across farm fields because we already knew the roads we were supposed to take. In addition, you might ask it for the shortest route but learn while driving it that it is not the quickest way or the most scenic. So think about your route ahead of time and bring a map.

Plan ahead for fewer hassles. All photos by Jodie Jacobs

6. Check travel info websites See below for some state department of transportation websites to learn about road construction so that another route can be taken or more time allowed. If flying, check the flight time because your weather might be clear but the plane’s origination point might have problems.

7. Communicate Give someone the destination name, address and phone and your mobile phone number. Life happens. Need we say more?

8. Divide cards Split up the credit/ATM cards and money. If one wallet or card is stolen a companion will have the means to continue the vacation while the stolen cards are cancelled. Speaking of which, keep a list of credit card numbers and where to call in a separate place from the cards.

9. Car packing Put an insulated food bag into the fridge or freezer overnight to keep beverages or food that will go into the car colder, longer. Also put cold water bottles in the fridge ahead of time. Don’t forget the fridge stuff – really, it happens. Take packaged wet towel wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues and trash bag.

10. Car issues Have the tires, oil and brakes checked ahead of time to avoid problems on the trip.

Print out this tip sheet to have handy for future vacations. Have a safe trip.

Check road conditions ahead of time by going online to the Department of Transportation of the state where you will be driving. Here are the sites for some Midwest states: