For many of us summertime = vacation time. Some people will spend their days off atlocal pool. Some may choose to sightsee in their own town. Many will leave behindcomforts of home foropen road. Regardless ofdestination or mode of transportation, it is important to be organized for travel.
A few benefits of being organized for travel:
one. Being organized will save you time.
Havingcopy of your packing list oncomputer will cut down ontime used for re-creating it every time you travel.
two. Being organized will save you money.
Doing pre-travel shopping at home will save you big bucks (especially on film and batteries...) that might be otherwise be spent attourist trap.
three. Being organized will save you stress.
No need to stress while scrounging for your tickets and ID atairport if all of your paperwork is organized in one place.
Follow these organizing tips to keep your vacationstress-free, time and money saving event:
Plan ahead. Creategeneral itinerary before you travel. Grab pen and paper and jot down your travel times, hotel check-in/check-out times, andlist of activities/places you’d like to visit. This will help you make sure you have allowed enough time to get to your destination, and whether or not you’ve scheduled too many activities for one day.
* Stop by your local ‘AAA’ office forTriptik and other travel-related services to help map out your route if driving.
Createchecklist to help you pack. Keep it oncomputer so you don’t have to write it over every time you leave home. Use it astemplate and update it before each trip to include anything new such as medications, toiletries, accessories, etc.
Keep all information related to your trip in one place. Createfolder for papers such as reservations, confirmations, and tickets. When you look forinformation you need before or during your trip, you’ll have it all at your fingertips.
Keeptoiletry bag packed with small sized travel sized-containers all year round. By doing so, you’re always ready forlong trip orovernight stay. Takequick inventory of its contents before you leave home—you might have run out of toothpaste on your last trip.
*If your favorite products don’t come in sample sizes, purchase small, travel sized containers and fill them with your favorite shampoo and creams. Label them clearly so you don’t accidentally condition your hair withfacial moisturizer...
Place items you’ll need immediately attop of your suitcase. Items such as comfortable shoes, pajamas, and toiletries are more easily accessible if they’re closer to top. When you’re tired fromlong journey,last thing you want to be doing is rummaging through your suitcase.
Use suitcase organizers to separate outfits or types of clothing. Products such as Pack-It Cubes or Ziploc bags dojob well. Hefty makes One-Zip two.five gallon bags (found in many supermarkets) that are large enough to organize clothes and later can be used to keep laundry or wet bathing suits away fromrest of your belongings.
*Wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes while traveling will give you more space in your suitcase.
Organize your wardrobe around one basic color such as black, navy, or brown to prevent overpacking. You’ll be able to mix and match easily and you won’t need to brington of different shoes. Also, when packing--think about your vacation activities. Will they include hiking? Days atbeach? Having dinner with relatives? Think ahead and pack items you may need for those activities such as band-aids for hiking, aloe vera for sunburns, andscarf Aunt Shirley gave you for your birthday if you’ll be seeing her.
Travel safely and haveorganized trip!
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience, organizing know-how, andsense of humor. For more articles and to get your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit http://www.organizedartistry.com.
stacey@organizedartistry.com
