Smart Packing Tips

I travel a lot and I like to pack light, especially with the excessive bag fees most airlines are charging now for even one checked back.  I often travel overseas and often during winter and to a very cold country, so this presents quite the challenge.  However, on my most recent trip, I was able to fit everything into one carry-on (which included my laptop & charger, phone & charger, iPod & charger, a book, my medications (never, ever pack them in your checked bags), a pillow & blanket for the flight, plus a cozy pair of warm socks.  I also always bring ear plugs and an eye mask so I can attempt to get some sleep, especially when I'm traveling across several times zones and at night.  In my checked-bag (which was free since it was an international flight and I have miles on the airline) I packed 2 pairs of pants.  One black and one pair of nice jeans.  I packed a set of silk long underwear for warmth, 3 pair of black socks, five pair of underwear, one bra, one camisole, one pair of pajamas, three turtlenecks (white, black and black/white striped) and three sweaters.  This was for a two week trip to Sweden in December.  I wore a pair of boots on my feet and didn't pack things like shampoo, conditioner, etc., since it would be easier to just buy it there.  I had a small ziploc bag with my Bare Minerals makeup, some chapstick, an extra pair of contacts and eyedrops, plus all of my medications sorted into a pill organizer which looks just like the one in the link, except mine is in Swedish :)  I brought a couple of pens, some gum, a pair of gloves & a scarf and I was on my way.

People were shocked that I could travel so light (I can do it even lighter in warm weather, then I only have a small carry-on that holds EVERYTHING.  How do I do this?  Firstly, by choosing clothing that will mix & match well.  I honestly never wore the same "outfit" twice, even though I was wearing the same clothes.  I was staying with friends, so I could use their washer/dryer and any toiletries I didn't buy at the grocery store when I arrived.  It's very freeing to not have to lug a bunch of stuff around, especially since even if you check your bags through on the way home, when you arrive in the U.S., you have to reclaim them from customs and then recheck them.  This is a HUGE pain in the butt when you've been traveling for 10+ hours.

My friend and I also share a rolling duffel that accompanies one of us back to our home country on each trip, so that way we will always know that we have an extra bag going home to carry all of the gifts we're bring back to friends & family.  She took it with her in July of this year, so now I have to go back to Sweden to recover it.  But maybe when it's a bit warmer this time ;)

So, here is my organizational list and my packing technique.  It works!!!  Tweak it a bit to fit your lifestyle but remember, pack everything you think you'll need, then take HALF of it out and leave it at home.  If you're traveling out of your home country, don't forget to bring an adapter for your electronics, otherwise you won't be able to plug anything in.  Most electronics now have converters on them, but double check just in case, you might need to buy a converter too (this is what you would plug into the wall to change the voltage of the electricity to match the requirements of you device).  My laptop has an automatic converter, most do.  Then I use it to charge my iPod, phone and camera.

Happy Trails!