Pre-travel Organizing tips from the Pros at Organizers Northwest

Good organizing solutions come into play before and after you travel. Whether you are going on a two-day weekender or a full blown European walking tour, there is always a certain amount of planning involved in any trip. But no matter what kind of travel you are organizing, the odds are that you will need the same basic items. That’s why PRE-packing makes a lot of sense. Investing a small amount of time when you are un-packing from your current trip will save you time and money when you go to pack for your next one.

Here are some basic pre-packing tips that will guarantee stress-free packing in the future:

• When you return home from any trip, invest a few minutes to clean and store travel items in your suitcase so that they will be ready for the next one. Example items: airplane headrest,, headphones and earplugs, toiletry bag, travel appliances and adapters.

• Since airplane travel requires the lightest packing, aim to be ready to jump on a plane – even if you’re not. 4oz sized (and under) bottles are light and easy to travel with. Keep plenty on hand for when you go to pack. Used empty hotel shampoo bottles or old prescription bottles are great for refilling with your soap and lotion (just be sure to write the name of whatever you refilled it with and the date in permanent marker on the side).

• Rather than packing and unpacking all of your everyday toiletries, consider investing in a toiletry bag dedicated only to travel. Top off travel-sized bottles before putting them away upon returning home. And again, keep it stored inside your suitcase so that when you pull it out, your toiletries are ready and waiting to go.

• Store a carton of Ziplock bags inside your suitcase. When packing, always grab two or three for storing liquids.

• Create a packing list while you are on your next trip. Note the things that you actually need (i.e.: did you really wear that second pair of sweatpants?). Keep separate lists for business trips, weekend trips and longer trips so that you have a go-to master copy of the things you really need.

• When you return home from a traveling, take the opportunity to file or throw away used ticket stubs and receipts. Clean out your passport holder and prepare it for the next trip. Organizing ahead of time will save you time and hassle later on.

• Photocopy passports, identity cards and insurance and credit cards to have copies on file in case yours get lost or stolen. Give copies to a trusted person who can safe-keep them for you.

Imagine how great it will feel when you go to pack and find all travel items ready and waiting for you in the most logical place. Plus, pre-packing will save yourself time and money by eliminating unnecessary shopping trips to stock up on travel sized containers and time spent looking for items you need.

 

If you have a fabulous travel organizing solution that you would like to share, please leave a comment below!

 

Happy Travels!