Happy New Year everyone! Since we were in Seattle last, we haven't done much traveling between Sammi being in school and Dillon working a lot, BUT we do have a trip coming up and we cannot wait to share with you all! Until then, we are starting a weekly post about travel tips that are being provided by www.smartertravel.com! This week we are giving you 10 packing tips, sooo here goes!
Tip 1 - Roll, Don't Fold ... Sammi LOVES this tip, and the best part is... it really saves room (especially for someone who notoriously over packs)!!!
Tip 2 - Make a Packing List ... This is another one that Sammi uses! Before every trip I make a list of what is going in my suitcase and what is going in my carry on. Making these lists helps make packing a little less overwhelming and you are less likely to forget something!
Tip 3 - Know Your Airline's Baggage-Fee Policy ... We highly recommend following this tip because what is worse than showing up at the airport thinking you are all set to go and then the person checking your bag tells you that you have to pay an additional price for something?!?!
Tip 4 - Follow the 3-1-1 Rule ... This rule is a little confusing so here is the break down; 3.4 oz bottle or less, 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag, and 1 bag per passenger. Dillon and I don't travel too much with liquids in our bags, but this is always good to know!
Tip 5 - Use Your Personal Item Wisely ... Sammi ALWAYS has her purse on her while traveling, as well as her carry on! Typically, your personal item is not put in the overhead stowaway cabins, so what this tip is suggesting is to keep the items you will use during the flight in your personal item!
Tip 6 - Wash Your Clothes on the Road ... If you have access to a washer and dryer where you are staying, it is definitely helpful to use, this way you can pack less things and rewash them if needed!
Tip 7 - Pack Dual-Purpose/Use Garments ... Jeans, sweatshirts, bathing suits, etc. all fall into this category as well as what SmarterTravel listed (pants that turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a pillow)!
Tip 8 - Layer ... Sammi always layers while traveling! This is a nice hack because it saves room in your suitcase! You could wear a sweatshirt to the airport and that will give you a bit more room in your suitcase for something else that is important! Another part of layering is how you layer your bag (layer 1 = shoes, layer 2 = clothes, layer 3 = electronics) and this will help the TSA process go quicker.
Tip 9 - Never Check Essential Items ... Passports and other forms of identification, phone, wallets, money, other valuables, etc. should not be checked and should ALWAYS be kept in your carry on/personal item bag.
Tip 10 - Use Packing Aids ... SmarterTravel talked about compression sacs as well as packing cubes. Another packing aid that Dillon and I use is our garment bag! Its a rolling garment bag that keeps all our formal/work clothes from getting wrinkled!
Source: https://www.smartertravel.com/packing-tips-everyone-should-know/