Preparing for Trips

You are getting ready to go on a trip, and as usual you cannot remember everything that you need to pack. Here are a few tips to help you get more organized.

Take a storage bin, drawer or even empty suitcase and use it to set aside travel items such as travel shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

A few months before booking your trip check your passport. Is it ready to expire? Are there enough blank pages for your trip?

As soon as the trip is planned start making printouts of confirmations and activities that you want to do. Place those print outs in the front zipper of your suitcase for easy access.

Do you have luggage tags for your bags? Do the tags have your name and phone number on them? (TSA requirement) Do you have enough tags for the baby stroller, golf clubs, carry on bags, etc? Check out www.crewtags.com for affordable customized luggage tags.

Don't forget to check the rules with airlines that you plan to use. Most have started restricting checked luggage to one bag with additional bag costing a fee.

A few days before you depart, check your film and battery supply and buy anything that you might need at home where it will be cheaper and you can get the brands that you like. Also visit the bank and get some small bills for tipping.

The morning that you are leaving, place a small bag next to your vanity. As you are preparing to go, place each item that you use into the bag. Also think about any special preparations that you might need for evenings out. (Don''t forget to put the bag in your suitcase before you leave)

Pack a small notebook in your bag. While you are on your trip make a note of anything that you might have forgotten. Leave the notebook with your suitcase. When you prepare for your next trip, review the notes that you had made.

Handy Bags

When I am on the go, I keep a couple of kids party bags in my pocket.

These are the colorful ones that you give out at parties for treats that have a little handle in the top. (ok, regular zip lock bags would work fine also, just not at fancy)

Now when we go out to public events I can drop some snacks or chips into the colorful bag. My daughter can enjoy her little snacks with out the annoying rustling of wrappers.

My daughter thinks that it is especially fun to see what bags we get to use each time.

Kitty Litter In Winter

Keep a large bag of kitty litter in the back of your car during the winter. This will actually serve 2 purposes.

It will add just a bit of weight to the back of your car for traction. It will also come in handy if you are not able to get traction on some ice.

Simply open the bag and spread out a couple of cups of kitty litter around your tire. You should be able to gain enough traction to get going again.

Earring Totes

When you are traveling you find it difficult to keep track of small pierced earrings.

You can easily find them if you grab a couple of larger buttons.

Place the earrings through the holes and secure with the earring back.

Now you can reach in your bag and find the pair that you are looking for with out loosing one in the bag.