Tuesday Talk: Travel Tips

Today I'm sharing some of my favorite tips that I use when packing for trips.  These methods changed my travel life immediately after I started using them.  I travel at least once a month these days.  There was a period in my work life when I was traveling from Las Vegas to Washington D.C. every other week, sometimes every few days.  I had to up my travel game to be easier and more efficient because I was on the go so much.  These are my top 3 travel tips that helped me become a better traveler.  Pssst a lil secret about me… I usually pack on the morning of the day I’m leaving.  Packing has gotten so much easier that I don’t need a lot of time to do it.  That maybe freaks some people out who like to prepare days in advance. It just works for me now that I changed my packing style.

So here we go, my favorite travel tips for packing:

#1.  Packing Cubes

Holy cow, packing cubes are a game changer.  So simple and after the first trip that I used them, I was asking where they’ve been all my life.  I started with a pack of 3 cubes – small, medium and large.  They help organize my stuff.  I pack them by category.  One cube for dress clothes, one cube for casual clothes, one for undergarments.  Sometimes, it’s one for clothes, one for shoes, one for undergarments.  On the way back, one becomes for laundry because by then, I’ve worn my stuff.  When I go on quick trips, I don’t even unpack them.  I just take the whole filled cube and put it directly in a drawer.  Not only did I become more organized, I am also able to fit more into my suitcase without any problem.  The cubes really do hold a ton! 

This is what my suitcase looks like using my packing cubes. 

Keeps everything separated and organized. 
I love that clothes aren't just loose in the suitcase.

I have 3 sizes of luggage and I used to need my large suitcase for trips lasting 7 (or more) days.  I can now pack 7 days of stuff into my medium luggage thanks to my packing cubes.  I really appreciate that!  Or, I can fit so much more in my large suitcase with lots of empty room for bringing home all the things I shopped for on my trip.  I appreciate that even more!  #iloveshopping

Kenzo will tell you my packing cubes leave enough room for him to fit in my suitcase too!

This is his "Mom, take me with you" face, while he's sitting in my suitcase..

#2.  Pack Clothes by Rolling or Using the Konmari Filing System

This is 6 tops filed in a small cube - easy to see, and still so much more room to fill.

I had heard that rolling clothes when packing not only fits more, but is better because you don’t get hard creases in your clothes as you would when using a traditional fold.  It’s true.  Rolling also allows you to fit much more into a packing cube.  You could also pack using the Konmari folding method (I blogged about this last month).  It’s so easy to just lift stuff out of a drawer that’s already folded this way and put them straight into your packing cube.

Rolling and Konmari folding means you don’t have to stack up your clothes on top of each other in your suitcase.  They’re easier to “file” and that means you can see everything you packed in one shot.  No need to search through stacks.  Searching through stacks often means you’re messing up the neat piles you packed.  That’s no fun.  Once I started rolling my clothes, and then later using the Konmari filing method, I never looked back.  You will instantly feel the difference when you’re unpacking or looking for what to wear on your trips.  It’s just easier.  Also, less ironing is always a plus for me.

#3.  The Right Wheels

The wheels go all directions!

Hello, spinner wheels.  One push on these wheels and you will be hooked.  A suitcase is easier to maneuver on spinners and so much lighter to pull.  The four multi-directional wheels spin smooth for upright, 360 degree rolling.  Because your suitcase will now roll upright, it can glide right alongside you rather than behind you while you drag it.  That’s helpful on shuttles, buses, Metro/subway systems and down the aisle on an airplane.  Traveling can be daunting.  Anything that makes the actual commute easier is welcome!  Spinner wheels, that’s how I roll!  (Literally.)

That’s it – 3 simple tips that make a huge difference.  Happy Travels, everyone!