Packing For The Occasion

Whether you are flying or driving there is a limit to want you want to take with you. It's just common sense to travel as light as you can. Remember that everything you take with you, you have to take care of ( and haul around)... also, you want to have room to bring home a few treasures from the trip. If you are flying, look at the airline's web site for information and limits.

In your carry on luggage you want to have:

A passport, for all travel outside the U.S. and identification purposes.

Wallet containing:

Driver's License and/or other proper photo identification required for domestic travel.

Insurance cards for both your medical and automobile insurance

Credit cards

Travelers checks

Airline, Cruise or Train tickets

Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be staying.

Travel brochures and maps

Cash for tipping those folks that take care of you.

Any necessary medication. Carry your medication in their original bottles to help avoid security questions. Cameras, computers and electronics that you really feel that you can't live without.

Valuables. Now, let's be practical here, most valuables are better off locked up at home. By taking them with you you are asking to have them stolen or lost. Make sure your insurance will cover the loss if you just have to take them with you.

Carry a list of all of the items that you have with you on your trip, and leave a duplicate list at home, to help you file a complete claim form if your items are lost or stolen.

To keep things tidy:

Don't over pack your bags.

Take the proper size luggage for your trip. Too big a bag will allow your items to move around and make damage and wrinkles more likely.

Unpack as soon as possible.

Most hotels and motels have an iron if you need it. Don't pack liquids. Any town, anywhere has a drug store or Wal-Mart with an isle of travel sized toiletries, if your choice of lodging doesn't supply them.

To Avoid Losses:

Never leave your luggage unattended

Learn your destination's airport code and make sure the correct tag put on your luggage.

Avoid taking luggage with expensive brand names that will make the luggage more attractive to thieves.

Clearly label your luggage on both the inside and outside with your name and address.

Remove all items that are hanging on luggage that could get caught on conveyor belts, such as a leash for walking the rolling bags.

Place a trip itinerary in your luggage so your luggage may easily be returned to you.

Place an unique bright marking on your luggage so you can easily identify it. We use a strip of yellow duct tape on the handles of our luggage. Marking your luggage makes it easier to identify if it is lost, and keeps other travelers with similar luggage from taking it from the conveyor.

Cross pack a couple changes of clothes with a traveling companion. That way if your luggage is misplaced, you?ll have enough clothes to get by until it's return.

Block the view of others when you are entering ATM or phone card numbers so thieves can?t copy the codes and use them.

If an airline loses your luggage, file a claim before you leave the airport. Be sure to give them a copy of your itinerary and item list for that bag. Also, be sure to get a copy of the claim and phone number to follow up.

Consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your property. The more you travel, the more you know that traveling with the smallest possible amount of luggage is the best way to go. To travel light and still have what you need:

Call ahead to the hotel or view their web site to see if they offer laundry services, robes and toiletries to will reduce your packing needs.

Coordinate your outfits around a central color that allows you to mix and match your outfits and cut down on shoes and accessories.

Check the weather to account for seasonal temperature and precipitation fluctuations.

Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing coats. Take a solid color sweater that matches your outfits to use to keep you warm.

List all the items you are taking. If you don't need it, don't take it.

Thea Swafford is in her 10th year working Online to help people to efficiently run both their home base and business with wisdom and humor. Visit Thea at http://TheaSwafford.com and read more of her articles at http://EFischentLiving.com.

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