Tips & Tricks: July 2014

Quote of the Month
“…making a list, checking it twice…”
Author Unknown

A great big “WELCOME!” to all of our new subscribers this month. Thanks for joining us – it’s really great to have you with us.

Vacationing Lightly

Summer, for most of us, is a time to take a break… even if it’s only a weekend or for some people, it can be a week or even a month. Getting away from it all is the point of vacations.

So what happens when the person or family who is “getting away from it all” tries to pack their entire lives into their suitcases and/or cars? They feel stressed, overwhelmed and in some cases, like it would be easier to stay home!

My hope is that the following tips can help you in traveling lightly and give you a taste of what living with less stuff would feel like. It’s can be a mini-test to see if you really can survive with less.

Top 5 Tips for Packing include:

Make a list of what you need to bring. I usually grab a piece of paper and write each day on the paper. If you will have access to washing machines, then you can technically pack less. If you won’t have access, then you need to either bring more stuff or buy some detergent to hand wash and re-wear your clothes. It’s really ok to re-wear clothing. It’s not ok to bring “just in case” clothes and bring them right back home and have to wash them because they are thrown in with the other potentially smelly things in your suitcase.
Try to coordinate the colors you bring – this way, you can re-wear pants and shorts several times and change the tops around. Tops take up less room than bulky pants.
See if you can seriously limit the number of shoes you bring – maybe one for walking, one for beach and one that matches your night time gear.
Use your space wisely. If you want to fit as much as possible in your suitcase, roll your items together to make it more dense. Stuff socks and underwear in the corners. Instead of bringing full size shampoo and toothpaste, etc., transfer to smaller containers. My little trick is to save the end of my toothpaste for trips – so instead of using it all up, I store it in my travel make up bag and take it with me for my next trip.
If you’re taking a plane, take a rolling briefcase as your carry on luggage – you can sneak your heavier items in there and keep the bag you check in, under the required weight. And, since you’re rolling the carry on, you won’t injure yourself.

Here’s a short video from our friends, the Minimalists, who can show you how the real pros do it. Click here.

I’d love to hear about the tips and tricks you use to travel lightly. Happy trails to you!

“Helping Baby Boomers and their Parents Lighten their Loads.”

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home, contact me. Together, we can transform your home into a happy, tidy place where you can feel at peace. We can also get you ready for your next move more enjoyably, faster and easier!