My husband and I had to take a plane ride the other day for our friends funeral. The trip was to be a one day trip - up very early in the morning and back the same day. Well, the PA weather had different plans for us. You see, the east coast received a LOT of snow and our flight out of Harrisburg, PA was cancelled. Yikes! We didn't pack a bag because we just knew we'd be back. I always carry small travel packs of toiletries in my makeup bag. So, we had some of the basics. The hotel also gave us a few necessities and we had to buy the other things. How I wish I had listened to my Mama who told us to pack a bag!
Anyway, back to the original reason for this post - baggage. We'll be traveling in a few weeks and of course, I have already begun packing. The cost of bags now has me rethinking how much I pack. The point was really driven home as we were at the check in counter getting my husbands miles number. There was a young lady who had three HUGE bags. The cost? $200 extra (Yep, I was eavesdropping). Omgoodness, I could have my Michael Kors watch with that!
I think we may have been almost charged one time for having an overweight bag, but we quickly shifted it around to adjust the weight. I just can not imagine paying that much for my luggage.
I've been reading a lot about how to minimize your packing. Here are a few items I found that I really like. Not sure that I can do all of them, but they do make sense.
- Use the laundry service at your hotel or through your cruise line. So, basically you only pack a few items and just have them laundered to save space. I think clean clothes take up MUCH less room than clean clothes. Not such a bad idea to have your items cleaned a few days before the end of the trip. They'll be nicely folded and you won't take up as much space.
- Re-wear clothes. You'd simply recycle your outfits. One post said that you more than likely won't see these folks again. Not to mention the fact that they probably won't remember what you had on anyway. Not so sure I am down with this one. I would definitely recycle my bottoms - basic bottoms. This may be one place that I can save room. I've been known to pack several pair of jeans and black or khaki shorts/pants. The tops - I'm not sure I'm interested in re-wearing my tops.
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- Use the small toiletry containers. I've started doing this already. I have a huge bottle of MorrocanOil. Do I really need to take the entire container? No. A little goes a loooonnnnggggg way. I put some in one of the tiny TSA approved plastic bottles and I'm good for at least a week. I did the same with my foundations, shower gel, facial moisturizers, etc. We also always carry the travel size tooth paste. I promise you it will be enough.
- Don't buy everything you see. This is mainly for when you are on the trip. I don't know about you, but I tend to buy a ton of items that I don't need on vacation. Especially when I am in the Caribbean. Do I really need another conch shell bracelet or ring? Probably not. They may seem small, but those items take up room. Especially when you buy lots of them. So, I'll scale down my purchases or have the shipped home.
I am hoping that these packing tips will help me. Gotta have some room for the goodies I'll bring home!
What tips do you have?
Great traveling tips! Sorry for the occasion that you and your husband had to fly. :(
ReplyDeletexx Rach