Travel Tip: Liberating Yourself From Excess Baggage by Packing Light

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When I think of being a slave to excess baggage, I think of Ebenezer's late business partner Jacob Marley in the Christmas Carol. Jacob Marley wore lots of chains that weighed him down. Each and every individual heavy link that made up his chains represented a sin he had done. I see a lot of Jacob Marley's at airports, train stations and on streets.  I see them trudging with the baggage chain they forged garment by garment, accessory by accessory. Daily living has enough emotional, financial and work baggage. Aren't vacations supposed to be an escape from daily life?  Here's some tips to liberate you from the tyranny of excess baggage.

• Make a packing list. Start planning your packing days or even weeks before your trip. This gives you time to perfect your list.  

• Don't pack for the worst-case scenario. Pack for the best-case scenario and simply buy yourself out of any jams.  (Rick Steves)

• Whether you're traveling for three weeks or three months, pack exactly the same.

• Limit  to 20 pounds unless your renting a car or a vacation rental for an extended stay.

•   Pack lightweight, versatile, washable clothing such as Ex-Officio Travel Wear

• Choose lightweight black clothing.  It can easily be dressed up or down anfd is great at hiding the dirt. 

•  However, for the summer or hot climates the clothing is usually light weight. Choose bright colors or   white. You don't want to look like your going to a funeral!

• Use only travel size bottled toiletries. If you are settling into a vacation rental, you can buy bigger bottles at your destination.

• Bring only 2 pairs of shoes (make sure they are comfortable). Pack one pair and wear the other.

• Wear or carry a versatile coat and don't pack any additional ones.

•  Bring jewelry and scarves to mix-up your wardrobe (if you must.)

•   Roll, don't fold. Tightly rolled clothes take up less space than folded ones. You'll also avoid deep wrinkles from fold creases.

• To keep your clothes tightly packed and well organized, zip them up in packing cubes or a Clothes Compressor.

• Use packing cubes or Mesh Pouches for smaller stuff like underwear and socks.