| For many of us summertime = vacation | | | | look for the information you need before |
| time. Some people will spend their days | | | | or during your trip, you'll have it all |
| off at the local pool. Some may choose | | | | at your fingertips. |
| to sightsee in their own town. Many will | | | | Keep a toiletry bag packed with small |
| leave behind the comforts of home for | | | | sized travel sized-containers all year |
| the open road. Regardless of the | | | | round. By doing so, you're always ready |
| destination or mode of transportation, | | | | for a long trip or an overnight stay. |
| it is important to be organized for | | | | Take a quick inventory of its contents |
| travel. | | | | before you leave home-you might have run |
| A few benefits of being organized for | | | | out of toothpaste on your last trip. |
| travel: | | | | *If your favorite products don't come in |
| 1. Being organized will save you time. | | | | sample sizes, purchase small, travel |
| Having a copy of your packing list on | | | | sized containers and fill them with your |
| the computer will cut down on the time | | | | favorite shampoo and creams. Label them |
| used for re-creating it every time you | | | | clearly so you don't accidentally |
| travel. | | | | condition your hair with a facial |
| 2. Being organized will save you money. | | | | moisturizer... |
| Doing pre-travel shopping at home will | | | | Place items you'll need immediately at |
| save you big bucks (especially on film | | | | the top of your suitcase. Items such as |
| and batteries...) that might be | | | | comfortable shoes, pajamas, and |
| otherwise be spent at a tourist trap. | | | | toiletries are more easily accessible if |
| 3. Being organized will save you stress. | | | | they're closer to top. When you're tired |
| No need to stress while scrounging for | | | | from a long journey, the last thing you |
| your tickets and ID at the airport if | | | | want to be doing is rummaging through |
| all of your paperwork is organized in | | | | your suitcase. |
| one place. | | | | Use suitcase organizers to separate |
| Follow these organizing tips to keep | | | | outfits or types of clothing. Products |
| your vacation a stress-free, time and | | | | such as Pack-It Cubes or Ziploc bags do |
| money saving event: | | | | the job well. Hefty makes One-Zip 2.5 |
| Plan ahead. Create a general itinerary | | | | gallon bags (found in many supermarkets) |
| before you travel. Grab pen and paper | | | | that are large enough to organize |
| and jot down your travel times, hotel | | | | clothes and later can be used to keep |
| check-in/check-out times, and a list of | | | | laundry or wet bathing suits away from |
| activities/places you'd like to visit. | | | | the rest of your belongings. |
| This will help you make sure you have | | | | *Wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes |
| allowed enough time to get to your | | | | while traveling will give you more space |
| destination, and whether or not you've | | | | in your suitcase. |
| scheduled too many activities for one | | | | Organize your wardrobe around one basic |
| day. | | | | color such as black, navy, or brown to |
| * Stop by your local 'AAA' office for a | | | | prevent overpacking. You'll be able to |
| Triptik and other travel-related | | | | mix and match easily and you won't need |
| services to help map out your route if | | | | to bring a ton of different shoes. Also, |
| driving. | | | | when packing--think about your vacation |
| Create a checklist to help you pack. | | | | activities. Will they include hiking? |
| Keep it on the computer so you don't | | | | Days at the beach? Having dinner with |
| have to write it over every time you | | | | relatives? Think ahead and pack items |
| leave home. Use it as a template and | | | | you may need for those activities such |
| update it before each trip to include | | | | as band-aids for hiking, aloe vera for |
| anything new such as medications, | | | | sunburns, and the scarf Aunt Shirley |
| toiletries, accessories, etc. | | | | gave you for your birthday if you'll be |
| Keep all information related to your | | | | seeing her. |
| trip in one place. Create a folder for | | | | Travel safely and have an organized |
| papers such as reservations, | | | | trip! |
| confirmations, and tickets. When you | | | | |