Simplifying packing

Packing for a trip can be a very daunting prospect. The more people you are packing for, the more complicated it can be.  We all forget things, pack the wrong things, pack too much, etc. We have certainly been there! Long before we became a Respect the Van family, my husband and I traveled to Milwaukee for a family wedding.  We somehow brought two left dress shoes, no necktie and no belt for him.  Thankfully, there was a department store nearby to fix that fashion emergency and we had enough extra money in our budget to buy some replacements.

Because we have all been there in the dreading-packing/forgetting zone, and because I want travel to be as fun and low stress as possible, I am starting a series on packing. I hope the tips help you and your family get out and see the world with less angst and less forgotten stuff.

Tip 1: Keep some things packed!

This could be a tremendous help to your future sanity when preparing for travel.  I can almost guarantee that you won’t regret having a “home” and “travel” version of your favorite toiletries and a few other items, especially if you travel multiple times per year. This list works for us even with different kinds of trips (visiting family, hotels, camping).  It is likely to save you money, time, and potential skin problems/reactions from unfamiliar products. You’ll have less to unpack when you get home too!

Here are some things you can leave packed inside your bag(s):

• bar soap in a travel container (does not leak or expire)
• shampoo (use well sealing bottle or put in a baggie of some sort)
• toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss (our dentist gives us freebies)
• razor and replacement razors
• deodorant
• glasses case (use one from an old pair of glasses maybe)
• contact lens supplies (check expiration dates!)
• sunscreen/moisturizer- (check for expiration at the end of your sunny season)
• frequently used over the counter medicines (examples may be ibuprofen, children’s fever reducer, antacids)
• hairbrush/comb, hair ties, bobby pins if you use them (we use a folding travel brush/comb)
• tweezers and nail clipper (skip the super fancy ones)
• first aid basics like band aids, alcohol wipes
• charging cords/plugs/adapters for your devices- (these items can be expensive or potentially impossible to replace when traveling!)

The list may look a little different for every traveler and family. It has truly been worth the investment of duplicate items, especially when our travel schedule is very packed, or we are in an area with few shopping options.

Do any packing problems plague your travels? Let me know and perhaps I can address those in the future!