Travel Smart with a Packing List

When our kids were little ones and we were planning a trip -even just for overnight- I would always dread the endless packing and stress over what I was missing or forgetting for the 4 of us..and eventually 6 when we included my elderly parents, too! Being a list-maker at heart, I found myself constantly adding to the list and jotting ideas down throughout the days prior to our getaway.  I finally got the bright idea to simply type out everything from the scribbled lists into an official packing list “Word” document on our computer & keep it for future trips.  (hey-there were no smart phones back then) I’m not sure why it took me so long to think of this idea!

Fast forward 15 years and I still have my packing list(s).  Of course times have changed. Now with phone apps and notes, reminders and calendars on our phones, you could choose your own unique way of keeping your organized packing list. 

Where do you start?  You could start a packing list now, even if you’re not planning a trip in the immediate future…

There are the obvious necessities

Start jotting down those items you can’t leave home without:  phone charger, snacks, pjs, undies, clothing, shoes, baby diapers, medicine, toiletries, etc.  Pretend you are going about your “usual” schedule. Make note of what things you use on a daily basis.

Add in the extras

Lint brush, travel iron, dvds, tickets, passport, camera gear, jewelry, handbags, etc. Even if you don’t need it for an upcoming trip, just note items you might need on a trip in general.

Group by area

Once you have your packing list, rearrange the items by their location in your home so that they are grouped by area. Shout-out to “cut and paste”! You don’t want to take time to criss-cross the house 20 times when you are actually using this list for your future packing. 

When you’ve grouped items by location, you’re done! The next time you need to pack your bags, print out or refer to your packing list and start actually packing. There is peace in knowing you probably aren’t forgetting anything. And you can always add to your master list as needed so that it becomes even more thorough.

Rather wing it, chill now and buy items at your destination if you forget them?  Go for it!  But if you want a stress-free trip where you don’t have to bother with second guessing yourself, try making a master packing list you can refer to & tweak for years to come.  Happy packing!

1. Here’s a handy list of the best to-do-list apps out there. 2. Want to be over-the-top organized? Try packing your bags the day before you actually need to pack, then live out of your bags for your final day at home to make sure you haven’t missed anything. 3. Through the years I’ve found it helpful to have a separate little section on my master packing list that is weather-specific. For instance, items for a beach trip (swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, towels, beach toys, beach chairs) & cold weather trips (mittens, hats, boots, coats, scarves), etc. 

Other travel tips and tricks here.