Packing a suitcase is that part of traveling that everyone hates. It is the most stressful, exhausting, fatiguing task ever and if not done properly and correctly it can get even worse and ruin your whole trip.
However, if you take the time to learn about how to do this task correctly, you will definitely find yourself enjoying every minute of it!
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#1 – Not Respecting the TSA Guidelines for
Carry-On Liquids
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We have all experienced it at some point of our lives: we arrive at the airport’s TSA checkpoint and only then we realize that the full bottle we have packed of our favorite shampoo, conditioner, or expensive facial cream is far over the limit for liquids.
With a very broken heart, you feel stuck and have no other choice but hand it to the TSA agent and watch them discarding it into the famous large bin! So, next time you are traveling by plane, make sure to use containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less for your liquids.
Check and double check at home and not until you reach the TSA point. In addition to this, you should put them into a quart bag or even better put them in your checked luggage.
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#2 – Not Correctly Packing Containers of Liquids
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Not properly wrapping containers of liquids can turn your excitement into a real frustration. Of course, you didn’t spend all this money to allow something really stupid to ruin your whole vacation, right?
So, if you wanna avoid such situations where your most favorite and expensive outfit has been stained by leaking toothpaste or hairspray, then, you’d better do things properly!
What you should know is that the altitude and air pressure changes so rapidly at the moment when the plane takes off and lands. Therefore, this quick variance in pressure leads the air in your bottle of shampoo or whatever expands and contracts. Thus, the mess occurs.
What can you do about it? All you have to do is correctly pack all your liquids inside sealed bags or zip-top bags in order to keep your other belongings safe from any possible damage.
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#3 – Over-Packing
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Over-packing is not a challenging task but packing properly is. You can always open that wardrobe and toss everything into your travel suitcase. Still, this is not a smart idea!
An over-packed suitcase means paying charges for the extras and not having enough space for souvenirs. But, is it even possible to travel with a light bag? The answer is a huge yes.
The first thing you should do is create a packing checklist, in which you have listed all the outfits you need depending on the things and places you are willing to visit on your vacation. You can, for example, stick to basic colors, so that you can easily mix match things together.
Try also to abide by the general rules of three tops for every bottom while you can wear the same jeans, jackets, and sweater for more than one time, and trust me no one will ever notice!
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#4 – Packing an Overweight Bag
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It’s a mistake that the majority of people make. They think that since they have no checked luggage, it’s okay to pack an overweight carry-on bag. The truth is you are totally wrong!
It’s true that some airlines wouldn’t mind but most of them are very strict when it comes to luggage size and weight. So, they would definitely make sure that you check your carry-on bag at the gate and make you open it in front of the world to shuffle off the heavy belongings.
Save yourself the embarrassment, humiliation, and above all the headache and make sure your bag is under the airline’s luggage weight limit before you ever take the road to the airport.
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#5 – Not Checking the Weather
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Even though Weather reports are not always an exact science, it is still recommended that you check the weather of the place you are traveling to, so that you can pack accordingly.
Otherwise, you will end up with a short and a tank top during a snowstorm or the opposite, a warm jumper and trousers instead of a dress and a t-shirt. It sounds funny but when you are stuck in such situation, believe me, your whole mood is spoiled and your vacation is therefore ruined!
This mistake is not really complicated and can easily be fixed. All you should do is check the weather while packing. Fortunately, there are many weather applications nowadays that can help you check the forecast no matter how far the place you are traveling to.
Still, there is no harm if you throw a light jacket or a sundress into your travel bag for “Just in case”.
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#6 – Folding Your Clothes
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Surprisingly, folding your clothes is an error you make when packing your suitcase. In fact, you can follow a better way to maximize and better use the space you have. So, instead of folding, you can carefully roll your clothes and learn how to fold each item properly by following the steps that T+L shares in a step-by-step guide.
But in case you are lost, should you not worry as YouTube can perfectly teach you how to do it through various useful tutorials.
However, If you are going on a business trip or to your bestie’s wedding, and have to pack some fancier piece of clothing, don’t roll them but place a piece of dry-cleaner plastic or tissue between each layer to prevent any wrinkles.
And don’t forget to hang them on as soon as you reach your destination. As for the over packers, you can opt for compression bags, such as Ziploc Space Bags, which can help you save more space but not cut down on a bag’s weight.
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#7 – Not Packing Shoes Correctly
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Not only should you pack your outfits properly but your shoes too. Shoes can take up a huge amount of valuable space, therefore, taking too many pairs of shoes is definitely a big mistake.
Instead, take one pair of sneakers for practical and casual wear and another formal pair of shoes. You won’t need any more than that! Another thing you should learn is how to pack your shoes without staining your clean clothes.
You can use a shoe bag and if you don’t have one, pack the shoes with the soles facing away from your clothes and always place them toward the wheel end of your travel bag.
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#8 – Not Taking Your Swimsuit with You
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Once you step into the other part of the world, you never know what to expect. Traveling is all about surprises! Who knows, you might come across a pool, Jacuzzi, or a natural hot spring, and definitely, you don’t wanna skip that!
A swimming suit is lightweight and won’t take much space in your suitcase. So, just throw it there and you will not regret it.
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#9 – Skipping a Smaller Bag
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Tote bags are versatile and can be used for a myriad of purposes. That’s in addition to their many other advantages. They are small and absolutely not heavy. You can just throw them in your suitcase and benefit from their multiples uses.
You can carry a Tote bag while discovering the touristy part of the place you are visiting and fill it with your bottle of water, sunblock, and even the souvenirs you are willing to buy.
A Tote bag can also serve as a perfect beach bag and why not also fill it in with snacks for the plane. Once your trip is over and it’s time to go back home, use it for your dirty laundry.
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#10 – Packing at the very Last Minute
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Packing at the very last minute is one of the biggest mistakes people make when packing their travel bag.
Packing one hour or only two hours before your trip can lead you to fill the bag with too many unnecessary garments that would have better left behind. To avoid making such a mistake, you require an advanced planning. Let’s say, at least one to two days before your trip starts.
The latter plan should take into consideration the weather of your destination, the activities you will do, the places you will be visiting and so on and so forth, so that you can properly pack the right outfits and have enough time to think and rethink what you should take with you and what you should better leave at home. This method will also help you avoid feeling stressful and frustrated.
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