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Packed for Blogher ‘09 yet? Okay, it’s a little early for that — but
not too early for pre-packing tips. Think ahead to pack light, and
you’ll save money, time, energy, the environment — and your back!
Mo’ luggage, mo’ problems — from feeling cranky about lugging the
stuff to paying through the nose to hire a taxi instead of just hopping
on the L in Chicago. Pack light, and you’ll waste no more time arguing
with airport people about maximums, waiting for the baggage carousel,
or trying to fit overstuffed carryons into spaces that are just too
small.
You’ll save money too — on extra gas to move the extra weight, on
flight luggage fees, on hotel porter fees, and on travel funds in
general, since lighter bags mean you’ll be better able to opt for
public transportation instead of being forced to hire a taxi. Shedding
the weight will obviously be better for the environment — less fuel
spent moving stuff around — but that’s just icing on the cake.
So pack light and travel easy — with these tips:
1. Keep a collection of small bottles and containers.
Whether or not you’re dealing with anti-liquid laws on planes, having
these small bottles around will let you just squeeze into them just the
amount of shampoo and lotion you need for the trip. Why lug big heavy
bottles of liquid around — especially when any of that stuff can squish
or spill and create problems?
Little bottles and travel-sized toiletries can be easily bought, but
you can just as easily save sample containers you get for free. That’ll
save money — and eliminate unnecessary packaging waste too.
2. Don’t carry packaging. Got a new outfit for
Blogher? A new camera you’re saving to use at the first Blogher event?
Take the stuff out of its packaging before putting it in your luggage.
If your stuff needs padding, use your clothes strategically to pad the
stuff. If you’re afraid your nice shoes will get squished, use socks —
that you plan to wear during the trip — to retain their shape.
3. Pick a color scheme. If you pick a neutral base
color — say, black — for your travel wardrobe, you’ll be able to wear a
new cute outfit everyday without carrying a separate outfit for
everyday. This tactic will especially help you take fewer shoes — which
have to be most women’s biggest luggage space hogs. Follow Mimi at La Mimi’s advice: “Only take neutral colored shoes, because they will go with any outfit, regardless of the colors.”
Take basics in neutral colors too. Black pants will go with a
variety of tops and scarves — and people will notice the tops and
scarves a lot more than the pants, if you’re afraid someone will make
fun of you for wearing the same thing twice. As Earth Wind & Power blog
points out, “As long as you aren’t out rolling around in the mud or
stinking up your clothes, most things can be worn more than once.”
4. Don’t pack stuff you’re not gonna use. This
seems pretty obvious, except there’s some stuff I always take on trips
then don’t use. That would be workout clothes! I’m not alone in this —
Apparently, Sara at Cash on the Barrelhead has the same issue.
To be fair, I usually work out once — the first day — but just don’t
use the other 3 outfits I’ve brought for the subsequent days! There are
two ways to solve this dilemma: Don’t pack workout clothes — or work
out more. I’m gonna go for the second option for BlogHer this year — so
when you see me in the halls, ask me if I’m using the stuff I packed!
Other common things that get packed then not used are work-related
stuff, long books you couldn’t get around to reading at home but
thought you’d somehow find the time to read during a really busy
conference, and again, shoes.
5. Pack the usable reusables. A collapsible
reusable bag, a cute reusable water bottle or coffee mug — These are
things that’ll come in handy — as well as reduce luggage and save you
money. No more buying plastic bottles at the airport when you can fill
up free at the water fountain!
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Last but not least — Keep in mind that fitting everything into one
bag is not quite the same thing as packing light. First of all, the bag
you choose needs to not be gargantuan. Second, you don’t want to pack
the thing so tight so its weight’s more than you can handle
comfortably. If you’ve fit everything into a bag that’ll fit into a
plane’s overhead compartment, AND it’s light enough that you can lift
it over
