1. Lay out clothes you are considering packing (on your bed or other surface where you can see them – even a hanging clothes rack) – editing is easier with clothes in front of you. Consider weeding out pieces that wrinkle easily, stain prone fabrics, bulky pieces and duplicates of items you have already selected to pack.
2. Place entire outfits – top, bottom, undergarments, accessories all together in large re-sealable plastic storage bags and then label the contents. Another option is packing cubes that come in a wide variety of brands and sizes.
3. Wrap belts inside button down shirt collars to retain shape.
4. Always pack a few extra snacks in case of travel delays & traffic.
5. Keep a packing list on your cell phone or tablet. Have a section for each member of the family and edit as needed. You can even add a packing list for each season of the year.
6. Create a checklist for tasks ‘to do’ before leaving and after returning. Some examples include dealing with the mail, stopping deliveries, taking out the trash, and arranging for pet and plant care.