Travel light by packing only one bag for two people.
Luggage is a traveler's ball and chain -- always there, always costly and always spiking the blood pressure. Airlines charge additional fees for checked luggage, and sometimes the bags don't even arrive on the same plane. You have to haul luggage to the hotel and unpack everything you've piled into its cavernous confines. The solution is to get rid of the ball and chain, and travel light. Like everything, traveling light takes practice.
Instructions
1. Make a packing list. Your list should contain two categories: essential and optional. Your packing list should be a reflection of your destination and personal preferences -- a week-long ski trip and weekend beach getaway require different packing lists. Essentials are only things, such as medications, that are absolutely necessary, and even most clothing could be considered optional.
2. Use a carry-on bag and personal item, such as a day-pack or messenger bag, as your travel-light guide. A carry-on that is 22-inches-by-14-inches-by-9-inches, a total of 45 square inches, will be accepted by all airlines -- some will accept larger bags. A day pack or messenger bag work well as your personal item because they can fit a laptop, books, magazines and personal items. In fact, a good day pack might be all you need for short trips. If you cannot fit your packing list into your carry-on and personal item you have packed too much.
3. Pack your carry-on with the essential items on your packing list. You'll be surprised at how little room they occupy. Once you've gotten the essential gear stowed, start adding your optional items. The key is to not pack all your optional items. You will soon find you have no need for most of these items. After a few trips you should know exactly what you need and what can be left at home.
4. Leave some space in your bags. Just because you have it doesn't mean you need to use it. Packing a bag so you have to sit on it to zip it closed is a common packing mistake. Save extra space for souvenirs.
5. Buy travel toiletries or purchase them when you arrive at your destination. Toiletries are cheap, and you can find a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant in every country in the world. Bringing along travel items or purchasing them at your destination avoids questions, and possible confiscation, by airport security, and lightens your load. A bottle of shampoo weighs as much as a pair of jeans.
6. Select clothing that can mixed and matched. A seasoned traveler can turn three pairs of pants and three shirts into nine outfits. Pick dark-colored clothing that will hide stains. Clothing should also have the ability to be layered so you can avoid taking weight- and space-consuming jackets.
7. Wash your clothes. If you have an extended trip, washing your clothes will keep you fresh and free of having to lug around a steamer trunk. Most destinations around the world have either self-service laundry or laundry service.
8. Buy a netbook or leave the laptop at home when traveling. By its very definition, a netbook weighs under 3 lbs. Netbooks are suited for travelers who primarily use a laptop for e-mail and social networking. Leaving your laptop at home will make you an even lighter traveler, letting you lose 7 lbs. You also won't have to worry about damaging or getting your laptop stolen. Most hotels, even in remote destinations, have complimentary computers for connecting to the Internet.
Tags: packing list, personal item, your destination, also have, ball chain, carry-on personal, carry-on personal item
