Not everyone packs their bag properly when they travel --here are a few suggestions on how packing might be made easier.
• Always keep medications and valuables with you in your carry-on bag.
• Pack a maximum of three pairs of shoes: One good walking shoe to wear while traveling, one dress shoe and a pair of loafers.
• Plan your travel wardrobe around two basic colors, so the same shoes, belts and accessories can be worn with everything.
• Always pack travel-sized toiletries; you have no need for family-sized shampoo bottles for a one-week trip.
• The secret to packing liquids so they will not leak: Fill your plastic bottle only three quarters of the way full, squeeze out the air and then screw on the lid.
• Never pack anything breakable, such as a bottle of perfume or cologne. Instead, use small travel atomizers available cheaply at luggage stores.
• Put small items inside re-sealable plastic bags just in case anything leaks.
• A hanging toiletry kit is a great solution for minimal space around the sink and makes it easy to locate things in a hurry, it also hangs on any towel rack.
• The secret to packing a necklace so it will not kink: Thread it through a drinking straw. Then pack inside a toothbrush holder.
• Do not forget to pack a snack and some water -- as the saying goes: "You never know when your next meal is coming."
• Start emptying your pockets before you get up to the security check point. Keep a plastic bag in your carry-on for just this purpose.
• Always place your film inside a plastic bag before you pack it in your carry-on bag. This will help expedite the screening process if you request a hand inspection of your film at security.
• Never pack film in your checked luggage. Equipment used for screening checked baggage might damage your undeveloped film.
• Before folding up any items that are longer than the bag, place a rolled knit item in the fold this will avoid a crease.
• Keep valuables together in a plastic bag that you can pull from your carry on, should you have to check your carry-on at the last minute for any reason.
• Never pack a dry-cleaner bag that has advertising on it as the ink may rub off on clothing when it gets warm.
• Always use the straps in your bag to secure items and keep them from shifting. Pack a pair of socks at the base of the straps -- between the strap and the clothing -- to act as a cushion so you will not get wrinkles at the pressure points.
• To maximize space, pack socks in shoes and pack them around the edge of bag, along with underwear and rolled-up knit clothing.
