by Kat Centeno

Created on: April 08, 2009

Packing less is a difficult thing to do especially for women. I went on a five-day trip with friends last year. They were carrying large luggage with strollers. I, on the other hand, carried a backpack. I was able to ease my way through long lines in the airport. Looking after my things is not cumbersome. My friends were amazed at my packing skills. Learning to pack less makes traveling convenient.

Nowadays, it is enticing to pack less since several airline companies are now offering discounts for traveling light. It turned out that lighter load in the plane means lower fuel costs.

Let me share with you how to travel light.

A Ziploc bag is a friend. Bring only basic toiletries. A soap, sachets of shampoos and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush and a comb are the essential things needed for proper hygiene. The trick is to fit all these in a Ziploc bag made for sandwiches.

Wear the heavy items rather than packing them. Do not pack a jacket, jeans and sneakers. In the bag, bring along tops that are versatile, light and wrinkle-free. Should there be a need to extend the trip and wash clothes, these are the ones that easily dry up when washed. To decide on the number of tops to bring, use the formula: the number days of the trip is equal to the number of tops. For the bottoms, black slacks and leggings are easier to match with the tops. You can use the bottoms for two days. Repeat clothes if they are still clean. Only your travel companions will notice your repeating outfits. Leggings are wonderful for traveling because you can bring as many as you can and you can just ball them up and insert them in the available spaces in the bag.

In another Ziploc bag, secure your travel documents. Passport, identification cards and travel insurance should be packed together for easy access. In addition to those items, electronic gadgets are now necessary tools for traveling. The camera, cell phone, chargers, travel adaptors and flashlight should have their own pouches. Do not forget to carry a small notebook and a pen for jotting down information.

Compartmentalize when packing these items in a bag. Everything should be in a Ziploc bag or another pouch before packing it in. The clothes should be placed in a knapsack before throwing them in the backpack. Why is this so? Oftentimes airport authorities randomly check baggage. I have seen people's clothing messed up all over the table. You do not want people to see your undergarments strewn around. If it is neatly arranged in a knapsack, all you have to do is take it out and show them the items in its arranged glory. It will be easy for them to pat around the thing to look for suspicious materials. Putting them back in the bag will be easier, also.

When everything is in its own compartment, slip in some comfortable and versatile flats and flip-flops- two of the lightest and most comfortable footwear in the world. It is wise to carry two extra foldable totes in case you purchase souvenirs along the way. These are less troublesome to carry around on your way home. Packing less makes your travel stress-free.

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