Packing

Avoid packing everything you own. Pick one color scheme, and bring clothes that you can mix and match. Bring accessories to change the way outfits look.
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Bringing kids on a road trip

If you are bringing kids on a road trip, pack some games, coloring books, and toys. Have them pick out a few items, and you can fill in the gaps. Be sure to include a new item or two, as a surprise, to get everyone through the tough moments.
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Reusable plastic bottles

Tired of hunting down travel sizes of your favorite products to take on the plane? Purchase reusable plastic bottles, and fill them with your favorite products every time you take a trip.
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The cheapest gas

Want to find the cheapest gas? Visit http://www.gasbuddy.com.
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Travel size laundry

Consider purchasing a travel size laundry detergent, and portable clothes line so you can do a quick load of wash while you are away. Many hotels offer laundry service, or have coin operated machines on site. Don't forget to bring quarters! This will help you pack less clothing for your trip.
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Keep it clean!

Keep it clean! Take some time to clean out your car. If you are going on a road trip it will make it much more pleasant to be in the car.

If you are simply driving to the airport, you can leave with confidence that there is room for the luggage.
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Tangle-free jewlery

To stop jewelry from arriving at its destination tangled, thread necklaces through drinking straws. Then group the straws together and roll them in a washcloth. Use a rubber band to tie everything together. Your necklaces will arrive at your destination tangle free.
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Emergency kit

Update your car's emergency kit before you embark on a road trip.
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Laundry bag

To keep the rest of your luggage from smelling like your dirty socks, bring along a laundry bag. Tuck all of your dirty clothes in it during your travels. You can take this bag directly to the laundry room when you arrive home.
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Cords to your electronics

Create a kit for all of the cords to your electronics. Having them in one place allows for easy access while you're on the road.

If you are flying, you can safely place them in your checked luggage. You probably won't be able to charge your electronics on the plane.
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Check your documents

Before leaving for a road trip, check your documents. We all know that our registration is somewhere in the car. However, if you needed it quickly, could you find it? Purchase a card stock envelope to store these important documents in your glove box.
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Be prepared

If someone stole your wallet on vacation, what would you do? For most people, by the time it happens, it's too late to do much about it.

Be prepared! Make copies of both the front and back of your credit cards, license, and a copy of your passport. Carry these separate from your wallet. If you can, lock them in a hotel room safe. It is a good idea to make sure a member of your family has a copy. They can get information to you in the event you need it.
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Go camping

To save money on hotel stays, research campgrounds along your travel route. Make sure that you are properly outfitted to go camping before you leave the house!


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Photo of your luggage

Take a photo of your luggage and its contents. This will assist you, and the airline, in locating your luggage if it is lost. It will also assist you in filing a claim with the airline for your luggage, and its contents, if necessary.
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Tolls

Be prepared for tolls on your road trip. Be sure to pack change and dollar bills into your center console. If you have an express toll service, like EZ Pass, make sure it is compatible with all of the tolls you will encounter along the way.
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Notify your credit card company

If you are going to be traveling to another country, or area of the country, it's a good idea to notify your credit card company before you leave. This will ensure that your card company does not think these purchases away from home are fraudulent.
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Bottled water

If you are taking a road trip, visit your local super store or warehouse store to purchase bottled water. This will prevent you from buying overpriced water bottles at rest areas. If you like cold water, pack a cooler filled with icepacks in your trunk.
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Breakable items

Pack breakable items like perfume bottles inside your shoes. This will use the space wisely, and protect the items from breakage.
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Before we Leave list

Create a "Before we Leave" to-do list. This list should include everything that you need to accomplish before you leave for a trip.

A sample list may include:
Lock doors and windows
Run dishwasher
Clean out refrigerator
Hold mail
Take out trash
Turn heat down
Turn central air off

Keep the list to use before every trip.
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Duffel bag overflow

Do you generally have trouble fitting all of your vacation purchases into your suitcase? Purchase a duffel bag that you can fold up and tuck into your luggage. If you are overloaded on your trip home, take it out and use it as an overflow bag. Make sure it has a luggage tag so that you can check it with the airline on the way home.
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Create a packing zone

When preparing for a trip, create a "packing zone" in your room. As clothes are returned from the laundry, or as you think of items you want to pack, add them to the packing zone. As you approach the departure date of your trip, begin to load all of the items into your luggage.
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TSA luggage

When flying, make sure the locks on your checked baggage are TSA approved. If the airline has to get into your luggage they will cut your locks if they are not TSA approved.
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Carry essentials with you

Make sure to bring any medication, or other irreplaceable items, on the plane with you. If your luggage is lost you don't want to have to begin your vacation without them!
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Easy travel book

Have you purchased a travel book for your destination, and don't want to carry the bulky book with you? Make a photocopy of each attraction you plan to visit, and tuck the few pages in your carry on bag.
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Fold and roll

It's always difficult to fit your clothes back into your suitcase after a vacation. Try this trick! Fold your clothes on the way to your destination, and roll them on the way back.
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Make a packing list

Before you start packing and throwing items into a suitcase, take a moment and make a packing list. Include clothing, toiletries, and other items you will take with you. If your luggage is lost, and you need to file a claim, this list will be able to assist you.
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Portable luggage scale

With new airline weight limits constantly changing, it's a good idea to know exactly what your luggage weighs. Purchase a portable, travel luggage scale to weigh your luggage before your trip. Be sure to pack it in your luggage so that you can weigh your luggage on the way home. This way there are no surprises at the airport!
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Cubes and small packing compartments

Use cubes and small packing compartments, like these by Eagle Creek, to pack all of your clothes into sets of the same items. So all tee shirts will go in one, shorts in another, and so on. This will stop you from rummaging through your suitcase, and messing up your clean clothes, to find that last pair of socks you know you packed!

http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/

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Getting organized for a trip

Getting organized for a trip is something that everyone can improve upon. During this month we are going to discuss tips to get you ready for your next trip while staying organized!
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