Check your indoor plants. Be sure they're watered and not getting too overgrown for their pots.
Traveling with Just a Carry-On Bag
Do you have travel plans? Have you seen recent issues—long lines, canceled flights, etc.? My husband and I enjoy traveling, but we also hate long lines and hassles.
Now that my daughter will be moving on to college this fall, we plan to take a few short three- to four-day trips back and forth to visit her each year.
Our plan is to take only carry-on luggage, no checked bags.
Think this is impossible. Think again. Here's how to do it:
Choose a lightweight carry-on. Be sure your carry on luggage meets airline size and weight regulations. Check before you leave home. Also, I like luggage that's any color but
black...because everyone seems to have black bags. If yours isn't, it's less likely you'll grab the wrong bag from the overhead compartment.
Use a tote bag that will fit under the seat for "the personal bag" you're generally allowed to bring. I usually tuck my small purse into it, as well as some snacks, gum, a book, etc. into it for the flight.
"Wear" your heavier clothes, rather than packing them. This usually means jeans, shoes, and whatever sort of jacket or sweater you are taking for warmth. Layer as much as possible.
Pack no more than three pairs of shoes; two is preferable. One pair is even better. Shoes are heavy. Think about what you're going to be doing on your trip and only take what you truly need. Socks can be stuffed into shoes for packing. The shoes you're wearing can count as one of your two pairs!
Stick to neutral colors and coordinate a capsule-type travel wardrobe. Neutral colors are beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white. A capsule-type travel wardrobe is a selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. Dark wash jeans, as well as beige dress pants, can go many places and coordinate with most any top. Bring some
lightweight accessories, like a silk scarf, for a splash of color.
Plan to wear something more than once. If your hotel (or guest house) has laundry facilities, make use of those. In a pinch, you can always just hand wash items (a few drops of shampoo works for this) and hang them to dry.
Roll your clothes for packing. Use compression bags to save space.
Remember, you are saving space but not weight. You will still need to hoist that bag into the overhead compartment. So try not to add anything too heavy.
Keep jewelry simple. A plain pair of hoops or pearl earrings go with everything.
Take minimal toiletries. Pack cleansing wipes or a make-up remover cloth instead of face wash. Decant liquids into small containers.
Save old underwear for travel. One friend of mine saves her old underwear for travel and discards it along the way.
Consider shipping. I have friends who ship a box to their destination and ship it back home before leaving. They say it costs less than paying for checked baggage.
Minimize electronics. I pack one charger with 4 USB ports to handle charging our devices. Many cables can be used with more than one device.
Yes, it may take a little more thought and editing to travel with just carry-on. But the advantages are significant.
No line to check luggage
No luggage to haul around
Easier international connections
No luggage fees
No worry about your luggage if you experience canceled flights
No waiting at the luggage carousel
No worries about lost luggage. ( Compensation can be a battle.)
You have access to all your things
It is fast to repack
Once you have traveled with carry-on alone and see how easy it makes traveling, you may never go anywhere with a large suitcase again.
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