Traveling can be rewarding but getting ready to go on a trip can leave even the most prepared feeling stressed. Packing light is a common challenge for many people, especially because many airlines charge extra if your bags weigh too much.
Create a Large Enough Travel Budget to Rent Items
If you are able to buy or rent items once you arrive at your destination, you can find yourself saving quite a bit of room in your luggage. You can wait to buy sunscreen, snacks, and other supplies once you get there. If you want to buy t-shirts while you are there, you can even pack fewer shirts and wear some of your new t-shirts at your destination. You might rent equipment such as sporting gear and accessories instead of bringing your own.
Of course, buying and renting items at your destination can make your trip more costly, so you will want to take that into consideration while making your budget. As you plan your trip, consider cutting back on other areas to lower your overall monthly spending and put more aside for your trip. You can refinance student loans by taking out a new loan to pay the old one if you want to cut back on spending month over month.
Consider Doing Laundry on Vacation
You can get away with bringing fewer items of clothing if you don’t mind doing laundry while on vacation. You might choose a hotel that has a laundromat or is close to one. You can bring laundry supplies, such as detergent and dryer sheets, or you can purchase travel-sized ones once you get there. The travel size might be just enough to get you through your trip so you do not have to worry about leftovers. Don’t forget a roll of quarters since many laundromats do not take credit or debit cards.
Go with Versatile Items
It is best to choose clothes that you can enjoy for both casual and more dressed-up times. Perhaps you choose a well-fitting, plain t-shirt that can be worn either hiking or with a blazer in the evening. A necklace, scarf, or other accessory might be just what you need to turn a piece from every day to dress, and they do not take up that much room in your luggage. Because shoes can take up so much room, you may want to go with more versatile ones. Instead of flip-flops and dressy shoes, you might bring sandals, which tend to stay on the feet better and can go with many outfits. You can wear the bulkiest pair, such as sneakers when you are traveling.
Take Travel Sizes
It is sometimes easier to bring frequently used supplies, such as shampoo and toothpaste, instead of purchasing them while on your trip. You can buy travel sizes that will fit in your luggage much easier. Many of these items will be included in a beach bag packing guide and can double as toiletries to use every day as well like sunscreen and body lotion. You can also transfer some of your existing supplies into smaller reusable containers so you don’t have to buy them in containers that can only be used one time.
