Planning a vacation? Packing is a big deal. Don’t remember to pack an important item and you’re left trying to find the closest store at your destination. But if you over pack, you’ll have really heavy bags, you’ll be disorganized, and you may ever nave to pay extra baggage fees when flying. So here are some tips that you can use to pack the right way.

Before You Start Packing

There is no such thing as bad weather…just poor packing. Below are a few quick things to consider before you even start the process of packing for your upcoming trip.

1. Check the weather: This will have a significant impact on what you should and should not bring on your trip.
2. Think ahead: Are you going anything that requires specialized clothing?
3. Beach vacations: There are some special considerations to keep in mind when packing for a trip to the beach.
4. Pack light: You can save money on your summer vacation when you pack light, taking only a carry-on bag.

1. Roll Rather Than Fold

A lot of travel experts, which includes backpackers, say that rolling will be better than folding. Clothes that are tightly rolled aren’t going to take up as much room as clothes that are folded. Not only that but they won’t be as wrinkled.

2. Make a List for Packing

When you are packing, you want to make a list. Start the process of packing a few days to weeks before you go on your trip. This is going to give you the time for making your list and checking it off. You also will have the time for buying the items that may be needed for the trip. This is a great way that you can make sure that you aren’t forgetting the important items you need for your vacation.

3. Know the Baggage Fees for Your Airline

Figuring out your airline’s befuddling and tricky policies for baggage fees can be hard, but it’s important when it comes to sticking to the budget. Even though the majority of airlines will allow a traveler to check one bag, at minimum, on an international flight, most of the US carriers will charge when you check a bag for a domestic flight.

4. Follow the Rule Known As 3-1-1

Thanks to the problems with terrorists, you have to be really careful about the things that you bring in your carry-on bags. If you try to bring in a full shampoo bottle or gel deodorant in your carry-on, you may be detained and your items will likely be confiscated. So make sure that you are familiar with the rules. The liquids that are brought onto planes have to be in a bottle that’s 3.4 ounces or less and the bottle also must be in a quart-size, clear, single zip-top bag.
You also want to know what items the TSA considers gels or liquids and that you have to follow this rule with. Foods like pudding, icing, mashed potatoes and peanut butter are ‘gels’. Lip gloss, aerosol and mascara also are thought of as gels or liquids. You also should remember that liquid prescribed medicine’s exempt.

5. Wisely Use the Personal Item

Usually an airline is going to let you have a carryon item and a personal item. The personal item will need to follow certain size requirements but it’s usually something like a laptop, backpack or purse. You don’t want to waste the personal item by carrying a small purse.

6. Doing Laundry While Traveling

Limiting how much clothing you pack is kind of the foundation of good packing. One of the keys is doing laundry on the road. If you are saying in a vacation rental or a residence you can pack less and do laundry while you’re on vacation. It makes the whole process of packing a lot easier. But ask yourself is it worth your time to do laundry when you traveled somewhere to probably do something cooler than washing your dirty socks?

Final Thoughts

These are five tips that you want to use when you are traveling. They will help you with getting the most out of your luggage and avoiding expensive fees. Remember three or four extra items of clothing in your suitcase might be all that’s separating you from cheap, easy, stress-free travel with a carry on bag.