I’m a packing professional. Here are my tips.

North Shore, Oahu 2010

I have exciting news for you all. At the end of the month I am going to Hawaii. Honolulu to be exact. The kids and I are hijacking my parents work travel thing and making it into a vacation of our own. Yep, that’s how I roll. The hubby can’t come this time due to work so it will just be the kids and I with my parents and sister. {We are sad he can’t come, but we are so excited to be back in Hawaii.}

My husband and I have traveled so much in the last 15 years that we’ve been married it has been hard to keep track. We’ve sat down and counted the places and flights during the last 15 years a few times. We should have written it all down so we could remember.

We have visited more than 30 States and have also been to Mexico, Canada, Colombia, England and France since we’ve been married. {He has been to many more countries than I have!} I don’t even know how many times we’ve flown on an airplane. We lost count after 100 flights. So honestly I’m a packing professional — I’m not bragging. It is what it is.

You know what though? I am still learning new travel hacks that work best for a family of four. {Like putting the kids clothing in a gallon sized plastic bag for each day. It takes up little room in my luggage and that way my hubby can just grab a bag labeled Monday and know what to put the kids in.}

Honestly, I’ve blogged about travel so much here on the blog that I thought not only would I link to those posts but I’d also break it down for you in three travel packing essentials. First here are three general packing tips for you:

Travel Tips You Should Check Out

• 10 Family Packing Tips
• Essentials for Traveling with Kids
• Pack Like a Pro Video

Three Things To Remember When Packing For You

1. Pack Light (Don’t bring all those outfits. Mix and match. Wear the same 2-3 pair of shoes with everything. Bring comfortable shoes!)
2. Pack toiletry essentials only like Carefree Panty Liners (You know why, ladies. You just don’t know when you might need the liners. But, you can easily buy shampoo and conditioner anytime after you arrive at your desitnation.)
3. Bring an extra bag. (I like those ones that roll up into a small little ball and cinch closed. I can fit a couple of those easily. I can use them for shopping and also to bring things home in if I need extra space.)

Three Things to Remember When Packing For the Kids

1. Entertainment (put movies on your smart phone or tablet then you don’t need to lug around a portable DVD player and DVDs)
2. Toys – get new toys cheap at the Dollar Store.
3. Food – bring lots of snacks and bring candy for bribery. Yes, I bribe my kids. I am not ashamed to say it.

[Tweet “Pack it like a pro! {Plus #travel hacks you can use.}”]

Obviously clothes for the kids is a given. Sometimes extra diapers are packed. But honestly, I can buy a smaller pack for $10 when I get to my destination and save the space. You see, I’ve realized no matter where we go I can visit a store if I need to buy something we’ve forgotten. I don’t need to pack it all.

Do you have any packing tips to share?

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Disclosure:Compensation was provided by Energizer Personal Care via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Energizer Personal Care.