This article, MilitaryFares.com is asking the question “Why do some people travel light and others pack all earthly possessions for every trip?” If you have been wanting to scale down but don’t quite know how; or if you are like a lot of people and think you might forget something you may need—this article is here to offer suggestions that might help.
As far as forgetting something you might need, making a check list of everything you want to take would go a long way in helping with that problem. Include even the minutest items. Believe it or not, seeing everything down on paper will help you realize and evaluate what is important and what’s not (concerning the trip).
Packing Suggestions
Learning to pack lightly takes a bit more time to explain. First, consider the length of your stay. Sometimes you will have the urge to pack for 2-3 weeks when you are only traveling for 2-3 days! And, most times you will end up not even touching half the stuff you packed and paying extra for the weight.
One of the ways to manage packing to by laying out your wardrobe according to the events you will be attending once you reach your destination. Will all your events be casual? Or will you be attending something formal? Or, will there be a mixture? Sketching out your itinerary is a must in the planning/packing process. After sketching out the itinerary, you can figure out if any of your clothes can be mixed and matched (to reduce the amount of outfits you will need to pack).
For instance, could one jacket or sweater be used with several outfits to be dressed up or down with slacks and dress shirts or maybe jeans and a tee [shirt]? And for women, consider skirts and tops instead of several dresses. The combinations could give you more variety. As far as shoes… you will have to figure that out. But, a suggestion would be 1 pair of dress shoes, 1 pair of casuals and 1 pair of exercise shoes should really be enough. Also, if there is a remote possibility of you buying clothing while on the trip—consider bringing fewer items with you.
For formal attire, call ahead to your destination to see if you can rent the items you need. Often, you can, but you should definitely call to make sure there is availability. You might also check with the hotel to find out if they offer those types of services or if there are nearby shops that they recommend and work with.
Being military, I’m sure most of you know the value of “rolling” your clothes/uniforms instead folding them when you are packing your duffle bag. Well guess what? The same holds true for packing civilian luggage as well. Roll your clothes. It saves space, reduces wrinkles and makes it easier all around to put things in a compact space in an organized way.
The goal is to take what you need and fit it all in one suitcase or bag. Sticking to the suggestions above, you should be able to achieve that goal. And as always, check out site www.MilitaryFares.com for great deals and ticket prices!
