Packing your suitcase

Next, our discussion turns to luggage. What exactly do you need to pack into your suitcase and how? What goes into your suitcase is important too.

• Over a period of time, make and keep a list of everything you need to pack for a trip. Put on all items (like : (small, lightweight, collapsible) umbrella, k-way…). You can always decide NOT to pack them. With a list, packing becomes a quick and easier chore.
• Shop for the items you need several days before your trip to avoid last minute convenience buying
• Empty small sized, cheap dollar-store equivalent plastic bottles filled with products like shampoo and liquid soap will go a long way to save you some money.
  
  Buyers beware of "travel size" items. Typically, you do not find these items economically priced. Mostly people can consider them a luxury and specialized item.
  
  Soap dish and toothbrush cases are also handy items to store your wet bathroom utilities in and keep your clothes dry. Soap in some hotel rooms comes in little plastic cases, these are ideal.
• Invest in a customized and general mini drugstore with various basic items like aspirin, band-aids, antacids, anti-diarrhea, and cold remedies When in need the hotel convenient store or local pharmacy prices can be astronomically and notoriously over-priced.
• Back-to-the-basics: always have an extra pair of socks, pantyhose, and underwear (even your toothbrush) somewhere. Be prepared for anything and everything, including delays.
  
  If there are delays on your return trip, for any reason, it is reassuring to know that you will at least have fresh undergarments to wear!
• Pack wisely and include a couple of extra outfits. Hotel dry-cleaning is expensive and having a quick change of clothes for a spill or other inevitabilities is always a good idea. Pack “a little” more than you need seems to be the rule of thumb.
• Liquid laundry soap (in a small recuperated plastic bottle) can be a good investment for clothing that needs a little spot cleaning or laundering, hand washing it in the sink will also save you a dollar or two while en route.
• A trusted toiletry bag, stocked with all you might need, ready to go is always a good idea. Having your toiletry and bathroom essentials ready at all, times will reduce the likelihood of forgetting something important like your toothbrush and having to buy one.
  
  Use a bag made of soft flexible material, that will mold into the nooks and crannies of your suitcase. Rigid cases for shavers for instance, should be avoided. They’re heavy and take up unnecessary space.