Efficient Vacation Preparations - WFMW

When I was young and single, getting ready for vacation was simple. I could take one carry-on bag and be set for the weekend. Now ... not so much. I've found two tips that reduce my pre-vacation stress. Hope they work for you, too!

The first is to make a list of everything that needs to be packed. I made a list in Word, and I print a copy whenever we start getting ready for a trip. For clothing items, I left a space to fill in how many of something we need (e.g., Socks _______ pairs). I listed all the toiletries that we need. It's not that we can't purchase OTC allergy medicine or a hairbrush at most destinations, but it's so much easier (and more frugal) to bring it from home. And I don't want to get caught, away from home, without prescription medications.

The second is to keep a small suitcase packed with toiletries that store well. Ours always holds a hairbrush for me, a razor for my husband, a set of toothbrushes, and so on. (Can you tell that I once went on vacation and forgot to pack a hairbrush?!)

One more quick note: I store our travel toothbrushes in a plastic baggie when we're traveling. When we come home, I soak them in a bleach solution to disinfect them. I rinse them thoroughly and let them air dry before I pack them up in a clean baggie. Otherwise, who knows what might grow in there? (Ick.)

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