pack me a carry on

7 questions to renounce your packing foes and learn to travel light.

With the price to bring luggage on a plane skyrocketing, the importance of eliminating stowed luggage is becoming exceptionally relevant. Not only is the annoyance of dragging luggage to and fro ever foreboding, it's just unnecessary. Ditch the suitcase and pack up a roll on. Most airline companies allow a bag approximately 22" x 14" x 9" or 56 x 35 x  23 cm in size to be considered a carry on. This can be hard or soft shell depending on preference; however, I find the hard shell rollies to be more forgiving as well as more protecting to your valuables. Also, carry-on's aren't weighed at check in, so, whatever fits in that size bag is free-reign for bringing on the plane! This carry on, for most airlines, is one of two allowed per flyer. This doesn't necessarily mean you can carry on two rollies, but it does mean you can have another bag/purse/laptop case/etc. on board. Flustered about what to pack? It's simple, ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you staying for longer than a week?
Typically one rollie will fit a weeks worth of clothes (pending you're okay with re-wearing things like jeans or shorts). If you're vacationing for longer than a week I would recommend bringing a:

• travel size bottle of detergent/cold water wash.

Use the sink at your hotel/hostel/couch-surfer's apartment to rinse your clothes before bed and simply hang dry over night or use a hair dryer. This will save space in your pack as well as allow for you to stay clean and tidy all trip long. If you're traveling to colder locations, pack multiple long-sleeve layers and only a couple heavy/bulky sweaters. This will decrease weight and drying time.

2. Are you staying in a hostel?
Some hostels provide sheets and towels for you to use during your stay or at least allow you to rent them. I recommend:

• contacting your hostel manager to see what they offer as far as linens in their facility.

Eliminating a towel in your rollie will save a ton of space and also a lot of weight. 

3. Are you traveling with friends?

Consider saving even more weight by 

• waiting to buy shampoo/conditioner/soap/etc. until you get to your destination. 

And share it! This will not only save you money, but will spare you the aggravation of finding TSA-friendly bottles to carry on in your luggage. 

4. Need to pack bulky items for where you're headed?

• wear them to the airport.

This is probably obvious but it's a tip I always forget. Wear your boots and heavy winter jacket to the airport to spare the space and weight in your carry on. If the jacket is too hot, use it as a pillow or headrest on the plane, or stowe it in the overhead compartments.

5. What continent is your destination?

Surprisingly many people don't know that different continents/regions bode different outlet shapes and currents. Target and Walmart offer outlet convertors in single packages or multi-packs with multiple continent regions included. Make sure you get the correct region for your

• outlet convertors and voltage adaptors.

Voltage adaptors are also really, really important. (Coming from the girl who blew the fuse for the entire hotel's electricity with her hair dryer...)

6. What's the currency of your destination?

Check out the current rates for buying other monies online simply by searching through google. 

• Buy foreign currency in advance at banks and some post offices.

Try to avoid ATMs as much as possible when abroad, foreign user fees can be excessive and you might not even notice you're getting charged. Also, make sure you check with your credit card provider before you leave to see what fees they incur when using the card abroad. Some cards offer good deals for traveling abroad, corestone being one of them with a 1% cost per use. It might be worth it to apply for a new card, or to purchase a pre-paid visa card solely for your trip. In any case, make sure to keep the customer service phone number for your credit card somewhere other than on your credit card or in your wallet in case these get stolen. I recommend writing it in the brim of a baseball hat or on the tag of a T-shirt.

7. Things you really shouldn't forget for long plane rides:

• Headphones - let's be honest. People in confined spaces suck, especially 20,000 feet in the air. The least you can do is get some music bumping so you don't have to hear them. Take it a step further and pack one of those sleepy time eye-covers to eliminate looking at the suckiness as well.
• Game Books - One dolla holla's at your nearest dollar tree will work just fine. Just something to keep you occupied while the baby two rows behind you finishes it's hour long cry for other perilous demons.
• Dramamine - Get the stuff that knocks you out, don't be shy. Long flights were made for sleeping.
• Your preferred headache reliever - airlines and airports charge upwards of $8 for one dose of advil. Don't give them the satisfaction, pack your own.
• Electronic Devices - check with your airline to see if they offer in-flight wifi. It makes the decision to bring your laptop on your trip all the more worthwhile.

Hope this helps ease the endless vacation nerves..

Happy Travels!

L