Packing (and unpacking) for a trip doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you use packing cubes. They can help you keep dirty and clean clothing separate from each other. And, if you’re sharing a suitcase with someone, you’ll be able to easily find your stuff. Did I mention that they come in a variety of colors? So if you wanted to organize clothing/items by person or even activity, you could do that easily.
Depending on the brand you select, you can either purchase individual bags or a three-set collection of varying sizes.
eBags Packing Cubes, 3-Piece Set Eagle Creek Pack-It Quarter Cube
Each bag has a mesh top panel for easy identification of contents and ventilation.
Use packing cubes to keep your t-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks (or anything you’d like to take along with you) organized.
Vacation, have to get away! I just love me some GoGo’s. Hearing that song, along with Margaritaville, is one surefire way to get me in the mood for vacation. I mean, who doesn’t love vacation? Being a Jersey Girl, my vacation of choice always involves a beach of some kind. But, long gone are the days where I can just grab my beach chair, favorite bikini, mindless beach read, and hit the sand. I learned very early that KIDS require a lot more to keep them entertained at the beach. I used to chuckle when I saw families lugging ALL that stuff down to the beach: sand toys, tents, chairs, umbrellas, baby pools, etc. It was all so funny to see. Until I had kids. Then it wasn’t.
As a family, we have logged many beach day trips and extended vacations, and while, at first, I had to ask if it was even worth it, last summer I even ventured down the shore for the day, ALONE with my kiddos. And survived! It took some time, but now I can say we have it down to a science, and I want to share a few tips on how you and your kids can get to the beach and live to tell about it.
Plan your necessities – What do you really need?
Naturally, you will need snacks, water, sunscreen, towels, the basics. What is essential really depends on the age of your children. Of course, if you have younger kids, you will need diapers, pacifiers, baby food, etc.
A very helpful purchase when we had babies was our beach tent. It had mesh side windows, so it did not get crazy hot inside, and our kids took naps in there. It totally extended our time on the beach. If you don’t have a beach tent, a beach umbrella and a comfy blanket could serve as a nap space as well. But, I don’t advise skipping the nap. A tired child makes for a very cranky, miserable child. Not fun at home, even less fun on vacation.
Other things to bring along with you include:
- Ziploc bags are also one of my must haves on the beach. They are great for keeping sand and salt off of electronics, such as cameras and phones.
- Backpack chairs are a LIFESAVER, perhaps the most useful item to take with you to the beach. They are inexpensive (check Sam’s Club or BJ’s) and have pouches on the back to store lots of things.
- Beach carts are also great because they can hold almost anything, but be warned, not all beach carts are created equal. To get the most bang for your buck, it is important to know the sand on your beach. Most carts will work on sand that is packed down, but if your beach has the nice, fluffy sand, you will need a beach cart with giant bubble tires. Otherwise, your tires will sink causing you to exert way too much energy (and maybe expel a few expletives) while trying to push it.
The one thing you can definitely leave at home is your child’s stroller. Unless you have a specific one with beach tires, strollers are pretty useless on the beach. The wheels will sink in the sand and will cause you more aggravation.
Sands toys – Be selective
As tempting as it may be to bring all the sand toys, that really isn’t necessary. Remember, you have to carry everything to and from the beach, so choose a few fun items, a few buckets, cars, boats, and the like. Make sure you have a sturdy shovel, and never underestimate the amount of enjoyment a child can get from digging a big hole in the sand. You will most likely be the one doing the heavy digging, but your kids will love climbing in and out of it, repeatedly. And, if not, you can always bury your child in said hole. Kidding, of course. =)
I also recommend using a lightweight mesh bag to house your sand gear. Mesh is your friend at the beach. The sand shakes right out of it, instead of pooling at the bottom, making it heavier, and causing you to take half the beach home with you.
Getting it all to the beach – Get a little help
So, now that you know some of what you should bring, how exactly do you get it there? Well, if you have young children, they won’t be able to help. In addition to all the items you will be carrying, they may even want you to pick them up and carry them! When my boys were much younger, I would wear one of them in a Baby Bjorn, to free my hands to carry other items. Once they were old enough to walk themselves, I asked them to carry the beach buckets and it made them feel that they were helping out.
Sea shells – Oh what fun it is to collect shells on the beach!
As an adult, I still enjoy it. But again, be selective in how many you take home. Unless you’ve found a super cute craft tutorial on Pinterest that requires several shells, pick the prettiest one for a take home keepsake, and leave the rest behind. They are heavy, and chances are they will sit in the bucket untouched, until you pull the bucket out for next year’s trip and realize they are there. Yes, guilty as charged.
Creativity – Don’t leave home without it!
Last year, we were on the beach and the boys were getting antsy. So, my husband invented Bucket Ball, a little game where you simply throw a ball into a bucket. Genius, right? It was a little more involved than that, but my point is, you can make a game out of anything, and your kids will love you for it.
Test it out – Do a dry run
When we first ventured to the beach with kids, we actually did a dry run at home so we didn’t have to figure out how to get everything from point A to B in the moment. This really helped. Over time, we tweaked our system and figured out what we could do without, and from then on it’s been smooth sailing.
Are you ready for the beach? To the seasoned beach goers, this all may seem elementary. But, for those of you who don’t go to the beach often, have yet to attempt it with little ones, I do hope these tips are helpful. And, if you wonder whether the hassle of getting to the beach is really worth it, in my opinion, for a day at the beach, it’s ALWAYS worth it.
Life’s a Beach, the rest is just sand!! Happy Summer!
Today is my Friday. Because it’s road trip time! We’re taking a long car ride tomorrow, the hubster and I…and the dog, too. 8 hours. Should be fun!
And, no major craziness allowed! Just a few pit stops along the way. Maybe some greasy food. Definitely a good audio book. That’s the plan. But, just in case things go wonky, I’m going to make sure that I have (at least these) three things in the car:
1. Important Docs. “License and registration, please.” Not the words you want to hear when you’re going anywhere and get stopped by some state’s finest. The thing is that you don’t really have time for a scavenger hunt if you happen to get asked that question. So, just keep the registration – and your insurance card – in a plastic envelope in the glove compartment. You do know where your license is, right?
2. First Aid Kit. Remember that big project I’ve been working on? The reason I took that mini-sabbatical? Well, she is super cute! With ten little fingers and toes. And, the most adorable smile. Our new little person is coming along for the ride, too! Which makes it all the more important to have first aid supplies on hand. I’ve always kept a mini-kit in my glove box like this one but I think I might replace it with this one.
3. Car Emergency Kit. This one’s a no-brainer. Think jumper cables, fix-a-flat, air compressor…all the stuff you’ll need to make it back home a little less frazzled. You might want to keep the number for a local tow truck company in that plastic envelope, too.
- Emergency Mylar Blankets, sweater, and/or jacket
- Flashlight
- Camera (*Use the one on your phone or buy a disposable camera to take pics if you get in an accident)
- Change and extra cash ($20 will come in handy for emergencies…and tolls)
- Water
- Snacks
- Container for garbage (like this one on Pinterest)
- Trunk organizer
You’re all probably familiar with finding flights by using Travelocity, Kyak, Priceline, and Expedia, to name a few. Did you know about AirfareWatchdog.com? All you have to do is sign up for low fare alerts (sent to your inbox) to your favorite cities. No airline is off limits so you’ll get to travel on your preferred carrier. Quick, easy, and simple.
One more thing – they even tell you which airlines have baggage fees and how much. Great info to have ahead of time, yes?
Check it out and let me know what you think. Btw, thanks to Lorie Marrero of Clutter Diet for sharing. =)
The last two weeks have been super busy. <cue head spinning> And, to add a little spice to the mix, about five days ago, I decided to attend NAPO 2011.That’s where a throng of pro organizers descend on city for 4-5 days and fix everything that’s out of place.
Well, maybe we all don’t fix things. But I do. Last year, I fixed a crooked painting in the hotel elevator. I waited for the hotel staff to fix it, but I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to straighten it. I tried to fix a figurine, too? It wasn’t centered, but I should have left it alone. Don’t worry, no one got mad at me…but things didn’t go so well because it was glued to the table! =)
Anyway…why the last minute turn about? It’s a long story, but the short of it is that I was given a new reason to consider by my colleague, Kate Brown. Then, the stars lined up as nicely as they could, and here I am getting ready for a trip I wasn’t planning for. Did I mention that leave tomorrow?
So, what does one do when faced with a last minute trip? You still make a plan…you book your flight and find a place to sleep while you’re away (thank you, Julie Bestry and Kate Brown!)
And, you do these five things:
1. Make a List.
You aren’t surprised that this is #1, are you? Making a list is the best way to figure out what has to get done. Write down all the things you will need. Do you have the appropriate clothing for the conference (e.g., business casual or flip-flops and shorts)? Thank you, Scott Roewer, for the Facebook reminder about NAPO’s biz casual dress code. Oh, and don’t forget about the location (e.g., will it be warm or frigid?).
Get it out of your head and onto paper or in your smart phone…and make sure you have clean underwear and comfy shoes. Thanks to my mum for the last two reminders.
Btw, it’s great to make lists and travel plans (do you have the name of the hotel you’re staying in?), but if you haven’t registered for the conference, it’s all for naught. So, this should definitely be on your list of things to do.
2. Find The Right Suitcase.
If you’re going to a conference where there will also be an expo, that means you’ll probably find great products. If you use your favorite suitcase, will you be able to fit the stuff you plan to buy when you’re at the conference? Last year, I got some organizing goodies from Rubbermaid but had to send them with another organizer (thank you, Jackie Kelley!) who had more room that I did. Why not grab a bigger bag (thank you, Connie Banford!) to fit it all in for the trip back home?
3. Straighten Up a Bit.
You won’t appreciate this before you’re gone or even while you’re gone (though your significant other might). The appreciation will kick in when you get back to a home that is clean and organized. Because when you’ve been up from the crack of dawn with a lay over and a change of planes, you’ll be really, really glad you took care of that before you left. It will be one less thing you’ll have to worry about doing so that you can get on with the business being jet lagged. ;)
Can’t get to it all? Organize and clean the area that you tend to spend a lot of time in. That way, there will be at least one room that can run to (to work, think, or even just relax in) when you get back.
4. Pack.
Obviously, you need to pack, right? Well, that doesn’t mean you need the kitchen sink. Since this is a last minute trip, you may not have all your favorite things on hand. Maybe all your suits are still at the cleaners. Find some key pieces that you can mix and match. Doing this will let you get as much use as possible out of the items you carry and without weighing yourself down with random pieces of clothing. Plus, you’ll have enough room for those conference goodies you’re going to buy.
5. Get Some Sleep.
It might seem like you don’t have enough time to sleep when you’re running around getting ready for this trip…but, if you’re not rested, you’ll look and feel pretty haggard when you step off the plane. And, where will you find cucumbers for your eyes at the airport?
Go to bed at a reasonable time the night before your trip and try to catch some zzz’s while you’re on the plane – especially if you’re bypassing your hotel room and heading straight to a conference session.
Ok, now off you go. But, before you do – what are your last minute trip rituals?
P.S. Did you notice all those “thank you’s?” That’s because when you’re planning a last minute trip, you always need a bit of help! =)
Procrastination is one of those things that so many of us struggle with. As an organizer, I help clients to focus and plan ahead, even though I wonder if procrastination can sometimes be good for us.
It turns out that it can actually pay off when you plan your vacation at the last minute with PackLate.com. Where can you go with PackLate? You can score a last minute deal to Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, Utah, and Costa Rica. To test things out, last night I chose October 13-18th with the Florida Keys as my destination. The results showed three properties (2 BR/2 Bath that sleeps 6) ranging in price from $191-$227.
Not ready to go anywhere yet? You can sign up (or join with your Facebook account) to stalk a good deal. So, go ahead and procrastinate.
A few weeks ago, I shared a tip on how to manage your dirty laundry while on a road trip. Here’s another quick tip on how to keep some of the stuff in your car from flying all about the place while you’re driving.
Want the trunk organizer profiled in this video? Send me an e-mail to place your order! …or buy the one below from Amazon.
Buy from Amazon
This is the 3rd and final installment of a three-part series by guest blogger, Mike Neumann. He shares tips on how to make business travel more organized and less stressful. Click here to read Part I
and Part II.
Now that you’ve finished your trip, it’s time to prepare to come home. If I’ve brought a bag to check, I try to load this bag up with as much as possible, keeping in mind the typical 23Kg (50Lb) weight limit for checked bags. Going home is when I dress casual. Jeans and a long-sleeved shirt w/pocket (for boarding pass/passport) are the usual. Keep your carry-on bags light, because…
Return Airport
Airport and airlines rules and practices vary widely around the globe. Everything from expectations of the security personnel (shoes/no shoes, belts on/off, passport in shirt pocket ok/not ok) to the baggage policy (carry-on and checked) of the airline will impact your experience at the return airport.
Some airlines, for example, Qantas Airlines, have very strict carry-on restrictions that involve not just size and number of bags, but weight as well. I wasn’t prepared for this on one of my trips to Oz and was required to check my “heavy” roller briefcase and most of its contents and purchase a small, disposable bag for my computer, music player, and other things that I didn’t want to check, but were under the 7Kg (15lb) limit per bag.
“Debrief”
Sometimes, there is only a very brief period before heading out on the next business trip; every now and then, less than 24 hours. Aside for the expected laundry gymnastics, there are a few things make the next trip much easier.
1) Get all of those receipts in order. Even if I don’t have time to finalize the expense report, I will make certain to have all of the receipts in the envelope sorted in chronological order and add slips of paper for the minor (<$10) expenses.
2) Clean out the “cruft.” I go through each pocket of my backpack removing loose change, re-group the currency Ziploc™ bags, and if its not already in there, put the itinerary and hotel information for the next trip in to the travel folder.
3) Finish the quick “ToDo” list for follow-up. Business cards, follow-up emails, etc., that must be completed in the next few days – that all goes on to a list while it’s fresh in my mind.
The Bottom Line
Plan to be flexible. “Semper Gumbi” should be your motto. Remember that you’re not that big a deal, getting there tomorrow really won’t be the end of the world, and that a smile and a “Thank You” no matter the circumstance will make everything much, much better.
About the Author
Mike never planned to launch Agile Set, LLC and consult to smart card clients worldwide. He planned to be an astronaut. Now, he is a Certified GlobalPlatform Trainer and editor of ISO/IEC 24727-3, a standard poised to influence future card and system architectures. After earning his MSME from Virginia Tech, Mike intended to play for a year, and then get serious. Seventeen years and two kids later, the serious part has yet to kick in.
Connect With Mike: Twitter
This is the 2nd installment of a three-part series by guest blogger, Mike Neumann. He shares tips on how to make business travel more organized and less stressful. Click here to read Part I.
It’s crunch time. The plane is leaving in less than 24 hours, probably closer to less than 12 hours. It’s time to pack; but first, the essentials.
The Night Before – Checklist
“I really should write this down someday,” ;-) so here goes…
- Boarding Passes (if domestic) – It’s always good to check-in online as early as possible, usually 24 hours in advance. This increases your chance of a “day of” upgrade and place in the queue if you want to catch an earlier standby flight. This only applies for domestic travel. You still need to check-in in person for international flights.
- Flight itinerary and hotel details ON PAPER – Paper has zero boot-time and is much easier to show to the airline agent, taxi driver, or hotel receptionist. Save a tree some other way.
- Passport – I carry my passport with me in the same place in my bag every time, except for when I don’t, which causes nothing but panic.
- Liquids – You know the drill by now, I hope. Pack those little shampoo/conditioner bottles, too. Hotels outside of the U.S. don’t typically offer much in the way of soap/shampoo.
- Envelope for receipts – When the airlines quit handing us those nice boarding pass sleeves, I lost my favorite place to put misc. travel receipts during the trip. It goes in a separate folder with my flight itinerary.
Foreign Currency and Transit Card(s)
I keep a Ziploc™ bag containing leftover local currency and/or local transit system cards (Oyster™ card for the London Underground, Translink™ for San Francisco Bay Area, SmarTrip™ card for D.C.) for every country/region to which I’ve traveled. It’s a good idea to make sure you have at least a cab fare worth (assume $80USD or equivalent) of local currency before you land. (Note: Salt Lake City counts as a Foreign Country as the ATM at SLC did not accept my 6-digit PIN ATM card. #ProTip)
What to wear on the plane
You can’t always fit it all in to a carry-on and a “personal item.” For most international trips, I’m checking a bag. For this reason, I always wear something that I can get by with in a business meeting and carry-on at least enough ‘necessities’ for two days/one night without the checked luggage. Hat, coat, umbrella, etc. – all are carry-on.
Departure Airport
Don’t forget to turn off your data services, disable Twitter DM to Txt notifications, and/or choose the “Off while Roaming” option on your smart phone. At $15/Mb abroad, and $0.35/SMS the pain can rack up quickly. Last chance to say “I love you, Mom” before $0.99/min cell phone roaming. Skype is nice, but see “WiFi”, below.
Destination Airport
Luggage and customs are the same everywhere in the world, except Australia, where you will wait a LONG time for customs. They take their quarantine seriously. ATMs are usually easy to find and will support your U.S.-based ATM cards. ATMs away from the airports can be less tolerant of U.S.-issued plastic.
Hotels – What to Expect
If you travel mainly within the United States, you’ve likely become accustomed to free or affordable WiFi, an iron and ironing board in each room, and hand towels. Europe and the UK won’t have the iron/ironing board, but sometimes you can check one out from the front desk. You might find washcloths in the UK and Australia, but not in Europe or Brazil. Pack one in its own Ziploc™. As for WiFi, it’s rough out there. If it is free in your hotel, it’s likely dicey and slow. If it’s not free, it’s not going to be cheap. Most hotels in Europe are prepay and serviced by companies such as Meteor or Swisscom.
Welcome to your destination. Stay awake that first day. “Live where you are,” and for goodness sake, take some pictures and put them up for friend and family back home. :-)
About the Author
Mike never planned to launch Agile Set, LLC and consult to smart card clients worldwide. He planned to be an astronaut. Now, he is a Certified GlobalPlatform Trainer and editor of ISO/IEC 24727-3, a standard poised to influence future card and system architectures. After earning his MSME from Virginia Tech, Mike intended to play for a year, and then get serious. Seventeen years and two kids later, the serious part has yet to kick in.
Connect With Mike: Twitter
Today’s guest author, Mike Neumann, is a frequent business traveler. Check out his tips on how to keep sane – and organized – with a hectic travel schedule.
I travel frequently for client work, and most often, the travel is international. I’ve traveled to Nice, France for a day, and around the world for a month. Each trip has its own differences, but some things are always the same. I’ll try to focus on these common things to help you make any business trip a little less harried.
Visas – Check Carefully
If you’re fortunate to live within any of the VISA Waiver Program (VWP) countries, then your pre-travel complications are few. Keep in mind, however, that some countries, such as Australia, require an Electronic Travel Authority, which is a form of a “light” Visa. You will be denied boarding at your originating airport unless you can prove to the agent that you have completed an ETA or have a valid Visa in your passport. Visa processing can be expensive if you wait to the last minute. Plan as far ahead as possible. You’ll need to purchase your flight before you can apply for either a Visa or ETA.
The Week Before
Check the news and weather for the city that you are traveling to. As I write this, the ash plume from Eyjafjallajökull has grounded air travel in Europe for nearly a week. Some things are beyond planning.
I also try to begin my expense report at least a few days before I get to the airport. An empty template with trip purpose, airline ticket and mileage to/from airport, is a good start. I then try to do a brief update of expenses each evening during the trip.
Your Gear
I’ve been through a shoulder bag phase, a roller briefcase phase, and now I’m firmly in the backpack phase. Regardless of the bag type, I must be able to run my business out of it.
The most important thing about any of these bags is the arrangement of pockets. My favorite backpack was a conference ‘freebie’. It had a large, narrow, yet separate pocket for the computer that kept it from getting too much pressure from the rest of the bag’s contents. My current backpack has a nearly perfectly sized external pocket to hold my passport, boarding pass(s) and customs form.
We have a lot of electronics these days. Fortunately, most things don’t require external voltage conversion (our adapters handle it automatically), but the plugs are still an issue. I carry adapters for the destination country as well as connecting airports. Also, I prefer devices that have USB “Synch-and-charge” cables. I power my computer from the wall, and charge the phone, Bluetooth earbud, etc., all off of USB.
Whatever you plan to take, think light and essential. In the next post, we’ll cover the night before travel and arrival at your destination.
This is the 1st installment of a 3-part series, so check back for more tips from Mike.
About the Author
Mike never planned to launch Agile Set, LLC and consult to smart card clients worldwide. He planned to be an astronaut. Now, he is a Certified GlobalPlatform Trainer and editor of ISO/IEC 24727-3, a standard poised to influence future card and system architectures. After earning his MSME from Virginia Tech, Mike intended to play for a year, and then get serious. Seventeen years and two kids later, the serious part has yet to kick in.
Connect With Mike: Twitter
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