7 Tips for How to pack Light, Grandma style

How do I pack light so I am able to travel the world and still be able to manage to carry my own bags? These 7 tips and you can pack light too! It sure makes traveling a lot easier and more fun. Who wants to have to get help dragging your luggage around in a foreign country? Not this Grandma.

#1. First of all, I decide what I absolutely have to take…like toiletries, pajamas, (swimsuit?), meds, flashlight, shoes, undies, etc. I lay these out on the bed. That pile determines just how much room I have left in my bags. Of course that left over space must contain ALL the clothes I will need for the number of days I’m traveling, and I only pack a carry on and a personal bag. So, let’s look at what else I do.

#2. Next, I lay out the number of outfits that I think I will need on my trip, along with any shoes and accessories: like jewelry, scarves, etc. I then look at my outfits and my luggage space to see how much I need to pare down. I always need to cut out some things, even though several people say I’m already a light packer. It do always take a few things I didn’t need.

#3. So, let’s look at what I do next. There sits my bag and my pile of clothes. I look at my outfits for things I’ve picked out that are duplicates or at least any two things that are similar. I can then take out the one that I’m not in love with, or that doesn’t go with the rest of what I’ve chosen, or just doesn’t fit in my space. I usually have separates, so I want each piece to be a part of at least two outfits, preferably three or more, based on how many travel days I have. That helps me cut down on my choices.

#4. Now for packing; I like to use packing cubes because they keep my clothes neatly together and keeps them from moving around when I open my bag (or if the airline inspects it). I put tops in one cube and bottoms in another. Lately I’ve discovered the KonMari method of folding that helps me place everything in my cube so I can see at a glance all that I have. Folding in this way seems to keep down wrinkles too, which is a great plus. I tried rolling but it just made a lot of wrinkles.

#5. I have found that I don’t need to put my underwear in a cube, but I tuck each piece in random “holes” in my bag, even into my shoes. If you don’t like the Idea of putting your undies in your shoes try putting them into small zip lock bags, or wrap them in plastic wrap. That will keep them clean, and you can keep them stored that way after they are worn. As far as my pajamas and/or swimsuits are concerned, I usually have room in my pants cube for them since I have fewer pieces there than in my tops cube. For my undies I usually can find spots in the corners of the bag or in corners of my packing cubes.

#6. Shoes, I like to put into thin plastic bags, like grocery bags or newspaper bags, bagging each one separately so I can fit them into nooks and crannies. I place them around the edges of the bag when I can. If they are flat I can place them between the ribs of the handle in the bottom of my rolling bag. The cubes are squishable (is that a word?), so I can fit them around anything that’s in the way. I try to only take two pairs of shoes, plus a pair of lightweight slippers for lounging or sandles for the pool if I’m going to a warm weather site. I take a comfortable walking shoe and a dressy pair of heels or flats.

#7. Of course, I put most of my toiletries, meds and electronics in my personal bag, plus anything I will need on the plane (neck pillow, earphones, wipes, etc). I also wear my heaviest, bulkiest outfit if I need to save baggage space, but every outfit I pack must be comfortable or I’m not going to take it or wear it.

There you have it: packing light “Ask Grandma Judy Style”. Has this helped you any? If so, let me know. Did I leave anything out? If you have any tips you’ve tried that works for you, pass them along, I’m always looking for ways to improve, and I’m always planning ahead to my next trip!