By: Liz Pond
We are proud to present the column, Travelin' Light by Liz Pond. She’ll share with us how she travels light in terms of both luggage and freedom of spirit to fully appreciate all travel has to offer. Today, she shares her secrets for packing in under 20 minutes and how to put it all in a carry-on, saving on baggage costs.This may come in handy on your next ASU OLLI adventure.
SPEED PACKING: How to Fill Your Suitcase Efficiently in 20 Minutes Flat!
Getting ready for that next ASU OLLI travel adventure?
What would you say if I told you 95% of the time I bring everything I need in a carry-on? Even for extended trips of 5+ days.
Say goodbye to those days of shopping for months and laying out clothes for days to prepare for a trip!
No more frantic loads of laundry the night before you travel!
Gone are the days of lugging around too much and paying extra bag fees because of over packing.
Here are a few tricks of the trade:
Get Organized!
The top trick is what I call the PPP, Pre Prepped Packing cube. I did this with zip lock bags before packing cubes were invented! Save space in your luggage and your house. Imagine a closet or dedicated spot with tidy cubes packed and labeled with clean clothes, that you know fit, ready to be whimsically tossed in a suitcase for your next adventure. Some folks put all their shirts in one and pants in another. Others prefer to pack by outfit. What works for
me is to bundle by trip type.
Example 1 “Beach Weekend”: Includes: bathing suit, sarong, cover up, sundress, shorts, leggings, two tanks, appropriate undergarments for the clothes and a hat. I list the contents on the outside of the cube on the card insert or I use my label maker. No need to be fancy, masking tape and a sharpie will do fine! Add a dryer sheet to keep everything smelling fresh and you're ready to frolic in the ocean carefree!
Example 2 “The Snow Weekender”: Includes: everything but the snow jacket which has to go in its own bag or it can be carried on the plane. The cube contains waterproof snow pants and soft leggings which can be used as an extra layer of warmth under anything you bring, a second pair of warm pants, sweater, a turtleneck that can be used alone or under a sweater, shirt, hat, gloves, scarf, undergarments, and warm socks. Now I never forget my gloves, always know the location of my warm socks, and am ready for the slopes in under 20 minutes!
Example 3 “The Charger Cube”: Avoid running out of juice with a little pre-planning. Have pre-packed in a small cube or bag your chargers, converters, earbuds, air pods and appropriate cords. Sometimes globally that retro headphone jack comes in handy for a plane with in-flight entertainment that does not have Bluetooth. Low cost airlines will charge for that static-y piece of wire and plastic. Don’t forget the battery backup charging cord and If you have two laptop cords “The Charger Cube” is a great place to keep the extra.
CAUTION, if you need to remove anything from the cube prior to departure, create a physical and/or digital reminder to return it to the cube. I have a packing list in my phone and put a sticky note on the cube with a list of what I robbed from its contents. It’s worth the investment to have a travel set of cords that always stays in the bag. It’s easier to remove what you don’t need when packing. For example, it is ok to pull out that global plug adapter if you’re traveling domestically. Just put it back in the cube on return.
Stay Organized!
No need to use all the same clothes, but wash and repack within 48 hours of getting home. If you switch out clothes in the cube, take time to try on things you have not worn recently. Enjoy the process. Visualize your next vacation or adventure while curating the perfect cube, but don’t wait too long to put that weekender back together.
Bring Appropriate Shoes
Color batch by cube where possible so the items can be worn together and simplify shoe choices. Shoes take up prime real estate in a suitcase, so be intentional. Always bring comfortable lightweight worn-in walking shoes ideally with good tread. Blisters or falls can ruin a trip. If it's a business trip, find that non-scuffed black shoe you can stand in for hours doing presentations or wear at a cocktail party. If you are doing a beach vacation, those rubber flip
flops or water shoes are a must. Snow boots can be worn on the plane to save space.
Don’t Ignore Personal Style
What about the wow factor garments that speak to your personality and give you joy like a favorite dress, suit, must have shoes? Bring them as long as you follow these packing guidelines: Know exactly what you are wearing them with or for before they come on the trip. Be discerning and limit yourself to a select few. Consider their appropriateness for the environment where you’re traveling. Think cobblestone, rain, dust, sand, stairs, cold temperature, humidity or hiking trails. You know you best, and if this choice will help you navigate the world safely and with style – then do it!
Jewelry Guidelines
My number one jewelry tip is don’t bring the good stuff. It may get lost or it may make you a target for theft. I traveled with my mother’s earrings because they gave me confidence. I thought I lost them about 5 years ago and realized I could get that same confidence through a picture smiling on my phone. Leave the important stuff at home. I have a beautiful small travel jewelry box with my name on it that seemed the perfect thing to keep me organized and glamorous. Unfortunately a bulky box takes up space in the suitcase. I learned the hard way that even costume jewelry can be pilfered through in a checked bag. So now I keep all my jewelry in my personal item which is a backpack as bags get gate checked. I use small mesh or velvet bags to keep sets separated and put them all in another lightweight drawstring bag. This takes up less space and can be easily stored at the bottom of my back pack until I unpack at the destination. Bonus tip. Pre-mark jewelry suggestions on the cube so you don’t have to think about what to bring. You can always put jewelry next to your packing cube. I like to keep most of my things in rotation so the reminder of what to grab is sufficient. However, I do have one necklace that I keep next to my “Cruise dress up cube.” You do you!
Doing Double Duty
Pack things that do double duty! Anything described as multi-use; reversible or labeled “numerous ways to wear” makes my heart sing because this means two outfits and only one spot in the bag! I have a rain jacket that is black on one side and tan on the other. A sarong can be my blanket on the plane, work as a beach towel, or a skirt. A dress that can be wrapped around your shoulders 4 different ways or be a skirt. A casual black frock for touring during the day that can do double duty with a scarf for a night under the stars is ideal. I often bring a pendant that’s cream on one side and trendy cherry on the other. Jewelry and scarves take up minimal space in your bag. They are the equivalent of high taste with 0 calories on your packing diet! These delightful additions can easily become part of a bundle ready to rock your travel wardrobe.
Pro-tip: bring soap or fabric freshener.
Toiletries
Packing toiletries can also be quick and easy. One option is to buy a travel set and keep it handy in a TSA clear pouch by the cubes. I support this, but it does not work for me because makeup goes bad and my colors change with the season. I do have mini 3 oz shampoos and conditioners next to the cubes; however, I use my regular daily makeup for travel. I keep one mascara, liner, concealer, lipstick, and gloss in an open container that is easy to see and
grab and toss into clear plastic on a moment's notice. A bronzer and chapstick can also double for lip color in a pinch. No decisions need to be made. It’s a grab and go. Any extras like cotton balls and q-tips and even an eye pencil sharpener can be stored in the bag ahead of time.
Let’s Go!
The cube system will give you all you need to pack with record speed. Based on the trip you can grab the cubes that work. Add a few things that will complement what’s in the cubes. Something trip specific, a contrasting color, or a favorite shirt or hat. Consider bringing a reusable expandable shopping bag to bring home souvenirs.
Finish with experience enhancers: an ASU OLLI recommended book to read or podcast to listen to, a journal or drawing pad, your favorite low salt plane snack, perhaps recommended by Chef Larry. Bring an empty water bottle to fill in airports as this saves money and the environment. Instead of stressing over packing you can leisurely read about where you are going! Before you know it you will be dressed in wrinkle free comfortable plane clothes and confidently jet setting to a fantastic new place focused solely on making new memories!
Bon Voyage and Safe Travels for a Wonderful Adventure with OLLI this summer to Greece, Girton College at Cambridge, England or wherever your travel plans may take you!
Liz Pond spent over 25 years leading teams around the globe in the travel industry flying for both work and personal enjoyment. During her Sales and Marketing Career at American Airlines, it was common to find out she was heading out on the road internationally within 24 hours. Miles logged and travel mishaps taught her how to be ready for almost anything. Liz recently achieved her goal of traveling to 100 countries and enjoys sharing the travel tips she has learned along her journey. Dividing her time between world exploration and accessibility advocacy, Liz believes we have the opportunity to enhance lives through positive accessible travel experiences.
