Travel Tip Tuesday: Compression Bags

How have I lived the last few years not knowing the wonderful invention called compression bags?  Seriously...these are space savers!

I'm sure they won't work on jeans or any fabrics that don't fill with air, but they can really make a difference with cottons and my jacket.

Here is a before and after Kris and I did whenever testing these to figure out if we should return them:

After seeing our overflowing bag go from unable to be closed to having extra room, we were sold.  Plus - Academy carries a great two pack for only $9!

You don't need a vacuum for these puppies...just stuff and roll!

Check out this great Magellan Outdoors Compression Bags 2-Pack:

(Just make sure you don't make your bag too heavy so you don't get charged for extra weight.)

Happy packing!

Travel Tip Tuesday: Don't Forget to Pack the Mustard

I've never tried this myself, but I will be doing so next time I travel...

Apparently, along with your liquids, you should pack two small condiment packets of Heinz yellow mustard, which, when eaten, can relieve leg cramps.  (It contains turmeric acid.)  Who knew?

I do like to grab extra condiment packets (mustard, bbq sauce, salt, pepper) from fast food restaurants when I travel just because you never know when it'll come in handy.  Now I'll be grabbing some mustard too.

Travel Tip Tuesday: String Backpack

Whenever we travel, we always bring a string backpack.  It never fails...when traveling, we'll need to carry something around or buy an item (and it's eco-friendly for shopping).

Sometimes it gets just too hot to carry around your jacket anymore.  We like to carry around an extra bottle of water and sunscreen too.  This backpack is so light - you often forget you are wearing it.

Not only is it easy and convenient; it fits in nooks nothing else will when packing or offers a great carry-on option for souvenirs.


 

Travel Tip Tuesday: Packing Solution = Eagle Creek Pack-Its

A while back, we started using Eagle Creek Pack It travel folders to pack our clothes. 

They are these great folders that help you fold your clothes and keep them compressed.  I have some in different colors to help separate my pants from tops. 

Kris is anti excess.  He doesn't like carrying bags in bags, but he uses these too.  They just make you pack much more efficiently and help you utilize your packing space.

I've just recently started carrying around a third folder...for those dirty clothes.  Not only do I not have another bag to lug around, my dirty clothes are separated in a manageable way into that third pack-it and fit into my luggage without issue.

Pack Its come in three different sizes, but only the small and medium size fit in carry-ons. 

We even got a Pack It for my friend (and co-worker's) birthday.

They even fit in my travel backpack!

Travel Tip Tuesday: Pack the Wrapping

With holiday travel taking place, it's easy to forget security etiquette. Remember not to wrap your gifts that you are taking on a flight. Bring the wrapping paper & tape with you, and leave the gifts unwrapped in your luggage.

 If there is anything questionable about the package when that gift is scanned, they'll have to unwrap it.

 

Travel Tip Tuesday: Necklace Packing Trick

I love RealSimple.com.  One brilliant suggestion I ran across lately was to use a drinking straw to keep necklaces from tangling during travel.  So simple and smart!  I may try it on our next trip.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Heat Guard; Stowing Hot Hair Appliances

Don't want to spend massive amounts of money to buy bags that are meant to store your curling iron, straightening iron, and other warm accessories as they cool down?  Pack them in an oven mitt.

Just as the oven mitt keeps your hands protected from the hot pans in the oven, it'll keep your clothes and suitcase protected from the hot metal of your styling equipment.

If you're crafty, LifeHacker has an article on how to repurpose a pot holder into a flat iron case.

If you're like me though, you'll just leave those products at home and throw your hair into a ponytail.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Save Money on Liquids

In a world where the amount of room we get for packing liquids is minuscule, I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to pack the smallest quantity of liquids possible without breaking the bank.

If you have a liquid that just doesn't come in a small size but you never need too much of it to get you through a trip (moisturizer, eye makeup remover, acne cream, vaseline, etc.), buy a cheap contact lens holder and fill the cups with the liquid. You can carry one or two liquids per contact lens container, and it saves a ton of room. The outsides can be easily labeled.

Save money by buying refillable containers and filling with your normal products. If you really want to use the hotel products - go ahead. Otherwise, you can always save up some and donate to a local homeless or recovery center.

If you have liquids that can be purchased in powder form (like BareMinerals Exfoliating Treatment Cleanser), I always recommend it. Otherwise, pre-moistened cleansing cloths will wash your face while keeping you from needing an additional facecloth. They don't count against your liquid allowance from what I've been told by TSA screening agents and can really refresh you on a long flight.

Cologate Wisp mini toothbrushes are great for the plane and allow you to pack your toothpaste...or at least keep you from trying to retrieve it from your bag on a long flight.





*I didn't get anything for mentioning some products.  I just really like the products.