TOP 10 PACKING TIPS
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure these common-sense tips on what to pack in your suitcase--and why--are indispensable. They all come from Heloise Cruse, the author of the newspaper column "Hints From Heloise" and the new book, "Heloise Conquers Stinks and Stains." These top 10 tips were created from the words of wisdom Heloise imparted in interviews with the New Zealand Herald, Dallas Morning News, and Attaché magazine.
Idea: Print this now and tuck it into your favorite suitcase so you'll have it the next time you pack!
1. Pack a bed bag containing a flashlight, alarm clock, ear plugs, eye mask, medication, and two clothes pins for hanging up wet clothing or keeping hotel curtains shut. Keep the bed bag by your hotel bed at all times.
2. Choose a suitcase that is a bright color so it stands out on the airport luggage carousel. Heloise's suitcase is purple. Go for almost anything other than the standard black.
3. Use red nail polish to write your name on the handle of your suitcase. This is another way to make your bag stand out from the others, as well as permanently attach your name to it.
4. Pack everything in clear, plastic bags. When airport security searches your luggage, they won't actually touch your clothing if it's protected this way.
5. Stick return address labels onto some of your more important possessions. If you leave something behind in a hotel room, there is a chance it will be returned to you.
6. Always pack transparent tape. It's incredibly useful for fixing a torn hem, repairing torn currency, or closing that annoying gap in hotel curtains.
7. Many hotels and bed and breakfast inns don't have washcloths. Pack a few of your own so you'll always have one.
8. Make photocopies of your important travel documents, including prescription medication, airline tickets, travelers checks, passport, credit cards, and driver's license. Make sure your traveling companion does the same thing. Then exchange the copies so someone else has this vital information if your bags are lost or stolen. (If you're traveling internationally, make sure someone at home also has copies of these documents.)
9. Pack emergency food, such as dried fruit and nuts, instant coffee, and tea.
10. Don't leave home without the proper attitude, especially if you're flying. If you really want to get your way, be polite and respectful to all airline employees.
