@Philip: That’s my problem too. I know if I am flying I have to limit everything. Driving makes it easy to take everything and the kitchen sink.

@hustler: That’s a good idea, too. We make a list each week for what we need. I would be afraid we would be tempted to buy everything. “Oh, I almost forgot, but we definitely need Oreos!”

@michele: That’s a good idea, too. One for each type of trip…

@Diane: We’ve got a travel kit that you fill up with your own shampoo (rather than paying $1 for a very small amount when a big bottle is $3). But same concept.

@Murry: Yea, kind of important!

@Jenny: Great idea to take it with you. I don’t think I would have thought of that! I’m always asking when we leave some place “Did we grab the… (cell phone charger, camera, dirty laundry…)?”

@FB: You don’t use shampoo… ever? Zoinks! Do you have any problems taking pots and whatnot onto a plane? Figured they might hassle you about it or something.

A shirt that you wear to sleep, can be your last shirt to wear on the last day flying out.

Shampoo can turn into body wash (if you use shampoo, I don’t.)

Toothpaste can be baking soda with water (salty, but it works well for cheap and is eco-friendly).

I also wear clothes twice if they didn’t get so horribly sweaty. I bring about 3 changes of clothes that can all match with each other and rotate. If I desperately need to wash the clothes (if the sweat smells), I use the laundry rooms in the hotel, or just do a quick wash in the sink and a dry for a day or so with a bit of shampoo or soap.

My max is also 2 pairs of shoes — walking tennis shoes & flip flops or ballet flats. Unless I am going to a wedding or something, I don’t bring a third set.

But generally speaking, after the sweat dries, the smell disappears (for me)…

I’ve since added a Belkin wall charger (to charge 2 USB port-items and to have 3 extra ports for charging in the wall outlet), because hotels only give you ONE bloody outlet..

A master list of what I bring (different lists/additions depending on weather like winter, or if it’s on business, or to an event or a wedding)

And depending on the length of stay (1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 1 month+), I bring small pots and pans too in my carryon.

I always have the list with me, wiped clean after it’s been packed, and I re-check the list as I re-pack everything in the hotel

Don’t forget to list things like: Camera in Pouch + Charger

I always seem to lose the charger, and that has helped me immensely.

I also only carry a carry-on and a purse for up to 1 month of traveling (no kidding!!) so don’t forget to put your gels and liquids in a plastic bag in front zipped and ready to go.

I hate overpacking. Hurts my back and annoys my arms to carry it. The less, the better.

I work in a motel and the two most commonly left-behind items there are shampoo in the shower, and phone chargers, lots of them.

One suggestion for quick packing – keep a set of travel products packed for bath/personal use – toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, razor, face cream, sunscreen, etc. – whatever you normally take. Check & replace items when you get home so it’s always ready to go.

I now keep 2 sets packed, one for car trips and one for air travel (in the quart size ziploc bag). Due to capacity of the qt ziploc I take less when traveling by air and just use the shampoo, and products provided at the hotel and make do with less items.

My son, age 18, also keeps a set of bath products packed for travel with friends. I pick up travel size items at Wal-Mart when I see things we need.

If you have extra, you can also keep a set of underwear & socks packed for weekend travel.