Seasonal Organizing Solutions!

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Table Of Contents

*Seasonal Organizing
1. Getting Organized For Family Travel
2. Planning And Packing For A Trip
3. Packing Checklists

*Seasonal Musings

Seasonal Ponderings

I hope you were able to get your cars and closets organized and that you did a little decluttering rewarded by profits from your garage sale! Perhaps your garage sale earnings were ear-marked for a family vacations this summer!

Our family just returned from a trip and I thought it appropriate to focus the Summer S.O.S. Issue on getting organized and packing for a vacation. One of the biggest struggles our family experiences when taking a trip is over-packing and having a loaded car. This has kind of evolved into a "Family Challenge" to see who can bring the least amount of stuff but still have every thing they need :)

Please use any of the ideas and checklists merely as a guideline. You will need to add or disregard according to your family's needs. Oh yes, and be sure to visit www.homeorganizeit.com for realistic organizing tips and ideas for your home and your life. Now, Let's Organize For That Vacation!

Seasonal Organizing

1. Getting Organized For Family Travel

Start with a Pre-Checklist

What's a Pre-Checklist? It's the first list you make by writing down anything you think you will need in no particular order. You will then take this list, set up categories and transfer everything from your Pre-Checklist under the appropriate category.

Below are some category ideas to get you started. Add and remove as necessary.

What To Pack

What to Buy

What To do Before Leaving

Clothes To Bring

Toiletries

Activity Gear

Snacks/Beverages

Car Supplies

Keep your Pre-Checklist handy for a few days and add to it as you think of things. Then be sure you have transferred everything to a category.

Ideally we would all like to travel light but most of us find this rather challenging, especially when travelling with children. There are also the "unknowns" such as the weather, how dressy a restaurant is and what ammenities are provided.

The good news is that setting up a checklist will help you stay organized and also help keep you from over-packing.

The following ideas of things to do, buy and consider are not necessary for all trips. Please read it and take from it only what is appropriate for your type of trip.

If you're going out of the country, you'll need to allow sufficient time to get birth certificates, passports, immunizations and necessary legal documents in order. I recommend approximately 2-3 months before a trip.

If you are flying, confirm your reservations as much time ahead as possible. Also arrange for car rentals and hotels.

Assess your luggage needs

Do you want/need:

Backpacks
Wheeled Bags
Toiletry Cases
Hanging Bags
Carry-ons
Duffels
Diaper Bags

Taking a sports-oriented trip?

Check equipment
Try things on
Do a trial set-up (tents, etc.)
Make repairs
Replace things as necessary

4-6 Weeks Out

Do you have Maps? A good Guide Book?

Re-confirm airline, bus, train reservations and try to get seating assignments.

If traveling by car, decide what maintenance should be done and schedule an appointment. Do you need:

New tires
Brakes
Oil change
Air conditioner
Windshield blade replacement
Etc.

Locate any home security/automation devices you will use. These might include light timers, alarm systems and motion detectors. Make sure you know how to use them so you aren't trying to take care of this at the last minute.

2-4 Weeks Out

Arrange for house sitter
Arrange for pet sitter
Make list of important phone numbers including the house and pet sitter, doctor and so on.

Decide how you will pay for things:

Credit card
Cash
Traveler's checks
ATM withdrawals
*Check with your bank to make sure there are ATM's where you are going

Check your camera equipment. Make sure you have:

Film
Batteries
Extra memory stick
Adaptor accessories

1-2 Weeks Out

Wash all clothes you might be taking

Divide your shopping lists into:

Perishable
Non-perishable

Try to purchase all non-perishables this week

Start packing (See Packing Tips below)

Mow the lawn

Arrange for mail to be picked up
Stop newspaper delivery or have neighbor pick up daily
If you have water and/or milk delivery, arrange for delivery suspension

Pay bills that will come due while you are away

If you will be gone during the school year, make arrangements with your child's teacher/s

1-2 Days Out

Give keys and detailed instructions to house/pet sitter/neighbor. Also provide:
Emergency phone numbers
Cell Numbers
Hotel/Resort/Campground numbers

Finish laundry

Complete last-minute packing (see Packing Tips below)

Before Leaving

Walk through the house and:

Check lights
Unplug small appliances
Check stove
Remove trash
Set thermostat
Turn off water
Activate timers
Close and lock windows and doors

2. Planning and Packing For A Trip

This definitely takes some thoughtful planning but you will enjoy the benefits. Easy to carry luggage, non-cluttered car, organized hotel room/camper. Just think how nice that will be...

It's no fun traveling in a loaded car or carrying heavy bulging luggage. It is even less fun coming home with more than you came with, particularily if you didn't use half of what you brought!

So let's get organized. Take the time to plan and really think about how you can trim your travel items.

Try to let everyone pack for themselves (except small children of course!). This is a life skill that your children will need over and over again. By about age 10, most children should be able to pack entirely by themselves. Really! It's okay to check what they packed but I encourage you to teach them young.

Each person should have their own bag. Car bags should be separate. Actually, with car bags, you might want to set some rules. At the very least, give each person one small bag and tell them they can only take what fits in it and still be able to close it.

Tips to help you make some decisions:

Pack clothes that won't show stains too much:

Patterns
Bright colors
Darker colors

Choose a color scheme for mixing and matching and choose outfits that can double for both casual and dressy

Pack clothes you can layer easily

Choose clothes that don't wrinkle too much:

Cotton/polyester knits
Fleece
Rayon
Washable silks

To reduce wrinkling when packing, try some of these methods:

Put heavier items on bottom
Stuff nice clothes with tissue
Put socks inside shoes and use shoe bags
Roll clothes after folding
Pack suitcase tight--shifting causes wrinkles

Choose jackets that will work with most outfits. For example, in our part of the country, many women wear denim jackets in a variety of dress situations.

Quick Tip: For real young kids, pack a complete outfit, underwear and socks included, in a large zip style bag.

Accessories

Choose accessories that work with several outfits.

A note about toiletries:

Travel sizes are usually more expensive but they tend to pay off in other ways. You can dramatically reduce the weight of your toiletry bag by paying a little extra and purchasing travel size items.

This is similar for snacks. It may make sense to bring pre-packaged snacks even if a bit more costly. This helps reduce waste, spillage and they are lighter and easier to pack.

Remember to choose "Low Mess" foods:

Things that don't leave crumbs
Things that won't drip or stain

Invest in no-spill cups and bottles too...forget the juice boxes with straws!

3. Packing Checklists

Tickets
Itinerary
Credit cards
Traveler's checks
Cash
Prescription glasses/sunglasses
Medications
Passports
Immunizations certificates
List of emergency contacts

Clothing

Capris/Pants
Shorts
Skirts
Sweaters
Sweatshirts/Hoodies
Jackets
Underwear
Socks/Panty hose
Swimsuits
Cover-ups
Hats/Caps
Gloves
Rain gear
Shoes
Sandals
Boots
Dress clothes
Jewelry/Accessories
Sleepwear
Beach towels

Toiletries

Bandaids
Antibiotic ointment
Sunscreen
Sunburn relief lotion
Insect repellent
After-bite
Hair care supplies
Hair dryer (some hotels provide)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Nail care supplies
Diaper changing needs
Tissues
Razor
Saving cream/gel
Hand lotion
Mouthwash

Extras

Purses
Belt bag/Waist pack
Alarm clock
Nightlight
Flashlight
Camera
Film
Memory stick (digital)
Batteries
2-Way radios
Extra car keys
Swim goggles/masks

Car-Kids

Discman's
CD's
DVD Player
DVD's
Books
Travel games
Playing cards
Children's atlas
Favorite toy
Small pillow
Light blanket
Gum
Snacks
Water/drinks

Car-Other

Maps/Mapquest directions
CD's
Books/magazines
Books on CD
Journal
Phone charger
I-Pass/Toll change
Sunglasses
Small bag for trash
Hand towelettes
Small cooler/softpack cooler

Seasonal Musings

Be sure to print out this Newsletter and put it in your Travel File. You will easily be able to refer to it again and again. Once you've made your personalized checklist, print a copy and check items off as you pack. Change the checklist for each trip accordingly. It's quick and easy!

If this newsletter simplifies your life, do a friend a favor and forward it to her or him! If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe by clicking here: Home Organize It! S.O.S.
I wish you safe travels...

See you in the Fall!

All The Best,
Erin
www.homeorganizeit.com


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