Now that summer is almost officially here, thoughts of our long awaited vacation start to dance in our heads. That is, if we’re lucky to be heading somewhere we’ve always dreams of visiting! Whether it’s a foreign country, another state, or even that resort an hour away from home, one thing always remains the same – packing!

Some people wait until the last minute to pack, while some plan and pack far ahead of their departure date, but rest assured, we all share the same frustrations when it comes to choosing what we want to take with us. In recent years many restrictions, rules and regulations have been set in place for airline travel that make packing for a long trip even more frustrating. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my simple solutions BEFORE you round up your posse and head for parts unknown.

If you’re flying anywhere you must know that your checked luggage cannot exceed more than 50 pounds on most carriers. A small luggage scale can be of great help when it comes to knowing just how much your bag weighs before you go to the check in counter. There are numerous brands out there, and depending on how much you travel, it could come in handy to avoid those pesky fees or the inconvenience of having to repack your luggage while others are waiting in line. There is nothing like watching someone open their luggage and then struggle to put it back together in front of an audience. That is NOT for me!

Fold or roll? This is a personal choice for many people and depending on the type of items you pack, each has its virtues. Rolling each item like a cigar does help create more space and, believe it or not, lessens the amount of wrinkles you’ll be left with when you unpack at your destination. I always roll my jeans and heavier items for sure and place them at the bottom of the suitcase, along with shoes and accessories. On top of those are the folded items. If you like neatly folded, perfectly stacked clothing items in your suitcase click here to check out this video for the perfect way to fold a t-shirt (or any item for that matter). With over 7 million views, this is by far the authoritative way to fold!

What to do with shoes, and handbags that you’re taking along? Ladies, if you’re taking an extra handbag with you, this is the perfect place to stash your accessories and jewelry, as well as any other small items you might need to take with you. When packing your shoes, I always stow them in an old, cool-looking vintage pillowcase that I no longer use for bedding. Not only does it protect your other clothing from the possibility of being soiled by the shoes, it keeps the shoes neatly packed. This is a great thing to look for at Goodwill! In addition, I often use a second one for dirty laundry as it accumulates on vacation.

Luggage pretty much all looks alike now, doesn’t it? There’s always a sea of black luggage on the carousel as it arrives at the baggage claim, right? So, how do you identify yours? The easiest way I know of is to get some colored duct tape and wrap the handle of the bag with it. I used bright blue, that way I know exactly which bag is mine.

I’m always looking for great ways to make traveling, and especially packing, easier and that’s why when I’m shopping at Goodwill I always take a walk through the luggage and housewares sections, because you never know when inspiration may strike. If you have any tips for packing it all in, please drop me a line and share it with us, and as always, thank you for supporting our mission!