How to Pack a Suitcase

Going somewhere? Whether it's a weekend road trip or a long vacation to the Bahamas you want to be sure that you are bringing everything that you need and you pack it away accurately.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A suitcase
• Your...stuff? (I'm not going to list all the basics here, because it depends on you and where you're going!)

1. Get out your suitcase, or duffel bag, and look at all the little compartments and side pouches. Open them up for now.

2. Before you start throwing clothes in, it's best to go ahead and make a list of everything you want to bring. For example, will there be beaches and pools involved? Write down everything you will need there, such as a suit, goggles, etc. Think about what you will be doing on this trip. Add in your basic toiletries and underwear and toothbrush and stuff like that.

3. Set out your clothes and stuff in their own piles. Get shirts and pants and lay them aside. Focus on things you can mix and match and pants you could wear more than once. You do not want to overpack,and you do not want to underpack either.

4. Make sure you prepare for both kinds of weather: warm and cold. It may be warm during the day, and it may get colder later. Have a sweatshirt and long pants tucked away just in case.

5. Get some travel-sized shampoos and soaps and toothbrushes and paste. Not only are these more convenient to travel with, especially with rules at the airport, but then you can always keep them in your suitcase or bag and do not have to worry about packing away what you already use. This way you do not have to worry about forgetting anything either.

6. Go over your list and check stuff off. You can even bring it with you if it helps you to make sure you do not forget anything.

7. Pack away, and be sure to fold your stuff neatly so it can all fit. If you are packing shoes, put them at a yin-yang position like how they fit in a shoebox. Put them at the sides to keep more room open. Keep toiletries in a separate section and underwear too so you know where everything is.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are at a hotel, you might have a closet and drawers to put your stuff in. I might be lazy, but I think it's best not to use them. You could forget things, and if you take the time to unpack it all and put it away like you're at your own house, you will have to take the time to re-pack it all over again. Some people do this so they know what they have, and especially if they have nicer clothes for dressier events they want to hang up.