Packing Tips

The summer is coming to a close! Here are some packing tips that you may find helpful while you're trying to figure out how to fit everything into your car or suitcase.

Learn from your own experience.  What did you bring out this year that you could most likely go without next year? What did you leave at home and wish you had brought with you? Take notes and keep them handy for next summer. You’ll be glad you did!

Keep "summer stuff" separate: This is the best advice I could give. I have a box of summer kitchen things like cheap plates, cups, silverware, pots, etc. that I keep separate from my nice dishes at home. When I get back home in the fall, I keep the box from the summer all packed up and I store it on a shelf in my garage. This saves time, money, and space: I don’t have to worry about sorting through my kitchen and figuring out what to pack for the next summer, I know that I’m bringing out only what I need, and I’m not re-purchasing the same cheap dishes every single year.

The best part is that if, at the end of the summer, I don’t have room in my car for everything I need to bring back, I can just donate my cheap-o stuff and it won’t be all that upsetting to me or my wallet.

Don’t use boxes-Sure, boxes are convenient, but they take up a lot of space. I usually have a couple of boxes for kitchen accessories, pots and pans, etc. but other than that, I use what I’ve got. For example:  I use laundry baskets for my clothes, the bathroom trash can (cleaned out) for my cleaning supplies, duffle bags/backpacks for toiletries, etc. Pairs of shoes fit nicely under the seats in the car. Bedding can be draped over everything when you are done, saving space and keep your belongings covered.

Roll your clothes-This may seem like a lot of extra work, but I guarantee that rolled clothes take up much, much less space than regularly folded clothes. The extra time you put into packing your wardrobe may give you just enough space to fit everything into your car.

Donate food and belongings-Despite my best efforts to empty out our pantry and refrigerator before the end of the summer, I always have extra food. I hate throwing perfectly good things away.  If I have any items left over, I will ask neighbors, members of my church, and even the staff in the clubhouse if they would like my surplus.

Non-perishable (and unopened) items can be donated to the local food bank. Get together with some of the others on your team and see if they have extras they would like to donate as well. This makes it so that I don’t feel like I’m wasting money and it also frees up space in my car for other belongings.

This tip doesn’t just apply to food! Donate books you’ve finished reading, clothes you’ve grown tired of throughout the summer, and kitchen accessories you don’t need anymore.

Rent a trailer-if there is no absolute way you're going to fit everything into your car, you are definitely not alone. Whether you over packed in April or you just accumulated things through out the summer, renting a trailer may be your answer. Even small cars may be able to tow a small trailer. Ask around your office, others may be in your same boat! Team up and split the cost, but make sure that you plan ahead. Reserving a trailer near the end of any month may prove difficult without proper notice.