In this week’s Reader PAT DOWN Poll we asked our Readers, do they wait until the last-minute to pack?
I prefer not to function that way because I get over paranoid I’m going to forget something I REALLY need. I do, however, know quite a few people who literally wait until a few hours before departure to pack.
Here are my top four reasons why to avoid last minute packing:
1. Over packing
Nine times out of ten you will over pack by waiting until the last-minute. Since you don’t have much time to think, you just wind up throwing everything you think you might need in your bag. When, in all reality, you probably only need about half of it. By starting your packing a couple of days early, you have the chance to sort through your clothes and other items calmly and you’re less likely to bring things you’ll never use on your trip.
2. Laundry
While you are over packing your suitcase you begin looking for those comfy travel pants, those extra pairs of underwear, and lo and behold, they are dirty in the laundry. You can always take them with you and throw them in laundry later if you are planning for long-term travel, but honestly, who wants to start a trip with dirty laundry?
3. Storage
Unless you have a massive closet that holds every bit of clothing you own, most likely a season of your clothes is packed away in your attic or a separate storage facility. So if it’s currently winter and your headed to a summer destination, you need time to dig out your clothes from the attic or head over to storage.
4. Stress
I am personally not a big fan of last-minute stress syndrome before I start my stress-free holiday. Why rush yourself? Give yourself time so you can relax and start your holiday off stress free…The way it’s supposed to be.
LOL, I pack the night before for all the same reasons. I travel as light as possible and the longer I wait the more stuff goes in. I used to keep a travel bag ready with all the travel stuff already packed, toothpaste etc. Then I throw in a change of clothes and go. Going for adventure I have to say bring layers so you can adjust as temps change, a comfortable pair of walking shoes and a pair of slippers for relaxing.
Who needs slippers? Haha go barefoot! Yea its good to have the toiletries prepacked for sure. I feel that is always the hardest to pack. So many little things definitely easy to forget something.
I agree with toiletries, and I also have a little medical bag packed for emergencies! Other than that, the best advice I’ve heard is:
‘Before you leave, lay out all of your clothes and all of your money. Then take half the clothes and double the money.’
That is awesome advice! Of course sometimes I feel I need to triple my money. You can never seem to have enough of it when you are traveling.
I like to pack early too! but my reasons are totally different. I am afraid I will forget to pack stuff I need and for the vainpot me, I like to coordinate my clothes instead of just dumping all of them in before deciding how to match on holidays.
Haha good on you for matching lol I just always have black or jean pants and random color tops or visa versa. I never put too much thought into the clothes. Luckily though if you forget something you can always buy it in a market 9 times out of 10.