Vicky All Of Your Storage Tips for Streamlined Travels
Planning a holiday or extended trip takes quite a bit of organisation, what with itineraries, accommodation, packing and travel arrangements. And that’s only to sort out what happens while you’re gone. On top, there’s the home to organise properly so you know things will stay safe in your absence.
All these preparations are partly what can make taking a break stressful instead of relaxing. Especially as it’s so often left to just one person in the party to do most of it. If that’s you, we’ve put together a few strategies and tips that might smooth things out a bit.
Delegate Planning Tasks
Unless you’re the sort of person that loves spontaneity, a little bit of pre-planning will go a long way toward banishing anxiety over a looming departure date. This is, after all, supposed to be exciting, not nerve-wracking.
Involve family members as much as you can, and don’t be scared to allocate a job to someone if no one volunteers. Everyone loves to go on holiday and it’s not fair if responsibility for everything falls on one person’s shoulders. Get older children involved with their own packing, for instance. They could research the location and try and come up with ideas for types of clothes to take or activities you could all do. Get them to list their own tips for streamlined travels.
Tips for Streamlined Travels By Making Lots of Lists
Once you’ve decided where you’re going, start making lists:
- Packing lists: Consider the climate and type of clothes you’ll need, along with any special kit for activities – comfy shoes for walking, for instance, or wet weather gear just in case. If you’re taking children, it’s not too much to have a list for each of them.
- Journey lists: Consider how you’ll get to the airport, ferry, railway… however you’re travelling. Figure out your connection and transfer details, car hire or parking if you’re using your own vehicle. Starting this early might give you some early booking discounts or deals.
- House lists: Make yourself a checklist of things to check before you leave the house, such as making sure the lights are off, everything unplugged, windows locked etc. It banishes any back-of-mind niggles that you left the iron plugged in.
- Security lists: Let neighbours know you’re away and ask one or two to keep an eye on your house. Give someone a spare key, just in case. Put a lamp or two on a timer so light comes on at night, and make sure nothing valuable is visible through windows. It’s a good idea to pack up your most valuable or favourite items and save them elsewhere. Self storage while you’re travelling is a secure option, with lockers available as well as rooms so you needn’t pay for more space than you need.
Suitcase Packing Tips
If you made a couple of packing lists earlier in the planning phase, packing shouldn’t be too much of a trial. Ideally, have a packing practice so you can get an idea of what your case weighs. It’s not relevant for every type of holiday, but it’s very important if you’re flying. It’s horrible standing in the queue fretting about the weight of your cases.
- Roll instead of fold – you’ll get more in the case, and it’ll come out less creased.
- Zip lock bags – great for cables and chargers, hobby or amusement items or travel documents, keys and even money.
- Pack items inside other items – socks inside shoes, for instance. Try and use every nook and cranny in the case, not just to get more in but also so things don’t rattle about.
When you’re trying to cut down on weight, pack as many dual-purpose items as possible. Dressing up in casual clothes with accessories for evening wear can considerably lighten the load. Also, take items that are easily washed and rapid drying for quick overnight freshen-ups.
Try to minimise the number of ‘just in case’ items. This is a bit easier if you plan a thorough itinerary and pack for your planned events. When you’re travelling, your suitcase is your whole storage system so try and make the contents work as hard as possible. If all else fails, you can probably buy supplies at your destination if you need to.
Hopefully one or two of these tips for streamlined travels, from local self storage to home security, will help make your next trip or holiday as relaxing as it’s supposed to be.
