3 On Your Side: Advice For Packing Smarter
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Once spring arrives, travel picks up. Whether you're going away for a weekend or a week-long vacation, chances are that you're taking too much stuff with you. In today's 3 On Your Side consumer report we have advice for packing smarter.
Spend a few minutes in any airport and it's easy to see that people tend to over-pack. In fact much of what's stuffed in those suitcases probably isn't necessary.
Travel expert Mark Murphy says that not only is over-packing a nuisance, but it can be costly too. He says people often think they can avoid extra baggage fees by jamming everything into one bag. "A lot of people don't realize that, they're like I'll get to check one bag, yeah but it if it's 90 pounds you're going to pay a fortune to check that bag," says Murphy.
So here are some things you can do to pack "smarter." Well if you love to read, skip the books and magazines and switch to an iPad or Kindle. But don't over-pack electronics either, limit yourself to two devices.
Instead of bringing an entire bag of toiletries use the free items that you'll find in your hotel room like shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion. Many hotels also supply toothbrushes, razors, mouthwash and other items upon request.
Most importantly, when it comes packing clothes consider whether you really need a different outfit for each day. According to Murphy, "Pack things that have multiple uses. You can mix and match and change things out. Probably for 7 days you don't need more than two pairs of pants and you're wearing one of them when you get on the plane.
One other bit of advice, invest in a small travel steamer. Whether you're pulling something out of your suitcase on a trip to wear for the first time, or you need to spruce a garment up on vacation after multiple wears, a good steamer comes in handy.
