Fall is a great time to get away and relax — whether you’re flying off to see autumn foliage or driving out to the big football game. Try these organizing tips and travel-planning strategies to head out smoothly and return home refreshed.

Before Your Trip
Organized traveling requires preparation and planning. Along with the usual tasks of arranging for house-sitting or child care, make sure you have attended to these often overlooked items:
  • Ask your family what is important to them on the vacation. You may find that something as simple as an indoor hotel pool can make all the difference for kids. Whenever possible, make sure everyone’s needs are met.
  • Have your car serviced well in advance. If unexpected repairs crop up, you have time built into your schedule to handle them.
  • Inform your credit card company that you are traveling. Otherwise, the fraud department may freeze activity on your card if charges from unexpected locations pop up.
  • If you are traveling with children, make sure your hotel room configuration allows for separate bedtimes for the adults and the kids. Even if the hotel is offering you a “suite,” you still need to clarify whether the sleeping areas will be separate.

Packing
Efficient and careful packing is the hallmark of an organized traveler. Get started with these strategies:

  • If you are traveling by plane, check www.tsa.gov for the latest in airport security regulations that may affect your packing choices.
  • A week before you leave, write a list so you can start gathering items and add things as they occur to you. A great resource is www.dontforgetyourtoothbrush.com, a free service that generates lists based on the type of trip you specify, whether it’s skiing or a trip to the beach.
  • Take time to plan your wardrobe, choosing one color scheme and several neutral items so that you can easily mix and match. Pack clothing you can wear in layers to anticipate and adjust to varying temperatures. Try to avoid the need for multiple pairs of shoes, which can add bulk.
  • Don’t pack indispensable items in a bag that will be checked. Medications, cash, jewelry and other valuables should be kept with you, and you may want to carry a quick change of clothing in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

En Route
Whether flying or hitting the open road, these tips can make your travel time more enjoyable.

  • Check your airline’s website to see if you can print boarding passes at home. You could save some waiting time at the airport.
  • Stash self-adhesive return address labels in your purse; they make quick luggage tags and also save you time if you have to fill out forms.
  • Carry a permanent marker so you can label drink bottles and souvenirs when traveling with children.
  • Avoid lost luggage by clearly identifying your bags, inside and out. When ticket agents check your bags, take a moment to verify that each bag is correctly tagged for your name and destination.
  • Long car trips can be enjoyable with planned activities and diversions. Good ideas for travel games can be found at www.momsminivan.com, and activity books from Klutz Press (www.klutz.com) are always great travel companions. Make sure you take plenty of rest stops, and buy snacks you would not normally buy, just for fun.
  • Stay plugged in — even on the road. Before your trip, pay a visit to your neighborhood electronics store and purchase an inexpensive device called a “power inverter.” This handy gadget transforms your car’s lighter adapter into a normal household electrical outlet, so kids can recharge cell phones, iPods and more.

Coming Home
Make a gentle re-entry by considering these points:

  • Resist the urge to bring home things you don’t need. Take a few moments when packing for home to ask yourself whether items like hotel soaps and shampoos are really necessary, and have a storage place in mind for new items. Remember, you’re creating future clutter by bringing more stuff into the house!
  • Unpack right away so you can feel at home as quickly as possible. Procrastinating about unpacking can lead to more clutter.
  • Make sure you take some time after your trip to deal with mail, e-mail messages and other tasks that have accumulated during your absence.

Taking time to plan means the difference between a stressful ordeal and a relaxing retreat. Organize yourself and reap the rewards!

Certified Professional Organizer® Lorie Marrero is the creator of The Clutter Diet®, the affordable online organizing program that gets you organized with access to Lorie and her team. Lorie is a sought-after writer and speaker in the organizing industry and is a NAPO Golden Circle member.