This is fresh in my head as I’m already starting to pack for our upcoming vacation. (So Excited!) I’m a planner. There’s obvious things you’ll take with you changes of clothes, maybe bathing suits if you’re going some where with swimming, toothbrush, etc. But then there’s things you might not necessarily thing about until you get there. Here are some tips on how to pack to save money.
Check the Amenities – If you’re staying overnight in a hotel, resort, or bed and breakfast check out what amenities they offer. Does your hotel or condo have washers and dryers? If so they probably aren’t going to just give your laundry detergent. You can consider getting a small or trial size bottle of detergent to take with you. Maybe you love free samples like me and have a few sample packets of detergent laying around. There are also more portable detergents like pods or detergent strips you can put into a small container and take with you. Just be sure to label it.
What kinds of hygiene products does the hotel or resort provide. Many provide shampoo and soap but not all provide toothpaste, shaving cream, etc. If they have a website, you might be able to find info online. If not, you could always call and ask. Some will provide complimentary products but don’t count on it. You may end up spending bigger bucks in a convenience store for something you already have sitting at home. You don’t even have to go out and buy travel size. If you have small reusable bottles at home you can fill them to take with you. Just be sure to mark them so you know what is what.
How to Pack Can Save you Money – Packing smart can save you money. We don’t have a lot of room in our vehicle for storage once everyone is in and comfortable. We have a small trunk space. I’m having the kids pack their things in backpacks as opposed to suitcase. For one, it takes up less room and too we don’t need to rent or buy additional storage for our vehicle like a trailer or rooftop luggage carrier. Also, a minor point is that the more weight that is in your car the worse your gas mileage will be. It may not make a huge difference for one trip but if you take frequent overnight trips, it could add up. My husband and I share the same suitcase. We put the additional hygiene products and stuff in their too. Just be sure to put them in one or two layers of freezer bags so if they pop open they don’t ruin your stuff.
Check Out the Weather – You may already have an idea what the temps will be like where you are headed. For instance if you’re headed to the beach in August there’s a good chance it will be warm. It’s a good idea to check out the extended for cast though a week or so ahead of time to see what temps will be like at night. We were planning on seeing the movies on the beach the first week of August. One might assume it would be warm but when I checked the overnight temps for that time frame it said it would drop into the low 60s overnight which might be a little chilly, especially by the water. You might want to consider packing a light jacket and jeans. You don’t want to assume then get down there and find out you need to go buy a pair of jeans or a blanket just to go do one activity.
While you’re thinking about packing your vehicle, also thinking about checking your vehicle for a safer and stress-free trip. Check out my guest post on Reedmantoll.com on tips to prep your vehicle to ensure fun ride.
Thank you for sharing these tips with us!