I never bothered with a packing list until I was a parent. Suddenly, I needed to remember more stuff — for me and my young one — and my brain had less room for remembering minutia like airport snacks and the right cuddly toy.
Those days are gone. My young adult has packed for herself for some time now.
To Pack & Not To Pack
But it seems like there are more things than ever to easily forget: phone, e-reader, headphones, all the right charging cables, vitamins, medication, the right scarf, water bottle and, of course, at least one pair of reading glasses.
My husband always carried a few pairs of reading glasses: a compact pair in his trouser pocket and spares in his jacket and backpack.
AAA and AARP cards are handy to have in your wallet if you’re a member, because you never know when they’ll garner you a discount.
A few things I never pack these days: high heels (only shoes I can walk all day in, please), umbrellas (I can buy a cheap one if I really need one) and heavy books (my e-Reader lets me travel with a digital pile of reading).
I included a travel pillow on the list because I know people swear by them. But I’ve accepted that they have never helped me sleep and don’t bother carrying one anymore.
Here’s the packing list I use these days. I hope you download it and reprint it for every trip you take, solo, with a partner, with friends or with your increasingly adult kids.
Here’s some help saving for those big trips and a guide to staying fit and travel-ready for years to come.
