Getting Ready for the Travel Goods Show

The Travel Goods Show is coming up, which means I'm all packed and ready to go. It's a bit tricky to pack for, because I tend to come back with much more than I left with (samples and whatnot), and I don't like to check a bag unless I absolutely have to. 

There seems to be a rule that every other year they send you home with a full-size wheeled carry-on. This is an off year, so I'm bringing a wheelie bag that unzips to become full-size, plus a personal size carry-on that I stuffed inside and will use on the plane. This way, when I come back, I'll have a full bag to stuff with goodies, and all my clothes and toiletries will fit in the smaller one.

I'll only be in New Orleans for two full days and half of a Saturday, so I don't need much, but I  will be meeting with travel industry peeps for two days and might need to dress nicely for at least one dinner. I'm packing the following:

• 4 tops
• 1 dress
• 1 pair of lightweight black pants
• a pair of sandals
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 pair of joggers to wear for bed (which I will pair with the tee I'm wearing on the plane)
• necessary undergarments

Travelon World Travel Essentials 3-in-1 Crossbody
Conair travel-sized flat iron

On the plane I'll be wearing a pair of black denim jeggings, a gray tee, and a lightweight jacket. I'm wearing my Arcopedico Vegas Mary Janes, since they are closed-toe and heavier than my sandals. I picked black as a neutral, so everything I take will go together. (I'll take photos of each outfit while on my trip.)

Lewis N Clark compression packing cube

The key to packing light is choosing a small mix-and-match wardrobe. Black is good for pants, because unless something terrible happens, you can wear them multiple days in a row without washing. My lightweight pants are Columbia and moisture-wicking, plus don't appear to hold odor. They are quick drying, so if I do need to wash them, they will be ready to wear the next morning from just hanging them up.

I also am making use of two packing cubes: one for my clothing, and one for my undergarments that actually can be used as a purse when I arrive. Since I won't have to share my bag with anyone, I'm going old school and was able to get everything I needed for toiletries in a simple zippered bag (which has a waterproof lining). 

They all fit perfectly into the back of the bag, then my personal size bag easily scrunches on top, and it has my Airplane Pockets, charging cords, snacks, rain jacket, Barrier Method scarf, and my iPad. My small purse will be able to fit inside too. As always, I'll be bringing a reusable water bottle.

Hopefully, this helps you pack a bit lighter. I'll follow up with some more in-depth photos, so you can see how each outfit comes together, what toiletries I decided were absolutely necessary, and if I can recommend this wheelie bag at all. LOL! I, honestly, bought it for just this purpose. I can already tell you the Timbuk2 bag that's a personal item size is definitely a winner. 

What are your favorite items to help you pack light?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may be financially compensated and you'll also be helping to keep this blog running, so thanks!

Who's Ready for Summer Travel?

I know, some of us have finally just gotten out of winter, and some of you are still getting snow. Summer is the most expensive time to travel, with 75% of travelers going somewhere away from home June, July and August. This isn't always conducive to being a budget-traveler, especially if it's the only time you have to travel with the kids. 

Well, you're in luck! With my Summer ebook, you can learn all the tricks to getting cheaper deals on flights, food, fun and lodgings. How can you get the best rates on airfare? When should you travel to save more? How do you get the most from your dollars on accommodations? Can you get theme park tickets for less? The answer to all of these and more are in my Secrets to Summer Savings ebook, so you can do more for less on your summer vacation and still have money in your pocket when you get home for bills, food and a winter road trip. 

If you want to travel more without spending a fortune, this is the place to start. Not only will you have a great summer trip that you won't be paying off for years, but you may still be able to sneak in another getaway another time of year. In fact, using my own tips, I take a week-long trip in the middle of summer then also take two weeks in the fall. If you need some help figuring out where to come up with the money in the first place, find some of my top tips here. You can get my ebook on Kindle, which you can read on the Kindle app on your phone, tablet, laptop or your Kindle. It's free to download, making it super easy. Start saving and learning how to save more now with just a few clicks. 

What are your favorite summer savings tips?

5 Ways to Travel Well with Children

Now, I don't have children, but I have traveled with them, so I know a thing or two on how to do it without losing your mind. As a parent, you already know that it can be difficult to make everyone happy. You can do your best to make your trip as enjoyable as possible for all involved, it just may take a bit more planning.

Here are 5 ways to travel well with children, and not declare you're never taking another family vacation as long as you live.

1. Choose a travel goal

It's not always the destination you go to, but what you do there and what you want to accomplish. Talk to everyone and find out what they want out of vacation. Maybe they want to try all the new foods or see a bunch of museums or learn all the history. Find that one goal that everyone can agree on and plan your trip around that.  

2. Include kids in the planning

Nobody's going to be happy if you plan a whole trip without asking for feedback. Everyone has their own wants and needs. Make the planning more fun and the idea of vacation exciting by getting everyone's input. What are a couple things they can't miss? Fit in as many as you can, so everyone is happy and has something to look forward to on the trip.

3. Manage expectations

What happens on the plane? What happens on the train? Howl long will we have to sit in the car? How many souvenirs can we buy? Honestly, these are not the times when you want to just wing it and hope for the best. There's nothing worse than a meltdown because you won't buy them another churro or pair of Mickey ears. If you're going somewhere expensive, like Disney, consider buying affordable souvenirs ahead of time that you pack and can dole out throughout your trip. If that seems unmanageable, then let your kid(s) know the limits. Perhaps they can purchase one souvenir per day or can only spend a certain amount overall. 

4. Plan downtime

As an adult, I need downtime. Without it, I can get cranky, or even sick. Your kids are no different. They probably aren't go-go-go all day at home, so don't try to pack in a billion things each day. Yes, you're on vacation, and yes, you may not get back for a long time (if ever), but you can't expect them to feel any different on vacation than at home. If they normally get a nap, then plan one. If they go to bed at a certain time, it may behoove you to stick as close to that as possible. 

Nobody wants to try to have a good time with a child who's having a full-blown meltdown. I see these families at theme parks all the time. You can't expect your 4 year old to last from 6am-11pm and not be crabby. It doesn't matter how much fun you're having, they are tired. Also, just think: if you go back to your hotel/Airbnb for them to nap, that gives you some quiet time as well. Maybe it's a time for you to just chill or get some time in with your partner or for one of you to go have a little me time. I also use this time to do laundry and check emails or play a game on my phone.  

5. Bring extras

Let's face it. There's a lot of points in a trip that can be super boring: sitting at the gate at the airport, sitting on the plane, standing in line, waiting for food, walking 45x more than you usually do. Bring things to keep your kids occupied. I'm talking games, even if they're just on your phone or tablet. I'm also talking about snacks. As a snacker myself, my purse always has some goodies in it. I can get hangry and mean when I'm hungry. Nobody wants to be around that. Hit the ground running by taking a quick trip to the grocery store when you arrive. Grab some easy snacks, and possibly some fixings for breakfasts or lunch while you're at it. Also, bring a variety of snacks on the plane. If they don't eat them, you have them for other times. 

One of my favorite games to travel with is Fluxx. There are a ton of different versions and it's a game of ever-changing rules, so no two games are the same. I also find that kids pick this up much quicker than adults, which makes it perfect for families.

Need ideas for snacks that are good to bring along? Here are some of my go-to foods:

• Granola bars
• Nuts or trail mix
• Banana bread
• Carrot sticks
• Grapes
• Roasted chickpeas
• Chocolate covered blueberries
• Meat sticks - I'm a huge fan of the Vermont Smoke & Cure, specifically the beef and pork sticks
• Mini muffins
• Salami and cheese

These are all things that are filling, but aren't too heavy or salty or sweet. You can bring a little bit of everything or 2-3 of your favorites. Goldfish crackers are also a great standby, as well as Wheat Thins with or without a cheese or meat option.

Aside from snacks, I find that a notebook and pen + crayons or colored pencils can also go a long way. Or even an old-fashioned puzzle book. These are good for all ages. Maybe get them a cheap camera to chronicle their trip their way. It will give them something to focus on. And if you're bringing an electronic of any kind, don't forget extra batteries or a battery back-up.

So, those are my top 5 ways to make your whole family excited by taking a trip instead of dreading it. I'd love to hear about some of your tips, too. What things have made your trips with kids (of any age) more bearable?