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Organize Your Road Trip

Collect your maps. Relive the adventures.

 

We get to experience more of the journey when we feel prepared.

 – Marla Dee

We want you to start with some clutter clearing of the small stuff. It’s surprising how the little things can drive us crazy on the trip but we forget all about them when we return. Do you stash away all those brochures and guides – just in case?

Use this Travel Guide to Organize Your Road Trip well before you head out.

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for your typical road trips.

  • What has worked? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about how the car gets packed, whether you have what you need and how you feel while on the road?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff that doesn’t belong in your car for road trips?
  • Are you prepared for the unexpected while out on the open road?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really want. We get to experience more of the journey when we feel prepared.

  • What kind of music do you want to play? Maybe you love audiobooks.
  • Plan for the unexpected: make sure spare tire is full, purchase roadside assistance, have extra water and snacks, carry a first aid kit.
  • Have a water bottle, charger, sunglasses, etc. for each person.
  • Are you taking coolers with food or will you be stopping to eat? Or both?
  • List out all of the items, including luggage pieces, you will be putting in and/or on the car. The list will help you be realistic and cover all bases.
  • Do you need cargo racks or boxes for extra space?

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Plan at least a week or two ahead of your trip to be sure you have what you need, that everything fits, and that it will be a sustainable set up for the duration of your travels.

  • Talk with everyone going on the trip to make sure they have what is needed and if there are any special needs. Determine who is responsible.
  • Start by gathering all of the items you are planning to take. For this purpose, your empty luggage will work or can be stuffed with blankets for fullness.
  • Do a trial run of packing everything ahead of time so you know what fits best and where – luggage, food, supplies, etc.
  • Get the physical maps for your journey and highlight the route. You can also put the route in your GPS.
  • Lastly, write down what works and what doesn’t for next time. Have FUN!

Download Your Travel Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Travel
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage, Container Store
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Luggage

Stop using raggedly old luggage or pieces you don’t like.

 

How many pieces of luggage, backpacks, purses, etc. do you have?
How many do you actually use?

 – Marla Dee

In 2019, the global luggage market was valued at approximately 22.11 billion U.S. dollars. We can’t begin to imagine how many pieces of luggage or travel bags everyone has.

The question is: Do you use all those pieces of luggage or travel bags? Is it time to let go of some?

Let this Travel Guide help you.

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for your current luggage pieces and packing habits.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about your luggage and packing?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff you know you won’t need and take anyway?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you prepare for packing and are on vacation. Do you have more than you need? Do you forget things?


MAP IT –
Make a written plan for what you really need and want. We enjoy our trips and have more freedom when we are honest about this.

  • How do you want to feel while packing for and being on vacation?
  • Get inspiration from Pinterest and YouTube and save it for reference.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you need and want.
  • Will you be traveling for pleasure? For work?
  • Are you willing to schedule time to plan, purchase, and pack.
  • Is it time for you to purchase new luggage you love and that supports your trips? If so, add this to your plan of action.


DO IT –
Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and schedule the time at least a week ahead of traveling!

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling out all of your travel items; luggage, toiletries, travel kits, toys and tools.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on each category of stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • There will be far fewer items than on typical organizing projects, but they may also feel more loaded because we agonize about being unprepared.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to practice and prepare things. Pack your bags in different ways to find what works best for you. Fill refillable toiletry bottles.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© Organize Your Travel Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage, Container Store

Your guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We are passionate about teaching The Clear & Simple Way© to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Travel

Traveling can be stressful if our stuff and our time is not organized.

Travel can spark new ideas and connect us with different cultures.

 – Marla Dee

Travel – the excitement, the fun, the adventures, the journey!  Travel – the planning, the organizing, the decisions, the overwhelm. 

Use the Clear & Simple Way to organize your travel. You’ll be well ahead of the game by applying our systems to your pre-travel time!

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© to Organize Your Travel Guide

 

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for how you typically travel.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about planning, packing, and traveling?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff you know you won’t need and take anyway?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you prepare for a trip or vacation? Are you able to relax? Are you really on vacation?

 

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really need and want. We take just what we need and enjoy our trips more when we are clear about this.

  • How do you want to feel while planning for and being on vacation?
  • Download apps to support your planning and traveling.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you need and want.
  • Will you be traveling for pleasure? For work?
  • Be open to scheduling time to plan and learn new ways.
  • Is it time for you to purchase new luggage that you love and that supports your trips? If so, add this to your plan of action.

 

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and schedule the time at least a week ahead of traveling!

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling out all of your travel items; luggage, toiletries, travel kits, packing cubes, travel accessories, etc.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on the stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • There will be far fewer items than typical organizing projects, but they may also feel more loaded because we agonize about being unprepared.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to practice and prepare things. Pack your bags in different ways to find what works best for you. Fill refillable toiletry bottles.

 

Download Your Travel Guide

 

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Travel
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Tools for Easy Travel: Bags & More

Travel goods make travel easy!

You know that organizers can be obsessed with containers and bags.  But when it comes to travel, having the right containers makes a huge difference.  I want to share some of my favorite items and places to shop for the best selection of travel bags and more.

Note – Make sure to check out The Container Store’s short tips & videos for ideas to help you stay organized for travel.

1 – The Perfect Bag makes all the difference. You will need your roll on case but back packs are becoming very popular now for shorter travel. Check out this blog on Travel & Leisure for the best checked luggage.

I really like the Eagle Creek luggage. It is equipped with the 4 wheels for easy moving and great compartments and extra features. Eagle Creek has been around for a long time. The quality and warranty are excellent.

I’ve also come across a new line of luggage called Biaggi. Biaggi has travel bags that have zippers to enlarge or condense the size and can easily pack up into a small cube for storage.  You can find both brands at The Container Store.

 

And, of course, there are the classic bags which cost more but they are fabulous! Since, I am traveling a lot more these days, I just updated my bags to a gorgeous Tumi set. I also recommend Briggs & Riley for high quality.

2 – Create your body care set with all your body essentials. By having these all ready to go, you will save time and have less stress both before and on your trip. Then, take 3 minutes when you get home to refill the containers so you are ready for the next trip.

Here is a link to the page full of containers.  Clear & Simple’s favorite are the GoToobs.

3 – Another of my all-time favorites is the Eagle Creek Pack-it Folders. These cubes make it easy to pack your items, keep everything neatly together. Then I love how easy it is to lay them out (in a drawer or on a shelf) wherever I am staying so I have easy access.

4 – Don’t forget about your technology!  You spent money on your tech stuff so you want to protect it. You also want easy access. You can find some great options here.  A couple of my favorites are:

I hope these items and tips help you have a fun-filled and easy summer of travel! Stay tuned for a blog & video coming up where I will be showing all my travel gear.
Marla Dee – your guide to an organized and simpler life.

www.clearsimple.com/marladee 

Top Ten Tips for Travel

Travel can be stressful so enjoy our tips that help you simplify and organize all your trips!

I love to travel but used to get so stressed by all the preparation and unknowns. What if I need something different to wear? What if I can’t find my hotel information? How do I decide what to take on with me and what to pack? Over the last 5 years, I have used all the tips & tools below to radically reduce the stress and struggle.  These tips are the SEE IT. MAP IT. & DO IT. steps for travel.  Try them out and let me know what you think!

My invitation, sharing of my “bag lady” story and more…

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Get your copy here Top Ten Tips for Travel

  1. The perfect suitcase is the key.
    • Size, weight, color, material, design
    • Each person needs and deserves their own suitcase
    • Have an ID tag that is current (no address)
  1. Simplify the clothing
    • Choose a capsule wardrobe so you can mix and match easily
    • Choose to roll your clothes or use the pack-it systems
  1. Apps and online resources that help: clearsimple.com/travelapps/
    • Use Wunderlist – have a standard list for your different types of trips and then easily adjust for current trip. Yes a list makes a difference. You can even print the list so you can check the items off.
    • Use Last Pass for all your key & private information
    • Tripit stores all the trip details
    • Get AAA or similar service for travel troubles
    • Uber and Airbnb are some of our favorites
    • Get your TSA Precheck to save time every plan trip
    • Check out Costco Travel – especially for car rentals
  1. Get an extra set of all electrical cords and chargers. Keep these packed and ready to go.
  2. Have your body care items already on hand – refill after each trip. Use smart containers for your body care items.
  3. Find the perfect tote or carry-on bag that can hold all you need and feel easy to carry.
  4. Carry-on Essentials Kit ready to go in the perfect carry-on.
  • Medicines (get the small plastic medicine pouches)
  • Soft light sweater or jacket and socks
  • Toothbrush, wipes, body care & eye mask
  • Book to read or game to play
  • Easy water bottle like the collapsible water bottle
  • Gum and food snacks, including protein
  • Ear buds or head phones that you love
  1. Safe holder for passport, id and credit cards (make a copy that stays home with an assigned person who can help). Use Last Pass to hold all the vital information.
  2. Check out The Container Store for some of our favorite bags and tools.
  3. The Power of One. Try taking one book, one notebook, one technology device, etc. Then decide one purpose (most important) for your trip. clearsimple.com/travelstuff/