I love going on vacation, whether it’s an all inclusive vacation or just a road trip to visit my husband’s family.  It’s a great feeling to get away, even if we’re not going that far!  However, I tend to worry a lot about forgetting to bring something important.

For all my worrying — or perhaps because of all my worrying — I’ve rarely forgotten anything that important.  I think part of it is due to a trick I got from my dad — making a list in the weeks before I pack of everything I will need, adding to it as I think of things, and then following that list when I finally pack.  This helps me to make sure that I not only pack my clothes and clean underwear, but that I also get all of the little miscellaneous things I want to be sure to bring.

I think it’s also helpful to make a list of all the things I have to do before we go.  For example, if I have to book a vacation hotel or book a rental car, both of those things go on the list to make sure they get done in plenty of time.  Laundry is also always on this list, to make sure that all the clothes I want are clean before I pack — and to make sure that I don’t come home to a bunch of dirty laundry, in addition to what’s in my suitcase!