The winter season is right around the corner, and many of you will be traveling for the holidays. If you have ever been in that terrible situation where your suitcase weighs over fifty pounds, and you are trying to catch a flight that you are already late for, this is the article for you. To ease your packing stress, here are some tips and tricks to help you solve some of those last minute problems. 

  As previously stated, one of the biggest issues people run into is overpacking for a trip. Junior Avery Sannipoli said, “I usually have to cram everything, and it ends up being a mess. I will buy stuff wherever I go, meaning I will need more space that I do not have.” Some methods to break the habit of overpacking are to use the 3-Shoe Rule, mix and match your outfits, and put back half of the clothes you originally packed. The 3-Shoe Rule is a guideline that says to only bring three pairs of shoes: sneakers, casual shoes, and fancier shoes. It also helps to save space by choosing clothes that can be paired into more than one outfit. For example, a black pair of jeans can go with a blue and red top. You do not need to pack two separate pairs of jeans for each top. Oftentimes, we overpack and end up only using about half the clothes we actually brought. Try setting out everything you want to bring; then sort through them and put back half the clothes. 

  The number one suggestion to efficiently save space is to roll your clothes. This tip can be enhanced by organizing your clothes into individual outfits. This makes it easy to access your outfits for whatever occasion you are on your way to. Another way to save space is to use vacuum bags, which suck out all the air and shrink those puffy jackets down to half the size! If you have a pet peeve for wrinkled clothes, consider bringing a mini iron with you. Another method to removing wrinkles is steaming. This can be done for free by placing the clothing item in the bathroom, turning on the hot water of the shower, and closing the door. 

  An additional tip is to place your shoes on the bottom of your suitcase. This will prevent your dirty soles from getting on your clothes and other items. If you would rather have your shoes at the top of your suitcase, use a shower cap to cover the bottom of your shoes. To solve your problem of pesky cords and wires, wrap them up and store them in an empty sunglasses case. You can also store your socks inside your shoes to take advantage of all the space and to maintain the shape of the shoe.

  Lastly, bring a laundry bag along with your clothes to separate your dirty clothes from clean and unworn clothes. When you return home from your trip, this will make it easier to unpack because the clothes that need to be washed will already be separated ahead of time. Hopefully these guidelines will come in handy the next time you have to pack for a trip. Good luck and safe travels!