Utterly Organized Blog

By Tracie Utter CPA, CPO

Taking the right stuff when you travel is tricky.  If you fly, you might have to pay for every piece of luggage.  If you drive, the heavier your car is, the more gas you use. So, packing equals money.  The less you take, the less it will costs, right?  Maybe.  What if you forget or intentionally don’t bring items, you’ll have to buy them when you reach your destination.  That can get pricey.  Then, do you bring them back or throw them away?  Now you’re being wasteful and polluting the earth.  Maybe you can do without but that might be an inconvenience which interferes with having fun.  Wow, there are a lot of consequences to packing poorly. 

Fortunately, there are a lot of people that want to help you pack.  I’m the first, I have the packing process laid out in one of my past newsletter, click for link.  Basically, all you need is a checklist, time, energy and patience.   If you travel several times a year, consider keeping a bag packed all the time.  Buy duplicate toiletries and a few other affordable items, then all you have to do is add your clothes. Patience is important.  Try not to wait until the last minute. If you do, a checklist will help the end result.

Utterly Organized, a team of happy professional organizers serving Louisville, KY and the surrounding areas.

by Tracie Utter

I suppose getting on a plane or in the car without any plans can be a lot of fun.  I can only see it working for one or two people traveling together.  Once you involve friends or other family members, especially children, planning is necessary.  Yes, there is an element of fun in going with the flow but that puts you at  greater risk that something will go wrong.  If you invest time and money in a trip, you want a good return.  Especially, since most of us only get a week or so off from work. 

Start your plannig with a dream.  It’s so much fun to research travel ideas.  Of course, I start my reasearch on the internet.  Within a few hours, I can find enough places to visit for the next 3-5 years.  There are so many different kinds of vacations to take:  close by, far away, the beach, the snow, go on a mission, visit with family, Disney, a dude ranch, a shopping expedition, an educational experience, complete relaxation or constant activity.  There are ways to be extravagant and ways to stay on a budget.  It’s exciting because the choices seem limitless.  They are bound by your availability and amount of money you have to spend.  Although, even with limits, thinking creatively will result in a more rewarding experience.

Think of the trip starting the day you start your research.  As you organize you decisions, think of the process as a journey.  Generally, I’m talking about new experiences.  A routine summer trip to the lake doesn’t require much planning, however, it does require organization.  You still have to have a place to stay, take all the things you need and figure who you’re going to be with.  It’s fun but not as fun as planning a trip to Disney or overseas or where ever your dreams take you.  And, just because you are organized, doesn’t mean you have to stifle the fun.  You can still let loose sometimes.  When planning a trip, know that you might make spontaneous decisions but eventually you have get back on track with the original plan.

I’ve laid out steps on how to plan a vacation in my March 2011 newsletter, see the organizing idea  for the month.  Also, in that article, you will find links to websites that focus on travel, as well as, a checklist of what to do prior to walking out the door on vacation.  The overall plan is important but the details are important too.  You want to come home to a happy household.

Utterly Organized, a skilled team of organizers serving Louisville, KY and the surrounding areas.