To be able to pack light yet bring all the things you will need on a trip you will need to pack smart. Throwing things together in a hurry just won’t work. So if you don’t want to end up realizing you have forgotten everyone’s undies at home then you’d better make the necessary preparations. Some of the things you will need to consider to be able to pack smart are:
Your destination – Pack according to your destination. If you are going to a beach the bring beachwear. Bring the clothing appropriate to the weather conditions in the place you are headed. This is also true for the supplies. Make sure you bring needed supplies if you are going to a jungle or some remote place.
Decide how much you plan to take – Is there a limit imposed by the airline (of course there is)? If so consider this. Will you be carrying everything yourself or are the kids old enough to help? If you have someone else who can help you then you can bring more stuff. If going on a road trip consider how much space you have in the
trunk since you don’t want luggage to take up the leg room.
The people who are going – If you have teenage girls going with you you might want to share stuff and bring just one vanity kits instead of bringing one each. Same goes for each member of the family. Decide what things can be shared among the people who are going. Of course if you have a baby you will need plenty of diapers and other consumables but don’t bring a huge mound of baby clothes since they are easy to hand wash and burp cloths can be hand washed and reused.