Packing/travel hacks lessons learned from five years of travels

We have stayed in a condo the past five years when we have gone on vacation.  We enjoy the space and the ability to save money by eating in the unit.  Each time I get a little smarter with some packing hacks.  Many of these items are used or left so the load coming back home should be smaller.  These tips are for if you are traveling for a week or so.

1.  Collect condiment packets from restaurants.  You will always need certain condiments, but I hate buying a whole container and then having to throw half it it away.  I learned to start collecting condiments packets from restaurants a few months ahead of time.  I collect items such as salt, pepper, sugar, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, tarter sauce, various dipping sauces, syrup, etc.  Sort different types in bags.  I usually leave the leftovers for the next person since they are individually packed.  Never leave opened items in a unit when you vacate.  Throw them away so the cleaning people do not have to deal with them.
2. Stop by a dry cleaners and pick up free hangers.  It never fails there are not enough hangers in the closet or spare ones to hang clothes to dry.  Since they were free, I just leave these in the closet for others to use.
3. Typically, liquid hand soap or dish soap are not supplied or just a small amount to get you started.  A few months before our trip, I will save a few liquid soap or small dish soap bottles. Fill them just a 1/3 full which is usually enough for a week.  At the end of the week, empty and recycle the bottles if recycling is available or throw away.
4. Similar as #3, I use a lot of tissues.  Either stop using a box at home when it is 3/4 used and set aside or place tissues in a plastic bag to take with you.
5. Detergent – At home, I only use liquid detergent since I have an HE washing machine.  I buy pod type detergent/fabric softener combos to avoid any liquid spills.
6. Plastic bags – various sizes, lots of uses!  Especially to pack anything liquid in bottles to avoid spills in your packing or to place wet items in for the travels home.
7. Shampoo/conditioner/toothpaste/personal hygiene items – similar to #2.  When you are about 2/3 done with a bottle at home, set it aside.  We have found the little travel size bottles do not last long enough for a week travel.  If you are able, you could collect enough travel size, but we have found taking 1/3 full bottles work better.  Just pitch before you leave since most of it will be gone.  Similar if you use bar soap.  When half gone at home, put in a plastic bag to take with you and then just pitch at your destination.
8. Since we cook a lot when stay in a condo, I have found most units are lacking on storage containers.  As I use things at home like butter, dips, etc, I will wash the containers out and set aside.  I may pack some items in them, wash them out at the destination and then use them to store leftovers.  If they are decent, I may leave them in the cabinets for others to use.  If you have a storage container issues of self multiplying, this is a good way to widdle that stash down and help others out at the same time.
9. I have found grocery store prices are typically higher at travel destinations.  I like to purchase non-perishables at home and take with us.  This last trip I was a little smarter in that I packed the items in cardboard boxes instead of plastic tubs.  I like to use boxes rather than reusable grocery bags to help things from getting smashed in the car.  We recycled any boxes we didn’t need to pack up for the trip home and saved space.  Check out to see which grocery stores are closest to your vicinity and go ahead and sign up for their shoppers program.  Load any digital coupons you may need for perishable items.  You can even use the click and pull capability to help save time.  It usually takes me longer to shop in a new store, so this feature can save a lot of time.  I like to find produce and meat markets in the area in that we are going in that quality and price are usually better than the grocery store.
10. A couple of things I find handy to take with me.  Clips or clothes pins to close bags to keep items fresh.  In more humid environments, items will get stale faster.  Also, take an extra power strip or extension cord.  They can come in handy when plugging in electronics.  If you have little ones, we used to take night lights so the kids felt better about sleeping in a strange environment.
11. Make sure you follow all the rules to get your security deposit back.  Often this means starting the dishwasher and a load of towels or sheets before you leave and taking the trash out.  Make sure you take extra trash bags of a couple of different sizes with you for the kitchen and bathrooms.

I hope this helps you if you have never traveled and stayed in a condo or vacation home.  We switched to these types of stays a few years back and have really enjoyed it.  Please let me know if you have any tips to add to this list.

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