Whether you are relocating across town or across country or traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll want to plan your packing. Here are some packing tips that can help you save space, protect your items and enable you to get at things when you need them.

Moving packing tips

Start preparing for your move by figuring out about many boxes you’ll need and the proper size. Once you have the necessary boxes and packing materials – bubble wrap, tape, etc., consider the following:

• Don’t overpack boxes. You want to be sure they close properly and can be sealed. The maximum weight for a packed box should be about 50 pounds.
• Label each box indicating where it should go and if the contents are fragile.
• Keep clothing in dresser drawers.
• Pack small loose items together in a box or bag. Seal securely and place the box or bag in a larger box.
• Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label the cables.
• Use towels and blankets to wrap breakable items instead of newspaper or bubble wrap to save room.
• Keep liquids in sealed containers with lids taped.

Luggage packing tips

Savvy travelers can tell you when it comes to travel packing tips the first rule is take just what you need. Other recommendations include:

• Place the heaviest items on the bottom of your case such as your shoes. Next layer sweaters and slacks or skirts. Jackets or coats come next. Place light items on top, since they are more prone to wrinkle. You also can avoid wrinkles by rolling your clothes into cylinders or folding them together.
• Roll up undergarments and tuck them into the corner.
• Stuff socks into shoes and put shoes in plastic bags.

Also to ensure you don’t overpack, follow these light packing tips:

• Never bring more than a week’s worth of clothes since you can always have your clothes cleaned or laundered.
• Pack versatile outfits you can mix and match and layer,
• Take trial sizes of toiletries
• Minimize electronics. If you really aren’t sure you will use your laptop computer, leave it at home.