Yes, great tip! We are finally going on a trip in med-September to visit S and a meeting I need to attend in Baltimore. It should be fun. We can see S and fiancée before they may more to nyc for her new job.
I always pack a lot of little things in my suitcase to make my travel life easier, such as hand sanitizers, mini scissors, a flashlight, a compass, a pencil case, a notepad, a sewing kit, a safety whistle, a sewing kit, some band-aids, a small LED lamp, extra batteries, a small tool kit, a quick drying towel, a water bottle, hand warmers, lip balms, tissues. The list goes on and on.
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I like having a travel night light to plug in the bathroom so we don’t need to turn the light on at night. Challenge is not to forget it when packing up! Also have a kitchen-sized trash bag and gallon zip bag in a pocket or at the bottom of suitcases in case something ends up wet. Cheap (~$1) rain ponchos also don’t take up space and come in handy for weather surprises.
Interesting Global Entry (my absolute favorite travel “accessory”) anecdote: H and my GE expire on our birthdays this year. He went online to renew his early March. Got the message that they’re way backlogged and it may take up to 6 months to review the application. I filed the application to renew mine a couple of weeks ago, got approval in less than two days (no interview needed) and the new card within two weeks. After my experience, he reviewed his application and found a minor error. Can’t correct it online and hasn’t gotten any response after reaching out for help. I think the expiration has been pushed out a year from the original expiration date.
Must takes include Starbucks Via coffees.
Clip on book reading light. I always keep one in my ‘to go’ bag. I do reverse one of the three AA bats so it doesn’t accidentally turn on. This gets clipped to my nightstand. Makes it simple to go to the restroom in the middle of the night. Doesn’t bother partner if I get up earlier putter around to find things…etc.
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I always pack a few clothes pins. One of many uses is closing the gaps in hotel curtains.
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One video I saw suggested a small string of led fairy lights. They take next to no space but add instant atmosphere to any room. The person would also bring a small white paper bag to put them in to make a small light.
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I keep a standard packing list in Evernote and can access from phone or computer. When I find a new item I might want to include on all trip, or just some, it is easy to add. I usually print a copy to mark on while packing to make sure I haven’t missed something. A few items are morning of items, so those are last on the list which I circle to remember to pack-make-up, chargers, flatiron, to name a few.
I also pack a night light in the event there is no outside light coming into the room.
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I’m the opposite, I can’t sleep with light. I always pack a couple of clothespins to clip the drapes in case they don’t close without a gap. I also pack black electric tape to darken all the power lights on things like the television and microwave.
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Oh, I am with you; the nightlight is for my husband! I unplug anything that is in my eyesight, but can deal with the nightlight in the bathroom as long as he leaves the door closed. Hubby doesn’t understand why he can’t leave his laptop on, even with the top closed; if I can see the power light, it is a no go!
post it notes work great for blocking those lights vs electrical tape
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@aMacMom DH is STILL waiting!!! We applied together back in early January. This was for our first one - not a renewal though. I got my conditional approval in 2 days but couldn’t readily find an interview location. Traveled 4 hours a few months later. DH has yet to get his conditional approval, so we can’t even make an appt. for him. FRUSTRATING, as mine is basically worthless since we nearly always travel together. Even if I could zip through a shorter line, I still have to wait for him.
We asked about his wait at my interview. They said it is just hit or miss, but there was nothing they could do to help. At the time, they said the average wait was 4 months & I was just lucky. His has been well over 6 months now. By the time it comes (if ever), I’m concerned about no interview locations available at all!
@kjofkw That is frustrating! Since it’s been more than 6 months he should try to get to the bottom of what’s happening. Does his portal still say “pending review”? You can inquire on how to proceed at CBP Customer Service or by calling your local enrollment center (but good luck on someone actually answering the phone 
).
At least my H’s will still be honored for almost another year (his birthday was last week). We’re lucky that there are several interview locations close by us, as H will definitely need to have one to correct his application error.
Not packing advice, but if you are VRBOing (or even if you’re at a hotel) and your toilet clogs, try a bottle (not can) of Coke. let it sit. in an hour or so, everything should be broken down and moving along. DO NOT FLUSH. Pour in hot water. Let sit. Everything should clear. We’ve had too many experiences of kids who think they should use every last scrap of toilet paper, so I always buy a bottle of Coke to be prepared.
I’m curious - about it all! - but why must it be a bottle instead of a can???
A can works too. Or Dawn dish soap. It takes some time, but it down work.
I keep a toiletry bag packed and ready to go–duplicates of all my makeup, hair products and tools, first aid supplies etc. Toiletries used to be the last thing I packed right before we left on our trip because I was using them all to get ready that morning. Now they can all go in my bag when I’m packing everything else which has really cut down on my last minute rush.
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Did you see the video of the checked baggage mess at Heathrow? Guess Delta finally piled as much luggage on a plane as they could–no passengers–and flew it back just to get get it back in the USA.
I’m actually glad I’m not in Europe now due to the heat!