Challenge yourself to return from your trip having worn every item you packed. Try these tricks, too:

• Roll t-shirts, sweaters, and other items that can stand a little wrinkling. Keep rolled items organized in packing cubes, stuff sacks or nylon bags that zip closed. And don't forget an empty bag for laundry.
  
• Pack freshly pressed suits, shirts, or eveningwear in the plastic bags you get from the cleaners. This protects your clothing from moisture and keeps them wrinkle-free.
  
• To prevent serious wrinkles, wrap sport coats, slacks and shirts around the other items you've packed. Pack heavier items, like shoes and hairdryers, at the bottom of your bag. Then lay slacks and long-sleeved shirts over the suitcase with sleeves and pant legs hanging over the sides. Place other clothing (rolled t-shirts and knit items) on top and "wrap" the pant legs and sleeves around them.
  

Tip: A few days before you leave, make a list of everything you think you might need. Revise the list over the next few days, cutting it down to only the essentials.

Tip: Choose clothes made in cross-seasonal fabrics-lightweight wools and silks work best. If you must take a bulky sweater or jacket, wear it on the plane.

Tip: Think versatility. Can a t-shirt double as a nightshirt? Can you dress it up with a scarf?

2. Pack your shoes.

Try to get by with just two pairs of shoes. Wear the bulkier pair; pack the lighter one. Stuff shoes with socks so they will retain their shape. You can also pack fragile items inside your shoes.

3. Pack your toiletry kit.

The standard toiletry bag fits in a small shoebox, and that's about all the space you really need.

• Keep it small: Trial size toiletries from a drugstore are perfect for traveling and take little space.
• Avoid surprise spills: If you'll be flying or driving to a significantly higher elevation, squeeze the excess air out any bottles or tubes. Otherwise, the decrease in outside air pressure may cause these items to leak or explode. To be on the safe side, you may also want to pack these items inside a zip-top plastic bag.
  

Tip: If your toiletry kit is not waterproofed, spray it with some 3M ScotchGuard.

4. Pack your carry-on bag.

Be sure your carry-on bag fits within airline size restrictions…                   Usually 22" x 14" x 9".

• Be prepared. You never know where your luggage will end up, so remember to pack a few essential clothing items and undergarments in your carry-on bag.
  
• Carry on essentials. Other essentials to pack in your carry-on instead of your suitcase include prescription medications, extra eyeglasses or contacts and their cleaning solutions, important papers and your personal organizer.
  
• Pack your gifts. If you go bearing gifts, pack them separately in one bag. The airport security squad will be thrilled and you'll spend less time at the x-ray machine.
  
• Guard your laptop computer. Avoid airport scams, including one that takes place at many airport security checkpoints: You put your bags on the conveyor belt, only to get held up in line by the person in front of you while his partner, on the other side of the checkpoint, take offs with your computer. Never place your laptop on the conveyor belt before the person in front of you clears security. Also, deter would-be thieves by using a laptop bag that isn't immediately identifiable as a laptop bag.

5. Pack your handbag. Choose a versatile handbag or small carry-on bag that will work with all of your outfits. Think small, so you're not tempted to carry more than you really need.

• Keep it simple. Lighten your wallet by taking only those items you will actually use on your trip. Leave the extra credit cards and grocery receipts at home.
  
• Prepare for the plane ride. Pack small bottles of hand lotion and eye drops in your handbag. The air on planes has very low relative humidity levels. Bring a small spray bottle filled with water to occasionally humidify the air around you. Other items you might want in your handbag include a personal stereo, book, snacks and paper and pens.
  
• Safeguard valuables. To avoid becoming a snatch-and-run victim, carry your passport, cash and other important documents in a money belt under your clothing or in a wallet bag across your body. Make two photocopies of your passport, tickets, travelers' checks and other important documents before your trip. Leave one copy with a trusted friend and take one with you in case your bag is lost or stolen.
  

Tip: Pack your handbag so it's easy to access documents when you are at airline, hotel and rental car counters. Built-in organizers and compartments make it possible to eliminate wallets