A friend of mine called me the other day and said he just experienced the lost luggage joke. You know, where your checked luggage is sent to nicer places than you were planning to go. 

Well, he had enough and wanted to learn how to live by carry-on alone. “What’s the first step,” he asked.

The first step, I told him, was to start reading this website and Onebag.com. But it’s the second step that really gets you closer to your dream: Make a packing list. 

A good packing list is multi-functional. It will help you visualize what you need, it will help to keep you from forgetting something and it will keep you from going overboard.

I have a generic packing list that I use to start and then add or remove depending on the type of trip I’m taking, where I’m going and the time of year. This list is also constantly updated when I replace one item with another. 

And the list also keep me from buying things I really don’t need. (Well, most of the time.)

I also take a copy of my final packing list on the trip with me. Why? Because it helps me to not forget something in a hotel room.  When packing up, I scan the list and make sure that charger, or small electronic device, or medication, or anything else, isn’t left behind. 

BTW—while packing lists are now available on smartphones and tablets, I stick to an actual piece of paper. I also send a copy to myself via email just in case the first one is lost. 

(This is not the packing list I use….it’s strictly here for adornment purposes.)

(Frank II)