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Top Tips To Get Organized Before You Travel

STUDIO CITY (KCAL9) — It's time to start packing for your holiday trips!

The Container Store's Margaret Radford stopped by KCAL9 Wednesday to offer simple tips to help you get organized before you hit the road.

How To Be Prepared:

Plan Ahead
A great starting point is to research the conditions and requirements for your trip. The amount of preparation you spend before you travel will be rewarded with a much more pleasant trip. Allow yourself plenty of time so you don't forget necessary items or hurriedly over pack with things you don't need. Make a list of the things you need to pack, making sure you're only taking along what you will absolutely need in order to reduce the number of bags you'll need to take.

Product: Pack This! Checklist

Organize your Identification & Papers
Don't hold up the line looking for your documentation, use a special travel case that contains only the cash, cards and papers you need on your trip. This will help reduce the bulk of everyday cards but also make it fast and easy to check-in.

Product:
-
Premium Travel Document Case Red (propped with I.D., pen, cash, credit cards and ticket)

Pack Smart
As you plan your outfits for the week, try to keep the bottom half of your wardrobe (pants, shorts, skirts) very basic. Take khaki and black bottoms along that can be mixed with different tops to create new outfits. Select shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits. If you're planning your visit to last a week, remember that you can always wash or dry clean your garments and rewear them.

Use a clothing compression system like the Pack-It System in your luggage to make the most of the space. These items will also help expedite the security process, allowing security personnel to lift and sort through clothing, toiletries and shoes quickly and easily. The see-through mesh side panels allow for quick identification of the contents. Because garments are neatly folded and secured, putting items back into your luggage after passing through security is a snap.

Product:
- Eagle Creek Blue Pack-It Folders and Cubes (propped with clothing)
- Eagle Creek 22" Hovercraft Wheeled Luggage (to help demonstrate the packing)

Plan for Toiletries
According to TSA guidelines, liquids, gels and aerosols that you want to carry on the plane must be in three-ounce or smaller containers and in a one-quart, zip-top bag. It's imperative to put shampoo, lotion, hair gel, toothpaste, mouthwash and other liquids in guaranteed leakproof bottles to prevent spills. 2 oz. Nalgene bottles are absolutely guaranteed not to leak, even in the unpressurized cargo compartment of an airplane, so you can opt to check these items in complete confidence. Visit www.tsa.gov for more details about these restrictions.

Transport personal items, such as cosmetics, medications, and toiletries in Clear Zippered Bags or 3-1-1 Travel Pack. The visibility of the contents will help streamline the security checkpoint process and will save you valuable time when you're in search of a particular item.

Product:
- 2 oz. Round Leakproof Travel Bottle (propped with color liquid)
- 3-1-1 Quart-Size Travel Pack (labeled and propped with liquids)

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