lawchick

My husband sings a song "the final checkie" to the air of "the final countdown"..."it's the final checkie, dah dah dah dah....". It's very annoying, but it seems to work for him.

palmettoprincess

Thanks for all the good tips. I now pledge to charge my phone while it is in my bag. The colored pillowcase is a great idea also. As for packing the night before I can't do that. It seems that it cuts my vacation time short.

suze

I would never want to live out of a suitcase for an entire trip! Partly because I like to get real comfortable wherever I stay, make it like home. but also I need to hang my clothes up so the wrinkles shake out. I spread out all over the place, rearrange furniture, etc. Just gather everything carefully at the end. So far so good, knock wood.

BTilke

When traveling with my husband, we agree that I do the packing (except for electronics...anything with batteries/cables/chargers and associated paraphernalia is his dept) and he does the double-checking. On a September trip to Germany, we both packed and stuff was left behind because we each assumed the other packed it.

When traveling alone, I generally don't leave anything behind. Knock wood and fingers crossed the trend continues! (I have two solo trips next month.)

starrsville

Don't unpack. Put things back where they belong.

toedtoes

Suze - I love living out of my suitcase - it seems to add to the excitement of the trip for me.

I also don't wear a lot of clothes that require ironing at any time, and on vacation, I stay far far away from wrinkly clothes.

pollyvw

After forgetting my pillow once, I make sure that it has a brightly colored pillowcase before I travel with it. Now I can easily see it on the hotel's white bed linens.

SusanCS

Okay, don't laugh. But I make the bed! It seems that the things I'm most apt to misplace are either in or around an unmade bed, so I've discovered that if I make it, I'm more likely to see that extra shoe, piece of jewelry, etc. I also throw the used towels on the floor of the bathroom so toiletries left there are more obvious.

gluvscats

Hi. Write yourself a note and tape it to the door saying to have everyone with you check all rooms before you leave.

Leave yourself a message on your cell.

OO

SusanCS...that's where our misses lie most often as well. I don't make the bed, but first I pull the sheets down to the foot, then pull everything, spread too, back up. Funny how often a sweater or tie or shirt will be thrown onto the bed the night before, then comforter pulled down over them, making them easy to leave behind in the morning rush.

azzure

Don't hang stuff on the hook on the back of the bathroom door! I've lost a couple of nightgowns this way.

Sunshinesue

I always put clothes in the drawers and closet. They stay neater, they are less likely to fall on the floor and those are the two easiest and most obvious places to check when leaving.

ldoone

Make a list of the items you would be heart broken to leave behind and then check you list. Keep this list with our important documents so you don't forget it.

ElendilPickle

>>Always put a colored pillowcase on your pillow. It will stand out against the white ones on the hotel bed and you won't forget it.<<

This works most of the time...

Lee Ann

LoveItaly

Left a pillow with a colored pillowcase covering it LeeAnn??

palmettoprincess

The colored pillowcase seems like the best trick. Incidently when I lost mine I found the hotel laundry. It was located on the SB floor which is probably as close to hell as you can get without becoming a permanent resident. They never found my pillow, but did report finding a man's hairpiece.

suze

? re colored pillow case-

You like to have your own pillow case, or you bring you own pillow also?

palmettoprincess

No I like to bring my own little down pillow.

deebin

I don't spread my things out all over the room. You can also make a checklist of your stuff.

pollyvw

I travel with my own pillow (every place I go...even for hospital admissions) in a brightly colored case (after leaving one at a hotel once). It is squishy and fits very well in the outside zippered compartment of my suitcase.