We all know packing can be a chore, that's why Kristen Harkey uses her packing expertise to show you how to save time and money before heading to the airport.

A lot of us spend up to a week maybe even a month ahead of scheduled travel stressing over what or even how to pack. Forgetting to pack important items or having to pay extra for an overweight bag also leaves many of us uneasy.

Getting excited for vacation should be the only thing on your mind before you head out. That is why I am going to give you my top 11 tips and tricks to a less stressful and more fluid prep for all you rad travelers out there!

CREATE A PACKING LIST

Creating an excel spreadsheet of items to pack can be life-changing! At least it was for me- I no longer stress about leaving the house wondering if there was something I left behind.

Creating different tabs for different types of vacations or trips is helpful. For example- you wouldn't bring your car charger on a Euro trip (unless if renting a car) just like you wouldn't need to bring foreign currency on a trip to visit your Grandma in Vermont. I also like to highlight things as I go to make sure I didn't leave anything ignored.

You can find my downloadable version of my excel packing list here- Packing List

PACK YOUR SUITCASE FROM THE BOTTOM UP

Traveling to multiple destinations? Hate having to dig around for that shirt you know you packed only to have your whole suitcase torn apart by the time you find it? Packing from the bottom up will prevent you from having an unhealthy relationship with your luggage.

Sometimes traveling to multiple destinations requires packing for warm and cold weather. If you are going somewhere cold first (i.e. Norway) pack your heavier items on top (coats, thermals, scarves, beanie) and if you're headed somewhere hot right after (i.e. Spain) pack your lighter clothes on the bottom (bathing suit, sundress, flip flops, shorts).

If you are packing for a single destination, think ahead. What's on your agenda the first day you get there? Pack accordingly. Whatever your destination may be have that outfit ready to go at the top of your belongings along with any toiletries/essentials you may need. Have a nice event like a wedding or a work dinner you're required to attend the minute you land? I like to keep that outfit in my carry-on- this way if your luggage gets lost or delayed, the outfit will still be in your possession.

CONDENSE

Packing is like playing a real-life version of Tetris. Many of us are just not coordinated when it comes to packing and don't have time to come up with clever ways of organizing.

First rule- always fold and roll your clothes. When rolling up clothes, you save space and help prevent wrinkling.

Secondly- always place breakable items in between soft and fluffy clothing. I like to roll those items up in scarves or sweaters and place them somewhere towards the middle of the suitcase to really cushion them.

Lastly, try and prevent packing big and bulky items that take up a lot of space in your checked bag. Rain boots are a great example because they weigh a lot and take up a large amount of space. I personally take my rain boots in my carry-on (face them towards each other going opposite directions) and I like to wrap up my valuables and gently place them inside of the boots so all open space is used. Demo below-

PROCRASTINATOR? PREP FOR TRAVEL THE LAZY WAY

Keep an empty bin in the corner of your closet or somewhere easily accessible. If there is something you 100% need for your upcoming trip and don't have plans to use it before you travel, toss it in there! So, when it is time to get serious and pack, you will have a lot of your items already waiting for you in the bin. Now all you have to do is place them in your luggage. Easy peasy!

KEEP THOSE SAMPLE SIZED TOILETRIES AROUND

Every time I stay at a hotel, I bring back any of the unused complimentary toiletries home with me. I also have a birchbox subscription, which adds even more items to my sample-sized beauty product collection. I keep a bucket of these sample-sized items under my bathroom sink that I can easily grab on the go for any upcoming travel. This prevents having to go purchase any toiletries AND you can have a nice variety of brands to play around with. You're beauty products may be travel-sized but that doesn't mean the amount of fun you're having has to be!

Everything I need in small portions that won't weigh me down

DON'T THROW AWAY THOSE OLD SOCKS OR THAT SHIRT WITH THE STAIN ON IT

If you're going to throw them away anyways, why not pack them and take them with you?

I keep a bag in my closet with any clothes I plan to donate or throw away. Old socks and older pairs of underwear are both great things to wear on a plane and throw them away after a single use. A tank with a stain can be used as an undershirt or a shirt with a hole can be worn as a pajama shirt, etc. This gets rid of your old belongings, lightens your load and creates less dirty laundry to lug around.

If you have a guilty conscious- most big cities around the world have clothing donation bins so you don't have to feel bad about throwing these items away. These donation bins are normally located next to grocery stores or markets (your fellow airbnb/hostel/hotel host should know where the closest donation bin/center is).

KEEP ALL VALUABLES IN YOUR CARRY-ON

The less you have to carry with you on your back the better but all it takes is one instance of carelessness and you'll realize never to pack valuables in your checked bag again. For example, once I decided to put my Ray Ban Sunglasses in my checked bag (thinking they had plenty of cushion) only to come home to find them broken in half.

This also includes medications! Remember to keep your medications with you at all times and clearly labeled.

PACK A GROCERY/TRASH BAG

Keeping dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes while traveling can be a pain. Plastic Grocery bags or trash bags are lightweight and a simple way to keep your dirty clothing contained and separate from all the clean stuff. Plastic bags are also handy for wet bathing suits for those tropical beach vacays or dirty/sandy shoes along the way!

BRING AN EXTRA QUART-SIZED ZIP LOCK BAG

This is essential. I like the security of having my favorite 3 OZ or less liquids with me at all times. Clear quart-sized zip lock bags are the only way to get them through security. My zip locks tend to break or get gross/messy if something explodes from the air pressure on the plane, so having a back-up is always reassuring and useful.

LIGHTWEIGHT SNACKS ARE A THING

Ah yes, we all remember the college diet of living off of Top Ramen and PB&J sanwiches. You never know if you will get stuck somewhere or will end up getting delayed so bad that when you land all the restaurants are closed. I like to pack lightweight snacks/meals in my checked bag and/or carry-on that won't weigh my bags down for reassurance.

Here are some of my lightweight favorites (especially if you plan on staying in an airbnb or hostel that includes a kitchen):

-Oatmeal

-Top Ramen (or any ramen packets/instant soup)

-Pedialyte packets- quick and easy hydration (also good for before/after late night drinking benders)

-Small Snack Packs/Granola Bars

-Easy Mac

DON'T FORGET THE EYE DROPS

I know I am not the only one who gets off a plane feeling groggy. For a quick pick me up, I squeeze a few eye drops in each eye when I land. The lubrication on my dry, tired eyes is a perfect quick fix and temporarily refreshes me until I can get my hands on a cup of java or a nice nap. I prefer using the Rohto brand of eye drops since they have a nice cooling sensation.

These 11 helpful tips will make your packing skills top notch