Tips for Traveling for Work!

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I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Now that it's over, we're back to the grind.  My new job requires I travel quite a bit for work.  Traveling can be exhausting if you aren't used to it.  Over this past year I have learned a few tips and tricks that make packing for and recovering from traveling easier. Here are a few helpful hints when traveling for work:

• Luggage: Carry on! Find a carry on that works for you! Use one for your clothes/toiletries and the other for your computer and work necessities.  I shared some of my favorite carry ons in an earlier post. 
• TSA Precheck: I recently got TSA Precheck.  My boss asked me if I wanted him to take my picture on this "special" day. I should have let him. It was that importatnt. If you don't have it, and travel for work, you need to get it! 
• Toiletries: Most hotels have shampoo and conditioner in the rooms for utilization.  I bought the soap version of my face wash and keep it in my carry on.  I also have a travel toothbrush, with a case, that stays packed so I can easily grab and go.  I keep a Ziploc bag in my carry on so I can easily throw in the toothpaste and other liquid makeup used on a daily basis.  Generally, the hotels have blowdryers, so you can leave that at home and save space! 
• Comfy clothes:  Generally when you're on the road for work you need business clothes for meetings, etc. I always pack an extra pair of flats and comfy clothes to change into for the plane ride/car ride home.  I didn't always do this but when I did it was a game changer. 
• House shoes: I like to have a pair of house shoes or flats to walk around the hotel.  You can grab a cheap pair at Target or TJ Maxx and keep them in your carry on. 
• Work clothes:  If I have a few days of meetings I will pack one black dress with various blazers to transition.  You can also pack a pair of pants, white blouse, blazer.  Rinse and repeat. Here's a tip I got a few years back. Save your plastic dry cleaning bags or the plastic bags you get when you purchases hanging clothes.  Fold each outfit and wrap a plastic hanging bag around each. The plastic wrap prevents wrinkles when traveling, making it easy to be fresh for your business meeting with little fuss. 
• Wet wipes: Pick up a box of wet wipes - it will last you for months.  When I'm packing for a trip I grab two sanitary wipes and throw those in my bag.  When I get into the hotel room I wipe down the bathroom counter and remote control.  If you use the trays on the airplanes, you can also wipe those down too! Imagine how often those get used vs. how much they get cleaned! 
• Sweater/Wrap: When I fly I prefer not to have any body part touch the seat.  I always bring a sweater or wrap to throw on allowing me to have something between my seat and/or that neighbor that doesn't understand airplane seat etiquette.
• Travel water bottle: Pick up a water bottle that you can easily be filled up once you have gotten through security.  My good friend puts lemons and limes in hers before leaving the house. Once she's gotten through security she fills it up with water for a spa like experience.  

I hope these tips are helpful if you're traveling for work!  Are there others that you use I didn't mention?  I would love it if you could share!