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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2023 15:21:11 GMT
I have to travel often (car trips 10 hr. roundtrip) usually for 2-4 days. Sometimes it's just me, sometimes all 5 of us. I always overpack and it's getting ridiculous!
Does anyone have tips on packing, packing bags or recommendations for packing medications? I tried putting advil, tylenol, pecpid complete, tums, pepto bismol, etc. in one bag, but of course that was a mistake as I didn't know the correct dosage. But keeping all the bottles took up so much space. I want to be prepared for any health issue, but that's probably not necessary as there are targets, etc. within 30 min of where we travel too.
Any travel bag/luggage recommendations would be great too!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 19, 2023 15:34:49 GMT
Could you just take a photo of the medication labels? That way you would have the correct dosage information wherever you go and you could pack a small amount of each in a compact weekly or travel pill container.
The only advice I have for luggage would be to get spinner bags with four wheels instead of two so they’re much easier to pull along, and whatever smaller overnight bag you get should have the sleeve so it can slide over the handle of your wheeled bag. And get a toiletries bag with a hook for hanging because there’s never enough counter space in hotel bathrooms, especially if you end up sharing a room with someone else.
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Post by monklady123 on Jan 19, 2023 15:35:25 GMT
Since these are car trips I would just pack a small toiletries bag with duplicates of everything that I regularly use. Then you can just grab that and go. The only thing you couldn't add would be prescription medications. Put a big sticky note on the bag so you don't forget those. I have a bag like this and the only thing I change in it is after every trip I clean it out (it tends to accumulate shells from the beach, or little rocks, etc. haha) and make sure nothing spilled, etc.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Jan 19, 2023 15:38:09 GMT
I found a fishing tackle tote (at TM) that had large plastic organizers inside that I repurposed. The bag is about the size of a shoebox. The inside is completely open and it has 3 small pockets, one on the front and the two smaller sides. I use it for all my toiletries, makeup and medicine for the family.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 19, 2023 16:10:03 GMT
One time buy smaller bottles of all OTC meds. Refill as needed. Be sure to write the new expiration dates on labels you attach to each bottle. I do that with OTC meds at home too.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jan 19, 2023 16:27:47 GMT
Buy travel size tubes of tylenol, advil, aleve, etc... After the one time purchase, you can refill the tubes from your bigger home bottle. Tums also comes in travel size rolls. There's also a small travel first aid, with bandaids-neosporin packets and alcohol wipes.
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Post by nine on Jan 19, 2023 16:32:24 GMT
We go places often and I want to get a ‘go bag.’ Everything for a night or two that just stays there always so I can just pick it up and go. My husband does this.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,422
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jan 19, 2023 16:53:06 GMT
Either buy small bottles, as mentioned, or there are travel pill organizers. Label each compartment. Use a label maker, printer or write on a sheet of paper and cover with clear packing tape.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2023 18:09:15 GMT
Could you just take a photo of the medication labels? That way you would have the correct dosage information wherever you go and you could pack a small amount of each in a compact weekly or travel pill container. The only advice I have for luggage would be to get spinner bags with four wheels instead of two so they’re much easier to pull along, and whatever smaller overnight bag you get should have the sleeve so it can slide over the handle of your wheeled bag. And get a toiletries bag with a hook for hanging because there’s never enough counter space in hotel bathrooms, especially if you end up sharing a room with someone else. That's a good idea! I may just cut out the back of the medications so I have the correct amount, then put some of each labeled in a weekly pill container.
I got a spin suitcases like that from target and it's so pretty and easy to handle. The 2 things I don't like is no outside pocket and it's pretty heavy (it's a hard plastic suitcase). But I can't justify replacing it as it's only 6 months old. I should have thought about those things before I bought it. I did buy a small duffle/gym bag with the sleeve so I will be able to use it with the suitcase.
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Post by maryland on Jan 19, 2023 18:11:28 GMT
Since these are car trips I would just pack a small toiletries bag with duplicates of everything that I regularly use. Then you can just grab that and go. The only thing you couldn't add would be prescription medications. Put a big sticky note on the bag so you don't forget those. I have a bag like this and the only thing I change in it is after every trip I clean it out (it tends to accumulate shells from the beach, or little rocks, etc. haha) and make sure nothing spilled, etc. That's a good idea! Then I could just leave the bag in the car and just get something if we need it. Stuff we do use often (advil, tums, etc.) can go in a pill container in my suitcase.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 19, 2023 18:45:41 GMT
Traveling it is best to use original containers for all medicines, including OTC. Do not leave in a vehicle all the time. Most need to be stored in a cool, dry place. Not frozen or overheated in a vehicle
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Post by monklady123 on Jan 19, 2023 19:00:43 GMT
Since these are car trips I would just pack a small toiletries bag with duplicates of everything that I regularly use. Then you can just grab that and go. The only thing you couldn't add would be prescription medications. Put a big sticky note on the bag so you don't forget those. I have a bag like this and the only thing I change in it is after every trip I clean it out (it tends to accumulate shells from the beach, or little rocks, etc. haha) and make sure nothing spilled, etc. That's a good idea! Then I could just leave the bag in the car and just get something if we need it. Stuff we do use often (advil, tums, etc.) can go in a pill container in my suitcase. I would include even things you use often like the Advil or Tums. Just buy a smaller bottle of them. Then as you use them up you can refill from the larger bottle that's at home, and that way you don't have to remember anything. Also, I wouldn't leave it in the car except maybe when it's cold out. But really, if the bag is packed with everything you need how hard is it to just grab it and toss it in when you're packing to leave?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 20, 2023 4:44:14 GMT
We go places often and I want to get a ‘go bag.’ Everything for a night or two that just stays there always so I can just pick it up and go. My husband does this. We do this too, DD and I always have a small bag packed with all the basics so I can just toss in the specific clothes I want for the weekend and I’m good to go.
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Post by aj2hall on Jan 20, 2023 6:49:37 GMT
I’m an over-packer, too, so not much help. I use a clear mesh (more like plastic) zippered bag for medications. Amazon sells them in lots of sizes. The bags work great for chargers and other things, too. Packing cubes are helpful, too.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,835
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Jan 20, 2023 13:28:47 GMT
Im sitting here thinking hmmmm.... cuz i have never used the dosage for otc meds..
I have a headache.. pop a couple advil... feet hurt.. pop a couple advil... upset stomach pop a tums.. i don't use pepcid or pepto... maybe thats why... i do have sudafed packed in case i feel a cold coming on...
As for packing toiletries... i use 2 sizes of lugz bags... the smaller one has my "wet" stuff... i use oqx shampoo/conditioner because they are smaller round bottles... i use a refillable travel bottle for body wash... i use travel size face wash... i have toothpaste and toothbrush...
The larger lugz has my brush n all hair products (gel, frizz stuff, barrettes, pony tail coils) deodorant, lotion, qtips, makeup wipes, cotton rounds...
I have a small make up bag with my fave stuff already packed... travel sz primer, foundation, powder, naked 2 pallet, several brushes, 2 eyeliners and 2 mascaras...
All of those stay packed... i only unpack them when we get home to wipe them down and refill what needs to be filled...
I also have a small make up bag that has a phone and kindle charger and a multi prong block that always stay in my suitcase...
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 20, 2023 13:52:09 GMT
I’m an over-packer, too, so not much help. I use a clear mesh (more like plastic) zippered bag for medications. Amazon sells them in lots of sizes. The bags work great for chargers and other things, too. Packing cubes are helpful, too. Those mesh bags are awesome! I have a bunch of them in multiple sizes. I use small ones to organize the contents of my purse and bigger ones to contain power cords, charging bricks and other miscellaneous stuff that needs to stay together when we travel.
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Post by maryland on Jan 20, 2023 20:21:21 GMT
That's a good idea! Then I could just leave the bag in the car and just get something if we need it. Stuff we do use often (advil, tums, etc.) can go in a pill container in my suitcase. I would include even things you use often like the Advil or Tums. Just buy a smaller bottle of them. Then as you use them up you can refill from the larger bottle that's at home, and that way you don't have to remember anything. Also, I wouldn't leave it in the car except maybe when it's cold out. But really, if the bag is packed with everything you need how hard is it to just grab it and toss it in when you're packing to leave? Yes, I should probably do that. We finally got a new cabinet for our bassement so I could put travel stuff in there. That way it only stays overnight in the car during the trip, not all the time.
Seriously, our family packs what most would pack for a 2 week trip when we go away for a weekend. And we used to go to the beach for a month. I don't think there was an inch of space in the minivan! And we probably only used 20% of the stuff we packed. Honestly, we wore the same few outfits the entire trip! We need major help, haha!
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Post by maryland on Jan 20, 2023 20:54:14 GMT
We go places often and I want to get a ‘go bag.’ Everything for a night or two that just stays there always so I can just pick it up and go. My husband does this. We do this too, DD and I always have a small bag packed with all the basics so I can just toss in the specific clothes I want for the weekend and I’m good to go. I bought a "travel" set of clothes, just a few things that are always packed. One set for summer and one for winter. That way I don't have to think about what clothes to take, they are always packed. And I even bought an extra curling iron, hair dryer kindle charger and phone charger, and minimal makeup to keep it less stuff.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,865
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Jan 20, 2023 21:47:44 GMT
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Post by ~summer~ on Jan 20, 2023 22:07:24 GMT
How often do you really need Tums, pepto bismo, Pepcid etc?
I only bring sone ibuprofen with me when I travel - anything else I would just pick up at store in the unlikely event I would need it.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 20, 2023 22:26:42 GMT
We do this too, DD and I always have a small bag packed with all the basics so I can just toss in the specific clothes I want for the weekend and I’m good to go. I bought a "travel" set of clothes, just a few things that are always packed. One set for summer and one for winter. That way I don't have to think about what clothes to take, they are always packed. And I even bought an extra curling iron, hair dryer kindle charger and phone charger, and minimal makeup to keep it less stuff. My issue is that the temperature can swing by as much as 30-40 degrees sometimes over the course of a couple days here. It can literally be 30° one day and 70° the next or vice versa. It’s nuts. Plus, I might bring different things depending on what the project at hand is. If I’m going to be doing something messy like painting, staining, landscaping, using grout, etc. I don’t want to bring along anything that might get ruined. If we know we have a funeral or something to attend we might need nicer clothes. I’ve been gradually leaving more of my ratty stuff that I don’t care about for working on projects at the cabin so all I have to bring is regular clothes. I don’t like leaving my regular clothes there though. It never fails, any time I leave something there I end up wanting it at home the next week.
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,615
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
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Post by basketdiva on Jan 20, 2023 23:45:11 GMT
You can always look up dosage on the internet. Is there a reason to take 3-4 different antacids?
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 20, 2023 23:51:25 GMT
I am travelling right now and brought anything and everything I could. My suitcase is stuffed. My carry on is full and my big purse is full. I am serious. I need help.
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Post by lisae on Jan 21, 2023 12:50:42 GMT
My favorite toiletry bag is from LL Bean. Not surprisingly, they last until you just want a different color because you are never going to wear it out. LL bean
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,151
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Jan 21, 2023 14:04:25 GMT
For pills something like this might work really well for you Pill organizers. You could take a Sharpie write the name of the pill on top and the dosage on the bottom. They’re small so don’t take up space and should easily hold enough for a weekend.
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Post by kamper on Jan 21, 2023 20:46:01 GMT
How often do you really need Tums, pepto bismo, Pepcid etc? I only bring sone ibuprofen with me when I travel - anything else I would just pick up at store in the unlikely event I would need it. This is what I was thinking. If you take it so infrequently that you can't remember the dosage...you don't need to take it with you. I assume you are staying in North America near some kind of civilization so, you could just go to a 24 hr pharmacy.
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Post by Jessica on Jan 21, 2023 20:54:41 GMT
My favorite toiletry bag is from LL Bean. Not surprisingly, they last until you just want a different color because you are never going to wear it out. LL beanI have this bag as well and I LOVE IT. I also traveled often for work (week+ long trips every month) and I put dupes in so I'd always have it ready to go and I'd refill when I'd get home if something was low. Makes it very simple to grab and go. You've also gotten good advice about travel size meds. I used to bring everything and then one day it hit me that if I forgot something, other cities do have stores. Keeping separate clothes ready just in case doesn't make sense for my travel right now, but I see the appeal for being able to get out the door as quick as possible.
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Post by Zee on Jan 21, 2023 21:21:40 GMT
I travel with ibuprofen in a travel size container and some extras of my Rx meds in their bottles (I just saved some of the Rx bottles when I got refills and over time have about 10 or more extra pills of each).
Anything else can probably be found at a Walmart or Walgreens. If I'm camping I bring a little first aid kit, bug spray, and sunscreen but I don't worry about every possible medication need.
I have travel size toiletries that live in my carry-on, in a gallon Ziploc in case I'm flying. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrush, face wash and facial moisturizer, deodorant, and lotion. Washcloth, slippers, hair ties. Makeup wipes and body wipes if camping.
Those are the basics I bring and you can generally get close enough to a store for any other needs.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 21, 2023 21:22:17 GMT
You are making this more complicated than it needs to be. Bring what you use on a daily basis, a small first aid kit, and that's it. There are few places within driving distance in the US where there isn't a store within 30 minutes. I usually don't travel with more than a rollaway suitcase and it always works out. If things are in a pill bottle, put them in snack sized zip bags. Make a copy of the dosage instructions and fold it to fit in the bag. Lather, rinse, repeat. Even better, take photos of the dosage instructions and keep them in an album on your phone marked "medications". For travel within the US, you absolutely do not need to keep meds in the original bottle. I keep meds, bandaids, moleskin, a thermometer, and such in a a small cosmetic bag. I tend to use more advil/tylenol when sightseeing and keep them in a small bottle. I know the Tylenol are while oblong tablets and the Advil are small round reddish pills, so they just go into the same container. For lotions and potions, I keep them in containers like this. It takes a fraction of the space that even travel sized bottles take up. I'm not sure that liquids would work with these, but they are great for moisturizers and face creams. Brushes go into a travel container like this that will collapse to the brushes and keep them from getting messed up. A pencil case is another option. I have some with shorter handles that I use for travel, including a powder brush that only has a knob for the handle vs a long stem. I have smaller sizes of a lot of makeup (single blush, smaller Urban Decay set, sample size bottles for foundation) and they all fit into a 4x6" makeup bag. I refill any used items when I return home and either keep these items in my suitcase or in a plastic basket in the linen closet. I do switch things out for summer vs winter--for example, I don't bring tubes of sun cream to Minnesota over Christmas (but my moisturizer is an SPF of 30). Since you travel so frequently, challenge yourself to leave something new home once a week. You won't miss it!
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Post by maryland on Jan 22, 2023 20:21:11 GMT
You can always look up dosage on the internet. Is there a reason to take 3-4 different antacids? Yes, I have to take Pepcid Complete as I get bad heartburn. My husband takes Tums and one of my three daughters always seem to get a stomach ache on trips and the pepto bismol works for them. We are a high maintenance family, that's for sure!
But I may just start taking what I need and they can be in charge of themselves! They are teen/young adult, so not little.
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