COVID-19 Is it heavy? A good rule of thumb is that if something weighs more than four pounds, you should leave it at home. Items that you’d throw in your trunk or put on an overhead rack without a second thought – a frying pan, a crockpot, a portable grill – are too much trouble to bring with you. Will it fit in a suitcase? Once you’ve eliminated everything that’s heavy, it’s time to tackle the bulkier items. If something is too big for your suitcase, it’s time to seriously consider leaving it behind. Remember, you’ll have to haul everything with you through customs and from the baggage claim to your rental car. That will add to the stress of your trip and wear you out before you’ve started your stay. Did I use it last year? If the answer is “No,” it’s a sign that you likely won’t this year, either. It’s only human to overestimate your capacity and think that you’ll actually make use of everything. Do I have more than one of it? With the exception of socks, shoes and underwear, you probably shouldn’t have more than one of anything. This doesn’t mean that you should only pack one T-shirt, just that the T-shirts you pack should be in different colours (or patterns). The same thing goes for jackets, pants, dresses and just about everything else. If you use one pair of sneakers for running Clothes are one example. If you want a couple of nice outfits to wear to dinner at a fine restaurant or to a show, do a little research into the cost of buying it after you’ve arrived. Clothes prices are much lower in the United States than in Canada so, if you factor in the need to get the clothes with you dry cleaned or pressed after being unpacked from your suitcase, youmight just save yourself a bit of money! Another good example is kitchen equipment. If you absolutely cannot live without a decent set of pots, toaster oven or food processor, get it once you’ve settled in. If you’re willing to shop online, you can even get your new purchases delivered to your door. Can I replace a physical item with an electronic version? You may have already learned that the most efficient way to “carry” books, music and movies is to keep them on your smartphone, tablet or e-reader. However, not everyone is a fan of digital media, especially when it comes to reading. For people who prefer real books, your best bet may be to beef up your reading budget and buy paperbacks rather than hardcovers. But remember, books are cheaper in the U.S. than in Canada, so the amount you spend will be lower than if you stayed at home. and another for the gym, you’re best off bringing only one of the two (or buying a pair of cross-trainers that you can use for all of your athletic activities). Does it belong in the kitchen? If you rent rather than own when you travel south, you may find yourself missing some of the appliances and tools which you’re used to at home. Even if you’re not much of a cook, you may find yourself grumbling at the lack of a coffeepot (or a microwave to reheat your cold coffee). Some people likely do routinely haul microwaves, coffee pots, crockpots and other cooking paraphernalia back and forth every year. Although youmay be tempted to try and cram something small into a checked bagwhen you’re flying…don’t. Imagine being subjected to a random search at the border and having to explain why you’ve packed a chef ’s knife set, or finding out that your cup-at-a-time coffeemaker broke because the luggage handlers were apparently playing football with your suitcase. It’s not worth it. Can I buy it when I get there?Although your first reactionmay be, “That’s too expensive!”, it’s worth weighing the cost (and bother) of bringing something with you against the cost (and convenience) of purchasing it after you arrive at your destination. Air cargo is expensive, and it just might be worth leaving a few things at home and going shopping after you’ve landed. Sports equipment: the possible exception to the size and weight rule “But my golf clubs!” “My tennis racket!” “My road bike!” If the whole point of going south is to enjoy yourself outdoors, leaving your athletic equipment behind may not feel like much of an option. But before you decide that youmust bring something with you, look into the cost of shipping it to your destination compared to the price of checking it when you fly. You may find that it’s significantly cheaper. CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 49
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