Over the years I've learned to travel more and more compactly. This has helped me not worry about lost or delayed bags and get to my destination and home quicker. This is especially nice after a long travel day. Adding 30+ minutes to wait for a bag is not my idea of a vacation.

Not checking a bag has never been more important. Especially if you're traveling through Europe right now. London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt (the largest transit hubs in Europe) are all having a terrible time with luggage. The stories are really terrible about bags being delayed 4-6 days. People buying plane tickets to be able to go back to the baggage hall to find their bags, etc. This is all avoidable by keeping your bag with  you.

I know your first thought -- I could never, I really need XYZ with me. Let's think about it a little though. The first and most obvious is liquids:

• Transition as many liquid things to solids
• Use a bar deodorant and bar sunscreen
• You can buy deet mosquito wipes
• Heck I even have toothpaste in tablet form!
• You really don't need shampoo with you on most trips it will be provided at every hotel and most AirBnBs
• Unless you have really sensitive skin you can buy moisturizer when you land
• Get creative!

Other items to save space:

• Men, if needed just wear your sportscoat on the plane
• Women, think creatively with any dress up attire. Light dresses as opposed to the pant suit
• You really don't need a hair dryer anymore. Any hotel I'd book for you would have one :)
• Get creative with shoes, I am a big fan off Allbirds, certain styles can dress up or down and are super comfortable. If you need hiking shoes or other "clunky" shoes wear them on the plane. I try to limit myself to the shoes I'm wearing and one more -- but maybe one other small pair as well (flip-flops for example).

You can do laundry abroad! Really, you can. Of course you can spend a fortune to do laundry in the hotel. But most places around the world have wash and fold services easily found. I've done laundry in Thailand, Mexico, and India for for just a few dollars. In Europe, of course, it's a bit more but knowing you'll do laundry abroad takes the stress of having to bring underwear for 2+ weeks!

So when would I check a bag? I don't mind checking a bag home. On my trip last fall to Tblisi, Georgia, I was so concerned about not checking bags home I missed out on buying amazing Georgian wine. I definitely regret that. Checking a bag home can absolutely make sense. My advice here is outside of liquids, pack your new purchases on your carry on. Check the dirty clothes.. if they get lost it's not really such a big deal when you're home (I assume you have clean undies at home!)

Just a reminder when you do check bags, don't put anything valuable in checked bags. Passports, computers, prescription drugs, credit cards (and cash) and anything else you really can't live without should be with you at all times!

What are your best tips for not checking a bag?