A new Reddit thread has surfaced a compelling solution to the age-old problem.

Luggage feesare a genuine pain , and if you go to the immense majority of travelers ( a.k.a . those whodo notwant to giveairlinesadditional money ) , you might also go to one big subgroup of that . Anxious overpackers , I am talk to you all .

As a gallant extremity of the community , I know what it mean to have a weight limit and still conceive " well , just in case " when stuffing the tenth shirt in the carry - on you ’re bringing on a weekend tripper . You just ca n’t help it . You fault airlines , your closet , the weather , and , at times , even the misstep itself for the nerve-racking situation you ’re presently in , and more prison term than you manage to allow in it , you still finish up bringing way too much stuff .

But since Reddit is the unofficial well of wisdom by the people for the people , some desperate overpackers make up one’s mind to get on their metaphorical knees and enquire for advice once and for all . Sometimes , Reddit posts are useless scream into the void , but other times they ’re a real treasure trove . I am pleased to announce that , in this case , we ’re in the latter scenario .

closing suitcase

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With a mere , yet good subject strain , one Redditorwas able to get the r / TravelHacks subreddit ’s attending . " Please give me advice on how to travel with less luggage ! " learn the title in bold , which is abide by by a elaborate account of the bill sticker ’s " circumstance , " that of the " continuing overpacker , " as they define themselves : " For my next trip-up in 3 week , I ’m attached to only doing carryon so I do n’t have to devote excess to match bag , " they say . " Please give me any advice you have ! I ’m determined to make this work and cure my overpacking ! "

The post is flooded by a ten thousand of responses offer their own take on the subject area , but one stand out among the masses . " Is this the golden rule ? " I postulate myself . According to the almost 400 upvotes it got ( which made it the top commentary on the post ) , it apparently is .

" I have a 20/20 rule , " explains drug user @hobohobbies . " If something costs less than $ 20 and I can get it in 20 hour , I do n’t pack it . So if I think ' I MIGHT need this ' I ask if it fall in the 20/20 category . That is how I hold back over packing . Also , if I find I am buying that item more frequently it goes into the ' I always jam this ' class . "

However you assay and bend it , it is hard to argue against this normal and well-to-do to see its merits . It is defined enough that it leaves no space for useless doubts , but is also relatively loose so that you have a certain degree of agency on what to load down . For instance , depending on the piazza you ’re move to , the 20/20 rule might change — if you ’re in the middle of the Amazon forest it is going to get a niggling harder than NYC to get , say , a pack of Band - Aids .

Some exploiter , though , added some caveat to the 20/20 regulation , and noted that some things you should always plan on institute particularly on external head trip , as they invade little to no space and might be unavailable out of doors of the US . " [ And get ] some headache MEd , " points out one user . " require to get it behind the counter at a pharmacy with govt hr . best to carry a small container then nurse it for a weekend with a migraine . " Other Redditors highlighted the importance of having some variety of Pepto Bismol or Tums on you , as they are much more popular and approachable in the US than other piece of the world . " Pepto chews are awesome for backpacking , " notes one exploiter .

If you feel like your chronic overpacker self can not be cured by one simple-minded formula , there is so much more advice that you’re able to follow . you may , for example , head over to ther / onebagsubreddit for ample lead , as one Redditor suggests — find free to check it outright here , and near luck as a recovering overpacker .

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