8 Tips for the Forgetful Traveler

Do you forget things when you travel?  Are you constantly running back to your room to retrieve a left behind item?  Are you spending hours on the phone after a trip trying to locate something left in a hotel room?  Do you need to get credit cards reissued because you can’t find them and think they may have been lost or left behind?

At some point, it’s bound to happen to all of us, but implementing a few good habits can help keep your panic in check, and minimize the need for you to retrace steps to find out where you’ve left something behind.

Here are some suggestions to help you get your forgetfulness under control, help you access what you need when you need it, and make things easier to retrieve should items go missing:

1. Limit the electronics and valuable that you travel with.  Packing less means there’s less you can forget or lose.  This is easier for me to say than to do when it comes to gadgets – cause I really do need my cell phone, laptop, iPod, camera, flip video, and all the attachments that go with them, when I travel.  That’s why the next tip is so important!
2. Use the in-room safe to keep valuable secure.  Put everything in there, and keep it there.  Take it out when you are using it, or when you leave the room, and return things there when you return to your room.  No more wondering where you put your wallet or where they keys are.  They’re in the safe!  (NOTE:  If there isn’t an in-room safe, or your items are too large for it, establish ONE place that you’ll put everything all the time, and don’t deviate.)
3. Put your room key in the same place, in every hotel room, on every trip.  For me, this spot is right next to the alarm clock on the night stand.  If there’s an emergency and I need to evacuate my room in a hurry, I’ll be able to grab the key and head out.  (You’ll want to take your key with you in an evacuation in case the situation is dangerous and you need to return to your room.)
4. Label everything.  Use your name, address, and a phone number.  Make it easy for someone to contact you should they find any of your items.  A lot of times people may be reluctant to turn something in to a front desk or official (fearing institutionalized theft), but will make a personal effort to get it back to you.  Make it easy for them.
5. Pack the night before your departure, keeping out only those things you’ll need for the next day.  This helps get the bulk of the packing done, and means you’ll have less to worry about at the last minute.  Packing at a slower pace also helps ensure that nothing will be left behind.
6. Open all drawers, closets, look around the bathroom, on the floor, and especially on the bed, before walking out the door to check out.  That last check may help you find the book that was left on the bed, or something that fell out as you were packing.
7. After everyone is out of the room, and all the luggage is out the door, take one last walk through looking for items.  This extra 30 seconds can make a BIG difference.
8. Keep credit cards and other important identification in the same place in your wallet or purse ALL the time.  When you take it out, put it back in this place right away.  A quick glance will tell you that you have your credit card or ID, saving you panic that you may have left it behind somewhere or have had it stolen.

Do you have other tips to make sure you don’t forget something while you’re traveling?  Please add them in the comments.

Photo credit:  markresch @flickr