What to take, how to Pack and other non-sense stressers

Your planning to go and you are spending a lot of time and money on what to pack?

There are a few things that almost any trip requires...
1.Money 2.Passport/National ID 3.Camera/notepad(I met some great artists that drew their trip)

Personally I add a few things to every trip now a days
I always take 2 bags, one backpack and one gym bag or bigger pack. If I am going someplace for a short trip like another US city/Canada or a short trip to Mexico, I take my small backpack and a gym style bag.

I also take another bag, empty and rolled up, I stuff in my bag/pack, that is for things I might buy and repack at the end.

If your going on a big trip, you have might have a desire to overpack, it can be hard to break it, just think in terms of weeks, not total trip.

How many clothes do you need for a week? Or two weeks?

How easy will it be for washing?

Are you going to be in upmarket, fancy cities? Or are you going to be trekking across the mountains in Nepal?

If you have a backpack, stuff sacks can be very helpful. Stuff sacks are small sacks that can be compressed to save more space.

Actually I think their best aspect is they help you organize your pack better, so you don't have to remove all your clothes everyday. I buy a few stuff sacks that are different colors and just set a color for "shirts","dirty clothes" or "socks+boxers" etc. Makes it much easier then sorting through heaps of stuff daily!!!