Secrets of packing

1. Start your list the night before. You'll inevitably think of some other important thing that you would have otherwise forgotten.
2. Take a smaller suitcase than you think you need. It will force you to make tough decisions, but you will still have room for everything you truly need - and it's more likely to fit in the overhead bins.
3. For trips of less than one week, pack no more than N-1 pairs of shoes for the trip (where N=the number of days you'll be gone). Four day trips? Max of three pairs of shoes (including the pair you wear!).
4. Fold your clothes for the outbound trip, roll them on the way home. Rolling conserves space, but if you do it on the way out there's no way you'll fit everything back on on the return flight.
5. Set a second alarm clock. Otherwise there's a good chance you'll miss your 6am flight (which means checking in my 4:30, which means leaving home around 4, which means waking by 3:30 in order to shower - ugh!).
6. Don't forget gum, paper, a book/Kindle and an empty water bottle.
7. Pack items with a dual purpose. That t-shirt you wore on the flight out? That can double as your running shirt on day two. Planning to exercise in the morning? Your gym shorts can be your pajama bottoms.
8. If all else fails, as long as you have your boarding pass, ID and a credit card, you're good to go. In a pinch, you can buy anything you need while you're away from home.

Any other travel tips you're willing to share?