You will be hard pressed to find a veteran business traveler who regularly checks their bag. They know checking their suitcase costs money, takes additional time on both ends of the trip, and increases the risk for lost or mishandled baggage. Here are ways to pack efficiently and make carrying on a breeze.

Utilize a capsule wardrobe concept
In capsule wardrobes each clothing item can be worn with everything else. Don’t pack separate outfits for each day; plan to re-wear slacks with a different shirt or blouse, for example.

Use packing cubes
Packing cubes will compress a large amount of clothing into a very small amount of space, allowing use of a smaller suitcase.

Only bring three pairs of shoes
Shoes take up more space than any other item. Bring three pairs total, including the pair worn on travel days.

Decant toiletries
For the average business trip there is no need to bring full-sized toiletries. Use small bottles or spare contact lens cases to store liquids.

Using these tips will help inexperienced business travelers pack like a pro and avoid checking their suitcase, saving money, time, and inconvenience.