The warmer weather has brought me a giant lump of wanderlust this year. My thoughts keep turning to the French countryside or hikes up a flower lined trail in the Rockies or sipping umbrella-clad drinks on the patio of a Hawaiian resort. Sigh.

Since I can't pack a bag right this minute and head to the beach, I can at least write about traveling. Here are 10 tips for being an organized traveler:

1. Assuming that you know where you're going and how you're getting there, your next step is to consider your luggage. You want something that is durable, spacious, and will fit your needs during travel. Check out this buying guide for information on what brands will last you through years of adventures. This is an instance when I recommend buying for quality. You'll spend more in the short term, but over the long haul you'll save yourself money and sanity.

2. If you're staying in a hotel, don't pack shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or soap since all of these will be provided to you at no additional cost. Call ahead and find out if the hotel provides a hair dryer in the room, too. If your lodging is more adventurous, bring along Wonder Wash. You can wash pretty much anything -- you, your hair, your dishes, your socks -- with just this one environmentally friendly cleaner.

3. When flying, travel like a consultant. Wear shoes that easily slip off, have your identification out before you get to a ticket window or get in line for security, have all of your liquids in 3 oz. bottles inside a zip-top bag, don't carry any drinks with you before going through security, and don't lock any of your suitcases. You should also check the TSA website before you fly just to make sure no new restrictions have been implemented. If you have a metal plate in your leg, bring along appropriate documentation. (Updated: A reader tipped us off to TSA-approved "safe skies" locks that can now be purchased at most superstores.)

4. If traveling abroad, have some currency exchanged before you arrive in country. ATMs will usually give you the best exchange rates in country, but you don't want to flag yourself as a tourist in a foreign airport by standing in line to use one. It's best to have a little cab money on you and then use your credit card or find an ATM once you get out of the airport mess. There are exceptions to this, but it's usually a good rule of thumb.

5. Advice for traveling with children could be an entire post on its own -- or even a whole book. I couldn't possibly cover it fully, so here are a few of my favorite suggestions: Tips for traveling with a baby, taking road trips with children, flying with children, and planning trips with teenagers.

6. Consider mailing clothing to your destination before you travel. If you're a new parent taking your child to meet his grandparents for the first time, it will be nice not to have to worry about bags other than a diaper bag and a simple carry-on.

7. If traveling someplace for more than a few days, pack half the clothes necessary for your trip and do laundry half-way through your journey. Often times, three hours at a laundromat is more convenient than having to carry an extra bag of luggage with you. I try never to take more than one bag with me when I travel -- even when I'm going overseas for many weeks. Checking baggage is a pain, and, when in a jam, you can always buy more underwear.

8. Pack clothing in a color scheme with either brown or black as the base. The pair of shoes, belt, and earrings that you wear en route to your destination will work with everything packed in your luggage.

9. Call your cell phone provider before you travel to ensure that you will have access to phone service in an emergency. You can opt in and out of monthly service plans that extend coverage beyond your normal contract. In most cases, a month of world-wide service is less expensive than making a few calls while your phone is roaming.

10. Don't forget that sometimes it is easier to leave the planning up to a professional. Since booking a trip over the internet became such a cost-effective endeavor, people have cut back on using travel agents. They're still out there, though, and they can help alleviate your planning stress.

Being an organized traveler means that you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Please leave additional suggestions for how to be an organized traveler in the comments! I'm looking forward to reading your tips.