As someone who has been traveling the world since age six, it's inevitable that friends and family ask my advice on how to handle packing properly for trips. They also want advice on what to do when things go wrong.

When I'm asked what or how much to pack, I ask a series of questions:

• Where are you traveling to?
• How long will you be gone?
• Why are you traveling (business, pleasure or both)?
• Carry-on or checked bag?

Once those questions are answered, I can get to the meat of the advice. Below are three scenarios, based on the answers given, that will help you become the perfect packer. Please use these as a guideline, and feel free to adjust for your own needs. And check out this link to help with buying the right bag for the right trip.

Scenario 1 -- two- to three-day business trip

Let's say you're going to a convention. Pull out a rollerbag that fits into an overhead bin. Choose a base color of clothes (black, navy blue or brown). For example, I'll wear a black pair of nice cotton or worsted wool pants, a black blazer and a dark shirt with a scarf for a splash of color. I'll also wear a pair of stylish loafers.  I'll take another pair of black pants or a neutral colored dress/skirt and two more shirts, usually a button-down and a nice tailored t-shirt. I'll also throw in a few colorful scarves to mix it up.

I work out, so I take a t-shirt, shorts, and tuck in a pair of tennis shoes. I always take older undergarments that can be thrown away on the road.

I roll undergarments and stockings (if the destination is cold) inside the shoes. I use a travel toothbrush, small toothpaste, store samples of perfume and small deodorant. I also take a bar of soap I buy at a dollar store.

Scenario 2 -- longish weekend vacation trip

Again, I take the roller board for this kind of trip. I will wear nice jeans, a nice t-shirt or casual blouse, loafers or tennis shoes and a blazer on both legs of my flight. If it's warm, I'll pack 2 pairs of shorts, a casual dress and my beloved Switchflops with ribbons to match the outfits. I'll also take the workout clothes, older undergarments, and travel items described above.

Scenario 3 -- week-long trip mixing business and pleasure

Bring out the larger suitcase, because you're going to have to check a bag. I still follow the base color rule (I go with black), but I also pack a dress that can be used for business and pleasure. Add in a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, and one or two shirts that can do double duty for work and play. I wear the loafers on the flight and pack tennis shoes and Switchflops during the summer or casual closed shoes in the cooler weather.