As you pack your suitcase you are doing what businesses call a cost benefit analysis. Pack too much and you might have to pay fees or worse yet throw out your back carrying needless weight. Too often people pack things that they can easily purchase at their destination.
But here are 7 things that you should take with you that will actually save you money.
1. Empty Water Bottle
Some people think that you can’t take a water bottle through airport security. You can, just not the water. You always pack an empty water bottle that you can refill on the other side of security. You can purchase a collapsable water bottle that has very little weight when it is empty and takes up almost no space. You should stay hydrated when you fly, but why buy a bottle of water at airport prices?
2. Money Belt or Pouch
If you are going to an international city known for it’s pickpockets, then the best money saving product is the one that keeps your money in your pocket and not someone else’s. In a two day trip to Rome with a group of 10 people, 2 of the 10 were pick-pocketed but in both cases they had not taken the precaution of leaving their wallet at home and switching to a money belt or a money pouch that you wear beneath your clothing. This will not only save you money but the stress of being in a foreign country trying to report a theft and trying to replace your credit cards.
3. Laundry Items
For long travel, for instance longer than a week. Put half a cup of dry laundry detergent in a zip lock bag and throw it in your suitcase. You will end the thought of finding an appropriate amount of detergent to do laundry but it will make your suitcase smell better.
4. Snacks
You never know when that connection will be shorter than you thought or the meal service (if there is one) will be delayed. It is always a good idea to have a snack to make your traveling companions happier. If you travel with kids, then double down on snacks.
Usual snacks list has a couple of granola bars, pop-tarts or a zip lock bag of home made trail mix (peanuts, M&Ms, raisins) in my bag before you start your trip. For a road trip extensive snacks and a cooler are appropriate.
5. Discount Cards
Do you have a student ID? If so, bring along your membership or id card as many destinations have discounts that you can take advantage of. Taking along the discount cards or coupons would come really handy and can save a lot of money. You could get advantage at restaurants, shopping or amusement parks.
Does your company have any travel discounts? Many large companies have discounts that employees are completely unaware of. Ask your HR department. Are their discounts you may be eligible for because of your profession or professional associations?
6. Poly or Waterproof Bags
They are most essential thing to pack, particularly for a tropical destination where rain is quite obvious. You would not want your mobile, money or other stuff to get or dysfunctional.
You can put the rain venerable stuff into those bags and avoid spending on new or repair. Plus these bags could help just in case you got more luggage on return.
7. First Aid
If you get sick for a week, then you can probably buy whatever medicine you will need at your travel destination, because people probably get sick there too. A small medicine kit is essentially recommended in your carry-on.
Few cold tablets, some ibuprofen , some anti-diarrhoea medicine. In addition to that a few band-aids. That way you won’t find yourself buying a whole bottle of something in the airport newsstand because this travel has just given you a headache.
Packing List
Most of the traveller keep their packing list prepared, so you are advised to make a packing list for next destination so that you don’t have to buy that one thing you had planed to take, knew to take, but is still sitting back on your dresser at home. With a list tested from previous trips you can pack for a month of travel in less than 15 minutes without the stress of forgetting something.