5 Money-Saving Items To Pack Before Your Next Trip

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The cost of a trip can easily add up — before one even arrives at their destination. Resist the temptation to panic buy or getlost in a long packing list beforea vacation. With some planning, travelers can avoid overspending on goods and say goodbye to buyer’s remorse. 

Here are five money-saving items to pack before your next trip.

Health Essentials 

Travel insurance is one matter, but don’t forget the emergency-ready, health-related items travelers can easily carry in their tote or back pocket. Chances are, your medicine cabinet is filled with the essentials, say, over-the-counter pain relief, nausea pills, ointments and bandages. These everyday items can be too easy to overlook but may save the day on the road. Consider a multi-pill box to hold (almost) all of it. 

Snacks 

Sticker shock is real at many airports: Whether it’s an airport burger or a $10 bag of Chex Mix, the cost of food at U.S. airports is notoriously inflated. A traveler’s essentially guaranteed to visit an airport if they’re flying so why not make that time a little lighter on one’s wallet with favorite foods before getting there? Snack on that bag of $1.99 Chex Mix guilt-free too — after all, it’s not like stowing a meal in your bag going into a movie theater. 

Water Bottle 

A good ole emotional support water bottle or purifying bottle can save money, time, and energy. Avoid the spiking anxiety of waiting for refreshment service shortly after takeoff by filling up before you board — and after going through security. Upon landing at a destination, consider buying a gallon of water to refill bottles throughout the day instead of searching for pricier, smaller bottles all across town. 

Luggage Scale 

While having another item to carry or add to the final overall weight may feel counterintuitive, bringing a luggage scale can toggle the difference between staying within limits versus being overweight, especially on a longer trip. It’s having the peace of mind of knowing how much room one has left — helping travelers keep tabs on souvenirs along the way. Overweight charges add up fast: American Airlines charges $30 for bags that are above the limit between 50 and 53 pounds and $100 for bags between 53 and 70 pounds. 

Security Items

No matter one’s background or destination, packing a few security items can make the difference between a sound mind in an unfamiliar place or second-guessing every move and facing costly consequences. Practical considerations include a sturdy door lock for one’s hotel room, anti-theft travel bags or wallets, I.D. lanyards, carabiners or multitools, and outerwear with discrete, hidden pockets, all in the spirit of rugged preparedness.

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