Suitcase Essentials that Save Money on Every Trip (2024)

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Suitcase Essentials that Save Money on Every Trip (1)

Joseph and I both LOVEto travel. The anticipation of new places and opportunities is far too tempting for us not to makeTravel a part of our budget just as much as weeklygroceries and gas money.

In fact, we justcame back from a super fun road trip in late July, only tospendthis comingweekend in Miami as part of a blogging campaign with Marriott. Then I’m doing a quick three day turn-around and headed back North for a wedding. Can you say crazy?

I think I might just be ready to stay home and hibernate for a little bit.

But as I planned and preppedfor each trip, I was reminded again how quickly expenses add up out there on the road. Fast-food stops, extra gas receipts, hotel accommodations, and airfare, can turn a few fun-filled daysinto a full-blown spending excursion. Travel is not cheap!

Although it might seem like the best deals are found during the researching and booking stage, I’ve found some pretty awesome savings opportunities in each of the specific items I take with me. These five are my absolute favorites to pack, and not only are they fun and functional, they save me a ton of money too.

1.eReader/Magazines

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Books and magazines are my weakness, so I am never in short supply when it comes to reading material on a plane or in the car. One of the reasons I love my Kindle is because I can take hundreds of books on one device!

If you’re a book lover too, you know how easy it is for hardcovers and paperbacks to quickly add extra weight to your suitcase {which could result innasty fees}.Plus, those terminal magazine racks sport such outrageous cover prices that I always try to bring some magazines with me from home. I have a ton from freebie subscription offers!

If you need any ideas for what to read,here are my favorite places to find thousands of FREE books.

2.Water Bottles

I try to be super conscious about buying plastic water bottles when we have so many reusable ones at home, but for road trips, I don’t mindsplurging on a 24-pack before we go. This cuts down on the temptation to pick up drinks at a gas station or run through a drive-thru, which saves timeandmoney.

I know we could save even more if we brought our own water bottles {and we do usually bring one or two}, but you can’t always guarantee the water will be any good at rest stops. I’d rather not take any chances!

As for flying, I highly suggest bringingan empty water bottle that you can fill up at a drinking fountain or in the bathroom once you pass security. The air conditioning always seems to make me thirsty, and you can save a couple bucks by avoiding overpriced airport shops.

3. Ziploc Bags

I am a huge fan of Ziploc bags. Not only do they act ascompression bags to help stuffclothes into a carry-on {which saves on checked luggage fees!}, they also keep all my toiletries from leaking and making a huge mess during transportation. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a lotion bottle burst, but it isn’t pretty!

Plus, they are great organizing tools to separate out snacks, medicine, and other little odds and ends that you don’t want floating around in your suitcase.

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4. Snacks and Sandwiches

It never ceases to amaze me how many strange looks I get whenever I pull out a squished PB&J sandwich to eat at the airport, but it’s certainly notenough for me to stop doing it. Restaurants think they can charge an exorbitantamount for food just because you’re “trapped” in the terminal, and it really really annoys me. The food doesn’t taste thatgood either!

For snacks, I like to bring my own trail mix that I’ve put together at home – usually just M&M’s and peanuts since I have an aversion to raisins. And granola bars are perfect to fit into small carry-ons and purses.

If you’re taking a road trip and have room for a cooler, sandwich fixingsand breakfast bars save you from paying for two meals each day, and keep your tummy from getting sick on too much fried food!

5. Layered Clothing

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There used to be a time when I was not prepared for the cold air conditioning of the airports, or didn’t pack enough warm clothing for colder climates. This hadme constantly running to the nearest Target to pick up a comfy sweatshirt or cardigan, which costs between $20-30 dollars depending on the quality.

I make sure I always take a light sweater wherever I go, so I’m never caught unprepared. I also make sure to take clothes that layer really well – tees and tanks, cardigans, and pullovers. I don’t know about you, but this Florida girl cannot stand being cold!

These suitcase essentials are what I take on every single trip, and have saved me from so many unexpected (and unnecessary) purchases. Because when you learn to manage money better, even your travel money, it allows you to do more of what you love!

So put all five of these essentials on your packing checklist next time you book a flight or prep for a family vacation, and see how much money YOU save!

What is one travel essential you can’t live without?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.Read my full disclosure policy here.

Suitcase Essentials that Save Money on Every Trip (2024)

FAQs

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method? ›

Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes "five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit," though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

What is the 333 packing rule? ›

The concept of this packing rule is that you choose three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes to create more than a dozen outfit looks that fit easily into your carry-on.

What is the 123456 packing rule? ›

The 123456 rule is a popular strategy for packing light when traveling. It involves packing one hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops, five pairs of socks, and six pairs of underwear.

What size bag do I need for a 7 day trip? ›

Medium-size suitcases: Medium-size suitcases are larger than carry-on luggage and offer more space for clothes and other items. Their dimensions are usually between 60x40x25 cm and 70x50x30 cm. They are a good choice for a trip of 7 days maximum....

How much money should you take on a 7 day trip? ›

The general consensus is that you should have $50 to $100 in cash per day for each traveler. However, this amount could vary considerably depending on where you are vacationing. Some destinations are more cash-friendly than others.

What can't you bring on a plane? ›

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

What should I pack in my suitcase first? ›

Place your softer, rolled items at the bottom of your suitcase first. Next comes your folded garments: For your middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and nice pants.

Do packing cubes really help? ›

Packing cubes — especially colour-coded ones — allow you to separate your clothes by type (e.g. beach items in one cube and business wear in another) so you know where everything is, which makes packing, unpacking, and repacking quicker and easier.

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 travel rule? ›

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat.

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method for cold weather? ›

Going somewhere cold? 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 sweaters, 1 coat. Don't need quite that many outfits? Skip 5 and do 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 jacket.

What is the 54321 winter packing list? ›

The 54321 Packing Method

Each number is assigned a category. And I think this method is really something you can tailor to your personal style. In general, it often looks like 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dresses and 1 bag. You can also add in additional things like maybe 2 belts, and 1 hat.

What is 54321 packing for beach vacation? ›

The rule states that you need five tops, four bottoms, three dresses and pairs of shoes, two swimsuits and bags, and one set of each type of accessory, like one hat and a trusty pair of shades. Underwear and socks are up to your discretion, of course, though one pair for each day of your trip is a solid idea.

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