One of the added benefits of all the traveling we’ve done throughout the years is the number of travel tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way, including the discovery of some unexpectedly useful items we’re sure to bring along on our travel adventures. Here are five common items that can be unusually helpful additions to your packing list.
Sealable Bags
A supply of sealable bags in varying sizes tops our list of helpful items to pack. In addition to using them to store toiletries and other liquid items prone to leaking, the empty ones we’ve stashed in the side pockets of our suitcases have saved the day in a number of ways. While small ones can be used as ice packs for injuries or for keeping drinks and leftovers cold, larger ones have come in handy for storing wet bathing suits for the return trip from the beach or the flight home. They’ve also provided the ideal storage container for bringing those sea shells and other collectibles home from our family vacations.
Paper Clips
These small wonders have a variety of travel uses. Not only do they make great chip clips for snack bags, they do quite well as bookmarks in the travel guides and other reading materials we tend to pick up during our travels. Partially unfolded clips make terrific hooks on which to hang light articles of clothing, and we’ve even resorted to using them as zipper tabs on a coolers that lost their own.
A Collapsible Cooler
This is a handy item to consider, especially if you are flying and need to pack light. It folds neatly and compactly in a suitcase and can be used to store cold drinks and food for a picnic or in a hotel room where a refrigerator might not be readily available. In addition, the cooler can serve as an extra suitcase on the return trip to tote home those souvenirs or other items that no longer seem to fit in your suitcase.
A Pointed Tip Metal Nail File
Aside from its obvious use, this object can also serve as a handy dandy screwdriver, letter and package opener, or an eyeliner sharpener. We’ve even used them to open the hard-to-remove seals on pill bottles.
Plastic Grocery Bags
A great way to recycle these bags is to stash a supply of them in your side suitcase pocket. We cannot begin to tell you how useful these bags have been for us. On numerous trips they’ve served as garbage bags, laundry bags, and even a water resistant storage container in which to stash a book and phone during beach or hotel pool excursion. They also make great makeshift umbrellas too!
The beauty of these items is that they take up little space and can come in handy in a pinch, allowing for a less stressful, more enjoyable vacation.