Wandering With the Wows: Our Favorite Travel Hacks

As Mr. Wow and I prepare for our upcoming trip to South Africa, I decided to take a moment to highlight the travel hacks we've discovered to be extremely helpful throughout all of our travels.  If you are looking for a post about credit card hacking and reaping the rewards, this is not the post for you.  Instead, I'm going to discuss items deemed as "savers", be it a space saver or a life saver.

Our biggest travel hack is that we only ever travel with carry-ons.  Unless, of course, we are bringing beer to a FinCon beer tasting event, in which we will gladly check a bag.  Whether it's a one week trip to Iceland or 6 weeks in Europe, we limit our luggage to a wheeled bag and a backpack.  Because of this, space is limited.

Waiting for the train in Cinque Terre, Italy

Everything that we pack, must serve a significant purpose or it is voted off the packing list island.

In this article, I will lay out a few ideas that we use to help cut down on space, a few items that are downright must-haves while out on the road, and a few other considerations before you travel.

 

Getting By the Liquids Rule

First off, I wanted to mention the liquid restrictions, since that is one of the most limiting factors when using a carry-on.  According to TSA, you are allowed one quart sized bag, with travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces or less.

For most men, this probably isn't an issue and I've never heard Mr. Wow complain about this.  His toiletry bag is extremely minimal, including toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant and a bar of soap.  The last two don't even really need to be in this bag, but he likes to keep all of his bathroom items in one place.  Space for him is no big deal.  I guess that is one of the perks of not having hair on your head; there is no need for shampoo, conditioner, or hairspray/ gel.

But I, like many other women (and maybe some men), have more liquid items to bring along. I've spent many a days trying to squeeze everything into the allowed ziplock bag, only to have the seal break during my travels.  It's definitely not fun to open your bag to find that something has leaked all over.

So in effort to cut down on my liquids, I have sought out powder and solid bar solutions for as many items as I can.  Now when I travel, I use a shampoo bar, powder face wash, and a bar of soap.  I also typically travel with a small amount of laundry detergent, especially when traveling out of the country, just in case I ever need to wash something in a pinch. I used to bring the liquid detergent travel packs, but switched to using powder detergent, thus saving space in my liquids bag. I also try to write "laundry detergent" in the native language in case security questions what it is (ya know an unmarked white powder may look suspicious).

Nowadays, I only have a handful of actual liquids that I bring with me including face lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, and hair spray (I'll throw in bug spray and sunscreen, if necessary).  Oh and I also place the bag right on top so it is easily accessible to remove from my bag when going through security.

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Big Problem

Next on the list is clothing and shoes.  Being smart with these items is extremely important.  And in this case, size does matter.

This is especially important when traveling to colder climates that require thicker and bigger clothing.  We still only traveled with a carry-on during our one week trip to Iceland in November. Talk about mad packing skills!

Just a wee bit of snow

When it comes to shoes, I limit to 2 pairs.  Usually its a pair of running shoes and either chucks or flats.  I'll wear the biggest pair on the plane and then only have to pack the smaller pair. I typically throw in a pair of sandals too, which slip nicely into the hidden back pocket of my bag.

Where I hide my sandals

Enjoying a tuk-tuk ride and modeling our travel footwear while in Phnom Phen, Cambodia

I always travel with a light weight jacket (this is a newer version that the one I have, but its pretty close) and it has been a great purchase.  It is light enough to be worn by itself or layered up with a hoodie or long sleeved shirt underneath when in colder weather.  I especially like that it has zippered pockets so I can throw in my phone and some money and not have to take a bag with me all the time.

Layered jacket and hoodie keeping me warm while hanging my feet over the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

For clothes, I limit to a few pairs of pants, tops, a hoodie, and a set of work out clothes.  I make every effort to pack clothes that can be mixed and matched with everything that I bring.  And despite only having a few items, I can easily create multiple outfits.  Typically, most items are simple, solid colors so you can't tell that I am wearing the same shirt or pants all the time.  I also tend to wear the same things when I travel so packing is relatively easy.  Any one else have a go-to travel outfit?

Scott Rieckens from Playing With Fire: The Documentary mentioned in a voicemail on the ChooseFI podcast how he actually has a designated bag that is always packed and ready to go for whenever he travels.  I can't say that I am at his level yet, but I'm slowly coming up with items that simply remain in my travel bag for easier packing.

He also mentioned how he uses packing cubes.  I've heard of other people using these, but I can not speak from experience.  I prefer to roll my clothing, as I feel that it creates more space and actually cuts down on wrinkles too.

 

I've got the power

One of the most important pieces of equipment that we always travel with is a surge protector and a multi-faceted plug adapter.

The real power couple

It has been a life saver for us when having to charge 2 sets of computers, phones, go pros, etc. all at the same time. The adapter is great because you only need one, everything else plugs straight into the surge protector.

These items have also been huge when traveling with other people.  When I was on my medical missions in Peru and Honduras, I roomed with a bunch of girls and we, unfortunately, only had one plug.  Needless to say, I was everyone's best friend since we could charge all the devices at the same time.

 

The "Just In Case" Items

I also have a few items, even though the minimalists would disapprove, that I always bring when I travel  just in case. These include:

• a small first aid kit including bandaids, q-tips, Neosporin, alcohol swab, floss, eye drops, hand sanitizer, probiotics, sleeping pills, Advil, and Ciprofloxacin (specifically when traveling abroad)


• an umbrella and a poncho (been caught in the pouring rain one too many times)


• a water bottle (to cut down on waste and costs.  I use a Hydroflask that keeps water cold all day)


• 2 quick dry towels (one big one that can double as a blanket and a small one that I've used as a bandana to protect my face from wind or dust)


• earplugs and an eye mask (specifically for the plane, as well as bright or noisy hotels/ hostels/ airbnbs


• gatorade powder (easily mixed with water when going to an extremely hot place)

 

Other Things to Consider Before a Trip

I also wanted to mention a few other things that I always do before any trip, especially when going out of the country.

I never take my entire wallet.  I typically bring a small coin purse, just big enough to fit some cash, ID, ATM card, and a credit card.  When traveling to countries that tend to only take cash, I will usually bring a couple of coin purses and split the cash between them.  That way I do not have all my cash in one place and do not have to carry it all with me all the time.  Luckily, my luggage has a few hidden pockets which makes hiding the extra pouches easy.

I've found the gift card pouches from Lululemon work great for travel coin and card purses

Also before departing, I make sure to make copies of all the cards I take, as well as my ID and/or passport and then email them to myself.  That way, in case I lose one or it gets stolen, I have a picture of it.

I also back-up my phone and export all of the photos onto my external hard drive.  Again, just in case anything happens to my phone or computer.

 

Bon Voyage 

I think that's about it for our travel hacks and hope you find some of these helpful as you embark on your adventures.  I'm also curious to hear your strategies and hacks so definitely hit me up in the comments if you have any other ideas.

One of my favorite views

Did I miss anything?  Do you have anything that you can't leave home without?