So, this post is about “taking inventory” and figuring out what BASICS one needs to pack for your globetrotter-trip! The basics are non-negotiable, folks, so don’t try to wiggle out of it, lol! I won’t discuss clothing specifics or alternative shoe options here because maximizing fashionable-ness with comfort is a complex topic that requires a separate dedicated post. For now, let’s talk about the basic (and required) gear you’re going to need. This is especially for you ladies out there, but men will benefit from this too! 😉

Please note: I discuss how much I paid or am paying for the items below. I’ve noticed that things have increased in price by about $10.00 for many items I purchased two years ago. Just be aware that these are ballpark estimates, and make sure you account for these in your budget!

1. Travel Laundry Kit

So I didn’t understand that this was a HUGE necessity until I got to Europe and realized that laundromats weren’t really a “thing” there! Talk about culture shock! I urge you to take along a travel laundry kit. A really great one is available on Amazon.com and you can buy it through the Amazon Store here right on this site! It’s called the Walkabout Travel Gear Wash Kit, and comes fully equipped with a waterproof pouch, a universal sink plug, concentrated (20 washes) biodegradable laundry detergent, a bristle brush to scrub the hard stains, and a laundry line that uses suction cups to stay up (or it can be tied to supports). Check it out, and never have a dirty smelly sock on the road again! 🙂 MY COST: $15.00

2. Travel-Sized Toiletries

These are delightful, as they provide just enough of what you’d need for a 6-week trip without being too expensive and the liquid part is always difficult when travelling, one recommendation is to have your beverages labeled with customwater.com. Now Depending on your personal hygiene preferences, you might want to stock up on the following (one of each!): shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, a travel-sized toothbrush, body powder, contact lens fluid, mouthwash, nailpolish / nail clipper / nail file (for you glam-packing travel divas out there), and related haircare accessories. You can get your toiletries at the local Walgreens! They are especially cheap around this time of year when people are planning for their summer trips! 🙂

LADIES: For you ladies out there who need your ” get pretty” stuff (like I do), just a mini warning to you to not take too much make up! Pack one kind of foundation, one eye-lining pencil, one mascara, etc. Take only those little things that will fit in your toiletry bag or daypack! I’m not a huge make up girl; I’m okay with just a sassy lip gloss and eyelash curler, but for you ladies who need to glam it up, I’d say pick a “Necessary Three” (lipstick, curler, foundation OR blush, mascara, lipgloss, etc). Have fun with it; it’s YOUR trip! MY COST: $15.00 (maximum)

3. Swiss Army Knife

Always be prepared. You never know when you have to jimmy a lock- er- I mean, open a can of soup. Lol! No, but seriously, you’ll need this on your trip for a myriad of things: opening bottles of wine in Paris, cutting off a fresh olive from a tree in Florence, and for screwing your bed back together after whatever it is you were doing in it, you naughty traveler! I jest, of course. But the fact is that the Swiss Army Knife is extremely useful, especially if you’re going hiking! It doesn’t have to be too expensive, just useful for your travels on the road! I paid about 40 bucks for mine, but there are some that start as low as 12.00! 🙂 The one featured in this picture is the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife available through my up and coming Amazon store! MY COST: 40.00

4. Travel Converter & Adapter

Whether you’re going from the USA to Lisbon, Portugal or from Thailand to Namibia, you will need one of these. A travel converter & adapter will literally convert the voltage from the electrical standard of the country that you’re visiting into a form that can be used by your appliances. You will not be able to charge ANY electronic gizmo you bring with you (phone, tablet, or otherwise), if you do not have a travel converter. I got mine at my local Walgreens, but you can get yours wherever you like. They range from 15 dollars to 60 dollars, but I paid a solid 30.00 for mine (to ensure that it was a quality adapter)! Get yours today and keep yourself out of a perpetual traveler’s Stone Age! 🙂 MY COST: $30.00

5. Travel Lock!

For those of you doing a lot of hostel-hopping, especially wherein you’re sharing a room, you’ll want one of these. Many hostels have cabinets and under-bed cages where you can store your backpack and belongings, but they will not provide the locks themselves. So bring one! They’re light, easy to store in your pack, sturdy, and easy (for you and you only) to open. Make sure you get a travel lock, though, like in the picture, and NOT a regular, school-sized combination lock. The bar on most combination locks are too fat and wide to fit the cages in most hostels. Look for a lock about the size of the one in this pic! 🙂 MY COST: $15.00

So this is it for the basics, but stay tuned as our packing list becomes more comprehensive. You will need more things, but we’ll take it one week at a time! Toodles, and as always keep it indie!

Dolls set the trend!
<3 Colby