Packing List Necessities & Suggestions
Copy Important Documents
Make a copy of your passport and email it to yourself, put a copy in your luggage and give a copy to a family member.

Snack and Beverages 
  • Bring almonds or other protein-packed snack. Most flights nowadays don’t offer snacks.
  • Bring a water bottle to refill and reuse. Just remember that you can’t go through security with a full water bottle.
    • Drink Mixes. The water in the drinking fountains at the airport isn’t always the best tasting. I like these “on-the-go” packets.

Keep Tabs (and tags) On Your Bag. 
  • Use a luggage tracker like LugLoc ($70) to locate your suitcase in the event that it gets lost. Also important: label your bag tag with an e-mail address, rather than a home address, so that you can be more easily contacted in transit.

Prep Your Carry-On
  • Layers are essential for chilly airplane cabins. You’ll also want a toothbrush and at least a day’s worth of prescriptions in case your luggage is delayed.
  • Go light on the clothing. 
    • Follow this formula: three tops for every bottom. You can get away with repeating pants or skirts. As for footwear, limit yourself to sneakers and two pairs of shoes—one casual and one formal.

Be Prepared for Everything Just-In-Case
  • Be prepared for emergencies (of the wardrobe variety) by bringing Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus ($6.99) and Tide to Go stain remover ($2.99 at Harmon Discount).
  • Bring a small First-Aid Kit. Keep yourself comfortable with some band-aids for small cuts or blisters, a couple Advil for headaches, and Tums for possible heartburn.
  • Mini umbrella and poncho for unexpected rain
  • Work-out clothes - don’t forget your top, shorts/pants, socks, underclothing, shoes, hair-ties, braces, etc.
  • One dollar bills, to make tipping easier.
  • Sunglasses. Cloudy weather at home doesn’t mean cloudy weather at your destination.
  • Ear plugs, if only to send the message that you’re not in the mood for small talk.
  • Reading material. Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, you never know when your flight will be delayed.
  • Reading glasses if you need them.
  • Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes.
  • Call your credit card company, give them your destination and the amount of time you will be away.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste. Complimentary from the hotel does not mean quality
Don’t forget electronic equipment and accessories. 
  • Remember your chargers and adapters (laptops, tablets, e-readers, MP3 players, cameras, phone, etc.–batteries only last so long!
  • Bring your slippers, if you’re afraid of hotel room floors.
  • Bring a small First-Aid Kit. Keep yourself comfortable with some band-aids for small cuts or blisters, a couple Advil for headaches, and Tums for possible heartburn.
  • Stock Up on Storage Bags for Small Items

This is my no means an exhaustive list, but it may save you some money and prevent stressful situations while on vacation. 
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