Travel Room Wasters

Disclaimer: This post is intended for budget/coach travelers and not those who can afford to travel business/first class, stay at fancy hotels with porters, rent cars with drivers instead of take public transportation.

I have been reading a lot of travel blog posts recently in preparation for an upcoming trip. I came across the term room wasters in one of the blog posts I read (sorry, I can't remember which one), and thought to myself how many room wasters I have brought with me on my trips, whether domestic or international. 

I have come up with a list to help you avoid filling your bag with these room wasters to make packing a more enjoyable activity, and to make your suitcase a lot lighter. 

When traveling, keep in mind that you will have to forego some of the luxuries you enjoy at home. You have to be able to live a simpler life. Realistically, you won't have space for countless outfits anyway. Remember, bring pieces of clothing that will work overtime for you - which means you should be able to wear them more than once and should be able to pair them with other pieces. Anyway, let's begin. 

1. Statement tops and bottoms

I know you want your Instagram followers to see you in that super chic top you bought at the neighborhood vintage store. However, a statement top doesn't really blend in, it stands out. Meaning, if you don't want to seem like you're always wearing the same top, you should opt for a more basic, classic cut. Believe you me, you will hate yourself if you bring clothes that you can only wear once. 

2. Stilettos/boots, etc.

You're dying to wear those sexy stilettos together with that LBD that accentuates every curve. However, you're forgetting that when you travel, you're going to be doing a LOT of walking, and not all streets are paved. What if you end up in a desert? Stilettos and sand or cobblestones don't go together. I would also suggest you leave the boots at home, especially if you're thinking about bringing a pair of dressy, pointed ones. Like what I said earlier, make your clothes and shoes work overtime. Boots take up so much space that it would be a waste to bring them if you don't intend to use them all the time. 

3. Hairdryer, hair and curling irons

Unless extremely necessary, like if you're attending a wedding, an awards ceremony, or any event that requires dressing up, leave these hair paraphernalia at home. They are such space wasters and are quite heavy as well. Chances are, you'll always be in a hurry to leave your hotel room/apartment anyway, that you wouldn't even have time to use these. One tip: make sure you sport a low-maintenance haircut before you go on that trip. It will save you a lot of time. 

4. Excessive makeup, skincare, and hair products

Channel your inner low maintenance girl. If she's not in there, channel even harder. Just bring smaller versions of the essentials. There's really no need for all of those makeup products. A lipstick, cheek tint, powder, eye liner and mascara will take you from day to night. Besides, when you travel, especially in the summer, the lighter the makeup the better. You wouldn't want to sweat your foundation now, would you?

5. Heavy coats/leather jackets

Unless it's winter or your attending a Harley Davidson convention, leave the heavy coats and leather jackets at home. My rule is -0 to 15°C thick coat 16°C to 22°C trench coat. 23°C and up, you can just use a cardigan or a light jacket. Of course this really depends on your cold tolerance.

6. Unnecessary gadgets

Again, unless it's really needed for the trip, I suggest you leave unnecessary gadgets at home. Not only are they space wasters, they are also extremely heavy. If you feel like, at any point on your trip, you will need to write emails, etc., then perhaps a portable blue tooth keyboard is what you need. I bought one in Japan, and I use it to write articles, etc., with just my phone and a Microsoft Word app.

If you love photography, you can take wonderful photos using a wide range of point-and-shoot cameras, or even just your mobile phone. Photos I took with my Samsung Galaxy S4 and Note 5 were good enough for a glossy business magazine to publish. 

7. Paperbacks

I know, I know, some of you think it's a crime to read e-books, but believe me, you'd be glad you have a few saved on your phone instead of actual books weighing down your backpack. And if you're a fast reader, you can read as many books as you want during your trip. Although, would you rather read a book than explore a new place you've never been? What's the point of taking the trip then?

8. Multiple handbags

I know that a lot of women have bags for different occasions and outfits. However, one clear sign of a travel neophyte is having multiple bags when you travel just so you'll be photographed wearing them (wearing? using?). Maybe we can compromise. Bring two - a tote (or backpack) and a sling bag that can go from day to night. Chances are, you won't be needing that beaded or sequined clutch. Again, make your clothes, shoes, and accessories work overtime. 

 All it takes is a little discipline and a lot less self-love. If you follow my tips, you will never ever bring room wasters again.

Packing Light Toiletry Edition

If you read my previous post, you know by now that I could never really live out of a carry-on suitcase when I travel for more than a week, not because I consider myself a fashionista, but because I need space for souvenirs and pasalubong (if I feel like buying). 

However, if there is one thing I learned from being a budget traveler all these years, is that you save weight on the things you can. One aspect of travel on which you can save weight is your toiletry bag. 

If you're particular about the products you use on your skin, chances are you bring a toiletry kit filled with your own shampoo, conditioner, and various skincare products. I don't advice against this, because I also do it myself but for other reasons. While I don't have sensitive skin, I do have a sensitive wallet. 

Most of the time, I stay in apartments not hotels. Unless specified, chances are toiletries are not provided by the hosts. So in order to save a few bucks, I bring my own toiletries. But, I never bring full-sized tubes and bottles. That's why I always bring home travel-sized soaps and shampoos you find in hotel rooms. I also buy refillable travel containers for my facial and body lotion.

So don't look like a travel neophyte by bringing full-sized toothpaste tubes, lotion, and shampoo. Always remember, the lighter your bag, the more stuff you can buy. 

How to Travel Light - No Seriously, How Do You Do It?

I have been toying with the idea of bringing just a carry-on suitcase on a 21-day trip this July. I know, I know, it's still a ways away, but I am already dreading the thought of lugging around a full-sized suitcase along cobblestone streets, and hauling it up and down the stairs. 

Many people have written about how it is possible to live out of a carry-on suitcase for three weeks, a month even. I read a lot of these blog posts and every single one of them shows a picture of an overstuffed backpack or small suitcase, with no room to spare if you want to do a little shopping. Also, do these people not know that the same number of clothes take up more space once worn? It's like you can never fold them the same way. Ever. 

So, what gives? Do these people not shop at all? Do they discard pieces of clothing before they go back to their respective countries? 

I once traveled to Singapore with a couple of friends from college. One of them brought extremely old clothes to be discarded on the last day. But old clothes that you're ready to give away? I would like to look good in my photos. 

I guess bringing just a carry-on suitcase is a bit too extreme for me. Even if I know I will never have the money to do a lot of shopping, I will still need extra room for a few souvenirs here and there. So for now, I have decided to bring a medium-sized suitcase - big enough for all my clothes and with room to spare for souvenirs. By the souvenirs I mean food.