I Travel Full-Time. These 7 Things Under $25 Are Always in My Bag. - Travel Like Anna

Saving money on travel full time these does not need to be complicated. Here is a clear, no nonsense rundown of what works and how to make the most of it.

Key Takeaways

• Since I normally spend six straight months of the year abroad, I’ve become a pro at packing useful items that make my travels easier.
• Recently, I was in Southeast Asia and from August 2024 until March 2025.
• JapanAdd these seven inexpensive items to your travel packing list.
• They’ve made my travels much smoother.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Worth noting: the best part is that all these items are all lightweight and less than $25. are used in this post. If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which goes toward blog maintenance costs.

• I appreciate your support!
• UV Protection Umbrella Since I spend most of the year in hot climates and the blazing sun, my absolute must-have item on my travel packing list in Southeast Asia is a lightweight SPF umbrella.
• More importantly, it makes a massive difference and covers much more of my upper body than a hat.

A Closer Look at Travel Full Time These

Plus, it keeps my head from getting all sweaty in a hat. I apply this each day walking down the street no matter where I am.

• Plus, it doubles as a normal umbrella in rain.
• Remember that my favorite one is a lightweight one from Daiso(the Japanese dollar store), but I also love this that comes in various colors.
• I pack the latter for more rainy climates. sturdier Uniqlo oneZip Mesh Laundry Bags I lived out of a 28-liter backpack when I hiked the Kumano Kodo and used mesh laundry bags as my packing cubes.  In September, I trekked Japan’s Kumano Kodo hiking route for four days with only a 28-liter Osprey Skimmer backpack.

What to Know About Travel Full Time These

I used zippered delicate mesh laundry bagsas packing cubesto sort my clothing and dirty laundry. They are transparent and lighter than traditional packing cubes. (I also apply them for short overnight trips like when I went to see , the famous baby hippo.) Originally, I started traveling with the bags to prolong the life of my sports bras and workout clothing.

• As a rule, i typically travel with about four bags, a larger 15-inch by 15-inch bag and smaller eight-inch by 12-inch bags. (I like the ones from Moo DengDaiso(the Japanese dollar store), but you can .) purchase these anywherePlastic Poncho On a work trip to Vietnam in January, I faced a week of cool, rainy weather.
• While visiting the Hue Historic Citadel, it was windy and pouring rain, so I busted out my trusty pink plastic poncho that has lived in my backpack for five years.
• I put it on top of my raincoat and over my backpack to keep my camera safe.

How Travel Full Time These Really Works

Plus, it added another layer of warmthin the cool 50-degree weather. In short, while raincoats and backpack rain covers are excellent, they will eventually soak through unless they are rubber.

• Not only does the poncho keep my camera gear safe, but it also keeps my backpack from being soaked.
• It takes much less time for my plastic poncho to dry than a drenched raincoat and backpack.
• After my poncho is dry, I simply fold it back up again and put it back in my backpack.

Getting the Most From Travel Full Time These

Worth noting: people make fun of me all the time for it, but I’m happy, warm and dry. I opt for ones with proper sleeves with no snaps or buttons.

• A small bottle of Dawn Dish Detergent After doing laundry in Chiang Mai, (where I live in the winter), I noticed several of my tanks had white rings or smears on them left by my mineral sunscreen, which were not removed by the washing machine.
• This was a constant issue in my travels since I prefer mineral sunscreen (zinc and titanium dioxide), so I started packing a tiny bottle of Dawn dish detergent since it’s excellent at removing grease and other stains.
• More importantly, i simply squirt a bit on the spot and handwash it off.

Tips That Make a Difference

Before each trip abroad, I refill a tiny 1.2-ounce hand sanitizer bottle with the Thailand. It removes grease, sticky residue and other stains from clothing.

• While they were charging, I switched over to my backup set of wired headphones since nothing is more miserable than not having headphones. (Let’s be clear, it’s flat-out rude to be watching anything on speakerphone or without headphones in a confined public space.) This has also been handy in similar situations at the gym.
• Remember that i literally keep an old-school wired set of headphones in a cloth sunglass bag with my AirPods. (Also, I just upgraded to the latest AirPods Pro with the USB-C charging, which is a game changer not having to carry near a lightning cable anymore.) Lightweight Carabiner This small Nite Ize S-biner is a helpful aspect to keep in your pack.
• Photo courtesy of REI.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When I hiked the Kumano Kodo that I mentioned above, the hiking poles I’d borrowed from a friend kept falling out of the side pouch of my pack, so I used this trusty carabiner attached to the zippers to hold them in place so they wouldn’t fall out. The beauty of AirTags is that you can track your luggage and be alerted of problems in advance.I’ve been applying them for years, but they didn’t come in handy until 2023 when my luggage got lost three times.

• As a rule, i was even able to track my lost bags being delivered to my hotel thanks to the AirTags, which uses nearby Bluetooth to pinpoint their location.
• When my luggage is lost, I know instantly so I can save time by going straight to the lost luggage counter to begin the process.
• I also apply them on buses since I have this ridiculous fear that someone is going to run off with my luggage at one of the stops.

Is Travel Full Time These Worth It?

I literally had TWO of my AirTag batteries die a month apart in Chiang Mai this winter. In short, they aren’t straightforward to find in numerous places surprisingly, especially in Vietnam! (AirTags are typically $29.99 but frequently they are $24.99 on Amazon.) Two other aspects that I find to be highly helpful are a wine tool for opening wine bottles or cap-style bottles.

The knife on the tool is also solid for cutting labels. I consistently keep a, it comes in handy for labeling aspects or writing my name on luggage tags. in my camera bagblack Sharpie marker guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on travel full time these?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which goes toward blog maintenance costs.

Is it worth shopping around for travel full time these?

Usually yes. I appreciate your support!.

Smart Ways to Save More on Travel Full Time These

• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line on travel full time these: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.