Pack These Four Travel Essentials to Save Money

You may not know what you need 'til you need it. I've had to purchase these four things while on vacation, and trust me, you'll save money if you bring them along in the first place. For things you could need a bit of but not enough to warrant the full package price, start this guide and get some packing inspiration.

• Band-Aids of All Sizes - f new pumps, sandals, or sneakers hurt your feet, this vacation emergency may have you rushing to the nearest drugstore to purchase bandages. Since you probably already have them at home and don't want to buy a pricey big pack for a weekend getaway, stash enough Band-Aids (and other first-aid essentials) to last in a small container, like an empty Altoids tin.
• Pill Packing - Stock your most used painkillers in a clean, empty contact case. Fits in your purse, and you can keep the different meds safe and separated.
• Oops, You Missed a Spot - Stain removers, like Tide to Go or Shout Wipes, can help with spot blotting, but if you need to clean a heavier stain, pack a tiny bit of powdered detergent in an extra plastic bottle (like an emptied, rinsed, and dried hotel sample size). It's a lot cheaper than buying a jug or box of detergent on vacation to use only a tiny bit to hand wash something.
• All Bagged Out - From the quart-size for carryon to small snack size portions, fold plastic bags of all sizes and place inside one gallon-sized sack. That way you can buy larger snacks and save the rest for later or divide up for family members. It's also an easy way to keep messy stuff locked in tight or even hold a wet bathing suit in a pinch.