The Household Item Rick Steves Recommends You Bring On Vacation To Save Time And Money

Travelers tend to seek out options to reduce costs when planning their vacation budget. From flights that leave a bit earlier than you might like to getting creative with stopovers, researching open-jaw tickets, or even utilizing the practice of skiplagging, there are plenty of options at your disposal as you plan a vacation. Packing is another area that can make a big difference as you look to take control of your budget and experience while away. The items you pack for a trip can play a critical role in the way you interact with your destination. If you forget to bring a rain jacket and it pours rain the entire time you're away, you'll either end up suffering through the weather or having to find somewhere to buy a coat. Purchasing a new rain jacket in this context can feel like a waste of money since you won't need it beyond your trip, plus you can lose valuable exploration time while having to track down a coat to buy.

With that said, there's one particular area of your packing list that can deliver a significant impact. Travel expert Rick Steves is a big proponent of focusing on toiletries when finalizing the contents of your packed bag. Not only will you save money by selecting cost effective options that best suit your needs, but the time you gain by not having to shop around for replacements once you reach your destination can be priceless.

The things you need to stay clean, fresh, and ready for adventure are a non-negotiable for travelers like Rick Steves. While it's absolutely possible to find many of the same (or similar) toiletries that you rely on regularly in a new place — even if you're traveling abroad, there's an opportunity cost to consider when choosing to leave your regular products at home. While some travelers might be concerned with airline-imposed weight limits for their baggage, saving a marginal amount of space in your bag by leaving deodorant, toothpaste, and other toiletries off the packing list comes with a big trade. 

While leaving your everyday toiletries at home will give you a little more room, one of the first things on your to-do list when you arrive in your destination will be finding and buying replacements. This might not be particularly easy if you're traveling to an exotic location, and it might be significantly more expensive when visiting places like New York City or London. Plus, on a short weekend away, the last thing you'll want to be worried about is finding the right shampoo or stopping to buy sunscreen when these items could have easily been packed ahead of the trip. Forgetting that time is a valuable resource is one of the most common money mistakes that people make while traveling, but it's an easy one to correct with a simple mindset change.

Outside of bringing along your toiletries, it's a good idea to pack as light as you can. As a baseline, this practice will help your transit through airports, trains, and taxis (not to mention the task of hauling your luggage down the street) become a far less stressful and physically demanding experience. Everything about traveling, aside from the boarding process, becomes more difficult when you check a bag. You'll need to get to the airport earlier, spend more time waiting once you land, and you'll spend more money on the journey, too.

Packing light takes the weight off your shoulders, both literally and figuratively. Carrying less stuff with you keeps your hotel room from becoming cluttered, not to mention how a lighter luggage load can pay off in other ways. For example, if you're transiting through a city or country you might consider storing your baggage in train or bus station lockers. The smaller your baggage is the more likely you are to only need one, small storage space. Unless there's a genuine need to pack more equipment, clothing, or extras like gifts for loved ones, skipping this add on can save you a considerable amount of money and deliver far less hassle in your travels.