Approximately 62 percent of Americans take a vacation each year and collectively spend over $1 billion on travel.
Travel can be expensive, whether you’re staying close to home or heading abroad.
That mean it generally takes a lot of preparation and planning to ensure that you have everything you need and can keep costs to a minimum.
Still, even when your vacation is all planned out, you can run into some unexpected costs when you forget items you need or didn’t purchase and pack items you didn’t realize you would ever need for your vacation.
As you’re getting ready to get out of town this summer and enjoy some time off, it’s important to check your packing list twice and make sure you’ve got everything you know you need.
However, whether necessary to keep things running smoothly or a good idea to help you have a better time on your vacation, there are a few items that you’ll be needing that you may not have already thought of.
So, before you get in the car or get on your flight and get ready to hit the beach or the open roads, check out the list below and ensure you’ve got everything you need to make this summer’s vacation perfect.
1 – A Power Bar
Is there anything more frustrating than having to charge your phone on the other side of the room, or having to prioritize what charges or what you have plugged in?
Even the best of hotel rooms or Airbnbs can have poorly placed or not enough power outlets, so bringing a power bar or extension cord is a good idea.
It’s definitely not something you would think to pack when getting ready for vacation, but you’ll be glad you did when you want to power more than just a couple of things at once and want to access them from the comfort of the couch or your bed.
2 – A Tripod or Selfie Stick
There may not be anything that screams tourist louder than a selfie stick, but as cliché as they may seem to be now, they work and actually serve a useful purpose.
There may not always be someone around to snap a photo for you, or you may not trust anyone else to get the perfect shot the flatters all people in the photo, so packing a selfie stick or tripod will ensure that you can capture the most perfect and flattering photos throughout your whole getaway.
3 – Video Editing Software
Finding the most versatile free video editing software may not be something you prioritize when going on a trip, but believe it or not, it can make a difference.
After you’ve collected all of your photos and videos of your trip, it’s likely you plan to share them with friends and family and on social media.
While you can definitely share each photo individually and share raw video, compiling the photos into a slideshow and editing your videos so that they perfectly represent what your vacation was like will put the perfect finishing touches on your getaway and help you remember it in the best way for as long as you want to.
4 – A Jacket
If you’re planning to vacation in the summer or are going somewhere that will be warm and sunny, a jacket is probably not a priority if it’s on your packing list at all.
However, even if you’ve been checking the forecast every day and are expecting nothing but warm sunshine, it’s still a good idea to bring a jacket along. You never know if the weather will take an unexpected turn or if the nights will cool down more than you thought.
If for no other reason, you may want to bring a jacket to keep you comfortable in the terminal and on the plane or if you’re going on a car ride with a friend who runs hot—ultimately, it’s just a good idea to be prepared.
5 – Insurance Cards
If you don’t already keep your insurance cards in your wallet, you’ll want to make sure you get them there before you head out of town.
While the last thing you have on your travel list is to end up at the doctor or in the hospital due to injury or illness, it can happen; it’s best to be prepared.
If you plan to be on the road or vacation during a holiday, it’s extra important that you take your insurance cards since there’s a 34 percent higher chance of getting into an accident—95 percent if you’ll be on vacation for New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving.
6 – Extra Space
The novelty and souvenir industry generated approximately $16.75 billion in 2017, proving that people love to buy souvenirs and keepsakes when they go on vacation.
Whether you plan to or not, you could end up with a few extra items, so it’s always a good idea to leave yourself some extra space when heading off for vacation.
Having an extra bag or packing in a suitcase that’s slightly too big will ensure that you have the space you need to bring home any little reminders or trinkets you may find while vacationing at home or abroad.
7 – A Map
A map is probably the last thing you would think of when packing and prepping for vacation these days.
As unnecessary as it may seem, though, it’s always a good idea to have a map of the area with you wherever you go.
Why? Phones are equipped with GPS and can generally get you around without an issue, but in some cases, you may not be able to get a signal, or your phone may end up dead and having a map could help you avoid a sticky situation.
Well, there you have it. Those are the essentials, but I’m sure you probably have a list of other must-have items that you plan to pack for your vacation.
Have fun, stay safe and enjoy your summer vacation!