Amazing Travel Gear You Already Have

Decades ago, we opened a little restaurant in the midwest. With limited funds, I found a space that had previously been an Italian restaurant then went to work on a menu. Every item on the menu had to be produced by the existing kitchen equipment that came with the building. There were simply no funds to buy more. Looking back on that venture brought a lesson to take forward that has served me well. Existing resources often have multiple uses. Let me explain.

Flickr photo – Pictures of money

You Might Already Have Travel insurance

Count on your travel agent recommending it. That may be due to first hand knowledge of your health or the health of your loved ones. That might also be due to the high commissions (up to 33% of the price) earned on third-party insurance sources they sell, like Travelguard.

But even those who skip buying travel protection may already have travel insurance and not know it. The way to find out: Call the number on the back of the credit card you plan on using to pay for your travel. Ask this specific question: “If I buy travel with your card, do you include travel insurance through you?” If the answer is yes and the coverage is adequate for your needs, you’re done. No sense paying for something you may already have.

Packing Tips You Already Know. You Just Don’t Know It

This one comes from an ongoing effort to pack as little luggage as possible to travel with carry on luggage only. Duct Tape has been on packing lists of savvy cruise travelers for decades. Still, how much duct tape do we really need? A couple strips to quickly fix something broken?

Save the space by applying a few strips of duct tape to something else, like the inside of your luggage.

Odd Travel Gear You Probably Don’t Need

Let’s begin with the manufacturer’s description of the product:

Nothing is worse than walking around an airport all day in heels and then having to go out to a business dinner.

Indeed, happens all the time in one way or another.

Maybe it’s changing from comfy flying shoes to destination-specific footwear.

This cool new consumer find is the perfect solution for that moment when you have to put your back up shoes on.

To begin, My Shoe Bae can attach to any high heel shoe securely to your handbag, briefcase or clothing. This way you keep those uncomfortable heels with you and are clear to operate hands-free. 

See? No need.

Beauty Summer Travel Brands

Aniise Pro Matte Lip Stains

Looking for the perfect lip stain for your travels this summer? The Aniise Pro Matte Lip Stains are perfect for you! They glide on effortlessly and keep your lips soft and hydrated. Did we mention they’re kiss proof? With a variety of colors to choose from, you’ll find just the right match for your color and tone making it easy for the girl on the go!

Elyptol

For the germ-free travelers with or without kids, Elyptol hand wipes and sanitizing spray is perfect. Elyptol contains the healing properties of eucalyptus oil combined with naturally sourced pure ethanol to bring you a healthy and eco-friendly way to properly sanitize your skin. These innovative products kill germs and moisturize your hands all in one!

Ella+mila

Don’t leave this slim palette behind! Composed of eyeshadows, blush, and highlight this palette has everything you need to complete any look while including good-for-you ingredients! Like all ella+mila products, these palettes are vegan, cruelty-free, PETA certified, do not contain harmful chemicals, and are available in four different goddess shades!

NUEST Cosmetics

When packing: space is money! Chic2Cheek 3 Tiered Compact — Luscious Lip & Cheek Dual Palettes the all-in-one must-have! Their 3 layered compact is small, convenient (and did I mention adorable) perfect for someone on the go. For quick  touch ups throughout the day anywhere. Level one features our signature applicator pad. Level two helps keep you looking fresh and lively with our matching cheek & lip colors. Level three contains an interchangeable, replaceable cushion foundation.

MooGoo

Travel sizes of all of your favorite MooGoo products! Think shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser and moisturizer. These must haves are perfect for carry-on luggage for when you’re on the MOOve! MooGoo is an Australian company with a wide range of natural and gentle products that are made with effective ingredients and no gimmicks. All MooGoo’s products are designed to keep the skin or scalp moist, supple and using high quality, natural ingredients.

The Organic Skin Co

The Organic Skin Co’s palettes are the ultimate sustainable makeup stations. Available in 4 or 8 pod configurations, they’re refillable and interchangeable. With a selection of all natural cheek and lip creams, cream eye shadows, concealers, and luminizers to choose from, settling on just a few essential shades may prove difficult!

nyl Skincare

Dry itchy sunburns while on the move? Soothe your skin with nyl Skincares Rosewater cleanser! The market is flooded with products containing questionable, even harmful ingredients. Nyl Skincare is 100% organic, cruelty-free and vegan ingredients. Leave your face feeling dewy, moisturized, and firm, delivered the natural way!

KINDri

Discover the LA-based brand that’s the go-to for Charlize Theron and find the caring she does in KINDri’s mantra which is to not only be kind to your skin but the earth as well. Ingredients like organic prickly pear cactus seed oil have multiple anti-aging properties that stimulate collagen and hydrate and plump skin. Experience this cruelty-free brand’s collection of oils, creams, mists and cleansers for skin that thrives from a holistic, desert approach.

Keep It Clean

Whether jumping on a cruise ship, plane, train, bus, or in a car, you’ll want to make sure your devices are nearby, but one thing you don’t want traveling with you are germs. HÄNS Swipe has created a unique solution to ensure that your germ killing cleaner can be easily packed away and never leave your side.  

Swipe. Flip. Swipe. Done. HÄNS Swipe is a portable electronic cleaner that boasts epically easy cleaning and lasts hundreds of swipes before needing to be refilled. Each device has a cleaning and polishing side. First clean your device with HÄNS all tech cleaning solution, eliminating the germs that have gathered on your devices including laptops, phones, iPad’s, and anything else that you can swipe. Then flip to the polishing side for a clean shiny finish. The removable and rewrap-able cloth is safe for all screen types. 

Not only does the device eliminate germs, sickness, and viruses from traveling with you, it is also a greener option. In the past 5 years alone HÄNS has saved 4.5 million single use wipes from being thrown into the trash. So what are you waiting for? Ready. Set. Swipe.HÄNS Swipe retails for $14.95 and is available for purchase in black for a limited time. To see their line or purchase your device today visit https://hans-swipe.com/.

Perfect Coffee, Anywhere

With the arrival of long, sunny days and warm summer weather, travel season is officially in full swing. In preparing to travel, there’s no need to sacrifice the comforts of home. Not with these easy-to-pack essentials from Melitta anyway.

  • Compromising great coffee for an adventure is a thing of the past. This durable, shatter-resistant Pour-Overis great for the coffee lover on the go. Made out of Tritan™ material, this design allows for gourmet coffee in just minutes, whether from a hotel room or the top of a mountain. $14.99
  • Lightweight and easy-to-use, no packing list is complete without the Pour-Over Travel Mug – it makes a great tasting cup of coffee in just two easy steps. Simply place a Melitta filter with coffee in the cone brewer, as it rests atop the travel mug, and pour hot water over the grounds in a swirling motion. Easy-to-clean, too – it’s a camper’s delight! MSRP: $9.99
HÄNS Photo:
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