Back in September Rick did a post playing a game “What’s in My Wallet?” For me, I’m also constantly thinking “What’s in My Suitcase?” I need to live out of my suitcase. Six flights, three time zones, and my time split between home, Austin, and the San Francisco Bay area this week really speak to that.
No matter where I am, I need to feel as close to how I feel at home as possible. Well, here’s what’s in my bag. You’ll learn a lot (perhaps too much about me) by what’s in my bag. First off, a picture of my bag:
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| Howie’s Rollaboard |
A nothing-fancy American Tourister. The tags by anyone’s classification are a bit obnoxious. Whatever, they represent me on the road: a busted Delta Diamond Medallion Charter Member tag from 2010, my 2011 Diamond Medallion bag tag, ITA Software, Flyertalk.com, and Savannah Hilton Head bag tag (get yours for free with a foursquare check-in at SAV). This bag is always wheels out so the handle and all the dangles don’t get in the way when closing an overhead bin. My favorite part of this bag is the built-in hanger clip (clothes tri-fold), which keeps the clothes from getting wrinkled and, so far, no creases — somehow.
Other than my clothes, I travel with a gigantic L.L. Bean toiletry bag (along with a quart-size, zip-top, TSA friendly bag). Sara got it for me a while back, and it really does allow me to feel as if I’m at home. Ready for a list of it all?
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| Bag + L.L. Bean + My Golden Retriever (Austin) |
- Six (more or less) laundry bags – neatly folded and stuffed into the external pocket on the L.L. Bean bag. I always grab these from the hotel room for dirty clothes, shoes, or if I just need a bag for something.
- Target Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes – I get these in travel-size 10 packs for $.99. Sara and I each use these every night; a quick and easy way to clean your face.
- Target Antibacterial wipes – I sometimes get mocked for these. I’m not a germaphobe, but one of these gets used to wipe down the TV remote and handles throughout the room.
- Johnson and Johnson Mini First Aid Kit – The essentials, and it is only a buck.
- Delta “Refresh Yourself” Towelettes – These are typically given out on International flights and usually a small stockpile are left in the bathrooms. I keep a small stock of these to wipe / wash my hands if soap / water aren’t accessible. I’m not a fan of antibacterial / alcohol gel. Individually wrapped towelettes win for me.
- Deodorant – Solid. Nothing fancy, does the job, and doesn’t need to be in my quart-size bag.
- Gillette Fusion Power ProGlide Razor + extra cartridges – The L.L. Bean bag has a great place to hold the razor and extra cartridges. I keep the required AAA battery out of the razor so it doesn’t accidentally turn on.
- Philips Sonicare Toothbrush – Last year I purchased this after Sara had had one for four years. One of the better purchases I’ve made. The battery holds a charge for more than two weeks. I never have to pack them — just the body and brush head.
- Floss and Flossers – I don’t want my dentist yelling at me for not flossing. Be good and floss
- Tweezers and nail clippers – TMI? I’m pretty sure you’ve got these in a drawer in your bathroom. It’s good to have ‘em on the road., too.
- Q-tips – Must have,
- Travel size bottles of medicine – Tylenol, Tylenol PM, and Excedrin.
- Airborne tablets – I don’t know if these things really work or not, but I’ll take a placebo effect any day if they don’t.
- Vitamins for the week – Daily Multivitamin, Vitamin C (when needed), Flax and Fish oil.
- Quart-size TSA friendly bag – Shampoo, mouthwash, moisturizer, shaving cream, hair goop, and face scrub.
Something I should remove to help clear out the excess? Keep in mind, space-wise I’ve happily done eight days with this bag (and all the toiletries). Got a recommendation for something else I should add? Let’s all learn from one another.
