My Travel Non-Necessities

An accurate, yet unflattering, picture of my luggage. Instagrammer, I am not

When traveling, the holy grail is to reduce your amount of luggage and somehow find the perfect set of items that allow for endless outfits and cover your bases for any mini-emergencies that might pop up. 

This list is not that list. 

This list (which I admit, is completely based on my own personal preferences) is all the items that you can forgo from your luggage to make room for the travel necessities.

1. Straightener/curling iron – this especially applies to general travel and study abroad for classes only when there is no one you are trying to impress. Depending on your hair type, I could see one or the other being useful for looking professional when working abroad.
2. Hairdryer – if you are staying in a hotel, check the amenities ahead of time. They may have you covered with a hairdryer that already meets the voltage requirements.
3. Travelers checks – some cash and a credit/debit card will do just fine.
4. iPad – this item is completely a personal preference. Confession: I don’t own an iPad! Perhaps my opinion on the necessity of this item would be different if I actually had one, but right now it just seems like an extra item to charge. I may also be cheating since I own a Kindle.
5. Neck pillow – I cannot for the life of me figure out how to sleep with one of these pillows comfortably. If anyone knows the secret, please let me know! If this is one of your personal necessities, might I suggest this one? I was able to roll it up so tightly in a ball, that I -almost- didn’t regret giving up valuable carry-on real estate for it.
6. Extensive jewelry/make-up – Guys, I know you will find this one extremely difficult. Joking aside, I find that I am always over-optimistic in how much jewelry and make-up I will need when abroad. I’ve discovered I’d rather leave most of it at home than risk leaving it in a hotel room thousands of miles away. Choose wisely what you bring, and you will be just as happy!
7. A money belt – I’m never sure how a money belt is supposed to work. In theory, I understand it: keep your valuables hidden under clothes and close to your person to prevent pickpockets. However, money and passports have bulk; do money belts magically make the items decrease in volume so that they lie completely flat against my body? How do I retrieve money from the money belt without giving away its existence and location, not to mention the awkward moment when I appear to begin to remove my clothes in front of a cashier? Fellow travels, please, if you can explain this mystery please do so in the comments!

What are your travel non-necessities?