I’m a world traveler and these are my packing essentials, starting at just $3

One of the least predictable things about traveling is sleep quality. Will you have noisy neighbors? Construction? While in Bali I had a rude awakening – I was literally woken up by the sound of roosters every morning at dawn. Lesson learned: I now never travel without foam earmuffs again. If you don’t like headphones or can’t sleep with yours on, just invest in these: you’ll thank me later.

Not everyone considers an HDMI adapter essential, but I do – and here’s why. Many hotels and vacation homes offer smart TVs, but this means you need to log into your own Netflix, Hulu, and other accounts. And then you forget to get out, which is a safety risk. This adapter connects your iPhone, Android, Macbook, Chromebook or a host of other devices to any flat screen TV with its HDMI cable connected and mirrors whatever is on the screen. I don’t travel anywhere without mine.

Sometimes after a long flight my ankles would be swollen for a few days. Edema, or swelling in the feet and ankles, is a common side effect of air travel and occurs when you sit in one place for too long, causing fluid to build up in your extremities. It’s not very dangerous, but it is quite uncomfortable and ugly. So now I wear compression socks on most flights and I prefer these because they come in black, white and gray – but they also come in fun colors and patterns if you prefer!

I thank myself all the time for buying a Turkish towel years ago. It’s durable, highly absorbent, ultra-thin and takes up almost the same luggage space as pants. I bought mine in Croatia and it’s been my constant companion around the world, enduring countless beach days, trips, and machine washes. It also doubles as a travel blanket.

I like to spend as much time as possible in coastal cities and practically live on these slides. They’re more affordable than Birkenstocks, but just as comfortable (they’re heaven, actually), and they’ve never given me blisters or pain of any kind. It’s very telling that these slippers have over 41,000 five-star reviews.

Here’s another great way to keep your skin – and your entire body – hydrated while you travel: Drink water! New idea, huh? It’s even more important if you’re going to be hiking a lot, visiting ancient ruins, or doing anything that puts you under the blazing sun all day. This high-quality water bottle makes everything easier: it has a strap that lets you clip it to a bag or belt and carry it hands-free.

A portable charger, or power bank, is an essential travel item that will save the day, so don’t leave home without it. Why? Because now that we use our smartphones primarily to take photos, get directions, and even pay for things, it’s important to always have that phone charged when you’re out sightseeing, on a boat trip, on a long hike—there are a million scenarios in which your phone can die. I would be stuck without this gadget. Anker is one of the top names in portable technology, and this particular charger is a hit with over 54,000 perfect ratings.

I hate to admit it, but there were times when I was out and about without time to wash my dirty clothes, so I had all my clean clothes in my suitcase! Maybe you’ve experienced the same conundrum with sweaty workout clothes. The solution is a travel laundry bag like this one. This creates a shield between my dirty and clean clothes. When you get home, you can throw everything – bag and all – straight into the washing machine! It’s so convenient.

Just like you have certain things in your closet that are your favorite pieces, I have certain things in my luggage. And, if you have a tropical getaway on your itinerary, one thing you’ll be thankful you packed is this button-down blouse with sleeves you can roll up or down. It’s perfect to wear over a tank top and light enough to throw in your bag when it gets warm. I tuck mine into my jeans for a walk around town and throw them over my swimsuit on a day at the beach. Pro tip: Buy one that’s machine washable and doesn’t wrinkle easily.

Here’s a trick to make any hotel room or Airbnb feel like home: Bring a Bluetooth speaker to fill the space with your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks. My constant companion is this JBL one. It’s so light that I often forget I’m carrying it. I also take it to the pool or for walks on the beach, because it is waterproof until full immersion. Amazon customers have given this red beauty more than 45,000 five-star reviews.

Neck pillows cost a lot, and yes, they make traveling much more comfortable. But I also get back pain when traveling, so sometimes I need pillows in other places. This is one of my favorite Amazon travel finds and it comes with its own travel case. It is flexible so you can adapt it to your shape and different sleeping and sitting positions. The cover even comes off and can go straight to the washing machine.

I never push fear-based travel advice, but pickpocketing and card theft are real problems, so take safety precautions and enjoy your trip with a clear head. This bag transforms into a crossbody, which keeps your things close and in front where you can see them, and RFID technology protects all the cards in your wallet. It also has lots of useful compartments, so you don’t have to dig into a bottomless pit to find your keys, wallet, phone and all your little accessories.

Low humidity on planes is notorious for drying out your skin, and then there’s the elements, jet lag, and forgetting to hydrate on the road. They all harm the skin. I keep a small stash of skin care with me while I travel, and a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer is essential. I’m loyal to ingredients, not brands, and this moisturizer contains two of my favorites: plant-based squalane and hydration superstar hyaluronic acid.

They never leave my electronic travel bag. They have superior noise cancellation and audio abilities — I even sleep in them if I’m in a noisy neighborhood — plus they’re sweatproof and waterproof. They accompanied me on long trips by plane, train, car… and boat! A fully charged case provides 30 hours of music.

After having a few dental treatments, I knew I didn’t want any more – so a serious toothbrush was a must! Not only does this remove more plaque than a regular toothbrush, it also alerts you if you’re pressing too hard and lets you know when it’s time to replace the brush head. There are four modes to choose from and a handy travel case keeps it hygienic. It also has a slim, portable charger.

In this connected world, it makes sense to travel with luggage that also charges your phone; It’s very useful when you’re stuck at an airport gate or on a long bus ride. Flight attendants and pilots trust Travelpro luggage, and if you take a look at what they’re carrying at the airport, you’ll see this brand often. I use this 20-inch flexible carry-on – it’s more expandable than a rigid spinner, which means I can fit a lot more stuff.