I am not lost. To be lost, you have to know where it is you’re supposed to be and I don’t even know that.
Unkown
It is as right as rain, the sky is blue, or any other expression used to describe something that always happens no matter how much you wish otherwise.
For me, I will plan, I will pack, and I will forget something.
Sometimes it isn’t a big deal; either you make do or make without. But there are sometimes where that single item is what your whole trip is centered around.
And for those who have forgotten things, you know how much of a pain it is, especially if you have an excellent item at home waiting for you.
Because I tend to leave things behind, I have learned some tricks on working around or through the situation.
Glasses
I am a contact wearer and utterly blind without them. Except if an object is being squashed against my face. Everything else is a blurry mess.
Most of the time, I am in my contacts, but there are times, especially at night, I opt into my trusty (Old) glasses. Trust me; it is frustrating when I take my contacts out for the night to find that I forgot to bring the glasses. Either I have to put the contact lenses back on or spend the rest of the night not seeing.
You can buy glasses at your local Walgreen or pharmacy. Find out what your prescription is, walk-in, and find the closes thing to it. Does it work 100%? Not really, but it at least allows you to walk around your hotel without running into things.
Jacket
I am probably the only person who has gone snowboarding and forgotten my snowboarding Jacket. So when I arrived in Denver without my snowboarding jacket, I was angry. I live in Florida and can only hit the sloops a couple of times a year, so having to spend a couple of hundred dollars for a decent one when I have a perfect one at home is enough to make me want to pull my hair out.
I learn this trick from a friend on that trip. Hit your local Goodwill or Consignment shop.
Some people go skiing and then donate their snow gear to Goodwill. Yep, I got an almost brand new Roxy Snowboarding Jacket for $20.00. And the best part is that I don’t have to feel like I spent a fortune on something I am not going to wear until the next snowboarding trip.
Clothing
The last trick works for clothing in general. You can find a nice gently used or new item for a fraction of the cost.
People who live in that area and do the activities will generally donate their clothing after getting bored.
So if you forget it, then hit the local Goodwill.
Side hint: If you want to buy a Muumuu in Hawaii, hit the local Ross or TJ Max, you will get one for a fraction of the cost.
Sunscreen/Sun lotion
Another item I forgot when I was heading for a week in Hawaii – Sunscreen. And for a person who burns and has had sun poison, sunscreen is vital to my ability to function in the sun. I learned something when walking around Waikiki looking for sunscreen. First off, sunscreen is expensive in surf shops and two…
FREE SAMPLES – most of the little makeup and skin boutiques I visited had free samples and were more than happy enough to give me one or two to try. I discovered my favorite brand of sunscreen that way, Supergoop.
I had enough samples to last me the trip, and it didn’t cost me a dime.
This trick also works on any hair or skin product, find the nearest mall, boutique makeup shop, or Ultra and put your best warm and friendly persona on.
Sunglasses
This is another Dud moment on that trip to Hawaii. I forgot Sunglasses. Which is funny, I usually travel with more than one pair.
This trick takes a little scouting and work on your part. Find a local festival, convention, person who is giving out free stuff if you sign up for something. They always have a pair of Sunglasses that are free.
Band-aids, Aspiring, and Tylona
Little known fact, hotels, restaurants, and government facilities have to keep a very well maintained and fully stocked First Aid Kit. These kits are filled and maintained by a third party who throws in every single band-aid, gauze, tape, scissor known to man, and aspirin and Tylenol. Just bear in mind these are the generics, but if you ask someone working there, most of the time, they will give you more than what you need.
This goes for feminine hygiene products too. The ones in the bathroom cost money, but who do you think stocks them. Years of working at a government building, I have given out free pads and tampons when asked. I am a woman; I understand the emergency.
Underwear
This one is for the ladies.
Don’t laugh – I have not bought underwear since 2001. No, I am not wearing old crusty underwear – I get them for free. How. I belong to Victoria Secrets, Simone, and Fredrick’s of Hollywood loyalty rewards programs. For my birthday, anniversary, dogs’ birthday, or any time they want me into the store, they send me a gift card for a free boring, no thrills pair of undies. I have no problem walking into that store and deciding between light or dark beige. Yep, they are losing money on me.
If I am going on a trip, I will save these, so encase I forget my underwear, I stop by my local underwear supplier and pick up a free pair or three.
Sandals/Flip-flops/Shoes
I am surprised that there aren’t too many people who know this trick. Walgreen’s sells flip-flops and sneakers that aren’t too bad. Can you walk around Disney in them and feel like you are walking on a cloud of air? No, but they are cheap and last long.
Beach Bag
You spent hours on amazon, comparing, visualizing, and creating charts; you purchase the perfect beach bag for your vacation, only to realize you left it at home. UGG!
Before you hit the local shops looking for a replacement and spending more than what the bag is listed as on Amazon, I have two tricks.
If you are dead set on having that bag and are in the United States and Amazon has next-day delivery, order another one, then send the unused bag back to Amazon for a refund.
If you are like me and will make do, go down to the local bait and tackle store and pick up a mesh bag.
They will be cheaper because anglers don’t need to be looking fly when catching fish.
I have learned a lot about how to make do when you forget something. Do these tricks work all of the time? Nope, but they do work.
I have a couple more, but I think I might save them for a different post. With a bit of creativity, you can work around something you forgot.
As Jack says, “The problem is not the problem. Your attitude towards the problem is the problem.”
Trekking Along 