How to pack light (and save money)

Before starting my digital nomad journey almost 3 years ago, I sold nearly everything I owned back in London, leaving behind a life that felt overwhelmingly cluttered.

My solution was to do the extreme opposite. I literally packed two shirts, two pairs of pants, and my laptop, convinced I could live with nothing but the bare essentials.

At first, traveling in just my trusty backpack (which I still own to this day!) felt great. On one hand, it was this romanticized idea of travel—freedom from material possessions, the dream of living simply. On the other hand, traveling light meant no checked luggage fees, leaving me with more money to travel longer.

But it didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t the wisest approach...I found myself scrambling to replace things I’d given up too quickly, like a decent jacket when it got cold or an extra shirt when I couldn’t do laundry for days.

In my attempt to simplify, I had oversimplified, and it wasn’t working.

So, I went in the other direction: overpacking.

Every trip felt like dragging half my life around in a carry-on that could barely zip up. More choices than I needed. More weight than I wanted to carry. And eventually, my backpack started exceeding weight limits, leading to extra baggage fees that defeated the purpose of traveling light in the first place 🙃

Now, after countless airports, train stations, and hostels, I’ve finally found my balance. I still cling to the romanticized idea of living out of a carry-on—it’s freeing, both physically and mentally—but I’ve learned how to pack smarter.

Here's how:

1. Prioritize the staples

These essentials have stood the test of time for me:

• Packing cubes: These make organizing everything into a carry-on super easy and save so much space
• A hidden travel wallet: Perfect for keeping your passport, cards, and cash safe, even when you're sleeping on a night bus
• A power bank: Essential for those long travel days when your devices need extra juice.
• A packable daypack: Compact and lightweight, perfect for coworking space sessions or day trips without lugging your main backpack
• Tech essentials: Of course, my laptop, a universal travel adapter, and noise-canceling earbuds (I use the AirPods Pro, love them!)

2. Invest in quality

Instead of cramming my bag with "just in case" items, I’ve learned to choose versatile, high-quality pieces that last. One great jacket that works for all seasons beats three mediocre ones.

3. Let go of "what if" packing

It’s tempting to pack for every possible scenario, but most of the time, you’ll find what you need locally if you really need it. I’ve stopped trying to anticipate every "what if" and started trusting the journey.

If you’re struggling with overpacking or underpacking, know this: finding your rhythm takes time. It’s okay to tweak your approach along the way—whether that means letting go of things you thought you needed or finally saying goodbye to your "what if" sweater you haven’t worn in a year.

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Written by Irene Wang

Digital nomad and co-founder of Freaking Nomads. She shares raw, unfiltered stories and helps nomads find resources to thrive while traveling and working remotely.

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