5 Things on Every Packing List You Really Don't Need

An empty suitcase sits on your bed and your entire wardrobe lays scattered all over your floor. It's time to hit the road again. But like most travelers you are at a lost at what to pack. Every inch of packing space is valuable, and the kitchen sink and one too many pairs of socks can mean the difference between meeting strict luggage limits and paying expensive over limit fees.

Since I started traveling solo I've search the net before every trip to get an idea what to pack. Almost every list has the same few items listed that now with a good percentage of the globe covered I can attest; you really don't need to pack them.

1. Duck tape. This is on every packing list I've read. It fixes EVERYTHING, they say. However, you probably will never need to use it and if you do end up needing it, it's sold everywhere.

2. Clothes hanger/ line. An item that always makes me ask, why?

3. Travel checks. Does anyone still use/accept these? Years ago as a student, I was working in a restaurant next to a hotel, one day a young British lady came in for lunch. Till this day I've never seen so many people confuse about a form of payment

4. Swiss army knife. Unless you're going on some Bear Grylls type adventure this item will most likely sit at the bottom of your bag. It may also cause you a lot of problems at the airport if you forgot to pack it in your check bag.

5. Address book. This item should be placed on extinction list along side travel checks. With cell phones and smart phones becoming so common place there is no need to add extra weight to ones bag. As protection against worst case scenarios, email your contact list to yourself.