I’ve spent the last week traveling all over New-York, from the city to the Great Lakes. I have to say, most of NY is not unlike my beloved south, which I found to be very cool (though actually hot). In preparation for my travels, I started to realize there are a few things that you just can’t travel without. You never know what you will encounter out in the wild. A good Boy Scout is always prepared, and so should a good man.
So I made a list of the 5 things that every man must have if they want to be prepared for just about anything. And this doesn’t just apply to travel, it’s useful in every day life. But when you’re out on travel or outside of your normal routine, you usually find your preparation paying off more. So please enjoy the 5 things a well prepared man must have.
Reversible Belt: Why have two belts when you can have just one. I have to wear business casual regularly and the occasional suit. Many times I find that I have to pack lightly or just only take as few items as possible. It’s great to have a belt that I can just flip the buckle on and switch from brown to black. I have other belts, but this is the only one I keep nearby in case I have to do something where my shirt will be tucked in. If you need a brown belt and a black one, I’d suggest you pick one up.
$20: I use my credit card wherever I can. I love the cash back I get on my purchases and the fact that I have a record of everything I buy. But, not all places accept credit cards and sometimes you find you’re in need of cash. I don’t like to carry lots of cash in case I lose my wallet or something, and because I hate the feel of a wallet in my back pocket. So a $20 bill keeps things simple and doesn’t add any noticeable bulk to my wallet. It came in handy during travel when it came to parking and buying ice cream in the 100 degree heat. It also makes it easier to split a bill when you go out to eat. I try to keep it stocked up and when I end up with one dollar bills I try to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Sunglasses: Some people love sunglasses, some people don’t. I love them. It gives me any easy way to avoid eye contact, plus I can stare at people without them knowing it. You can pretend you don’t do it, but you’re only lying to yourself. Regardless of preference, it’s a 
good thing to have. Just remember to take them off when having a conversation because you look disinterested with them on.
Utilikey: What’s this? It’s the best $10 you can spend. The Utilikey is a 6-tool-in-1 device that is in the shape of a key. It’s got a tiny blade, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. Comes in handy in social situations where someone forgot a bottle opener, or just opening packages. It’s good to have a knife handy, and this one is small enough that you won’t look weird carrying it.
Watch: Back in college, I didn’t see a point in having a watch. I could just check my phone. But now that I live in the real world and checking your phone is not always appropriate, I need another option. Wearing a watch is a good way to always know the time without pulling your phone out of your pocket in the middle of a meeting with somebody that makes more than the president of the free world. Jewelry stores will try to convince you that you need to spending thousands on a watch. That’s really stupid unless you make more than the president. Just about any watch that doesn’t stand out is fine. Mine cost less than $100 and has a 10-year warranty, I also have a cheapo $10 one from a discount store. A good option is one with your favorite university on it.
I can’t speak for the ladies, but a few of these things would probably be good for them too. If you ladies want to replace something, drop it in the comments.
Oh, and take notice I’m not linking to any specific sites. There is one specific product endorsement, but that was unavoidable. I’m not getting anything from anyone to talk about anything here (but I’m always looking for sponsors!).
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
