This is the super fancy Windows Phone 7. Behold!
Ooo. Shiny.
The idea behind the phone is that you can do all kinds of stuff with it, so you don’t have to carry so many gadgets around to stay on top of your life. As you know from the Packing Light series, I’m all about doing more with less, specifically only what you can fit in a carry-on and a backpack
Lots of you have asked me what I pack in my backpack while I’m on the road. All of my electronics go in there, so here’s my list of what’s in my “personal item” bag when I’m boarding a plane.
Digital SLR with 50mm 1:1:4 lens
Camera battery charger
Phone charger
Earbuds
Laptop charger
Laptop
Magazine
Moleskine journal
Pens that won’t explode in flight
A hard case for my glasses
A small purse that contains:
-my wallet
-keys
-phone
-and a mesh zip bag with:
+Waleda hand cream
+Burt’s Bees lip balm
+Lipstick
+Eye drops
Comfort kit with
-snacks
-teabags
-a sleeping mask
-earplugs
-an inflatable neck pillow with knit cover
How about you? What’s your bare minimum of what you need to be comfortable when you’re traveling, or working, or just getting ready in the morning? What are your tricks for doing more with less in your life?
I’m giving away one Windows Phone 7, which is worth about $500, plus all this good stuff:
-A one year XBOX Live Gold membership
-A three month unlimited Zune Pass — which lets you download and stream unlimited music and keep 30 songs forever and ever.
– A T-Mobile SIM, active until November 30. (If you’re already a T-Mobile subscriber, you can also use your existing SIM.)
To enter, all you have to do is leave a tip in comments about how you’re doing more with less. You can enter once a day, but you’ll need to cough up a new and improved tip every time you comment. I assume this helps ensure that you are not a robot. Not that I have anything against robots.
Now for the fine print. The contest is open until November 29, and as usual I’ll pick a winner using random.org. I’ll email the winner, and once he or she emails me back, I’ll announce who it was on Mighty Girl. Sound good? Great. The crazy detailed details are here, as are the bazillion (or so) other sites where you can go to enter for another chance to win the phone. I encourage you to do so.
This giveaway was brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Less MIA. More PTA: Learn about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/370528?fleur_de_sel=%5Btimestamp%5D
Mighty Girl 
I have been trying to cut down on food waste. Omelets, pasta, stir fries, and salad are all great for getting rid of leftover veggies (and cheese and meat) and make for easy dinners. I also recently made my own salad dressing for the first time – once you do it once, you will feel foolish for ever having bought a bottle of salad dressing. Takes two minutes and tastes great.
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We traded in our big house and our big mortgage for a little tiny house on a little tiny road with a little tiny mortgage. Easy to clean, heat, decorate and live. We spend most of our time outdoors (doing free stuff like hiking and mountain biking and skiing) so this house seems like luxury camping.
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I have a bag that I only use for carry-on purposes. It has snacks (gum, chocolate, and salty nuts), laptop, cell, ipod, camera, and attendant chargers. Hand lotion (Bliss), lip balm (Rosebud salve), tissues, inclusive wallet, glasses, a book and the most recent NY Times magazine. Add some ibuprofen and I’m in business and ready to roll. Or role. As needed.
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I always try to find a way to do something with less steps and challege the norm. I love using Remote Desktop on my mac to I can also be using my Work PC from home! Pick me!
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I do more with less by making regular trips to Goodwill. I’m almost fanatical about it. Goodbye, old stuff!
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I try to keep it pretty simple – ideally, I can pack necessities for a week-long trip into a backpack and a (small) gym bag. Most importantly, though, I always bring my own food when I travel. I get *cranky* when I haven’t eaten, and aeroport food is horridly expensive or icky or both.
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I just got back from a 2 week trip, and I kept it as simple as possible. Knits, knits, knits, I say! I have a fabulous black knit skirt from Eileen Fisher that is so damn versatile, I wore it most of the time I was on vacation, only altering it with the 2 pairs of jeans. The skirt is great with sandals or flats for day, boots or heels for night. A grey t-shirt works well for both looks, and can be dressed up with an easy boyfriend jacket.
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When I travel I try to use less by not stuffing my bag with things to entertain myself but by simply bringing a book a note pad and pen to entertain me in the event that plan A, which is talking to the stranger sitting beside me, doesn’t work.
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My husband “doesn’t believe” in checking bags, so carry-ons are the only way for us. I’ve actually taken some of your tips – like clothes that double as sleepwear to save on space. You’ve been quite helpful!
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I always bring a backpack instead of a purse when I travel. I love going hands free!
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I do more with less by cutting the end off of all “squishy” bottles and using the odd bits of product that stay stuck in the corners before disposing of the package.
For traveling one of my most bring items is something I have to check-cutlery set, knife, and opener all wrapped in a quick dry towel-for the impromptu picnic, fruit stand or late night snack.It always looks ridiculous in my luggage and I almost always am glad I packed it.
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Now that I travel with babies I don’t get to bring anything for myself. My must-haves are all items to keep the kids quiet.
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Hmmm…don’t travel as often as some folks, but when I do, the light version is (all contained in a largish messenger bag):
-Laptop
-Notepad
-Pens
-Business cards
-Small case of useful OTC meds (headaches and stomach issues are covered)
-Current reading material (usually a paperback)
-Supplemental reading material (usually one or more magazines).
-Charger for cell phone.
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for the plane ride a really comfy jacket that can double as a blanket, some soft candy to chew and for a sugar rush, and a really good novel
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I am trying to leave my purse at home at least once a week and go out into the world with nothing more than fits into my pockets. It’s awful and liberating at the same time.
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I’ve found I don’t need much more in a day than wallet, phone, keys and ipod touch with podcasts.
Maybe someday I can combine the two of them.
But I’m pretty low maintenance.
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I am notorious for packing too much and having big purses, stuffed with stuff, all the time. BUT, I do have SOME ways of paring things down. Like everytime I buy a new piece or clothing (or a few pieces…ahem), I always go through my closet/dresser and get rid of at least a couple of items that are worn out, ill-fitting or that I haven’t worn in ages. I’m bruttal about it – if it’s not being worn, it’s gone. Having stuff in your closets that you don’t wear not only takes up valuable space, but it’s depressing to open up the door and not see anything you REALLY like. This also helps me be very selective about the news things I’m buying.
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I like to choose multi-use clothing items that mix and match, and then wear my main “warmth item” on the plane (a jacket, coat, sweater, etc).
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I insist on only using a carry-on. Lost luggage has ruined one too many vacations for me. I usually wear my bulkiest items on the plane and plan out what I will wear each day. It stops me from throwing in a bunch of clothes that I love but don’t work with anything else in the bag.
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I always travel with a creepy/alienating book in case I end up sitting next to someone who badgers me. I fell into this trick on a flight to visit colleges when I was in high school–reading a book about Jack the Ripper quieted the guy my Dad’s age who hit on me for the first half of the flight.
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I try to keep my purse as uncluttered as possible–to keep me honest, I bought a smaller, less expensive purse that will only fit my wallet and cell phone!
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Riding my bicycle instead of always driving the car. Especially for trips in the neighborhood which are less than a few miles round trip. My husband recently made me a bicycle which carries a large load so I take it for groceries.
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I haven’t been on a plane in months, and only for work. Doing more with less has meant that instead of going on vacation someplace exotic (or just far away), I take my vacation at the same time as my parents and stay at their house. They get some time away, I don’t feel I have to do chores at my house, they don’t pay for a petsitter, I don’t pay for a hotel or flight.
It helps they live in a nice place in the woods.
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I’ve recently replaced my shoulder bag from a very slim crossbody ( with barely enough room for my wallet, phone and some lip balm) to a more tote-like bag that still slings across my shoulder. When I traveled last week, I happily found room in there for a paperback, one magazine and my little moleskine journal, not to mention a bag of pumpkins seeds and a dark chocolate bar for sustenance. ‘Twas perfect, just what I needed!
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I’ve decided to keep my hair a lot shorter than in the past and to let it do what it wants to do naturally. This resulted in my getting rid of all my hairbrushes, ties, barrettes, clips, bobby pins, most styling products and the damned blow dryer (which I never learned how to use properly anyway). Freedom! It also helps while traveling 🙂
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Travel: Cell phone and Charger
Digital SLR and Charger
Long Distance Lens
2 books
iPod Touch and Charger
Pashmina
Eye mask (depending on the length of the flight)
Simplifying: Home cooked meals over restaurants more often. Sure we eat out once a week or so, but when you’re making tasty and interesting stuff, then eating out doesn’t seem like such a requirement. It saves us a bundle on alcohol alone. Drinking at home is SO much cheaper, and then you don’t have to pay for a taxi home either!
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I don’t have any tricks for doing more with less when it comes to the items I carry. My purse weighs approx 20lbs. I accidentally hit someone with it the other day while leaning over to give someone else a hug and practically knocked the poor lady out. I need to start downsizing. Especially since I have a baby on the way and once that little bundle of joy arrives I’ll have to start carrying diapers and wipes and bottles and extra clothes and won’t be able to carry all that plus my “essentials.” Oy vey! I need help.
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I don’t travel by air all that often, probably once every 3-4 months. When I travel light, all that I put in my Chrome Messenger bag is:
– Notepad
– Pens/pencils
– OTC & Prescription drugs
– Current paperback
– One copy of Wired
– Phone charger
No lappy, no other techie gear. When I travel light, I like to make it as light as possible.
Plus, having a smartphone is like having a PC in my pocket.
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I always just try to remember how I get away with practically nothing when I’m camping… you just figure out how to make do. And we always have fun camping, so I just try to keep that mentality all the time.
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My basic purse holds a book, small notebook, pen, granola bar, water bottle, phone, wallet, compact and lipstick. Add a bobby pin and I should be able to MacGyver myself out of any situation!
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Yesterday, instead of heading to the fabric store for materials for a project, I hit up Goodwill first. I didn’t find everything I needed, but I found a good chunk of it. And I was proud of myself for not contributing (as much) to the stream of stuff flowing through our lives!
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One of my knockoff pashmina wraps – can use as a scarf, blanket, pillow, eye cover – and I don’t mind tossing them in the wash.
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With less I can appreciate more.
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My husband and I recently moved in (temporarily, I hope) with my parents. We are having to live out of boxes and suitcases so with little room I had to think very carefully with what we NEEDED. There are things in storage that I wish I could get to and use because I WANT them but we are getting by just fine without the extras. Makes me wonder what we are going to do when we do have all of our loot back.
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If I’m going on a backpacking trip I wear my hiking boots on the plane. I know they’re a pain to take on and off to go through security but hiking boots are big and bulky and take up lots of space in my bag so it’s best to jut wear them and save room for souveneirs or other cute pairs of shoes. This could work for snow boots, rain boots, etc if you’re going somewhere in the winter.
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Getting rid of clutter has allowed my life to be so much more organized. I now regularly evaluate items so that I don’t leave junk laying around. I re-purpose the item or donate it to a charity.
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I have to have a pashmina-sized scarf for traveling, even in summer. The airplane gets so cold, and sometimes it’s a good visual screen from the creep in the next seat.
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I take the bare minimum. Always. Book, phone, wallet in carry on. Half as much clothes as I think I need. Then I actually enjoy where it is I am going. If I forget something…I find a fabulous new sparkly place in a different town to buy it. It is incredibly liberating to leave all your crap behind. I found out I just don’t need it.
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We eat at home… almost exclusively. It saves no end of money and makes for really wonderful family time 🙂
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Bean! I add beans to meals whenever possible! It stretches the food out and gives more leftovers for lunch the next day!
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I’ve stopped using a diaper bag AND a purse.I just have a larger-sized (but still cute) purse for my stuff AND my son’s. Now I don’t feel so weighed down whenever we leave the house.
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When traveling with kids, their beach towel in their carry-on can double as a blanket/pillow/tent on an airplane. Add their swim suit and they are GO for swimming when you reach your destination.
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I do more with less by buying all of my chicken in bulk from a local farm. Then I pick a day and make a months worth of meals and put them in the freezer. Each night I pull a meal out and fix it in no time.
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I do more in the morning with less by packing my lunch the night before!
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Do more with less by.. building (or purchasing if you MUST) a key holder/area/station/whatever you want to call it. Do NOT under any circumstances, use this safe haven for anything else (mail, purse, etc.) Simply place your keys on it when you walk in the door. Voila! They will be there when you leave. No more wasting time rummaging.
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I reduce what I plan to take by removing anything I would be happy to buy at my destination. So if I’m deciding between taking 2 or 3 workout shirts (or scarves or whatever), I’ll take 2 and give myself permission to buy a snazzy new one if I end up needing it. (Obviously, this won’t work if I stuff my luggage to bursting when I leave, but so far that hasn’t happened.) Almost 100% of the time, underpacking still leaves me with plenty of stuff.
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We are cooking out of our pantry for the month in prep for Thanksgiving…buying only perishables and using up the reserves. It isn’t exactly doing more with less, just doing more with what we already have. It is great for the grocery bill and is making me more inventive in the kitchen.
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Word of the day is prioritizing! We buy almost all of our clothes secondhand because 1) we don’t care about the latest fashion trends and 2) we love trying new restaurants!!
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I’m doing more with less by budgeting to get more out of my money!
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Similar to Melissa (above), I hate handling raw chicken but find if I slice it and package it once a week while watching the Daily Show, I am less likely to buy takeout. I’ve got to eat that chicken before it goes bad!
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