22 Important things you should always carry with you while shopping

If going out for any kind of shopping, you just cannot go out empty handed. You have a lot of things you need to take care of before venturing out. There are many things you need to carry while going out for shopping or the whole trip would be a waste.

These things have to be pre-planned. As you may forget one thing or the other and a whole trip to your shopping destination would simply be wasted. This brings us to the reason why should we pre-plan or prepare for our shopping adventure.

Reasons why we need to prepared for shopping beforehand

Wastage of resources

We need to cut down on the unnecessary trips, wastage of money and petrol! If you had bought everything that you need for shopping, then you may not have to go through this. Hence a day before please write down what you need for shopping.

Wastage of time

We do not want to come back and forth and waste our time just because we forgot our wallet or anything else. We need to realize how important time is that we simply cannot afford to waste it.

Peace of mind

We want to enjoy shopping without having worried about what is happening and what we have forgotten. If we had a list of the things we need to take with us, then we can shop tension free.

Becomes a habit

If we continuously prepare and execute what we need for shopping. We can know if what we choose is the best for us or not? We can try new bags, key chains etc. More on that later. you want something shop we can imbibe in us as a habit and become a professional planner and organizer. What I mean to say is that this will help us improve our planning skills for sure.

Upgrade or downgrade your bag

So after you prepared the first time. You can keep a going out bag where you can remove or add things from experience or depending on the season or what you use and what you hardly use, etc.

Now having discussed why you need to plan what essentials you need while going out for shopping let us discuss

The 22 Important things you should always carry with you while shopping

1. Wallet with money

Money can be in the form of cash or card but it is important you carry this for your shopping or how are you going to shop? This is so basic. Now depends on where you are going to shop your money type will change. So if you are going for street shopping you may need to carry with you more change and cash. You should carry all possible denominations which may help you in bargaining. If you are going to shop from a proper shop or mall, then you do not want to add weight to your wallet. You can simply carry your cards and probably little cash.

2. Loyalty cards

This is very important. It is better you always have them in your shopping wallet. You may go out to shop and end up buying something where you a regular customer, loyalty card might help you get points, discount or you never know a free birthday coffee. Starbucks card gives you a free birthday coffee.

3. Umbrella

This is mainly important when you are going for shopping outdoors. You may want to protect yourself from the sun or rain. Well in both cases the umbrella is very important. Even if you are going to the mall to shop you will be stepping out to find a cab. Protect yourself from a heat stroke and use an Umbrella. They are a hassle to carry so you can get the tiny foldable ones. Also, they act as good walking support too.

4. Sunscreen

This is the protector you need always. Inside or out carry this with you. What if you have pre-applied the sunscreen? Well, sunscreens last only for a short period depending on the SPF. You need to reapply them now and then. Especially if you are doing street shopping and sweating a lot. Carry a sunscreen spray as it may not spoil your makeup and carry a small bottle so as to not increase the weight of the bag.

5. Sunglasses

Again something that usually comes in handy outdoors. We can protect our skin from the sun through a sunscreen but to protect our eyes we need polarized sunglasses to reduce glare from surfaces. UV protected glasses will protect you from the sun too. They can also help you when there is a lot of dust especially if you wear contact lenses.

6. Phone with apps and internet data

You like something you want to buy it but you need a second opinion. What do you do? You WhatsApp your mom, so do not forget your phone! Make sure it is fully charged and has the apps you may need for dining or discounts.

7. Power bank

We cannot depend on the mall or the streets to provide us charging points or charger at all times. It is safest to carry a power bank if you are going for a long shopping adventure. Make sure to charge your power bank before.

8. Extra carry bags

Apart from your regular bags do not forget to carry extra bags. They will come in handy when you buy groceries or anything from a store. Many stores require you to pay for a bag. This is a good way to avoid the charges and get the concept of reuse which helps the environment.

9. Munchies

Do not go on and eat like a pig and add extra calories when you go out for shopping. Rather carry some fuelling snacks like a trail mix of dry fruits is a good option. Chewing gum is supposed to curb hunger and distract our mind to eat more. Fresh mints will give you a burst of freshness.

10. Water bottle

If you think there is a water supply in the mall then carry an empty bottle otherwise for street shopping carry a full bottle. This will help you be hydrated all the time. Also will help you save the environment and your money as you won’t be buying packaged plastic drinking water bottles from the store.

11. Makeup

Need to change your shopping face into a dinner face. Carry your basic makeup. Make an easy to carry makeup pouch for your short shopping trips which may have a basic lipstick, lip balm, a mascara or anything you need. Make sure you carry the miniatures or they will definitely make your bag heavy. Do not carry things like a glass bottle of liquid foundation as these things may break or spill.

12. Wet wipes and tissues

Wipe away the dust, sweat, and grime especially when street shopping by using wet wipes. You can also use them to correct your makeup. Tissues are great for everything. You can use them to wipe your face or even sneeze away if you catch an allergy or cold.

13. Sanitary napkins

If you are a woman always carry tampons or a sanitary pad for emergencies. You never know you may end up helping a friend too.

14. Sanitizer

This is the latest trend of cleanliness especially as we do not get to wash our hands so often while shopping. And we do get a lot of germs indoors or outdoors are there are so many things we touch. I advise to carry a small sanitizer bottle and please use it.

15. Stole or scarf

Whether you want to protect yourself while street shopping or hide your face in indoor shopping this is your best friend. You never know how and when you can use it. It can be used in many ways. Tie it in your bag so you never forget it and it adds a statement to your bag.

16. Pen and notepad

Sometimes you need to take notes or just give someone a design idea. There this pen and notepad combo comes in handy. If your phone is not working then this is a superb combo. It can also help you when you want to design a map to a certain place or design a cloth for a tailor or room for an architect to tell them what you want.

17. Scrunchie

I think you do not even need to keep this in your bag. Wear a scrunchie on your hand like a bracelet or carry a clutch for hair. This will help you neaten the look or set back the irritated hair. You can also carry a small comb if you need occasional brushing.

18. House keys

Do not forget keys especially if you live with other people. If they are not around and you come home with shopping bags and you see the door closed it will frustrate you. So carry your key and be independent.

19. Earphones

Music helps in killing time. When you are walking between shops or traveling in a cab for shopping earphones are the best you can get. Try keeping them entangled in earphones carrying case so they do not get mixed with other things.

20. Shopping list (To-do planner)

I am sure you have planned what you want to buy. Do not forget to take your list. I usually WhatsApp myself my list. You can write it down or use a shopping list app too.

21. Medicines

Carry some emergency medicines. Especially anti-allergies. Also if you have some medical condition do not forget to carry your medicine.

22. Deodorant or Perfume

This is a good option especially if you get sweaty while shopping. Street shoppers please carry perfume as you want to stay away from bad odor. Also if you sweat a lot use a drying deodorant.

I hope this list helps or reminds you of what you can take out before going for shopping. Let me know if there is something I missed out so we can update that too. As planned shopping is always a good experience.

Feature Image: Freepik