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As the holidays are beginning to wind down, many people are looking forward to getting back to normal or even getting away from all the stress. Many are still traveling or planning to join other family members to celebrate the New Year. This year, it may be a little tougher to stretch out a holiday budget on travel so it pays to be totally prepared, especially when traveling with kids.

Keeping Travel Incidentals Low

One way to cut costs is by bringing your medicine cabinet on the road with you – or at least a miniaturized version of it. Since the weather is unpredictable at this time of year, it is not uncommon, especially for kids, to come down with a cold or worse. Being on vacation with a sick child is not pleasant but it can be even more disastrous of you have a sick child (or adult) and nothing in your suitcase to help them feel better in the middle of the night.

In many places, there is no such thing as an all-night pharmacy and even if there is, you could up spending a lot of money on things you could have just as easily brought from home. Remember as you are packing up your suitcases and make up case, to prepare a first aid and medical travel kit for your family.

Some of the more common items you will want to include are:

  • Thermometers
  • Acetaminophen such as Tylenol in both adult and child strength
  • Ibuprofen
  • Cold medicine
  • Cough drops/sore throat spray
  • Band-aids
  • First Aid Cream
  • Antibacterial towlettes
  • Hydrocortizone for itch relief
  • Insect repellent if you are going somewhere warm
  • Lip Moisturizer
  • Diaper rash cream if your child is in diapers
  • Tissues
  • Gauze pads
  • Motion sickness tablets for car or boat trips
  • Gum for chewing during airline flights to help keep ears open

Also remember to pack any prescribed medications that you have access to immediately whether you are traveling by plane or by car. You might want to include a list of medication prescriptions and your physician’s phone number in the event you lose any of your prescribed medications. You should also ensure you have copies of medical insurance cards for each member of your family.

If you leave your house prepared, your trips to the convenience store will be limited and you will be able to keep more cash in your pocket to enjoy your vacation. The kids and adults alike will be able to feel better without extra stress of finding medicines or waiting for a store to open for business.

Update Your Supplies

When you arrive home after vacation, make sure you replenish any items you took from your case during your trip before you forget and then store the case with your suitcases. The next time you travel, the kit will be ready to go when you need it. If there is a significant period of time between trips, remember to use the medications before their expiration date or you will waste your money. Keep a simple list of the contents of your medical kit and the dates of expiration on your refrigerator to remind you what you have if you should need it.



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