Best Dollar Tree Travel Items! - Debt Free Cruise Vacation Shopping!

[@paradisecafe123]

The little pop up laundry hamper is great. It fits in the closet and gives you a place to toss your dirty laundry, easier than getting out the suitcase from under the bed, especially when in a time crunch, just store in a pouch or use a large rubber band to hold it closed. The clothes pins also come in handy to hang swimwear on the retractable clothes line in the shower. Enjoy your cruise and have lots of fun!

[@cindysalas334]

My tip is to decorate your door they all look alike it’s so much easer to find. My other thing is to bring a power strip so you can plug in more things

[@jericamcbride3659]

The generic medicines from Dollar Tree work just fine.

[@evieparatore1527]

Also a bigger cup to take to the pool with you for coffee or lemonade so you don’t have to go back and forth with those tiny cups. You can’t take but one bottle of wine. But you can gift a bottle of alcohol or wine to your room. Prices are on the carnival web site. Have a blast!!!

[@jaimiemh]

Dollar tree has small extension cords with 3 plugs. They look like surge protectors, but without the protection, so it is allowed on the ship so you can plug more in! (PS I already have 2)

[@thatcrazyjack]

One of those hanger things from the dollar store for Drying Delicate clothes. You can hang swimsuits underwear’s bras whatever you need on there in the shower. I just saw this on another video I watched before yours.

[@GoWithLess]

You are so adorable, I can hardly stand it! I'm excited for your first cruise AND your first international trip!

[@stephaniekarendunn5128]

I so agree...just precious!

[@omarytorres]

Kelly Anne Smith - Freedom In A Budget invited me to watch your channel. Love this video!

[@BudgetGirl]

Welcome! great to have you!

[@paulaspeak4338]

Sarah....just an FYI. I've cruised several times with Carnival and instead of you buying a rope for hanging your wet suits there is a line in your shower that Carnival provides. You can string across and clip to the other side of the shower and hang up your towels and suits in there. They also provide you with a pen and notepad for notes but on the ship you can purchase their texting and will be able to text each other.

[@BudgetGirl]

Good to know!

[@louannroberts8514]

Cvs and Walgreen have cash back coupons and they send you coupons when you sign up. You can get all sort of things from the store. Target has the Dollar spot. Walmart and all the stores above have travel size items at a discount. Swagbucks and Inbox dollars a way to make extra money in the form of giftcards. I usually pick Amazon gift cards to purchase things I need.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I hope you have a good cruise, I've never been on one.

[@gailcarsten7903]

Hand sanitizer always and anti bacterial wipes. Be sure to wipe down your airplane area if flying and entire cabin before you unpack. Take in your day bag when off the ship. Germs are everywhere. Don't take good jewelry and make copies of all credit cards and passport. Don't overpack. You really won't wear it all and shoes take up a lot of space in your suitcase. All you need are flip flops, tennis shoes and sandals. Have fun!

[@sandrapark8705]

love the hat

[@Maryann-wc9vo]

Just found u and subscribed, love your videos

[@brigitteglynn7496]

Bring a power strip! Outlets are at a premium.

[@dwellspompano]

Good video. I have a couple tips. Do NOT waste your money on that Dollar Tree night light...it is very dim...instead by a couple Dollar Tree pocket flash lights they work great! One other cruise tip that you eluded to but can't fulfill at Dollar Tree, bring a power outlet strip for all your electrical gadgets. The cabins have only a few outlets.

[@zaneblane8160]

Actually, I just bought 3 from Dollar Tree..

[@freedominabudget]

Thank you for teaming up with me in this video! So excited for our cruises! I need to check out those silicone dressing bottles!!

[@gp8089]

Freedom In A Budget - I agree that was an excellent tip!

[@busybecky6327]

I LOVE cruises! Just booked The Dave Ramsey cruise this weekend! CAN"T WAIT!!!

[@BudgetGirl]

oooh congrats!!!!

[@StefanieOConnell]

Hope you have an awesome time on your cruise!

[@karaf.3863]

Bringing a collapsible suitcase so you can store it underneath the bed. We brought hard case ones and only one could fit under the bed so the other two suitcases sat on the couch making it unusable. Drove me nuts seeing it all the time and taking up valuable space.

[@juliannegabriel8091]

If your sharing a room and with all the food on the cruise my absolute essential, Is a toilet spray! I found a travel size dupe in dollar tree of lavender vanilla compared to the poo-pouri save yourself 9 bucks. Your nose will thank you

[@dianasanchez117]

Alcohol wipes, bandages, peptol-bismol, triple antibiotic ointment, mosquito repellent, suncreen lotion, quarters if your cruise ship has washer and dryer, because sometimes your clothes won't dry for days. Those inside state cabins are really really dark. Have great trip.

[@kristanvandewouwer4036]

I'm so excited for your Cruise!

[@sopjoplop23]

I've read some of these comments. I didn't bring towel clips, wish I would have! Haha. If you do buy the soda/pop beverage package only buy one. Of course that's assuming you would be willing to share with Jacob, if he is going with that is. My husband and I just shared. And sunscreen is a must if you are only doing a carry on they have the little spray ones at target I used only 1 and half for 7day cruise and I am not able to tan Lol.

[@BudgetGirl]

It'll just be Jaimie, her son and me on this one but none of us are big soda drinkers :-)

[@sopjoplop23]

@@BudgetGirl Fun!! Then dont waste your money on a drink package! But for sure bring 1 reusable if not 2 water bottles!

[@sarahcb5452]

my #1 you didn't mention is a hanging shoe/item holder with pockets (our dollar tree has the shoe holder, not very strong for heavy shoes but GREAT for this)! It gives you extra storage for all bathroom essentials because bathroom counter space is so limited when traveling. We use this "hack" wherever we travel actually- camping or hotel. You can get over the door holders (like for towels) that they can hang from if needed. OR use shower rings- also from dollar store. - to hang it from a towel rack. This will become your new travel friend to hold brushes, oral care needs, medicines, first aide, kids toys, we placed our lanyards/wrist bands in them at night so they couldn't wander off, etc.

[@RachaelLyn]

I've been on a cruise (long before I started my debt free journey) and these are great tips! I loved both yours and Kelly's videos. I can't wait to go on another cruise once I'm debt free!!

[@rachelo3548]

I love this! I can use these tips to be used for any trip! Random other thing, I love your shirt!

[@YouCanDoItKaren]

Congrats on debt free vacation! I am sure you will love it! I have been on many cruises, and you have to ask yourself when packing are you a minimalist at heart or do you like your stuff and can't do without. #1 I save money by packing carry-on and personal item only! #2 I save money by NOT booking ship sponsored excursions. I research the port, and take public transportation, such as the bus. It's an adventure. You can book an excursion through Viator, if you are unsure doing it on your own. #3 I save money by taking one bottle of wine (twist top, so no cork screw needed) or champagne, per person. We always open the bottle in the room, and take our full wine glasses to dinner.

[@QuesttoFIRE]

I’m taking a cruise in November! Can’t wait!🤗

[@kareng2433]

My husband and I went on that same cruise for our 25th anniversary. We had a blast. Bring a travel size bottle of Downy wrinkle releaser spray (Walmart or Target), a small extension cord (dollar tree) your room only has 1-2 plugs, a pretty lanyard for your cruise card (you use it for all your purchases on the ship). Enjoy your trip!!

[@JavaFirst]

Sunscreen and something to hold your funds, camera and ID in while you walk around. Preferably something that can be close to your body to help prevention of theft.

[@b2stlovee]

I actually went on a week long cruise from Portland, Oregon to skagway, Alaska last year! If you get motion sickness like me, I highly recommend taking dramamine (motion sickness pill). They will save your life if the ship gets super rocky. The higher your room is, the less rocky it'll feel. I also recommend checking out Daiso (Japanese $1.50) store if there's one in your area! They gave a good selection of travel items and I love getting their stationary stuff too!

[@aliceadler4569]

Extension Cord / USB Extension Cord.

[@laurenh825]

I 1000% agree with bringing meds! I ended up with strep throat on ours and was so grateful I brought meds with me.

[@jeanettecarpenter4437]

One of my must have is air freshner.

[@teresaray7461]

Great video! Kelly sent me over here. Look forward to seeing your cruise pictures.

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks for coming over! So nice to meet you!

[@graceinguelph]

I found the larger sized silicone shampoo bottles at my dollar store. They were in the aisle with the baby accessories.

[@daniellerobbins837]

i've used those clips for the towels on the beach chairs, and they work amazingly well. We usually bring extra for the people we cruise with, and they love them, too. Don't forget cold medicine (dayquil/alkaseltzer/etc) and cough drops, just in case!

[@Dh77777]

I went on a cruise and had a great time.... Great tips......Get a bright colored scarf or ribbons and tie it on your luggage, you can get those from the dollar tree also..... that way you will be able to spot and collect your luggage faster.....

[@kellyreadingbooks]

We are going on a 7 day cruise in December, flying to the port. Please share everything! What I’m struggling with most is finding items that will make the shore excursions easier. Who watches our stuff if we both want to go in the water? I’ve seen some waterproof fanny packs but it freaks me out to submerge my phone???

[@menjiji]

I suggest getting yourself a waterproof phone pouch. Unless your phone is massive, it should fit in there fine as well as any loose cash or keys or anything else you might want. I have two Johto brand and they're excellent. The ones from walmart work as well, just make sure they are water proof and not water resistant. They should have a hard plastic top and latches that are hard to close to create the air tight seal. I use mine to record videos and there's no worry about them getting hot or anything of that sort in the pouch. I've also snorkeled and made underwater videos with my case. They come with a lanyard to wear around your neck but I hook it onto my bathing suit strap. Totally secure even in the ocean. Most beaches will also have workers there that will sort of keep an eye on your stuff, but definitely don't take anything you care about potentially losing, keep the important stuff in your little pouch and that will stay hooked to you.

[@irenebaker8263]

Happy sailing buget girl! The cruise that we were recently on had a retractable clothes line inside our shower....worked perfectly for our swim suits. Also the shower gel shampoo and conditioner was generously provided in depensing bottles attached in the shower. The quality we thought was amazing. Just a few thoughts from our experience!

[@bessiesantos1405]

They usually have drying lines in the shower

[@brendaandersenpartyoffive6188]

Water shoes are a must because there are sharp rocks underwater at some of the beaches.

[@margoverikas1878]

We cruise at least twice a year. You got some great tips in your research. My tip- cover your cruise luggage tags with clear packing tape to make them more sturdy. Then staple them on before you head to the port.

[@cyndipatti1442]

One of the best items I like having on a cruise is a canteen or some type of water container. That way you can fill it when you are on the upper good deck and have with you anywhere esp in your room in the morning when you want water.

[@donnawright7906]

Most of the cruises I’ve been on have the clothesline in the shower, however clothes, bathing suits do not dry good on inside cabins. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I learned the hard way about those containers too hard to get the stuff out! The silicon containers do not hold much so I just buy the trial sizes at CVS. Have fun! Don’t forget sunscreen!

[@karibryan9381]

Take reusable cups, such as yeti tumblers!

[@JenniferPerryMyScraproom]

I tested dollar tree magnets vs a stronger set I found on Amazon. The dollar tree ones just slid down the wall. So for those I would pay more money and get the good magnets and just keep them for each cruise. That was really my only dollar tree fail. Oh - I also pack a small bottle of hand soap for the bathroom and the big win is 2 of those car air fresheners, you know those ones that are shaped like a Christmas tree. 1 for the bathroom and 1 for the room - you will thank me later. :-)

[@Afikoman62]

Febreeze, Woolite and botted water. Royal Carib lets you bring a case of water!

[@motherofone6533]

I agree with you in everything except for the cheap flip flops for the kids. I totally get your point, however, the mom in me sees a medical bill. Cheap shoes are not worth falls or trips.

[@BudgetGirl]

Good point!

[@katiewompus]

That shirt looks so good on you!

[@wendyslaby3373]

pack a laundry bag, or large plastic bag for dirty clothes and a small backpack for doing excursions. You have no idea how useful these things will be.

[@sarahcb5452]

I saw you both post and immediately thought you were vacationing together and I was SO EXCITED to see that cruise collab. In my head all you uber youtube stars of budgeting are super BFFs. (yes I know you are going with your actual bff)

[@BudgetGirl]

Kelly is so great though and I would totally cruise with her!

[@findingaway5512]

great tips I've never been on a cruise but I wouldn't have even thought about the highlighter in the post-it notes and that's a cabins have a lot of metal that you can stick stuff to. Or that it's super dark inside. For people that have kids also make sure you have some comfortable shoes if my kids had to wear flip-flops the whole day their feet would be killing them. we like to get those sandals that strap around the back as well as the front and also protect their toes for just walking around during the summer you can play on playgrounds and not hurt your feet. The dollar store flip flops are nice quality though. Another tip is bringing along a couple of those tags from hot dog and hamburger buns in case your flip flop does breaking start coming through usually that's an easy temporary fix!

[@kimberlypark2509]

Came over from Freedom on a Budget. I agree with the shoe hanger for those smaller things and no counter space, a mini first aid kit of drugs (I started doing this on any trip after I paid $11 for saline spray in Australia)🤑 also if you are a scrapbooked or keep memorabilia, take a plastic divided file folder. Most have 7 spots, put each days event page, photos, menus, shore excursion info in there. I keep a small envelope in front pocket for all of my on board receipts so I don’t go over my vacation budget. 👀

[@walkingexercise5375]

Hope you enjoy your cruise! Do you have a video about the plants you have?

[@SaithusX]

Heck yeah you gotta go to dollar tree!!! Good luck on your cruise and stay safe!!!

[@mollydecker6631]

I looked into the price for a cruise last week since you’ve been talking about it ... it’s fairly inexpensive for how many days, food, etc. I’m going to make this my goal to save up for when I’m debt free (a decade from now 😂)

[@patriciafisher3108]

Sarah, Glad you posted this video, as I will be going away in a few weeks. I am going to keep a poncho in my purse for day trips. I am going to see if my Dollar Tree has those silicone containers.

[@evieparatore1527]

If you are going through customs you might want to leave meds in original pack Great tips!

[@sharonreinblatt2363]

Mosquito repellent.....it’s expensive in the ship and you may need it in port.

[@beckyholbrook7395]

Take an outlet adapter....you know, plug it in an outlet and you can plug 3-4 things in. Outlets are limited.

[@Cathleen06751]

A reusable water bottle or coffee mug!

[@mariaretired9711]

Have a great time the tips are great for travel for any reason things you could also use daily

[@gapeach51170]

I have only been on one cruise but going on cruise #2 in May 2019! Sunscreen wrinkle release poo-pourri outlet/usb surge protector (never enough outlets)

[@patriciafisher3108]

Sarah. As there is very little bathroom storage space, using an over the door shoe storage bag is a good idea to keep all your little toiletries handy.( so I have heard ) If you decide to try this, let me know, if you would. I am interested whether this is a smart idea.

[@zaneblane8160]

@3DogMom ...which cruise line?

[@Erinawesome17]

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!!! I strongly suggest waiting until you get to the place you are sailing out from and hitting up a Walmart or Target before you get on the cruise. I was on a 4 day cruise to the Caribbean and I went through almost 2 bottles just on my own! ( I burn easy lol) Also if your cruise ship offers free all you can drink soda/water/ tea/ lemonade excreta, bring a refillable water bottle or something like that. Normally the cups for the sodas/ water are really small and if you are taking them back to your room to eat you don't want to have to carry two cups or more or have to go back and forth a billion times to get drinks. I went on a Disney cruise a few years ago and this was the best advice I read. :)

[@doubleu1017]

Thanks for the tips! We are going on a cruise next month! 🛳🏖 Have fun!!! I go to the dollar tree too. I bought silicone toiletry bottles of different sizes from eBay. Takes forever to arrive bc they come from Asia, but they are $1 or less and come in different sizes!

[@tigerbaby8621]

New subscriber

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks for joining the frugal fam!

[@smartypants1980]

About the medicane? When I flew to North Carolina, I read that I shpuld take my bubble pack to my psychiatrist and have her put them in the orange bottles with lalabel.

[@nancieblackburn3176]

Thank you for sharing! New subscriber here!

[@safepethaven]

Always a good idea to take what over the counter meds you might need for those possible allergic reactions and/or tummy upsets [aka Montezuma's revenge]. Also possibly mark with indelible laundry marker any items that if "misplaced" you can prove are yours because your name is in them. One last thought: never travel with anything so valuable [monetary or sentimental] that you would not grieve their loss; leave them home locked up securely, or make a note to stop by your bank's safe deposit box, especially if you will be traveling and your residence will be vacant. Give special thought to any beloved pets being boarded or hopefully cared for by someone who is SUPPOSED to come by daily to your house to care for them. Turns out my uncle was not dependable so a near couple of fatalities.

[@miraclegirl90]

Why did u stop doing yr monthly expenses breakdown?

[@BudgetGirl]

They don't get enough views and I don't enjoy producing them anymore. I do have some more overarching budget videos planned, where I will show budget changes, but the monthly breakdowns are a past thing, at least for now.

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Lip balm.dollar tree,dollar General. Sunblock or sunscreen.purse sized Kleenex.baby wipes.

[@debbiemabrey9240]

Make sure you take enough swim wear and cover ups...you will be wearing them almost everyday...TMI, but don't forget the feminine hygiene products. I learned that one the hard way ..and don't forget to call your bank if you plan on using your debit card or you will be forced to make a long distance call from Mexico to tell them that yes this is Sarah buying tacos in Mexico.

[@brendaandersenpartyoffive6188]

You should do the app. You can text your friends on the app and it is only like 1.99. Which would come out of your on board credit.

[@elenacala]

I swim every day at a rec center and i just hang my suit in the shower off the handles so that water drips right down the drain and if i need the shower then I just set it in the sink or on the counter and move it back after the shower. I've never been on a cruise but friends who have cruised suggested to get the drinks pass b/c its so ridiculous what they charge if you don't unless your good with water of course.

[@findingaway5512]

Do you have to worry about medicine being labeled if you're bringing it without a bottle? since you're leaving the country I don't know if there's issues with flying/ cruising and stuff if you have pills without any label on them? I have no clue just something to think about/ look into.

[@BudgetGirl]

That is a good idea. i'll check it out

[@patriciaseier2800]

Csnt wsit to see cruise footage. Only been in Caribbean cruise. Love your shirt and you're getting prettier every day.

[@BudgetGirl]

Aww thanks Patricia!

[@bluvsu2598]

I am doing that cruise Feb. 2020 with my FB bestie. Bring Gum...none sold on the ship.

[@rebeccasal7128]

Hi Budget Girl, fun fact! i actually worked on that ship you are going on..... if it is inspiration. i have tons more tips for you. i was on that ship for 6 months and know that port inside and out! let me know!

[@BudgetGirl]

I think that's it! I'd love to know where we need to go when we go to catalina island and ensanada!

[@rebeccasal7128]

Yess that was my route!! Awesome I’ve been wanting to go back. I loved those two spots. Can we have a private chat I have some budget tips and tricks within the ship and within the ports

[@BudgetGirl]

@@rebeccasal7128 Sure - pm me on facebook or insta!

[@rebeccasal7128]

@@BudgetGirl i emailed you! i do not have fb or insta!

[@zaneblane8160]

@@rebeccasal7128 ...can you share the tips with us?

[@daniellearnold1000]

Your room attendant will bring you more hangers if you ask! Ok my tips (we cruise often). Bring a water bottle to fill up. The ships water is filtered and very good. Much cheaper than bottled water and environmentally friendly. An over the door shoe rack is perfect for organizing things. A shower caddy (thing that hangs from shower head) can be purchased at dollar tree. They aren’t the greatest quality so you can bend and manipulate them to fit the showers on the ship and give yourself much more storage room. A battery operated alarm clock is a godsend, especially in an interior room. A wrist watch is important to have because a lot of times the ship will stay on “ship time” which can be different from the time in port so I have a cheap watch I leave on ship time to make sure we don’t miss the ship (your phones will change times if you connect to WiFi or if you have international data). Bring actual hand soap for the bathrooms. Cruise ships are a hot bed for illness. We only try to use the restrooms in our cabin, which sometimes is a pain, but at least we know they are clean. Anyway, I always bring liquid antibacterial hand soap because i want to kill everything on my hands! People are nasty! I also bring Clorox wipes I wipe down the room the first day (remote, light switches, lamp switches, bathroom, tables). The rooms are cleaned but not always sanitized and again, ships are a hotbed for illness. Better safe than sorry. I also bring tums, bonine AND Dramamine (Dramamine to prevent seasickness, bonine if you feel sick), ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy medicine and pepto

[@Julie-jh3lm]

Enjoy your cruise!!

[@smartypants1980]

Enjoy your cruise!

[@bettylou3709]

Pay the bucks trying to pack toys is not worth the savings. One lady who cruises a lot suggested that you pack some of the heavy paper clips to go on the bottom of the shower curtain. She said it keeps the shower curtain from sucking in and clinging to your body.

[@elisasmith3179]

Hi Sarah. I really like your channel. I went on my first cruise last year and the best thing I brought was a French press for coffee. Coffee on the ship isn't very good and I didn't want to spend $5-10.00 per day at the coffee bar. The ship has very hot water so it was easy for my to make my own coffee with the French press. (I have a GSI plastic French press so breakage wasn't a concern)

[@briannat2011]

Dramamine and possibly those balance bracelets to help with sea sickness. Dont cheap out on this one . IF you are unfortunate and hit choppy waters you will thank god you brought it!

[@anitaroberts5980]

Good tips. You're awesome, and I love your videos, but the audio on this one wasn't so great. I've been on two cruises. One in Hawaii and the other from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA. I enjoyed both, but they both preceded my dfj, so I don't really have frugal tips to share. The buffets were great. The formal meals were more spendy. But do what makes you happy. If you come home and remember really enjoying a meal because it was amazing, then it is ok to have spent a little more. But if you come hom and only recall what you saved, but didn't really enjoyed the experience, then, you have wasted your money...in my opinion. Bottom line is to enjoy it.

[@findingaway5512]

Home Depot sells he's little clippy lightbulb things that are LED I think you'll get five in a pack for less then 10 and they are super bright. they have three settings brightness not as bright and flashing. they're also nice to have in a closet and stuff if you have dark spots in your house. I think those would be great to bring either camping or on a cruise. And since they have clips you could easily clip them to a purse or a backpack and use as a flashlight. Here is the link. www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-40-Lumens-LED-Bulb-Light-with-Clip-5-Pack-18FL0104/305015367

[@leahhenshall6072]

Go watch cruise tips tv for all things related to cruising

[@titalinda9093]

I took several cruises with my husband before he passed away. For your cruise you need almost nothing except your medications, cosmetics and clothes. The shampoo they provide, shower soap etc. I found to be of decent qauality. Hangers are provided, if you need more, you ask, and they provide more. Really, all you need is to bring yourself!!,! What I did bring starting on my second cruise, was a medium size drinking bottle, why? Because you have to pay for all your drinks, and at breakfast they provide several juices, so I filled my bottle in the morning and put it in the rooms refrigerator to drink later on, or take it on the land tours. Enjoy your cruise!!,

[@carolynslater1551]

Jesus. You might as well bring your kitchen sink. Live a little girl!

[@LoveKrom21]

Bless her heart, I know the hangers, tea lights and extension cord (or was it a nightlight) was to much lol I thought I over packed for trips.

[@JSquaredExpedited]

As someone who cruise a lot. Only meds you need is Motion sickness and headache meds. And hand sanitizer. Best advice is don’t over pack everyone dose. But it’s not needed. And every cruise I been on in the bathroom will have a clothesline. And my things to bring on a cruise is shorts tank tops sandals boat shoes. One pair of jeans and a nice shirt. And that it I have learned everyone over packs and never use 90% of the stuff you think your gonna need so pack light and have fun.

[@Afikoman62]

Bring nice clothes for the evening. It's fun to dress up a little and look nicer than the masses

[@JSquaredExpedited]

KK when I am on vacation I am there to relax and have fun not there to try to impress other people. No one cares on a cruise ship. I bring a nice shirt and blue jeans for formal night. And it the rest of the time it shorts and tank tops.

[@Afikoman62]

Totally disagree HFT. My cruises are a bit high end. My fellow cruisers are always turn it out in the evening. You cannot sit at the Captain's table in jeans...sorry! To each his own when it comes to cruising.

[@JSquaredExpedited]

KK 😂😂 I would pay extra just to eat with the captain. I would rather spend that money on a island or give back to the community on The island. And I didn’t think 3-4 k for 2 people just for a cruise not included drinks excursions exc. was low end but good to know. Sorry didn’t know you where a high roller my apologies. I will no longer comment.