Always pack a small towel, as you never know when you may need one. Buy a small backpack around 35-40 liters to force yourself to pack light. Take half the clothes you think you'll need and pack extra socks, as socks will get lost or worn out. Bring an extra bank and credit card as a backup in case of loss or theft while traveling. Use bank cards without foreign transaction or ATM fees to avoid unnecessary charges while abroad.