3 Travel Must-Haves That Keep Me Connected, Safe & Relatively Stress-Free
Plus: Budget-saving tips for keeping more of your hard-earned cash while traveling and working remote
Traveling is hands-down one of the most rewarding experiences, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you're taking a quick getaway or going on a long-term adventure, a few key essentials can make all the difference in keeping your journey smooth and stress-free.
Today, I’m sharing my top three travel must-haves that I never leave home without. They’re not the only things I travel with, of course, but having these three things in check ensures I can stay connected, manage my money seamlessly, and protect my mobile office on the go.
Disclosure: Midlife Nomads often refers and links to websites, apps, and products/services we actually use. Sometimes, we receive compensation if readers sign up or make a purchase. A girl’s gotta eat – and travel!
1. Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM
Imagine landing in a new country, and within minutes, you're already connected to the local network. No more scrambling for Wi-Fi or fumbling with physical SIM cards. That's the beauty of an eSIM from Airalo.
This digital SIM card allows you to download a data plan for your destination before you even take off. It’s a game-changer for staying connected when you hit the ground.
There’s no need to mess around with airport wifi or try to navigate Uber when your service is in and out. Airalo has partnerships with cell carriers worldwide, so you can roam onto the best network wherever they offer coverage.
Everything is managed from the Airalo app—purchasing data, topping up your balance, and even switching between countries without changing your number. I can leave my home number connected to accept voice calls and texts, so people can still reach me. Don’t answer the call or respond to the text – that’s when your home plan will kick in and bill you for roaming.
Instead, I then go to WhatsApp or Skype to call back whoever is trying to reach me.
I’m sure it’s not perfect (what is?), but I’ve used Airalo in 8 countries, and it’s served me well. I’ve often ended up tethering off my cell when the wifi isn’t as promised in a new location, and Airalo has been an inexpensive option for backup data.
Whether you’re navigating through foreign cities using maps, keeping in touch with loved ones, or sharing your travel experiences on social media, staying connected has never been easier. Plus, the rates are often more affordable than buying a SIM card locally, and there’s no need to hunt down a kiosk or deal with language barriers.
Tips:
Install the eSIM before you go so you can adjust your network settings and activate it as soon as you land.
Get $3 USD off your first Airalo eSIM by using code MIRAND7700 at checkout.
2. Protect Your Adventure: Comprehensive Travel Insurance
A good travel insurance policy isn’t just about covering lost luggage or trip cancellations; it’s about safeguarding your health, plans, and mobile office. I always opt for insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip interruption and cancellation and, crucially, device loss, theft, or damage.
Why is this important? Let’s face it—your smartphone, laptop, and other gadgets are more than just tech; they’re your lifeline. For me, they’re my mobile office, essential for keeping up with work while on the road. If one of my devices were lost or stolen, I need a replacement ASAP.
Additionally, having medical coverage is non-negotiable, especially when you’re in a foreign country where healthcare can be expensive or difficult to navigate.
I like WorldNomads, which is underwritten by Allianz. Rates are based on your home country, age, and where you’re traveling to, and you have two plan options depending on your desired level of coverage.
I’ve had to make medical claims and had good experiences with WorldNomads. When I got sick in South Africa and called the insurance line for help, they found a nearby hospital and sent me all the info I needed to get there, get treatment, and make sure I got the right documents for validating my claim later. Reimbursement took about 6 weeks.
I had a claim four years ago while traveling the Galapagos and Ecuador, after ending up overnight in hospital with a respiratory illness. Again, everything was covered – the costs of diagnostic tests, treatment, and medications. I paid upfront and filed for reimbursement.
They don’t cover every single thing; I recently had to eat the cost of a hotel room when a flight was delayed 24 hours for safety reasons. But overall, it’s been worth the protection and peace of mind.
Tips:
Read the fine print! Make sure you understand what’s covered and are prepared to cover anything that goes wrong outside of the insurance boundaries.
Coverage for United States travel is pricy. If you’re transiting through the US, buy two separate policies – one for your US travel day, and the other for the rest of your trip. Here’s why:
Say I’m going to Croatia for a month, transiting from Canada through JFK in New York. I’m only there for a few hours, but if I had a medical emergency or lost my laptop at JFK, that’s an expensive afternoon. So I go to the WorldNomads website and request a quote:
My options, the Standard or Explorer plans, range from $234 to $320. But this is giving me coverage for Croatia AND the United States for 30 days.
Let’s take the U.S. out of the equation and see how much it is for one month of coverage in Croatia:
Now I’ll add a single day of coverage in the United States:
Much better! Even with the top level of coverage in the Explorer plan, I’m now spending $212.37 instead of $319.82.
I’ve saved $107.45 for the month and have exactly the same coverage.
3. Manage Your Money: Wise Card
Handling finances while traveling can be tricky, especially when dealing with multiple currencies. I’m not only trying to access cash for my travels but also want to save money on exchange rates. Airport and foreign ATM exchange rates can be wildly expensive.
Enter the Wise card (formerly known as TransferWise), a multi-currency bank account that simplifies everything. With the Wise card, you can hold and convert money in over 50 currencies, spending like a local without hidden fees.
Why is this a must-have? The Wise card allows you to withdraw cash at local ATMs, make purchases in the local currency, and transfer money between your accounts—all at the real exchange rate. No more surprise fees or poor conversion rates eating into your funds. No more sticky big-bank fingers cutting into your travel budget.
It’s particularly useful for frequent travelers or digital nomads who hop between countries often. Plus, you can easily manage your account through the Wise app, giving you complete control over your finances wherever you are in the world.
Tips:
Get a physical Wise card. It acts as both a debit and a Visa while you’re traveling.
Use virtual cards to protect your account when dealing with people, businesses, and services you don’t know or trust. Your virtual Wise card has different details to your physical card, and can be frozen after each purchase.
Use my link to register and get a fee-free transfer of up to $800 CDN to try it out.
Now You’re Ready To Go!
I mean, almost. You better pack some clothes.
These are my absolute must-haves, but they’re not the only things I travel with to make life easier. A few other like-to-haves include:
My packing cubes and laundry bags, to keep clothes organized and as compact as possible
Refillable travel-sized toiletries, to reduce waste and still have all my favourite things
Noise-cancelling AirPods, because I tend to get overstimulated and worn out by airport noise and crowds
Amazon Prime for streaming from anywhere and downloading movies to watch on long flights or bus trips (bonus: you get free music streaming, too)
Kindle Unlimited, because as much as I love the feel of a paper book, they’re heavy to carry around
Whether you're planning a weekend escape or an extended journey, these three essentials—your Airalo eSIM, Wise card, and comprehensive travel insurance—will ensure you're connected, financially secure, and protected against the unexpected.
With these tools in your travel arsenal, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying the adventure ahead.
Safe travels and happy exploring!