Friends love to point out my ability to be prepared for any situation. From one nerd to another, let me open up my bags and show you how I do it.
To Hold Stuff
Amazon’s little-known line of "Basics" products are awesome. The money they don’t spend on advertising goes right back into quality and price. These three items are all "Basics."
15" Laptop Backpack - $22
Universal Travel Case - $10
13" Laptop Sleeve - $8
Tech
This is where you’ll be spending most of your hard-earned cash, so make it count. All have received my Nerd Seal of Approval.
Dell XPS 2015, 13” – $850
Disclaimer – I’ve never been a Mac guy. Apple charges 30% more for exactly the same hardware. Most of you kind readers probably use their laptops for web browsing, basic programs like Word and maybe even Photoshop. Nearly any laptop nowadays is fast enough to perform these tasks, so why pay an absurd premium? This is lightning quick, built from aluminum and carbon fiber with a full HD screen and 10 hours of battery life. The bezel is super tiny, too. It’s one of the smallest 13” screen laptops and easy to carry around. Dell earned my dollars here.
Smartphone Tri-Pod – $8
Selfie sticks are rad but this is even smaller and doesn’t need to be held. Perfect for time-lapse shots or setting up with a timer for epic group selfies.
Portable Battery – $25
My model is the Jackery 12,000 mAH. To put in perspective, the iPhone 7 has a 2,000 mAH battery capacity. This orange battery can charge your phone to full over five times. It has two USB ports and a flashlight. Total game changer.
Headphone Splitter – $4
I’d suggest spending a little more for better sound quality. For occasional music listening with friends this one does the job.
128gb USB 3.0 Flashdrive – $30
I subscribe to a whole terabyte of cloud storage space, but sometimes it’s still just more convenient to physically transfer files. Why carry around a whole external hard drive nowadays? This is tiny, fast and keeps programs and files handy as another backup.
iPhone Headphones – free99
One day I just found two new pairs on the ground. Lucky me. Built in microphone, monochrome and slick. Sound quality was actually much better than I expected, too.
Travel AUX Cable $4
We’ve all been out somewhere and someone wants to play music… but no cable. I fix that.
USB Mouse – $5
Picked it up and Five Below, useful for doing graphic design work when a steady hand is needed. Slim and monochrome.
Low-Tech
Analog is good, life doesn’t always revolve around screens.
Baron Fig Journal – $12
Recently I've made a push for better habits. Journaling and notetaking are essential for my scatterbrain. Periodically stopping to breathe and jot down a few lines is very helpful (like I'm doing right now for this article *angel face*). Baron fig makes solid, simple notebooks. I had their original hardcover from Kickstarter, but these new softcovers are a way better deal in packs of three.
Baron Fig Pocket Journal – $9
I use this journal as a daily notes and running to-do list. The normal sized journals can fit in men's pockets, but a pocket notebook is just that much easier. Also comes in packs of three.
Book of Matches
Because why not.
Metal Card Bottle Opener – Gift
Doesn't bulk up your keychain, and doubles as an ice scraper for your windshield in the winter.
Roll-Up Reusable Shopping Bag – Gift
Always handy to have a carry bag ready for bulkier things like clothes or a quick trip to the store. Takes up very little space and has helped me many times.
Pen with Stylus & Flashlight – Career Fair
Does a lot for just a pen and still matches my monochrome style choice. *sunglass face*
Fine Sharpie & Mini Ruler – $4
I like to draw and doodle, and nothing feels quite like a Sharpie. The ruler is useful for drawing lines and tables in my notebooks to keep things neat. I attached some Velcro so it can stick right inside my backpack pocket.
Harbor Freight Utility Hanger – $7
Guys – Know how some girls have those fruity bedazzled bag hangers for the sides of tables? This is the manly version! Won’t ever break, comes in a pack of 3 and keeps your bag off the cigarette butts.
ZeroUV Sunglasses – $10
Tons of styles available and they’re actually polarized! Plus at that price-point you can shamelessly throw them around.
Alpine Swiss RFID-proof Wallet – $25
As a cyber security major, I felt some need to protect myself from modern threats. Credit card information can be scanned from your pocket in a crowd. This wallet is slim and keeps your information safe. AND it was on sale.
NJIT Business Card Holder – Gift
I had some plastic one before, but this is more impressive to whip out on prospective clients.
Everyone has their own style and preferences, but this is how I personally get through the days. Leave a comment if you have any better alternatives! A nerd's bag is never complete.
