Some things I own already in chart form for your convenience (disclaimer, I am not being sponsored by any of these companies for reviews):
| Item | Price |
| Osprey Daylite Pack | $50.00 |
| REI Co-op Camp Dome 2 Tent | $59.93* |
| REI Camp Dome 2 Footprint | $29.95 |
| Thermarest Sleeping Pads | $34.95 |
| REI Helio Sack 55 Sleeping Bag | $59.95*+ |
| REI Co-op Carina 32 Sleeping Bag | $73.93* |
| Platypus Hoser Resovoir | $20.69* |
| Full Size Life Jackets | (A) |
| Matador Mini Pocket Blanket (44 x 28 in.) | $20.00 |
| Eagle Creek Packing Cube (clean/dirty) | $22.39 |
| Eagle Creek Packing Cubes 3-Pack | $29.89* |
| TSA Approved clear bags 2-Pack | $12.99 |
| New Outlander Travel Pack | $29.95 |
| Black Diamond Moji Lantern | $19.95 |
| Ailun Digital Camera Tripod (for phones) | $7.99 |
| Black Diamond Spot Head Lamp, 325 Lumens | $39.95 |
| Inflatable Pillow | (B) |
| First Aid Kit | (C) |
| Sunblock | ^ |
| Lip Balm | ^ |
| Bug Spray | ^ |
| Matches/Lighter | ^ |
| Sunglasses | ^ |
| Toilet Paper | ^ |
| Cell Phone | ^ |
These items ( * ) are items that I got on sale at REI (Recreational Equipment Inc., a store but you can also find them online). For a mere $20 one-time fee, I became a member and got access to their coupons and special deals. The best time to shop at this place is whenever they have a large sale or they offer their member coupons. If you’re a member, you get early access to their “garage sales,” which is when they put used or extremely discounted items for sale literally outside their store under tents.
This item ( + ) I got on REI’s website under their outlet section and I got it used. These kinds of sleeping bags usually go for around $60 but I got it for about $35.00, which is a steal. They also professionally clean them, which is a better deal than buying it at someone’s yard sale on a Saturday.
(A): I bought these at Inks Lake State Park when we went camping and needed to ensure no one drowned since I’m not a strong swimmer.
(B): This was a gift to me but they go for about $10 – $30, depending on which style you want and if they’re on sale.
(C): I make my own first aid kits, since I find your typical store ones not adequate after taking Tactical First Med at work. I make sure I have tourniquets and blood coagulators, along with the usual band-aids and various first aid ointments. I also keep painkillers, stomach chew-ables, burn cream, and creams for allergic reactions on skin, as my daughter and I are prone to certain food allergies.
These items ( ^ ) can be any brand of your choice. I don’t use any SPF lower than 50 SPF. For bug spray, I bought Jungle Juice brand which is like 99% DEET so Maui mosquitoes better watch out! Bonus: some toilet paper brands have travel rolls built inside the cardboard tube!
I order most things on Amazon and REI’s website, use coupons whenever I can, or ask around for used items from friends who don’t use their camping items anymore.
I also test out my tent at home so I make sure I know how to do it quickly in case of inclement weather. Best part: you get to sleep in it afterwards just for fun!
Camping in the living room! 
Enough room for two!
Stay tuned for after the first trip for reviews on how these items did in the islands of Hawaii…
Sola Latina Explorer 