You spend buckets of cash flying somewhere distant like Patagonia or the Australian Outback, and yet you like to think of yourself as budget-minded when it comes to travel accessories. A recent piece in the “Frugal Traveler,” a New York Times blog, identifies Top 10 Travel Gadgets Under $50

Heading the author’s list is the Leatherman Juice C2 multi-tool which also sports a corkscrew for Mediterranean-bound wine-lovers.

For nighttime reading or finding the way to the loo, you want lights with Cree brand LEDs.  “The Fenix LD01 ($42 from Amazon) is ridiculously tiny but throws off 80 lumens from a single AAA-powered Cree bulb.”

For safety and security, invest in a retractable cable lock with a three-foot cable.

Next is packing. “How do you fit a month’s worth of clothes into a 22-inch carry-on? By sucking the air out with vacuum packing bags. Travel Space Bags look like a good value — $7 for two medium bags,”

For all your electronic gizmos, such as laptop, cellphone and camera charger, think about buying a Belkin Mini Surge Protector which has three outlets and two USB jacks and costs $25; Grundig Mini 300 shortwave radio; money clip, and low-tech, simple-to-use notebooks like.Moleskine and Ecojot’s 3-by-4-inch recycled-paper notepads.

In response to the Frugal Traveler’s recommendations, a number of New York Times readers offered their own cost-conscious suggestions. One wrote, “ Yep, I’m for headlamps vs. flashlights — much handier. I also use the gallon size Ziploc bags instead of compression bags, because you can compartmentalize a bit more, and they’re great for dirty shoes too!”

Another reader chimed in: “ It’s not exactly a gadget, but whenever I trek-travel, I wear a low-profile sports kneepad: cut a slit at the top, remove the foam insert, and what’s left is a pouch that’s just the right size to hold my passport, immunization docs, a list of emergency contacts and emergency cash. Check out the Tachikara TK-2000 Volleyball Knee Pads ($17.99) or the Wilson Flex Senior ($12.99), both avail on Amazon.