Always carry an extra compass. It is one of your most valuable essentials. Whistles also are necessary, cheap and light. Look back periodically especially when you are traveling off trail. It will help familiarize you to the terrain in all directions and keep you on track if you come back the same way.
Dryer lint makes great fire tinder.
A handful stuffed into a film canister weighs nothing. Keep a list of items that you want to take always handy so that before you drive away you can quickly go through it and make sure you have everything. Keep another list of To Do and To Buy. Use the folded edge of a map as a straight edge to draw a straight line. Put together a general fixit kit of rubber bands, few meters of duct tape, some strong wire, safety pins, razor blade, needle and fishing line, aluminum foil, etc.