FOLDABLE WATER BOTTLE

Great lightweight water bottle for travel. It costs just $1.00 at Dollar Tree!

Sewing kit and foldable scissors

This mending kit with foldable scissors can be purchased from Walmart. Marriott hotels used to give away pre-threaded needles to their guests and I found them to be an indispensable travel item. Together with the scissors (which I have had no trouble getting through airport security), a safety pin and a couple of buttons, most travelers will find themselves adequately prepared for minor sewing emergencies. 

Travelpro Super Lightweight wheeled bag is great!

 This bag is not only "super"efficient with lots of room for two weeks of travel but it maneuvers beautifully on nearly any surface.

SKECHERS FLEX SLIP-ON SNEAKERS

MAKE GOING THROUGH SECURITY AT AIRPORTS A LITTLE LESS STRESSFUL BY WEARING COMFORTABLE SLIP-ON SHOES OR SNEAKERS. I BOUGHT A PAIR OF BLACK FLEX SKECHERS FOR ABOUT $57.00AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. GO TO www.skechers.com FOR A COMPLETE SELECTION. THEY ARE ALSO SOLD AT KOHLS. THEY ARE COMFORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT AND PERFECT FOR THE BUSY TRAVELER.

DON'T FORGET THESE ITEMS ON LONG FLIGHTS

LONG FLIGHTS CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR ANYONE SO TO MAKE YOUR JOURNEY EASIER REMEMBER TO PACK SLEEP AIDS, AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE THAT CAN BE FILLED AT A FOUNTAIN AFTER SECURITY, TISSUE, SANITIZING WIPES OR GEL, EAR PLUGS, WARM SOCKS, GUM, AND AN EYE MASK. IF YOU HAVE A WRINKLE-FREE COAT YOU CAN USE THAT AS A BLANKET OR ROLL AS A PILLOW. BON VOYAGE!

EIGHT GOOD REASONS FOR PACKING LIGHT

1.) IT'S VERY GREEN. LESS IS BEST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
2.) IT'S MORE EFFICIENT AND I HAVE LITTLE TROUBLE FINDING THINGS IN MY BAG.
3.) IT IS LESS STRESSFUL ON MY BODY,ESPECIALLY MY BACK, WHEN I DON'T CARRY TOO MUCH.
4.) IT HELPS TO REDUCE THEFT WHEN YOU ONLY NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR ONE OR TWO SMALL BAGS.
5.) WITH A WELL PACKED UNDER THE SEAT BAG I CAN KEEP NEEDED ITEMS HANDY AND DON'T NEED TO DISTURB FELLOW PASSENGERS ON PLANES, TRAINS OR BUSSES.
6.) IT SAVES TIME AT THE AIRPORT SINCE A CARRY-ON DOES NOT NEED TO BE CHECKED OR WAITED FOR AT BAGGAGE CLAIM.
7.) IT ALLOWS ME TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT SINCE I DON'T NEED TO HAVE BELLHOPS OR OTHERS ASSIST WITH MY LUGGAGE.
8.) IT SAVES MONEY AND AN EXPENSIVE TAXI RIDE CAN BE AVOIDED. WITH A WELL PACKED, SMALL,WHEELED CARRY-ON,I CAN USE A BUS, TRAIN, METRO OR EVEN WALK TO MY DESTINATION.

HIBALY UNDERWEAR

THE FRONT POCKET OF THESE HIBALY UNDERPANTS KEEPS A CREDIT CARD, A LICENSE AND SOME CASH SAFE WHILE TRAVELING.

TRAVEL SECURITY TIPS

ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2012 USA TODAY PLACED AN ARTICLE TITLED "TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR VALUABLES SAFE ON THE ROAD."
A GOOD ARTICLE BUT LACKING IN AREAS THAT I FIND IMPORTANT. AMONG OTHER THINGS THE AUTHOR FORGOT TO MENTION SECURITY BELTS OR POUCHES, POCKET UNDERWEAR, CLOTHING WITH HIDDEN POCKETS, AND POCKETBOOKS WITH SECURE STRAPS. WHEN I TRAVEL I OFTEN FIND IT COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT I HAVE MY DRIVER'S LICENSE, A CREDIT CARD AND SOME CASH TUCKED INTO THE FRONT POCKET OF MY HIBALY UNDERWEAR. IF MY POCKETBOOK WERE TO BE TAKEN I WOULD STILL HAVE THE SECURITY THAT THOSE ITEMS ENTAIL. RICK STEVES, EAGLE CREEK AND COSMOS HAVE EXCELLENT MONEY BELTS AND POUCHES. GO TO AMAZON.COM FOR AN EVEN WIDER SELECTION.

DON'T PACK LARGE PILL BOTTLES

LARGE PILL BOTTLES TAKE UP A LOT OF ROOM. PLAN IN ADVANCE AS TO WHAT YOU WILL NEED ON YOUR TRIP. THEN PUT THEM IN A SMALL PLASTIC BAG OR IN A DAILY SORT BOX. THESE BOXES WORK WELL FOR VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS TOO. A FRIEND OF MINE USES A WEEKLY SORT BOX FOR HER EARRINGS. SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WILL WEAR EACH DAY AND PLACES THE APPROPRIATE EARRINGS IN EACH OF THE DAILY COMPARTMENTS.

SPIRIT AIRLINES UNDERSEAT BAG DIMENSIONS

SPIRIT CONTINUES TO MAKE TRAVELING CHEAP A CHALLENGE. MANY OF THEIR LONG TERM CUSTOMERS ARE FRUSTRATED BY ALL THE FEES THEY IMPOSE ON THEIR PASSENGERS. SPIRIT CHARGES FOR SEATS UNLESS YOU LET THE COMPUTER PICK ONE AT RANDOM. SPIRIT CHARGES FOR CARRY-ON BAGS UNLESS THEY FIT THE 16"x14"x12 REQUIREMENT. THEY CHARGE FOR CHECKED LUGGAGE AND ALL FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS THAT THEY DISPENSE. CONSIDERING THAT MOST SPIRIT TRAVELERS PURCHASE A ROUND TRIP FLIGHT, THESE EXTRA FEES USUALLY COST THE PASSENGER DOUBLE. IN ORDER TO REALLY BENEFIT BY THE AIRLINES LOW PRICES A TRAVELER WHO CAN PACK LIGHT AND PUT THEIR BAG UNDER THE SEAT FARES BEST. www.carryonfree.com HAS A NICE SELECTION OF BAGS THAT FIT SPIRITS UNDER SEAT DIMENSIONS. CHECK OUT THEIR SITE AND REAP THE REWARDS. KEEP IN MIND THAT SPIRIT HAS ANNOUNCED A $100.00 CARRY-ON FEE AT THE GATE STARTING ON NOV. 6, 2012. THIS DOES NOT INCUDE THE UNDER THE SEAT BAG THAT WILL REMAIN FREE.

DON'T FORGET A SCARF OR BANDANNA!!

A SCARF OR BANDANNA, WHICH ADDS A BIT OF PIZZAZ TO AN OUTFIT, IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT MULTI-USE TRAVEL ARTICLE. WEAR IT ON DAY ONE OF YOUR TRIP OR TIE IT AROUND YOUR SUITCASE HANDLE FOR EASY ID. TIE IT AS A RIBBON AROUND A HAT, PACK FRAGILE ITEMS IN IT, OR USE IT AS A NAPKIN IN A PINCH. IT IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND A MUST FOR ANY SAVVY TRAVELER.

BACKPACKING BOOKS OFFER GREAT PACKING ADVICE

REALLY WANTING TO PACK LIGHT IS A DISCIPLINE THAT CAN BE A LOT OF FUN ALTHOUGH STILL A CHALLENGE. BACKPACKERS KNOW THE HAZARDS OF A HEAVY PACK VERY WELL AND ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR TIPS AND PRODUCTS TO LIGHTEN THEIR LOAD. A HEAVY BACKPACK CAN CAUSE INJURY, EXHAUSTION, HARM TO THE TRAIL SITES AND UNDERMINE THE THRILL OF THE TRIP. A GOOD SOURCE FOR THE HIKER IS DAN LADIGIN'S INFORMATIVE BOOK "LIGHTEN UP." IT IS PACKED WITH INFORMATION AND CREATIVE SUGGESTIONS THAT ALL "PACK LIGHTERS" CAN USE.

IS YOUR POCKETBOOK CAUSING YOU PAIN?

DID YOU KNOW THAT OVERLOADING YOUR POCKETBOOK COULD CAUSE PHYSICAL DAMAGE? WELL IT CAN. I JUST READ A GREAT ARTICLE BY ALYSSA SHAFFER IN THE JULY 2012 ISSUE OF "PREVENTION" MAGAZINE. SHE INCLUDES HELPFUL TIPS ON REMOVING SOME OF THE WEIGHT, (unload pennies, coupons and extra cards from your bag regularly), AVOID BAGS WITH LOTS OF BUCKLES OR HEAVY METAL TRIMS, AND USE POUCHS OR ZIPPERED BAGS FOR LIKE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE EASILY REMOVED IF NOT NEEDED. THE ARTICLE INCLUDES DIAGRAMS FOR CARRYING YOUR POCKETBOOK CORRECTLY AND IS WELL WORTH THE READ.

AUTUMN AT THE JERSEY SHORE

WHEN YOUR TRAVEL BUDGET IS TIGHT CONSIDER AREAS CLOSE TO HOME. AUTUMN PRICES ARE USUALLY QUITE REASONABLE. THE JERSEY SHORE IS PERFECT FOR THRIFTY TRAVELLER. THE WATER TEMPS ARE STILL WARM AND THE SUNSETS MAGNIFICENT!

USE HAND-FREE BAGS OR POCKETBOOKS WHEN YOU TRAVEL

TRAVELERS ARE OFTEN VULNERABLE WHEN THEY ARE ON THE ROAD. MANAGING BAGS, MAPS AND PHONES PROVIDE POTENTIAL THIEVES UNSOLICITED OPPORTUNITIES. NEXT TIME YOU TAKE A TRIP BE AWARE THAT THE POCKETBOOK OR DAY BAG THAT YOU DECIDE TO TAKE SHOULD BE ONE THAT ALLOWS YOUR HANDS TO BE FREE, HAS A STURDY STRAP AND HAS ORGANIZED COMPARTMENTS. THIEVES LOVE TO SEE DISTRACTED PEOPLE DIGGING THROUGH THEIR BAGS AS IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO TAKE A SUITCASE, WALLET OR MORE.

ARE PACKING CUBES NECESSARY?

PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME IF I USE PACKING CUBES, WELL THE ANSWER IS "NO".
I FIND THAT GALLON AND QUART SIZE  FREEZER BAGS ARE PERFECT FOR MY SUITCASE. SINCE THE BAGS ARE CLEAR, I CAN EASILY LOCATE THE ITEMS I NEED AND THEY WORK VERY WELL FOR WET OR DAMP CLOTHING TOO. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, PACKING BAGS AND CUBES TAKE UP TOO MUCH ROOM AND ADD MORE WEIGHT THEN NEEDED.

AVOID WEARING WHITES WHEN YOU TRAVEL

I WAS RECENTLY LOOKING AT A TRAVELSMITH PROMOTION OF A WHITE JERSEY DRESS. IT LOOKED COMFORTABLE AND BEAUTIFUL ON THE CATALOGUE MODEL BUT RECEIVED POOR OVERALL CUSTOMER REVIEWS. NOT NOTED IN THE REVIEWS HOWEVER, WAS THE FACT THAT WHITE (THE DRESS WAS LISTED AS IVORY)CLOTHING MAKES FOR TRAVEL HEADACHES. MOST FREQUENT TRAVELERS KNOW TO AVOID WHITE AS IT STAINS AND SHOWS THOSE STAINS EASILY. I SUGGEST LIMITING WHITE PIECES TO A COMFORTABLE TEE, HAT OR BELT.

WALLET PROTECTION TIP

IF YOU ARE PLANNING AN OUTING FOR THE DAY OR JUST A SHORT TRIP, TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF YOUR WALLET. REMOVE ALL CREDIT AND BUSINESS CARDS THAT YOU WILL NOT BE USING. PUT THE CARDS THAT YOU WILL NOT NEED IN A SAFE PLACE AT YOUR HOME OR IN A HOTEL OR CRUISE SHIP SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. NOW TAKE OUT THE WALLET CARDS YOU WILL NEED AND PHOTOGRAPH THEM. I USUALLY LAY MINE IN A GROUP ON MY BED AND TAKE ONE PHOTO OF THE WHOLE LOT. NEXT, EMAIL THE PHOTO TO YOURSELF, CHECK TO SEE THAT IT ARRIVED IN YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT AND THEN DELETE THE PICTURE. YOU WOULDN'T WANT THAT INFO. AVAILABLE IF YOUR PHONE OR CAMERA WAS LOST OR STOLEN. IF BY SOME CHANCE YOU WERE TO LOSE YOUR WALLET, THE EMAIL YOU SENT WILL PROVE VERY VALUABLE FOR REPLACEMENT PURPOSES.

DON'T LET A BROKEN ZIPPER RUIN YOUR TRIP

AS AN ADDED PRECAUTION TO DAMAGED LUGGAGE, TAKE ALONG A PACKAGE OF FIX-A-ZIPPER. THIS PRODUCT CAN SAVE HOURS OF SEARCH FOR A NEW BAG AND OR THE HIGH COST OF REPLACEMENT. EACH PACKAGE COMES WITH A VARIETY OF SIZES THAT CAN BE USED FOR CLOTHES AS WELL.

DON'T MISS A PERFECT VIEW

WHEN IT COMES TO TRAVEL THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT IT IS BETTER NOT TO SKIMP ON. A GREAT PAIR OF BINOCULARS CAN MAKE A JOURNEY. THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM THAT I ALWAYS SUGGEST TO PEOPLE THAT THEY NEED TO GO OUT AND TEST A FEW. MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU PICK ONES THAT ARE COMFORTABLE AND COMPACT. IF YOU LIKE TO SHOP ONLINE ,TRY BINOCULARS.COM. RIGHT NOW A FIVE STAR RATED PAIR OF BUSHNELL 7x50mm PERMAFOCUS FOCUS-FREE WIDE-ANGLE BINOCULARS ARE ON SALE FOR $59.98. THIS OFFER INCLUDES FREE SHIPPING.