Five Types of Suitcases You Absolutely Must Have

November 27, 2018Leave a comment

Different trips call for different luggage. Here are a few suitcases I own that I adore and how I decide which I will use:

Duffel bag. An overnight bag is like a little black dress for travelers. Everyone should have at least one. I like to use a duffel bag for this, I have three different ones. The key is to find one that has enough storage space as well as pockets on the inside and out to fit everything you need and keep it organized. In addition you can also use a large back pack or oversized purse.
15″ rolling under the seat luggage. For longer weekend trips, whether you are driving somewhere nearby, or flying out on business, a small rolling suitcase that can fit under an airplane seat is my favorite thing in the world. It is slightly smaller than carry on bags and fits under all airplane seats. Brandon and I both have one for short trips back to NJ to visit our families. The suitcase is roomy enough to fit everything we need yet compact enough to fit on smaller commercial airlines.
Standard carry-on rolling bag. If you are like me and need to bring 3 pairs of shoes on every trip longer than 24 hours, the standard sized rolling bag is a great addition to your luggage collection. One reason I love this is because a standard sized commercial aircraft has room above your seat to store these. Modern technology has made me so lazy. I only fly on airlines I can check in from my phone so I can skip the lines at the gate. Very rarely do I ever check a bag. I hate standing in lines with people who don’t know how to navigate an airport or hardly ever fly. I am inpatient and love being able to get out of my car and walk directly to security so I can grab my Starbucks and relax once I get to the gate. I hate standing in baggage claim waiting for airport employees to unload the plane and get me my luggage. I’ve also seen one too many suitcases lost or contents stolen in airports. If I can keep my possessions with me at all times I am a happy gal.
Large sized luggage. Buy a nice large luggage bag with a good lock, and don’t skip out on the toiletry bag. When I am going on longer vacations like when we were in Hawaii for 2 weeks, I like to bring a large enough suitcase that I have everything I would need for one week including shoes. You’ll have to check your bag, unless you are lucky enough to live near an airport with curbside check in. In addition, you will need to stand around and wait for your luggage to get off the plane and you’ll run the risk of items being stolen. As long as you are careful, have a good lock on your bag, and pack smart you should be alright. Finger crossed and let’s hope that everything makes it home with you! Luggage sets are nice because they are usually roomy are made well, and come in a matching set which makes it easier to spot on the conveyer belt.
Laptop bag. If you’re like me you’ll want to bring your laptop on the flight with you. I have a laptop bag in the form of a backpack which I found on Amazon. There is a ton of cushion so your laptop doesn’t get damaged and they are really nice and well made. I own the HFSX Vintage Laptop Backpack. You can buy ones with built in phone chargers and a place to store your phone, keys, wallet, and passport. Plus, it will fit under your seat.

Geniuspack.com is my favorite place to shop for luggage. They have great luggage that makes travel easy and organizing natural. Their hard side carryon is amazing. You can also find packing tips and lots of travel related gear other than luggage. You can all of the above INCLUDING universal travel adapters which work in 150 different countries. Another great thing to do if you can invest is to buy a luggage set that includes all of the pieces above. You will save money in the long run and everything will match (if you have OCD like me than that’s really important). Don’t forget to comment below with links to your favorite pieces of luggage and why.

Happy travels!

Plan the Perfect Trip in 10 Easy Steps

July 20, 2018Leave a comment

SET A BUDGET

Take a close look at your finances and decide how much you can or can’t spend on your trip. Keep in mind that some locations allow you to eat for just 10 cents a day depending on where you go! So that $1800 airfare may be 95% of what you will be spending and that is OK. Also, be sure to take into account the exchange rate for the money you will need to bring a long. To swap your 1,000 USD to Euros you will only come out with 807.88 Euros.

MAKE A LIST

Make a list of your dream vacations, a vacation bucket list if you will. Start to prioritize them and see if any of these locations are actually a reality given your current budget. Decide which ones you can afford to do for this trip and then decide how long it will take you to save up the money you will need for the next one. Now, pick one!

WATCH THE FLIGHTS

For ideal flights you will want to book them WAY ahead of time. Especially if they are over seas. If you want to make the most of your budget you will want to also use a tracker app on your phone, like Hopper or Skyscanner. Google will also track flights right to your email if you do not have a smart phone, but downloading Hopper or Skyscanner will allow the app to do all the work. The app will literally tell you when flights drop so low that you should buy. I wrote an entire post about Hopper here.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

When your perfect flight pops up, BOOK IT! Congratulations, you are halfway there!

BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM

This part is my favorite. I am not sure why but searching for the perfect hotel room is my favorite part of booking a trip. Whether you love Airbnb or you are looking for a more traditional hotel room or even a hostel. There are so many options when you are traveling. Sometimes the cheapest way to go is by utilizing hostels. Especially if you are in Europe. You can sometimes even get a private room in a hostel for much cheaper than a hotel. One other option is to use MonasteryStays.com to check out religious boarding if you are a christian . If you want something more luxurious, Airbnb or a hotel is your best bet. Check out what is included and what you will need. On long vacations make sure there is access to a laundry room or find a local laundromat you can use. This will help you pack lighter, and keep smelling fresh.

Start to plan the details

Now you get to research the area you are going to and make a list of all the places you want to visit while you are there. Be sure to check out the best days and times for the places you choose so you avoid crowds as much as possible. This way you will be able to fit everything in and make the most of your trip. It will also help you in the next step. Separate your list into 3 more, “Must see/do”, “Would like to do”, and “If there is time”.

Start an itinerary

Itineraries will keep you on track throughout your trip and make sure you don’t miss any of the must sees on your list. Start with your “Must see/do” list and make sure that you spread them out throughout the time that you have. This will help you make room for the second list “would like to do”. You can try to add these in where you have some lulls between your must sees. If you fit all of these things into your list move to “if there is time”. You can see if you have room for this final list. If. you don’t, do not worry. Bring the list with you and if something comes up or one part of your trip is cancelled, you can quick pick one of the things on your 3rd list.

A lot of the time people skip this option because they like to be spontaneous. This can work in some cases, and it may work for you. However, if you know you may never return to this place you are visiting, you will want to make sure you are efficient with your time and you don’t miss anything that you really wanted to do. From personal experience, you can get completely lost when on a good relaxing vacation. You may not realize what day of the week it is and you can miss a reservation. Itineraries are great for keeping you on track!

Brush up on the language

if you are going out of the country and somewhere you don’t know a lot of the language make sure you study it a bit. Check out my previous post about Learning foreign languages without a class. One other option I don’t mention in that post is “Babble” which is an app that helps translate in real time. It is relatively new, if you have a smart phone, definitely try this out.

Some important phrases to know are:

Where is the bathroom?
Do you speak English?
I would like to order [insert food, merchandise here]
How do I find [insert noun]
I do not understand
I am sorry
Thank you
You’re welcome
Hello
I only speak a little [insert language here]
Can you help me buy a ticket?

Brush up on the laws and culture

Know what is offensive in the culture you are visiting, and know what the laws are. In Singapore chewing gum is illegal and in China there are certain areas that you should not drink the water unless it is boiled. Know what you are getting yourself into and research the area so you don’t end up in a hospital or in jail abroad.

Also, important to know is how to count the money that you will be using in this foreign country. You should not trust the people around you to help, they could be stealing from you and you would not even know. Research the currency and know how to use it.

Enjoy your trip!

You did all the work putting it together and now you get to enjoy it. The worst is over. Do something that is a little out of your comfort zone, try something new, and most of all relax and take in everything around you. There is something so refreshing and exciting about being in a new place you have never been. You will for sure feel out of your comfort zone in some instances, but it is worth it for the amazing memories and experience you are creating for yourself.

Why Hopper is the Best Travel App

February 4, 2018February 4, 20185 Comments

I have tried a few different travel apps over the last few years. Apps ranging from hiking to airline apps to money saving travel apps. When it comes to apps that will save you money on your flights you should throw all your money at Hopper and I’ll explain why.

Hopper is easy to use:

One of the main reasons I love this app so much is that it is so straight forward and easy to use. It isn’t loaded down with a bunch of distraction junk. The app is easily downloaded and your search options are made ridiculously easy. The main search screen gives you the option of choosing your airports and searching for specific dates, but also gives you the option to input flexible dates. This is my favorite feature because I can plane my trips easily around where and when the best prices are being offered.

Hopper sends updates daily:

Every morning you get a clear update to your phone on whether or not it is the best time to pay for your flights. I was able to find tickets to my local airport using this feature. Normally prices to fly to visit my family range between $600-$800 per person. I was able to find flights for $314 using the app. As you can see in the screen shot above, Hopper also will let you know if you should keep waiting. The app will even tell you the date you will need to buy your tickets before to avoid a huge price increase just before the flight.

Hopper doesn’t leave the “guessing” up to you:

The language on Hopper is clear and easy to understand. You will know right away whether you should buy the tickets or not without a clear understanding of when your flights will increase or decrease in price. Hopper makes it very easy to know exactly when you are getting the best deal possible. Other travel apps like Skyscanner, which I was a huge advocate for before stumbling upon Hopper, leave the guessing up to the user. Since most of us aren’t travel gurus, and do not travel on planes constantly. It is hard to pull the trigger on flights knowing you got the best deal. With Hopper, you don’t have to worry about playing the “guessing” game.

Hopper allows you to search multiple destinations AND dates:

One feature I am crazy about is that I can make my search as flexible or as confined as I need to. Google is a good tool to use if you know exactly what you want, but if you just want to go on a vacation to the cheapest place possible and are flexible on dates, then you can! You can check daily on the best prices and locations to visit. The app will tell you the time frame that the prices are as low as possible. Three days ago I found flights to Iceland for $300. Tell me seriously, who can beat that? I would love to know.

Of course, there are some aspects of the app that I think could be improved upon. I think it would be great to have a place to enter your airline rewards number when you are booking on an airline you use frequently. I also would love for them to add a feature for rental cars and hotels (which is a feature that sky scanner has built in). I am hoping that down the road Hopper is able to grow and partner with some of these bigger corporations so they can add even more helpful features.

Check out more money saving tips

Tricks for Cheap Flights

November 20, 2017November 20, 20171 Comment

If travel was that easy, everyone would do it. Right? One of the biggest barriers for those who want to travel is the outrageous price of plane tickets. Everyone who travels has had to deal with it at one time or another, and it sucks. I will let you in on the tricks for cheap flights you can use so you don’t have to break the bank. There are 5 important tricks that will change the way you shop for airline tickets.

Always look in multiple places.

You should ALWAYS look on as many sites as you can. First, try typing “flights from ____ to ____” in your google search bar. Google usually does a pretty good job of searching all of the available sites and airlines. My second go to is Skyscanner. Skyscanner is a website that helps you search for flights at the best price out there and has an easy option to search for one-way flights which brings me to my next trick. It also has a super easy to use app that I love.

book your flights one-way.

One trick for cheap flights is to book your plane tickets one-way. This isn’t always successful, but when you book your trip one-way you can sometimes get deals. Plus, you can book one plane ticket and book the other one at a later date when prices come down a little.

do your research.

Look up the best and worst times of the year to visit where you are going. The closest you are to the tourist season, the higher the prices will be. In the summer time prices tend to skyrocket basically everywhere. Try to avoid holiday weekends, weekends in general, and tourist season.

Be flexible.

Try not to carve out the dates you want or even where you want to go. Chances are if you travel a lot you have a very long list of places you want to see. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, pick a month you want to travel and compare prices. Once you compare the prices for all of the possible destinations within that time, then you can pick a date and place to go. If you pick the week before checking out prices, you will almost always be paying more than you want to.

tuesday, tuesday, tuesday.

The best day of the week to travel, and for the lowest possible prices you should depart on a Tuesday, and return on a Tuesday. For reasons unknown to me, choosing flights on Tuesdays are always more affordable. One of the worst days to travel is on a Friday or a Sunday, so try to avoid those days at all cost.

Of course, there are so many tips and tricks and places to read up on the tricks of the trade. One of my favorite blogs with cost saving tips for airlines is Scott’s Cheap Flights and Nomadic Matt.

Need help packing your carry on? Click here.
Traveling with pets for the first time? See here.

5 Places that Serve Thanksgiving Dinner

November 15, 2017November 4, 20174 Comments

Being on the road all the time and being away from home can be extremely hard during the holidays. My husband and I moved away from all of our family in New Jersey two years ago and Thanksgiving has become a weird day for us. One thing I wish I knew before now was where I can get a great thanksgiving meal on thanksgiving on the go. Here is a list of places that serve Thanksgiving dinner.

bob evan’s

Bob Evan’s is well known as one of the best places that serve Thanksgiving dinner. This chain is found mainly in the north east, parts of Florida and parts of the midwest. However, they are highly rated and recommended for Thanksgiving dinner. Order the farmhouse feast and you will enjoy turkey, gravy, mash potatoes, green beans, cranberry, rolls, pie and more! You can either dine in or take out! They can cater large groups and pick it up hot or cold if you place your order ahead of time on their website.

Boston Market

Boston Market gives Bob Evans a run for their money with their Thanksgiving dinner option. Like Bob Evan’s you can pick up or dine in, but you can also have it delivered to your home at select locations. Their menu is very close to all other chain restaurant menus and I urge you to compare. Prices, quantity, and choices will vary depending upon location, but Boston Market gives a great selection with yummy quality.

Denny’s

Denny’s does not serve a completely traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s not bad. Plus, there are plenty of Denny’s accessible all over the country. They have a featured seasonal menu that is updated here. Check it out, there are holiday breakfasts, dinners, and desserts to choose from including pecan or pumpkin pies.

Perkins

Of all the places that serve Thanksgiving Dinner, Perkins is probably the least advertised. This is mainly due to the fact that not all locations are open on Thanksgiving. Some however, are and their menu in past years isn’t all that terrible. Definitely check with the Perkins you plan on spending your Thanksgiving at what their hours and menu will be that day. Trip Advisor however has rated them pretty highly for their Thanksgiving dinner so it might just be worth it. Unfortunately, there is no menu available on their website to check out what they will be serving this year.

Cracker Barrel

Of all the places that serve Thanksgiving dinner this is one of our favorites. With Cracker Barrels all across the country and accessible to major highways this is one of the best. Cracker Barrel is already known for their “just like mom made” comfort foods. If you are looking for a good sit down Thanksgiving dinner than this is the place. They offer all the Thanksgiving favorites so you don’t feel like you missed out. Don’t worry, the plates are large so you won’t leave hungry, although you might be a little bit tired from all the tryptophan in the turkey! Like most other places offering Thanksgiving dinner, you can also order to pick up hot or cold!

Is there a chain restaurant you enjoy for Thanksgiving, or have your tried any of these? Leave your recommendations below!
Want some road trip advice? Check out this article about essential items you’ll need

5 Ways to Save Money for Travel

November 4, 20171 Comment

It can be really hard to save money when we all have so many things we need to pay for. Keeping a fund going so that you can see and do everything you plan takes a whole lot of sacrifice. I have compiled a list of the best ways to save money for traveling that Brandon and I practice everyday. You will ideally need to prioritize your life and depending on your financial situation you may need to cut back on material things. Here are a few of my tips and advice to help you, so you can get out there and start exploring.

1. open up a separate bank account

Open up a new bank account to help you save money. Here are a few reasons why I recommend this. For one, you will have a card especially for your travel money so you can still save separately for your family or future. You can easily differentiate how much you have to spend on your next getaway. It is painful to watch your savings drop a couple thousand every few months from all your hard work. This can discourage you, but travel is an investment in your life and your wellbeing. You should not feel this way. Creating a separate account that you put a set amount of money in weekly or monthly helps ease that. As a piggy back to this recommendation, open up a credit card and hotel rewards card so you can receive miles and free rooms.

2. try 365 days of saving

Pick out a large jar to start saving with. Put the jar in a kitchen cabinet or in your closet or nightstand and in view so you know it is there. Starting on January 1st (or whatever start date you choose) put in one dollar. On week 2 put in 2 dollars. You can continue to increase this until you reach the last day of 52 weeks. If you can not afford to start at 1 dollar, try starting with just a penny and increase it from there (weekly). To add to this, you can have a weekly board game night where the loser has to put a dollar into the jar. If anyone in the house swears than you can also make them put a quarter or a dollar into the jar. You can have fun with this and come up with your own games.

3. eat out less

You can save loads of money by cooking at home. Brandon and I love to go out because we both don’t really want to cook, but when we need to save money that’s the first to go. We usually decide to go out once a week and the rest of the time we have to make something at home. We save over $300 dollars every other week by doing this. Believe it or not, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and canned soup go a really long way if you don’t want to really cook.

4. cut out unnecessary buys

Instead of buying a new dishwasher, try fixing whatever you already have. American no longer makes long term investments in what they buy. The quickest fix is to throw out what is broken and buy it new. Try to fix it yourself first, youtube is amazing and you’ll be surprised at what you can do yourself. If you can not fix whatever it is yourself, then try to hire someone. Usually whoever you are hiring is going to be cheaper than buying an entire new dishwasher, and if it isn’t? Buy the dishwasher, but shop around first.

5. make your money go a long way

When you decide on a destination and you have the money you want to spend ready, be smart. Shop around using different sites like cheap-O air, expedia, travelovity, hotels.com and more. Some of their prices will be relatively equal, but others will be quite different. Also, keep in mind when you are booking that if you book your hotel or airline between 3 days-24 hours of the flight, it is MUCH cheaper. If you can wing it, the best thing to do is just go to the airport and book your flight the day of. Check out what is leaving and go from there. If you are willing to stay in hostels they are pretty cheap, couch surfing or airbnb is also pretty affordable.

Do you have your own Money Saving tips? Comment yours below!
Want to check out my money saving tips for hawaii? see here.

Essential Carry On Bag Items You Should Never Forget

October 22, 2017October 20, 20172 Comments

Important carry on bag items you shouldn’t leave at home
(or pack in your checked luggage)

Carry on items

Packing your carry on bag is an important part of your travel experience. Whether your flight is only 45 minutes long or you have 3 layovers; pack your carry on bag smart. Make sure you giveyourself enough time to plan without making last minute decisions. The first thing you should do is make a list at least a week ahead of time. I always do this first so that I can buy anything I still need. Here is a short list of what I keep in my carry on bag:

My Journal

Not only do I journal about my day to day life, but I also write down any life goals or ideas that pop into my head I don’t want to forget. Sometimes I have blog post ideas randomly jump out at me and I have to write them down or I will completely forget. Keeping my journal with me also assures that it won’t be lost in transit.

My passport, wallet, ID, and cell phone/iPad

Do not put these thing in your checked bag. Luggage is lost in the airport every single day, not to mention you won’t make it through security without proper identification. Keep your cell phone on you, even if you don’t think you will need it right away. Plus, a lot of flights offer free wifi for at least an hour of the flight so you can check your social media. Bring your iPad on the plane with you and you can stream movies and play games on your apps.

A Magazine

I know Skymall magazine has some interesting things in it, but bring a few magazines from home. I love antiques so I usually pick up a copy of Flea Market Magazine if I’m feeling creative or Travel + Leisure any other time.

Activity Book

You can pick up a book with 100 word searches, sudoku puzzles, or crossword puzzles. Bring a pen and keep yourself occupied for a few hours. You can find them at dollar stores or a drug store like Walgreens.

A real Book

Pick up a book at an airport kiosk. Some airports offer a rental service so you can read the book on the plane and drop it off at a kiosk in the airport at your destination. You can also pick up a book from barnes and noble or download an ebook from amazon to your nook or kindle.

A toothbrush and tooth paste

I always carry my toothbrush and toothpaste in my carry on bag. On long trips with multiple lay overs you can start to feel pretty gross without a shower. Brushing my teeth makes me feel fresh, plus I can brush my teeth after I wake up from my 5 hour nap.

Deodorant and a change of clothes

I always bring deodorant and a change of clothes. Be sure to dress in layers when you are traveling. Planes vary in temperature and if you are near the exit you’ll probably freeze your toes off in flip flops. Sometimes it is super hot and muggy though, and you will want to reapply your deodorant. If anything, bring a change of underwear if you will be traveling over 24 hours. It’s worth it.

My Camera

I always bring my GoPro on board the plane with me. It’s easy to get through security and you never know when you might want to document something. There could be a celebrity on your flight or maybe you have a really funny flight attendant who is doing stand up comedy. You just never know what you’ll see.

neck pillow & head phones

If you don’t already have one, invest in a neck pillow. You can get super cheap ones at a dollar store, but you get what you pay for. Check out Brookstone‘s collection of neck pillows and travel accessories. You can wear it around your neck in the airport if it doesn’t fit in your bag. Make sure to bring head phones so you can listen to your iTunes as well. Some flights try to charge you for head phones to watch the in flight movies, but bring your own and the movie is free!

snacks

The last item I always add to my carry on bag is a snack (or three!). I always tend to stop and grab a bag of something salty and something sweet for the plane. I just never know what I’m going to crave once I’m up in the air. I have been on flights where they ran out of the available snacks. ( I know, I was devastated.) That’s why I always grab a large bottle of water and a couple snacks in the terminal incase of a “snack emergency”.

Have something you can’t get on a plane without? Comment below!
Traveling with pets? Check out my article on Tips for traveling with your fur-baby.