traveling kit
traveling kit
Not counting the use of campers and recreational vehicles (RV), the road travelers who plan their trips with their own cars or vans generally have three main costs, providing they do not stay with friends or relatives during them: 1) gasoline and turnpike fees, 2) lodging 3) food, tips, and entertainment. Here are six ways to save on the latter two.
1. Tuneup the vehicle before leaving. Something unexpected can go wrong with any automobile at any time on a lengthy trip. At least have the vehicle’s basic conditions checked for the following things first.
- fluid levels
- fan-belt and hoses
- lights and turn signals
- spark-plug and electrical wiring
- windshield wipers
- air-conditioner/heater
- tire pressure and treadwear
- and spare-tire pressure
A local garage will check it all out for a nominal fee. Travelers can save small fortunes by making any necessary repairs locally before leaving. Also, have extra car keys, a recent road atlas, and an emergency first-aid kit on hand.
2. Carry food, water, and snacks. This one can be carried out as far as travelers want to, from simple non-perishable trail mixes to coolers full of all kinds of market-bought food. Having food on hand saves both time and money while maintaining sustenance. However, travelers must still take occasional stop breaks for stretching, using the restrooms, and ascertaining their blood circulation is okay, which prevents the formation of clots from sitting too long.
3. Ask for discounts. Use the lodging coupon booklets available at state or city information centers, highway rest areas, truck stops, or the larger convenience stops. Look for discounts that include free breakfasts. Travelers can save an average of $5-10 for the rooms up to four people, and another $5-25 with the free breakfasts, depending on the number in the group.
Additionally, remember to ask for available discounts at restaurants, theme parks, museums, and entertainment sites (admission fees). Senior citizens often forget to ask for the discounts they are eligible for at these places. It also pays to know ahead of time which well-known chain restaurants offer discounts to patronize them while traveling.
Common discounts include the following among others: automobile and travel memberships, senior citizen or related memberships, youth, handicap, government employee, certain union memberships, advance registration or purchase, motel and club memberships, Internet offers and coupons, and select coupons found in local newspapers and travel guides.
4. Use a global positioning system (GPS). Today, a good GPS can be purchased for well under $200. These time-saving electronic gadgets not only give the accurate route to a destination, they also help find lodging, restaurants, and attractions quickly with their precise distances measured from the location of the GPS itself.
5. Take a wireless notebook computer along. Since wireless Internet connections are available everywhere nowadays, the computer will provide information the GPS cannot, like, the hours of operation, basic costs, discounts, and other amenities. It can also locate automobile dealerships, repair shops, if needed, and almost any kind business through the Internet yellow pages. Reviews and travel tips can also be found with it.
6. Pack an air mattress or two. This item is joked about among travelers, but several of them use one, or do something similar more often than realized. Using a mattress is not the same thing as camping out, although these travelers might sleep under a picnic pavilion occasionally. It is more like imitating RV travel to a degree.
Actually, certain travelers do sleep inside their cars at the highway rest areas or in public parks where it is allowed and patrolled occasionally, similar to the way semi-truck drivers do. But the cars do not have bunk sections like the trucks do. Thus, lying prone on an air mattress on a picnic table can be more comfortable than trying to sleep in a sitting-leaning position in a car, which can leave someone stiff and sore. However, this practice must be done in safe, well-lit, common public places where it is legal, and where wild animals, beggars, or hoodlums do not roam.
Additionally, if the traveling party consists of two people or less in a van, the mattress can be used in the rear part of the van without having to deflate it the next morning. In the older vans where the seats do not fold away completely, the mattress can be laid on a ply-board atop the folded down back seats. This placement leaves storage room under the mattress between the seats and the rear door for the baggage, cooler, and other items. Still, this practice must be done under mild-weather, insect-and-snake-free, healthy, and safe conditions, probably with frequent alternate stays at the discounted motels for bathing, privacy, safety, and reasons other than merely saving time and money.
For more information on budgeting road travel, see the following sites.
1. eHow – How To Do Just About Everything How to Take a Road Trip on a Budget by katiespen http://www.ehow.com/how_2220916_road-trip-budget.html
2. WikiHow – The How-to Manual That You Can Edit How to Travel Comfortably in a Van http://www.wikihow.com/Travel-Comfortably-in-a-Van
Why did my boyfriend put a condom in his travel kit?
We have been dating for 1 1/2 years and haven’t used condoms (I’m on the pill) for a year. Some days ago he confessed his undying love for me. He left for a trip and I found a condom in his bathroom bag. I let him know I knew and he said he was shocked to find it, had no idea it was there, and didn’t think he even had any left anywhere. He took it out, but late placed another in a different bag which I found too. I asked him if he put the first condom in his bathroom bag and he denied with hugs/kisses. I know he put it in there, I am 100% sure it wasn’t there before. I don’t think he is planning to cheat on me given recent events, but I’m not sure why he had to have one/lie to me. Is it a guy thing to have a condom when traveling?
He is hiding something from you…and you better find out.
Review: PROPORTA Universal Emergency Charger – Travel Kit
