Tips and tricks on How to pack? How to save money and space on traveling?

Hey guys,

It's finally SUMMER, time of traveling and having fun.

Packing and traveling is not easy, and forgetting something behind is a party pooper, so what is the solution to an easy breezy packing experience?

I'll share my packing, traveling and booking airplane tickets top tips and tricks, hacks that were very helpful to me personally when I'm travelling.

The topics I'll be discussing in today's post are as follow:

1. Traveling Tips (What to do before and during your flight?).
2. Airport hacks.
3. What to take with you in your carry on?
4. How to pack?
5. What to pack?
6. Packing hacks.
7. Outfit journal.
8. Outfit ideas.

1. Traveling Tips:

Fact: Airlines make more money by knowing our buying habits.

So when to buy airline tickets? 

• The best time to buy your ticket is 6 weeks out.
• Shop early but don't buy early. Airlines start offering cheaper seats about 4 months before departure, 5 months for international.
• Prices change up to 3 times/day, sign up for email alerts for prices.
• Sunday is the most expensive day to fly- Holiday travel is an exception, buy those tickets as soon as possible.

Things to consider:

• Prices rise quickly the week of the flight. You'll pay about 40% more for ticket the day of.
• Most discounts and sales are offered early in the week.
• Consider nearby airports. Some cities have several airports, and the airfare can vary dramatically between them.

Before your flight:

1. Stick to a routine: Choose a flight that fits your sleeping schedule, if not stick to your bedtime routine before the flight, to fall asleep easier on the plane.
2. Dress for success: Wear sweatpants or workout cloths will keep you comfortable. Don't forget the thick socks to keep your feet warm.
3. Choose your side: Book your seat according to the side you sleep on if possible.
4. Tire yourself: The night before the flight, try to get a little less sleep.
5. Limber up: Stretch your body or do some yoga before your flight.

During your flight:

1. Flip your neck pillow: When you doze off, your head will be supported.
2. Use a foot rest: Use your carry on luggage as a foot rest.
3. Stay away from the light: Block out light, close the blinds, if you're setting next to a window, if not wear an eye mask.
4. Listen to white noise: Drown out any distracting sounds.
5. Avoid the snack trolley: Avoid drinks that are full of sugar and caffeine and alcohol, try to have carb-rich snacks like cereal one hour before dozing off.

Choose your sleeping position:

1. The window-gazer: Using a pillow prop your head against the window.
2. The headbanger: Pull down your seat tray and lean on top of it.
3. The lovebirds: Rest your head on the shoulder of the person next to you.
4. The crab: Ideal for isle seats, bring your legs to your hips and over the armrest (Watch out for the trolley).
5. The traditionalist: Push your seat back and enjoy the extra space.
6. The VIP: What are the odds? Just like sleeping in your bed, when you're alone in the raw, you can sprawl across the seats with a blanket and a pillow.

2. Airport Hacks:

• Check in online.
• Stay close to the business boarding, They occasionally show mercy and take people in from the queue.
• If you get thirsty, bring an empty water bottle through security,then fill it later.
• Know the rules, no sharp objects, liquids in sealed bags.
• Empty your pocket before you go through security.
• Offline survival, download your online boarding, Maps and passes, in case the unthinkable happens.
• Instead of storming the gate, wait out the rush and get some work done, the plane won't take off before 40 minutes.
• Use headphone for noise cancellation, not music, this way you won't miss any important announcements.
• Expect the unexpected, your luggage may be lost,so keep on an extra outfit and the essentials in your carry on.
• Board last for a free upgrade. If the plane is not full, you'll get to pick your seat, maybe even in first class.

What to take on your carry on?

1. Super important:

• Passport/ID.
• Copies of flight itinerary and address of where you're staying.
• Boarding pass.
• Proof of payment of any visas, hotels, flights. etc.

2. Entertainment:

• Tablet.
• Chargers.
• Headphones, Noise cancellation headphones.
• Knitting supplies. Knitting needles are allowed on the plane.

3. Snacks:

• Almonds.
• Beef jerky.
• Empty water bottle, you can fill it in the airplane.
• Granola.
• Apple pie, feel free to bring that pie yo baked last night.

4.Hygiene:

• One quart - size bag of liquids per flyer - that's it. Liquids must be 3.4 Oz or less deppending on the airlines.

3.4 Oz hand sanitizer.

3.4 Oz lotion.

Eye contact solution + Glasses

5. Just in case:

• Change of underwear.
• Pillow case.
• Anti wrinkle shirt.
• Pliers. 7 inches tools or less are allowed on the plane.
• Expensive electronics.
• Sleeping mask.
• Blanket or a big scarf.
• travel pillow.
• Anything you hate to lose like Jewelry, be careful if the ring resemble a brass rings it may get taken away. 

4. How to pack?

1. Know your destination, check the temperature, the climate, the culture, etc...
2. Trip duration, how many days, you can make your suitcase as light or as heavy as it needs to be. If your traveling just for the weekend it's better to pack your stuff in your carry on.
3. Make a check list to prevent forgetting anything. A complete checklists will be provided. Beach Packing List, Makeup and Toiletries Packing List, Vacation Packing List. 
4. Choose a color pallet. It's best to choose all nature colors with a few pieces of colored items like accessories or shoes.
5. Weigh your luggage at home so that you don't have to go through trouble at the airport, taking out your items from the suitcase in case of an over weight.

5. What to pack for a 5 day get away:

So Packing is not an easy task, but if you followed the 5 steps of how to pack it'll be so much easier.

1. Check the climate and culture.
2. Gather the basics.
3. Add key color pallet items.
4. Rationalize shoes, A pair of nude wedges to go with everything, flip flops, sneakers and heels for romantic dinners.
5. Complete with accessories, a cross body bag, a tote that can be used as a beach bag too, a clutch, belts and statement necklaces.

Pack light with the 5, 4, 3, 2 ,1 Rule:

5 Tops        4 Bottoms        3 Pairs of shoes       2 bags      1 Swimsuit

Black high neck (B.H.N)    Black Mesh (B.M)    White (W)     Mint  (M)      Kemono (K)

Black Pants (B)        Jeans (J)         Coral jeans (C)      Shorts (Sh)

White Wedges (W.W)    Sneakers (S)   Flipflops (F)

Black crossbody bag (Cross)      Nine west bag (Nine  L(long strap) / Sh (short strap))

For example: B.H.N + B + W.W + Nine Sh

                      W + K + J + W.W + Nine L

 

6. Packing Hacks:

• Put necklaces through straws.
• Put earrings through buttons holes.
• Put plastic wrap to close the bottles of toiletries (double wrap).
• Put cotton balls in compact powders to save them from breaking.
• Use cloths pins to make you toothbrush stand up right on the sink's top.
• put your money, credit cards and important papers in a maxi pad wrap, no one will ever touch it.

Cloths packing and organization tips:

• Roll clothes to fit the uneven bottom of a suitcase.
• Add pants and trousers.
• Roll clothes again.
• Put outerwear.
• Wrap pants and trousers.
• Insert accessories / shoe to corners (put socks inside shoes before hand).

Folding tips: 

Jeans:

Anti-wrinkle t-shirts:

7. Outfit Journal:

Keep a journal to document every outfit idea you get, do it on Microsoft Excel, or on physical paper, whatever suits you so you don't forget.

Take photos with your phone and keep them in a separate folder for easy access.

I do it on Excel sheets, its easier for me to find it on my laptop, plus I upload it on dropbox for the convince of finding it on my phone.

Here you'll find a free printable of my outfit journal, plus a Microsoft Excel version so you can customize it to your needs.

The photo above is an example of my journal for reference.

8. Outfit ideas:

Finally I hope you liked this blog post, I've spend a massive effort on covering so many aspects of travelling, please share it with your friends and family, and leave me a comment telling me about your secret traveling hack.

How to save money on your pet?

Hey guys,

Owning a pet is a great experience but also an expensive one between visits to the veterinarian and purchasing pet care products. Those furry little piles of love can hit your wallet hard, having a pet can cost so much money which is sure to put pressure on your family's budget.

Your pet doesn’t need fancy toys and accessories, just the basics of pet care are costly enough, as long as your furry friend gets plenty of exercise, food, water, and attention. Whether you have a dog, cat, or another type of animal in your care, you can always find ways to reduce expenses without jeopardizing care.

Here are 5 categories of everyday pet care to save money on.

1. Adopt

Adopting your pet from the pound or an animal shelter not only saves money, it also means you are helping an animal that needs a home.

I know many people who are against adopting from shelters due to the fact you know almost nothing about the dog’s past or heritage but when you’re on a Spending Fast or just monitoring your spending, adoption is an excellent route to go.

Please check this article about Ten Reasons to Adopt a Pet.

2. Health care

Annual preventive healthcare exams and regular preventive care – such as vaccinations, heartworm testing, fecal parasite exams, dental evaluation and others, save pets’ lives by ensuring they’re healthy.  They can also save pet owners money by reducing or eliminating the risk of health problems that can be more expensive to treat.

Before just going to the vet that is closest to your house, call around and compare pricing. I have found from experience that they can range as much as $20 in their visit fees.

Save money on your pet’s health care by ensuring that your pet does not become obese. obesity in pets can lead to several health problems — including diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, to name just a few. Those are costly health issues to treat.

Save money on a dog walker by walking your dog yourself.
C’mon admit it… you need the exercise as much as your dog does! Who doesn’t?

3. Food

Buy in Bulk. When you see sales, stock up on products you definitely know your pet will use. Visit warehouses and stores to find good deals on large quantities of items your pet loves.

Please check this article about Saving Money On Your Pets: Dog Food Tips And How To Save Money.

Feed them homemade meals. Please check the following articles:

Easy Home-Prepared Dog Food
Home Cooking: The Alternative to Pet Foods
Homemade Cat Food and Raw Cat Food 
Home Prepared Diets for Dogs & Cats

Dog treats aren’t too terribly expensive but why pay anything for them when you can make them in your own kitchen! Not only will you save money but you will also be providing your dog with a healthier option. Which could later save on vet bills.

Pet Treat Recipes
6 Recipes for Homemade Dog Treats
4 DIY Cat Treat Recipes
Chewy Cat Treats for Cats

4. Entertainment

 Toys:

You only need 5 to 10 dog toys total, because dogs always gravitate to their favorites. Once you find the type of toy your dog prefers, simply replace that one with a similar or identical one each time it wears out. Choose the most indestructible dog toys possible, and don’t give your dog access to all of his toys all the time. Instead, always keep some hidden away. Then, rotate your dog’s toys every week or so. That way, they’ll always seem “new” to him when they’re re-introduced.

You can always make your own, check DIY Cat Toys.
37 Homemade Dog Toys Made by DIY Pet Owners
How to make pet toys
How to make scratching posts

Accessories:

Save money on dog collars and leashes by resisting impulse buys and sticking to the highest-quality, most-durable leashes and collars that will last for years. Truth is, all you really need is a simple pet collar that is easy to clean and not too expensive to replace. Here are some DIY ideas:

10 Easy DIY Dog Collars
How to make pet collars & leashes
12 Fun and Easy DIY Pet Accessories
How to make pet beds
How to make pet clothes

 5. Grooming

It may take a little practice but if you love your pet and you want to save a few bucks through the years, then you’ll want to start grooming your pet yourself. It’s best to start early. The younger your pet is, the quicker he’ll get used to the fact that “this is just something we always do” and he won’t put up a fight.

The Importance of Grooming Your Pet

Pet pedicure can be easier if you follow 10 Steps to a Perfect Pet Pedicure. The tools you'll need are cheap, a nail file and a nail clippers.

Coat care is also simple if you get the right tools, search the web for the right tools for your pet's coat, long hair or short hair, each type has its own useful tools. Make sure you have the right brushes, combs, and clippers for the job. Ask your veterinarian which tools he recommends for your pet.

Pet Brush 2 in 1 Combo Brush for Long and Short Hair
Pet Fur Knot Cutter
Dog & Cat Brush For Shedding for Short Hair

I hope you found this post helpful, please give me your feedback in the comments down below.

Weekly Meal Planner

Hey guys,
 

Are you tired of eating the same food every week, break out of your recipes.
 
For many of us, cooking dinner every night is a frustrating, time-consuming process, even if you know your way around a kitchen. Here's how I (a self-proclaimed fool in the kitchen) turned cooking from a time-consuming chore into a quick, easy, and delicious process. 
 
Effective menu planning is rewarding in terms of time and money, especially given how little effort it takes. Those who do it well seem to have internalized its rules. The good news: The rest of us can learn, too. 
 

What Is Meal Planning?

 It's whatever way you organize yourself to cook a meal, whether that's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is the plan you make before you shop. Some people plan a month in advance, freezing neatly-labeled packets of soup and stew. Others wing it, shopping for that evening's meal at the farmers' market and picking up whatever looks good to them. Meal planning is a really personal thing. What works for you may not work for me. The goal, I think, is to find a process that is both enjoyable and effective. 
 
My Tips for Meal Planning:

Getting Inspired

1. Spend time each week looking for recipes.

This may feel like an indulgence, but just let yourself do it. Browse blogs and websites for recipes that look delicious. Hang out on Tasteologie. Pile up some cookbooks and reach for the sticky notes. Get inspired!

2. Create a place to save recipes, and keep it SIMPLE.

Do whatever works for you. Don't get caught up in a system, just use whatever works best and most easily. Personally, I like Pinterest because it's easy to visually browse what I've saved.
This is my recipes board. Check it out.

3. Ask your partner, family, and roommates what they like to eat.

This might sound obvious, but it's easy to get caught up in our weeks and forget to ask our households what they would like to eat. I get extra inspired, too, when I feel like I'm cooking a meal as a gift.

4.  Check the weather.

Right now, the weather is changeable in many parts of the country. Look at the weather forecast, and try to predict if you're going to be in the mood for soup (or grilled shrimp salad!) on Friday.

5. Keep a meal journal.

One of my best inspirations is my own record of things I've cooked in the past. Take a look at what you were cooking a year ago, two years ago. It's a good way to remember things you used to cook, and still love.

Getting Organized

6. Start a calendar.

Now that you're getting inspired in what to eat, start a calendar of what you'd like to cook over the
next few days or few weeks.

7. Go with theme nights (soup night, pasta night, beans).

 Monday is pasta, Tuesday is fish, Wednesday is tacos. This doesn't work for everyone, but it may be especially helpful for those with kids. See if they want to get involved with planning their favorite tacos one week.

8. Choose a shopping day and make a shopping list.

 Looked at your recipes and make a shopping list. Some of the meal planning and recipe-saving services let you do this easily, extracting ingredients from the recipes you have saved.

9. Check what's on sale.

Some folks really like to organize their meals around sales. Is organic chicken a dollar off this week? Or canned chickpeas? Check out your grocery store circular and adjust your meal plan or shopping list a bit.

10. Plan for leftovers.

Most of us have at least some tolerance for leftovers. I regularly cook one or two big healthy casseroles at the beginning of the week and eat off them all week long for lunch. Some people can only eat leftovers for a single night. Either way, try to make your cooking always do double duty. Make a little extra of everything, and if you don't want it right away, freeze it.

Getting It Done

 



11. Prep food as soon as you get back from the store.

Wash and dry lettuce. Chop onions. Roast vegetables. Brown sausage for pizza. Shred zucchini for quick stir-fries. Stack up glass containers of prepped ingredients in the refrigerator and bask in your own awesome preparedness.

 

12. Cook components of your meals.

Going beyond prep, cook components of the meals. For instance, start a batch of tomato sauce while you wash greens and prep squash. The sauce can go on pizza one night, and in lasagna the next. Or roast a chicken right then that you can eat that night and use for sandwiches and pasta the rest of the week.

 

13. Be strategic about freezing.

The freezer is your friend. Actually, it's the friend of future you. Make a double batch of that sauce mentioned above and freeze half for later. Make a double batch of soup, stew, chicken cacciatore, cooked beans, throw it in the freezer. Let a month go by, and those leftovers will look fresh and tasty!

 

14. Don't overstuff the refrigerator.

It's easy to get overwhelmed when your fridge is over-full. Also, things get hidden in the back, lost behind the mustard. Don't let things go bad. Keep your fridge airy and light, with a sensible, realistic amount of food in it. Keep a list nearby of everything in the fridge, especially leftovers, as a visual reminder of what remains to be eaten.

 

15. Keep a well-stocked pantry.

Meals are easier and quicker to prepare if you keep your pantry well-stocked. Don't run out of olive oil at inconvenient moments. Have spices ready to dress up chicken and beans quickly. Keep a lemon and a sheaf of fresh herbs in the fridge at all times.

 

Here you'll find a free printable weekly menu planner.

 

Download as many copies as you need and keep them around the house to make it easy to keep track of your meal planning. Give me feedback, a tell me down below if there is any concepts and subjects you want me to cover next.

 

Food on a budget

Hey guys,

Real food, a term we hear about a lot. If you're someone who's concern about what you put in your mouth like me, then the term Real food matters to you.

A problem you'll face when you're trying to eat healthy and clean is paying to much for grocery, or that's what you're made to think, eating clean doesn't have to be expansive, at all.

today I will try to give you a real food on a budget.

There are two components to eating Real Food on a budget. One is learning what foods to prioritize sourcing well, and the other is learning how to manage your kitchen properly to stretch those dollars.

 

•  Prioritize Food Choices

 

this is how I prioritize spending my money:

 

1. Getting High Quality Fats & Oils:

 

 The goal here is to eat a traditional balance of fats by reducing the amount of Omega 6 fatty acids in our diet and increasing the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. Try to use more coconut oil, butter, and olive oil in your cooking. Whatever you do, eliminate all yellow seed oils like corn oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, etc.

 

2. Getting High Quality Meats, Fish, & Eggs:

 

 By this, I mean for you to eat meats from humanely raised, pastured animals or wild caught seafood.  High quality eggs are trickier to find.

 

3. Buying Organic Fruits & Veggies:

 

 If you’ve done the first two things on this list and still have some wiggle room in your budget, then start buying as many organic fruits & veggies as you can afford. Prioritize buying organic on thin-skinned fruits & vegetables like grapes, peaches, leafy greens, etc. If a fruit or vegetable has a thicker-skin or peel, you can feel safer buying non-organic b/c you can simply peel it and eliminate most pesticides that way.

 

You may say that in the short term real food is more expensive. So how do we make it work? How do we eat real food on a budget?

 

• Here are some ways I’ve found helpful . . .

1. Always Go Grocery Shopping With A List

This is my no. 1 tip on saving money, because saving money starts at home before going out to the grocery store. Make a list of the grocery you need preferably organized by where things are found in the store.

2.  Make It Count

It’s not necessary to make everything from scratch (unless you want to, which can be fun!). To save money, though, figure out what you spend most on and learn to make THAT.

Store bought breads, Quality condiments like Ketchup or Mayo and Any specialty ingredient you love – Convert one large bag of shredded coconut into coconut milk for smoothies and coconut butter. 

 

3. Get The Scoop On Farmer’s Market Deals

 

If you want the best products for the best price you must read this article for tips on how conquer the

farmer's market.

4. Plant a Garden

“If you shop at the grocery store for tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, salad greens or strawberries — and who doesn’t? — then you are the perfect candidate for becoming a kitchen gardener,” says Dan Shapley of The Daily Green.

“Growing your own will save you an incredible amount of money — more than $1,200 if you plant all five, according to the analysis of one Maine gardener.”

5. Or At Least An Herb Garden!

Not only will this impart tons of flavor to simple meals, you can dry the extra to use year round. MUCH more affordable than buying jars at the grocery store.

6. Make Your Own Convenience Foods

Get the hubs to watch the kids for a few hours while you prep snacks to keep in the freezer. Here are 20 Grab-and-Go Snack Recipes.

 

7.  Stock Your Pantry

 

Beans are a great way to add bulk to meals, but if you’re an idealist like me you want them properly soaked. Problem is, I often forget to take them out the night before to get the process started. Meal planning is one way to help, but an even simpler way is to have them ready to throw into the pressure cooker. Not sure what to do once they’re prepped? The bean recipes in Eat your beans post are my family’s favorites.

 

8. Make the most of “cheap” foods like broths, carrots, bananas and beans

 

For example, use leftover chicken bones to make nourishing bone broth

 

Whip up this spicy carrot salad

 

Make and freeze these banana walnut muffins (if the cost of walnuts is an issue omit them – the muffins will still be great!)

 

Or try these refried beans and eggs for breakfast!

 

• My penny-saving tips for real food on a budget:

 

1. Shop Less 

 

I’m not sure I can commit to NO shopping, but with my new freezer packed full, I’m excited to see how little I can spend by eating the food I already have.

 

2. Don’t double up on protein

 

I do love eggs and bacon for breakfast, but in a effort to save money, it doesn’t make sense to “pair meat with cheese, eggs with cheese, meat with eggs, and the like unless I’m cooking up something special.”

 

3. Eat more Veggies

 

 Don’t get me wrong, I do love some wilted kale or steamed asparagus (both with butter, of course), but I just know they don’t pack as much nutritional punch as high quality fat and meats. BUT, to save money without gorging on tons of grains, a big serving of veggies (smothered in fat and accompanying my protein) is a great way to fill your tummy.

 

4. Make Meal Plans

 

 I swore I would never do this (it always seemed so tedious), but now I can see how planning the week’s meals in advance will save us from those last minute restaurant lunches or expensive trips to the grocery store. I will share my meal plans in the coming weeks so we can compare notes.

 

5. I don’t waste food

 

We save up unused vegetable parts and uneaten leftovers to make hearty broths and soups each week, use chicken bones to make gravy and broth. This way, I can generally get four meals out of each chicken!

 

I hope you found this post helpful and rich in advice, this is what I do usually and it helped me a lot in saving money through out the week.

 

Please share your advice for saving money and getting real food on a budget down below.

 

How to save $7897/year?

Hay guys,

So the ultimate question of all times is how to save money every day?

I'll be telling you some hacks and tips on how you can save money everyday and cut a great amount of money that goes out of your wallet annually.

• Save money on the cost of caffeine.

Brew at home and save $946/year. That's 91% cheaper than buying coffee.

• Dry clean: Time to wear.

Do it yourself and save $133/year. That's 89% cheaper than the dry cleaner.

• It's always cool to carpool.

Ride together and save $988/year. That's 75% cheaper than driving.

• Have to forage to pay the mortgage?

Refinance and save up to $3156/year. That's 16% cheaper

• Washing in hot is costing a lot.

Wash cold saves $87/year. That's 93% cheaper than washing hot.

• Does the gym leave your wallet slim?

Exercise at home and save $520/year. That's 79% cheaper than the gym.

• Cost to smoke will leave you broke.

Quit smoking and save $708/year. That's 66% cheaper than smoking.

• Is eating lunch costing you a bunch?

Eat in and save $1144/year. That's 60% cheaper than eating out.

• Stop being coddled by bottled water.

Buying home filter and save $205/year.

 

These were nine money saving tips to help you collect the extra money at the end of the year. Follow these tips and save $7897. Remember it's never too late to start saving money.

I hope these tips were helpful and valuable, Because you can't put a price tag on a piece of advice. Please tell me what was your favorite tip, and what is your personal tip on saving money?

BYE!!