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.

Home made Oat Milk

Hey guys,

I needed to find a cheaper alternative to dairy so I tried oat milk. It is so cheap, fast, and easy to make. Three things everyone loves! I also love that there are no emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers or other additives in homemade milk. It’s not going to replace the calcium and protein in cow’s milk so I make sure to keep our diet high in yogurt, cheese, poultry and leafy greens.

You'll find a printable recipe of my Homemade Oat Milk .

Ingredients:

 

• 1 cup oats
• 3 cups filtered water
• 1.5-2 tbsp. honey (or pitted dates), to taste
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

You will also need a blender, a fine sieve, a large bowl, and measuring spoons/cup.

I haven’t tried this oat milk with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag yet, but if anyone does please leave a
comment and let me know how it goes.
 

Instruction:

·          Rinse and drain 1 cup of steel-cut oats. Place oats into a bowl and cover with water. Soak for around 20 minutes. You can soak longer (even overnight) if desired.

·          After soaking, rinse and drain the oats very well. This step is very important because you want to rinse off any of the oat slime that has occurred from soaking.

·          Scoop oats into your blender and add 3 cups water. I prefer using 3 cups of water as opposed to 4 cups because it yields a creamier/thicker milk. Just know the more water you add the thinner your milk will be.

·          Cover with lid and turn the blender on a low speed, increasing the speed gradually, and blend at the highest speed for about 8-10 seconds only.

·          Place a fine sieve over a large bowl and pour the oat milk very slowly into the sieve. You might have to do this in a couple batches depending on the size of your sieve.

·          With a spoon, gently push down on the oat pulp so the milk flows through. This helps push the milk into the bowl, leaving the oat pulp behind in the sieve.

·          Clean out your blender and sieve with a good rinse of water until no pulp residue remains.

·           Place sieve over top of your blender and pour the milk in once again and strain.

·          Add in 1.5 tbsp Honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.

·          Then  pour the milk from the blender into a clean mason jar for storage in the fridge.

·          Notes: This should last in the fridge in a sealed container/jar for 4-5 days. Use it in smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, baking, or drink it straight. If you want to use it in a savoury recipe, you can omit the sweetener, vanilla, and cinnamon.

·          Note:  Homemade milk does separate (remember there are no added emulsifiers!), so be sure to give your milk a very good shake (or stir) before using. I just don’t want you to be alarmed when you see the heavier ingredients sitting at the bottom of the jar.

What can you do with the leftover oat pulp?

I suggest saving it and mixing it into smoothies. Use it in Oatmeal cookies. If you have a dehydrator, I assume you could also dehydrate the pulp and then pulverize it in a blender to make flour.

If anyone has any other ideas, leave them below.
Ups:

• Very low cost.
• Nut-free so good for those with allergies
• Quick to make
• You don’t need a nut milk bag or cheesecloth
• Clean up was easy.
• Decent, but not mind-blowing flavor

Downs:

Not as creamy compared to homemade almond milk

Slightly watery (although this is improved when using 3 cups water instead of 4)

 

Drugstore Makeup Dupes

Hey guys,

We can all appreciate a good bargain, especially when we’re getting something cheap that probably should be expensive. This is why beauty dupes are SO popular. Why spend $35 on one piece of makeup if you could spend $5 on something that works just as well AND looks exactly the same? Who wouldn’t want to do that? Makeup is so expensive, and since it’s something you need to buy fairly regularly, it’s good to save when you can.

But still, makeup dupes can be really great sometimes. We don’t always have the money to splurge on our favorite products, so why not get cheaper ones that work almost as well? Here are 6 amazing makeup beauty dupes that will make you want to get to the drugstore ASAP.

- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencil Vs. Rimmel Scandal eye water proof Kohl eyeliner

$20  Vs.  $4.99

 

 

I don't know why anyone could buy an eyeliner and pay $20 for it, when you can get the same effect for much less.

 

 

- Benefit Hoola Bronzer Vs. NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny.

 

$28  Vs.  $2.99

 

 

Having a nice, matte, non-orange in a little hard to find in the drugstore. Hoola is great for bronzing and light contouring, and this NYC bronzer is so darn similar. The only thing, this specific bronzer is hard to find, so keep an eye out for it.

 

- MAC Satin Taupe eye shadow Vs. Wet 'N Wild single eye shadow in "Nutty".

 

$16  Vs.  $0.99

 

Satin Taupe from MAC is one of those universally shadows that are flattering on everyone, but the Wet 'N Wild is actually the same, my only complain about the packaging being cheap, and the shadow breaks easily because of it, but it's only $0.99 so I will forgive them for it.

 

- Beauty Blender Vs. Real Technique Miracle complexion sponge.

 

$20.00  Vs.  $5.99

 

Okay, I will say that this is not an exact dupe by any means. But I'm mentioning this for a cheaper alternative for the beauty blender.

 

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Vs. NYX Micro Brow Pencil.

 

$21  Vs.  $9.99

 

The NYX Pencil is the closest I've found to the Anastasia Beverly Brow Wiz.

 

- Smashbox Photo finish foundation Primer Vs. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore eraser Primer.

 

$ 36  Vs.  $5.99



This is another example where I wonder why would you spend  $36 on a primer. I honestly can't find a difference between the two.

 

 

Which of these dupes have you tried before? Do you think any of them don’t work? What’s your favorite makeup brand? Tell me in the comments!

 

 





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!!

Saving money all year long

Hey guys,

Since we are at beginning of 2016 I thought I would provide you with a cheat sheet of saving money and make smart buying choices all year long, month by month, what are the deals and tips and tricks to spend money in a smart way. So mark your calendars and get the best deals on stuff you need.

January: Start the year with clean sheets. Score liners and towels at the discount during January's White sales.

February: Stock up on winter cloths, coats, and now boots which go on sale now, to make room in the stores for the spring cloths in March.

March: Small electronics like digital cameras from last year are cheaper in March because this year's models are usually just hitting stores.

April: You can typically find deals on cook wear and other household items because retailers discount them for the Wedding-gift crowd.

May: Yard sales and flea markets are held all year-round, but they really get into full swing when the weather gets nicer in May.

June: Look for deals on gym memberships during the summer months, when people start flocking outside to exercise.

July: Retailers use July forth ( and every holiday for that matter ) as an excuse to hold big sales on everything from cars to carpets. Take advantage.

August: Most summer gear goes on sale to make way for the fall items. Buy grills, air conditioning units, and summer cloths.

September: These days you can find  back to school items on sale, not just school supplies, but you can get a new computer for a very good deal.

October: New home appliances are usually introduced in the fall time, so it's a good time to buy that new dishwasher you've been wanting, since home appliances don't change that drastically in from year to year.

November: Holiday sales are starting earlier and earlier. Score a bargain this month on gift items such as toys and flat-screen TVs.

December: The week after Christmas is the best to get seasonal items at a super deep discount. Buy next year holiday wrapping paper, ornaments, and decorations now.

So time your purchases right and save money all year long with this handy cheat sheet.

I hope this information have been useful, and please tell me down below if you've been shopping this way consciously on non-consciously.

BYE!! 

10 Shopping tips

Hey guys,

         Today things will get real, we will talk about shopping.
Shopping runs in our blood as ladies, it's our sport. Despite it's bad influence on our wallet it has very beneficial effects on our health, we use it as a platform to distress and breath away from the difficulties of life and the hectic lifestyle we go through.

Here are my top ten shopping tips, how to shop while saving money and effort.

1. Don't wait to go shopping until you have to:

         Every once and a while we go out for a walk in the city or a drive around maybe, and you notice the windows of shops and you say "Wow this is really nice I have to get it", don't think act, buy it now if you think you'll need it in the near future, and on the day of an occasion you will thank your past self for buying it then just because you don't have the time or the resources to buy it now.

2. Shop with a list:

          It's probably my no. 1 tip, I do my grocery shopping with my grocery list, same with cloths. It's crucial to have an idea about what you're going to bring home before hand, if you don't want to write it down at least have a rough idea about what are you missing or what you want. Open your closet, look around, see what you need, let's say you need a white top, a black pants, a gray scarf and a red lipstick. Once you're in the mall you will not be looking for the imaginary pink elephant, and will be spending less money on thing  you already have or don't need.

3. Take a trusted friend:

           It's very important to have a shopping partner that you can trust and on the same page as you. Remember your friend will be giving you feedback, ideas, directions and an extra eye for what's good and what's great. Don't take someone who loves to spend time looking around tens of shops and will probably go home with nothing or everything. So choose you partner wisely.

4. Set a time frame:

           Malls are time consuming, we all know that, don't fall for it. Say you want to spend two hours in the mall, you go in and time yourself, and by the end of your time frame you should be done. Look at your watch a lot and try to achieve you goals, and here where comes the good shopping partner. Remember TIME MANAGEMENT is key.

5. Ask do I need it?

           The list is very important to know if you need it or not, but let's say that you were not planning to go shopping and you just found yourself in the mall ask yourself "Do I need it?" a lot in every store and for every item to consider.

6. Don't buy it just because it's on sale:

           Sometimes stores will make you go in just because they have a big red sign on the door saying "Up to 70% SALE". You are not obligated to buy stuff just because their on sale, if you need it then it's a plus to have it on sale. So ask yourself if you need it, if the answer is YES buy it. Simple!

7. Try it on before you buy it:

           We go home after shopping tired, we through the bags on the bedroom floor and we never remember to even take the cloths out of the bags let alone try them on, after three or four days we try them on and they are not anything like what we hoped, then it's too late to return them.

Always try the items in the store, cloths don't look the same on, try everything that catches your eye.

8. Pay with cash:

            Don't use your credit card while paying for your cloths, it's very hard to keep track of what you're spending if your paying for it virtually. Always use cash to keep track. Start with a specific amount of money and try to stick to it.

9. Negotiate when possible:

            Shops have a margin of profit on every items that is between 20% to 30% and that is more than enough to give them flexibility to go down a little bit with the price for you, just be polite and try not to bather them.

10. Online shopping:

            If you’re buying online, make sure to check coupon sites like RetailMeNot, to see if there are any discount codes that might apply to your purchase, and chick the sizes twice before you order.

These are my top ten tips for a smart shopper, try them because they've always worked for me, and I'll talk to you soon.

Bye.