Label your chargers, stay in charge: Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Do you panic about leaving a phone charger behind in a hotel room? Do your hands get clammy when you have a jumble of chargers cords in your carry-on bag, but can’t find the right one? I solved the tangled cord problem by using colored twist ties, electrical tape, or sticky labels.

I save twist ties from bags of bread/bagels in a small ZipLoc bag in my silverware drawer in the kitchen. As I buy cell phones, I label the phone charger cables with a twist tie. My phone has a red twist tie while my husband’s phone has a green one. My teen’s charger cord is yellow while the tween’s is blue. When we arrive at a hotel, I will unravel the charger cables we need, so the phone can be placed on the desk in the hotel room while charging. I use the twist tie to secure the remaining charger cable to prevent the phone from slipping to the floor. At the end of our trip, the charger cables are easy to spot because of the colored twist tie.

For larger charger cables, such as though for digital/video cameras and laptops, I use a piece of colored electrical tape or a sticky label. I buy electrical tape, which is about 0.5″ wide and is red or blue. I write the name of the device on the label on the charger cable. Many laptop charger cables come with an attached velcro or plastic tie, which helps to prevent tangled cords in a carry-on bag.

[Photo: Flickr | A. Germain]

Everyone gets a daily “stop” card – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

On a road trip, you just can’t stop everywhere that looks interesting or fun. And of course, what would appeal to an 8-year-old girl might lead to the eye-rolling of a 14-year-old boy. An easy solution: every family member gets a “stop” card daily.

No questions asked, no arguments — if a family member pulls out their “stop” card, the whole family stops. You can put a cap on cost ahead of time, and no complaining allowed as each gets a turn.

It’s fair, fun and very interesting to see the type of stopping points chosen.

[Photo: Flickr | Rich Anderson]

Look where cab drivers eat – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Look where cab drivers eat.

There are times in a foreign country when you want to test the culinary prowess of a culture that has a thousand years of history behind it. And there are times when you just want to “tie on the feed bag.”

If you want authentic, down-home grub and you don’t want to be over-charged, follow the cab drivers. If you you see five or so cabs parked in front of a restaurant, you’ve found a cheap, filling, honest meal, sans garnish, with refills on the crank du-jour and plenty of local color.

[Photo: Flickr | Bryson Gilbert]

Stow your wireless mouse in a toddler-size sock – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re traveling with your laptop and bringing a wireless mouse with you, stick it inside one of your toddler’s outgrown socks.

A toddler’s sock is the perfect size to cushion this delicate hardware. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle clothing you’d normally toss in the garbage or use for a rag.

Also: it’s cute.

[Photo: Flickr | FHKE]