Bring change – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Stock your console with a few handfuls of change.

Loose quarters, dimes, and nickels can be used to pay for toll road travel, might come in handy if your cell phone battery dies and you need to make an emergency call, or if you need a late-night cup of coffee from a gas station to keep you going just one more hour down the road.

You’ll also be glad you brought along loose change if you need to make an unscheduled stop at a carwash or Laundromat — like when you spill that cup of coffee in your lap.

Decorate with bills and coins – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Anyone who’s been to a foreign country knows it’s inevitable — you come back with foreign coins and bills in your pockets. That leftover money can make a great souvenir.

Colorful bills can be framed for unique decor, and coins can be made into jewelery or refrigerator magnets.

Older kids and teenagers are especially fascinated by foreign money. Plus, unlike other souvenirs, money doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase, and you don’t have to spend extra to buy everyone t-shirts and knickknacks.

Buy a power inverter – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

A power inverter is a small device that plugs into your car cigarette lighter and outputs electricity through a standard grounded socket, converting DC power from the car battery into AC 110-volt power just like you have in your house. You can plug literally anything into your power inverter: a blow dryer, air mattress pump, video game, cell phone, computer, etc.

It’s great for on-the-go entertainment — or for solving last-minute emergencies.

“Make” your own pillow – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re unhappy with the size (or cleanliness) of the pillows the airlines provide, consider “making” your own.

Bring an empty, gallon-sized, slide-lock, plastic bag on the plane. After you’ve settled in your seat, close the bag nearly all the way, insert a drinking straw into the opening, and inflate the bag halfway. Then wrap the bag with a sweater or scarf and place this under your head.

On long/international flights, place the tiny pillow provided by the airline in the small of your back rather than under your head. The pillow provides welcome lower back support.

Shop local dollar stores – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

My favorite places to check out for souvenirs are equivalent to dollar stores, flea markets, and book shops.

When in Tokyo, for example, I stumbled upon a 100 yen store called “Daiso Harajuku,” and I found a trove of Japanese pottery, ornate chopsticks, and beautiful stationary papers.

In Paris, “Shakespeare and Company Bookstore” offers an array of books, new and used, and each book purchased is stamped with the logo of the store. Flea markets are great for scarves, wraps, and other wears, and deals can be made with the merchants. These types of souvenirs speak volumes to the recipients, and will not leave you broke.