Keep cords organized with TP rolls – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Keep your power cords — and your sanity! — in check by using the cardboard from paper towel or toilet paper rolls to organize all your electronics’ cords. To make a “cord minder” for each of your gadgets, follow these steps:

  1. cut a piece of cardboard tube to size
  2. cut a notch at each end to “hold” the ends (USB head or plug)
  3. stuff the cord inside the tube, leaving the ends wedged into the notches (add a rubber band for more security)
  4. mark each tube’s contents and place all cords in a plastic bag

When you arrive at your destination, grab the tubes you need and leave the rest in the bag. Rather than having numerous power cords draped around the room, the cords will be contained neatly in the tubes.

Bonus: if you see a toilet paper tube when packing to leave, it’s probably yours. [Photo: Flickr | Andres Rueda]

Bring bourbon – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Many countries have limited access to American-made Bourbon Whiskey, but people outside the U.S. love the stuff. With the American dollar at an all-time low, it’s a good idea to have something to barter with overseas.

Some Japanese will spend the equivalent of $40 for a handle of cheap whiskey that costs $20 or less in America. So, bring a few bottles of your favorite bourbon to your country of choice and bring back souvenirs for your whole family.

Alternatively, present a bottle to your host as a deep appreciation for inviting/hosting you.

[Photo: Flickr | Chris.Corwin]

Hide your valuables in a tackle box – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Cruises are a haven for thieves who want to steal high-ticket items. My mother’s engagement ring was stolen on a cruise almost ten years ago, and she still cries about it sometimes.

Protect and disguise your valuables with a fishing tackle box. It may not be the most elegant enclosure for your diamond rings and family heirlooms, but most thieves will not check tackle boxes on cruises.

One added benefit of the tackle box versus any other “unconventional” method of packing jewelry is that most tackle boxes have small compartments for earrings and rings, and larger compartments for necklaces. Nothing fishy about that.

Related:
Use contact lens cases to transport gels and lotions
Use a pill box for jewelry

[Photo: Flickr | JasonIppolito]

Walk with your bags before traveling – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you want to keep your bag smaller, and more travel-ready, walk with it for 30 minutes… on a hilly blacktop… on a sunny day.

I admit, this exercise may not directly trim your bags. However, this should make you more able to prioritize what you need for your trip.

[Photo: Flickr | .Luc.]

Stay with missionaries when traveling – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re affiliated with a church group, contact the missionaries in the country you want to visit. Staying with them will offer you the opportunity to see life as it’s lived daily by “real” locals; provide a rent-free (or very inexpensive) place to live; and if you offer to help the missionaries with some projects (something as simple as babysitting to give them a day off), you will endear yourself to them forever.

Bonus: you won’t have to learn a foreign language, as you’ll have the missionaries as built-in translators wherever you go.

[Photo: Flickr | sanbeiji]