Dumb Little Man | Tips for Life

When I learned that Jay White, the founder of Dumb Little Man, frequently travels in his sales career, this immediately brought back memories of my own business travels during my years in pharmaceutical sales. I was traveling 25% to 50% of my time on overnight trips, sometimes for an entire work week.

Although there are great health tips on this awesome blog, I’m sure that for those of you who travel on business and even for everyone else who has gone somewhere on vacations, you will agree that it’s often quite a challenge to maintain healthy habits while away from home. Many people end up either gaining weight or losing weight after their trips and I’m not talking about desired weight changes either.
So here are some tips that I’ve learned to adopt during my travels to help you stay healthy while away from home.
Get Proper Nutrition
While it’s much easier to follow a healthy balanced diet with home cooking, it’s often very challenging if you have to eat out for all of you daily meals during travel. Here are some ideas that may seem obvious, but I'd challenge you to think back to your last business trip. How many of these did you really follow?

• Avoid hotel breakfasts loaded with fat and salt (sausages, bacon, pastries, fried potatoes)
• Start your day with fresh fruit, yogurt and cereals
• Definitely pass on fast food breakfasts but don’t skip a healthy one
• Stay with lighter fare lunches especially if attending conferences all day
• Find good salads and lower fat, whole-wheat sandwiches for lunch
• Don’t overeat at dinner, especially at buffets (or you’ll feel it back in your hotel room)
• Minimize the amount of fried, fatty foods at restaurants
• Drink lots of water with your meals and limit alcohol (hangovers during travel are no fun)
• Don’t overdo the trips to the coffee shops during the day
• Avoid junk snacks - pick up some fresh fruit at local grocers instead
• Pack enough multivitamins to last your entire trip as inexpensive diet insurance

Exercise On The Road
As I remember all the big meetings and conferences I’ve attended, it’s incredible just how few travelers stay active on the road. With overeating and inactivity, it’s no wonder why many travelers end up gaining weight. So here are some tips to stay active on the road.

• Use the hotel/cruise ship gym as even 20 minutes on a cardio machine will help prevent travel weight gain
• Do laps in the hotel pool if there is one (always pack your swimwear)
• Use the hotel gym weights even if you have to modify some usual exercises
• If the neighborhood around the hotel is nice and safe (ask the concierge), take a brisk walk outside
• If no gym, do basic calisthenics plus low impact cardio inside your hotel room
• Although tempting to socialize into the wee hours, get adequate sleep

It’s Possible To Keep Healthy During Travel
So it is indeed possible to keep healthy during your travels. Although you may have to take some extra efforts to get the proper nutrition and enough exercise in during your time away from home, much of the challenge comes from the fact that you have to do what most other travelers will not be doing. You will be among a minority who do eat healthy and take time in the gym. But don’t worry about what others are doing as it is your own health that matters.
Happy travels and if you have additional tips on how to stay healthy or are willing to share some of your challenges while away from home, please leave your comments below.

Written on 7/31/2011 by Clint Cora. Clint is a motivational speaker, author and Karate World Champion. See his free 3-part Personal Development Video Series on how to expand your comfort zone to conquer even your most daunting goals in life.

Photo Credit: Matt Phillips

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With skillful packing, you can avoid checking a bag (and the fee) when you take a short trip. For longer trips, you can save money and hassle by checking only one bag.

If I travel by myself for three days or less, I bring only a carry-on. Four or more days require checking a bag, especially in the winter with bulky sweaters.

If you must check a bag, assume your luggage may be lost or ransacked. To ease the potential pain of packing, fees, and the overall frustration that gets in the way of a great trip, consider a couple of these!

1. Never check any valuables.
   Luggage gets opened after it is out of sight; it takes just one dishonest bag handler to put your valuables at risk. Airport employees robbed celebrities Lil’ Kim and Sarah Ferguson of their jewelry. I didn’t think it would happen to me until it did.
   
2. Don’t put cash in your luggage.
   Sounds stupid—who would do that? I did once. As I walked out of my apartment, I worried that I had too much cash in my purse and I stashed half in the side pocket of my suitcase. My suitcase disappeared for nine days. Unbelievably, the money was still there, but my vacation was over.
3. Carry essentials on the plane with you.
   Absolute essentials might include medication, contact lens solution, make-up, a clean pair of underwear. If your luggage gets lost, and is not returned to you the same day, you can avoid making a midnight run to a drugstore.
   
4. If you are traveling with a partner, discuss your joint luggage strategy.
   If you must use two bags, there are two methods of packing with a partner. One, each person can pack all their clothes in their own suitcase. Two, each person can pack some clothes in each bag.
   
   I like separate bags because I stay more organized. But, if a bag gets lost, one person will have no clothes and the other will have all their clothes. Method Two balances out the risk of lost luggage.
   
5. Conserve space and avoid wrinkles by rolling—rather than folding—your clothes.
   An old navy trick, I’m told. Fold shirts, pants, and skirts in half the long way. Then roll them up tightly like you’re rolling a burrito.
6. Stick to one base color for your wardrobe.
   All my tops can go with either a brown or black base. Pants, skirts, shoes and purse should be only one of the base colors. Mix-and-match outfits will be a breeze, if you don’t stray from the foundation color. White can also work as a base color.
7. T-shirts in neutral colors can be your best friend.
   Bring at least one black and one white t-shirt. T-shirts in basic colors go with everything. Dress them up with a skirt and jewelry for the evening.
8. Lay all clothes you are considering on the bed before you put them in the suitcase.
   Count the days you will be gone, plus the evenings you will go out. Count your outfits. The same number? Then that’s too many.
   
   Put a few things back in your closet. Wear basics several times; no one will notice. Exception: do not skimp on underwear. Always throw in a couple of more pairs than the number of days you will be gone.
9. If shopping is on your destination agenda, save room in your suitcase.
   If you must sit on your suitcase to close it, it is too full. If you plan major shopping, consider packing an empty soft duffel-type bag in the larger bag to carry home your purchases.
10. Pack shoes in plastic grocery bags.
    Avoid getting your clothes dirty from the bottoms of your shoes. Shoe bags can be purchased for this very purpose, but why? It seems wasteful--a reused grocery bag works just as well.
    
11. Assume that anything that can leak, will leak.
    I am a fan of the Ziploc. Pack anything not solid in them, especially goopy stuff like sunscreen. I learned this lesson the hard way and I learned it many times. Once, I had an aerosol hairspray spray its entire contents inside my suitcase.
12. If you travel frequently, keep your toiletry bag packed between trips.
    I like the cosmetic bags designed for travel, the ones unzip a bunch of different ways. With the strap, the bag can be used as a carry-on. Or remove the strap and pack it inside your luggage.
    Buy duplicates—preferably miniatures—of all your necessities: hair styling product, cotton pads, QTips, etc. Use the short Ziplocs (the ones that hold carrot sticks)
13. Tuck a written list of toiletries in your bag
    This tip sounds neurotic I know, but I swear it works. I used to forget the same thing every time I traveled. Why do I have a mental block against packing a razor? Now before a trip, I check my bag against my list and I’m done. And I never forget anything.
14. Pack a few remedies for unexpected ailments and accidents
    My toiletry bag includes a few Band-aids, Immodium, Tums, etc. Feel good and enjoy your trip.

Written on 5/21/2009 by Kate Mortell. Kate is a graduate of Marquette University and lives and works in New York City. She writes the blog, Moonfun.net, a collection of travel journals and commentary on real estate, animal rights, gun control and whatever else might be under her skin at the moment. Republished on 2/20/2011.

Photo Credit: mararie

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Commuting doesn’t have to be the hellish experience it has been made out to be. You can learn a lot while commuting. I used to despise jumping on the train or taking the bus, but not anymore. I have everything set-up for my commuting adventures.

I always have a book ready, or my iPod loaded up with material for me to listen to. I like to read and fill my brain with knowledge, so finding material is easy. The biggest problem you’ll face is preparation. You have to prepare yourself for your commutes, otherwise you’ll most likely not bring the best material with you.

I’ve learned a lot while sitting on trains, buses and airplanes. It feels more cumbersome to bring something with you, but you’ll be thankful you did when you’re sitting there with nothing to do.

You’ll almost feel forced to do something, which is when it’s a perfect time to fill your brain with precious, tasty knowledge.

Here are a few productive things you can do while commuting:

1. Read a Book
   You may not have time to read books, but if you’re commuting and doing nothing, you’re wasting a good opportunity to get friendly with the interesting world of books.
   
   If you aren’t an avid reader, it may feel hard to get started, but as you keep reading, you’ll find it more and more fun, at least I did.


2. Write
   If you’re aspiring to become a blogger or writer of any kind, you can grab a laptop, put on some music and start writing while sitting on the train or bus.
   
   If you don’t have a laptop, there are a lot of ways to find a really cheap one. If you’re only using it for writing and surfing the web, you don’t really need the best of the best.


3. Listen
   If you’re commuting by car and can’t really read or write, you can always buy audiobooks and audio courses on many different topics.
   
   There really are no excuses to squander your commuting time. No matter how you commute, you can always take advantage of the time you have.


4. Solve Problems
   Have anything in your life that isn’t clear or that’s bothering you? Grab a pen and a piece of paper and start putting down your thoughts on paper.
   
   Whenever I write down whatever I’m trying to solve, it helps clear my mind, and I’m sure it’ll help you as well.


5. Start a Business
   Online businesses are started every day in every way. Even if you only have one or two hours of free time every day, you can get a lot done by prioritizing your time.
   
   There are a lot of different online income streams you can build. You can get involved in affiliate marketing, or in creating your own products.
   
   It’s easier said than done, I know, but it is possible, and there are people doing it. The only thing standing in your way is you.


6. Visualize
   This is for those times when you’ve somehow forgot all of your stuff at home. Whenever I’m on the bus with nothing in my hands or in my ear, I like to visualize and play around with my imagination.
   
   That is, of course, if there’s no beautiful scenery to marvel at. Visualization can be anything you want it to be, but I personally like to use it to feel good.
   
   What you do is you visualize something you want. Say you want to travel. Think about as many details as you can and start living your dream, inside your head.
   
   Feel the feelings you would have if you were already traveling right now. You’ll know it works because you will start feeling better and better.


7. Learn A Language
   Have you ever thought about learning a language? I think we all have at some point in our lives. I’ve recently started learning Spanish and am having a lot of fun doing it.
   
   Language learning can be fun. You don’t need to sit in school and study grammar to learn a language. You can immerse yourself in it and absorb it.
   
   If you can devote 30-60 minutes to a language per day, you will make progress. If you can do more, you will learn more.

Commuting may at first seem boring, but when you really think about it, it’s an opportunity for you to do awesome things while the world passes you by.

Written on 9/21/2010 by Henri Junttila. Henri blogs at, Wake Up Cloud, where he shows you how you can earn money online ethically. You can also get the Passion Blogging Guide, which is free, but really shouldn't be.

Photo Credit: j.o.h.n. Walker

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At various times, we take breaks from the normal run of life. Sometimes, this is due to work itself (e.g. a conference) and sometimes it's a vacation. Whatever the reason, there's always going to be a transition period where you need to get back into your regular working routine once you come home.

Instead of getting hugely stressed trying to catch up, here's a simple five-step process to getting back into your normal routine:

1. Clear Urgent Tasks Before You Leave
   When you've got a planned break like a vacation coming up, make an effort to prepare for it. Most of us do this naturally, but it can be too easy to stick our heads in the sand and hope that everything will magically come together!
   
   One crucial thing to do is to clear anything urgent before you go away. Obviously you'll take care of tasks which need to be done before you go – but look ahead a bit for deadlines that occur soon after your return. You don't want to be frantically trying to complete that big report on your first day back in the office.
   
   Sometimes, of course, a break may be unplanned – due to illness or a family emergency, for instance. In that case, you may need to hand over or delegate any tasks with upcoming deadlines: don't assume that you'll necessarily be back in the office as quickly as you're hoping.


2. Plan a Couple of Catch-Up Days
   We often think that we can go straight from vacation mode back into work mode – but it's worth planning some transition time. Book an extra day off so that you've got time to get over your jetlag and catch up with your laundry. At work, don't schedule meetings for your first day or two back in the office – treat these as "catch-up" days: you'll need to clear that email backlog!
   
   If you work for yourself, this is just as crucial. You may even want to tell clients that you're away for a bit longer than you really are ... this gives you a chance to catch up on things without dealing with phone calls or sudden requests.


3. Ease Yourself Back In
   Have you ever come back from a conference or vacation and thrown yourself straight back into work, only to end up feeling exhausted? You may well have been busy – even if it's not directly on work – during your vacation, and the switch back into your regular routine can take a toll.
   
   Instead of trying to be superman or superwoman, how about easing yourself back into work or life gently? Tackle some simple tasks instead of something high-powered; where you've got control over your own schedule, try working a half day or two at first, in order to get back into "work mode". If your break was partly for stress-relief, there's no sense in coming straight back to the usual busyness!


4. Make and Follow a To-Do List
   I find that after a break, it's hard to remember exactly what I was working on or what needs to be done next. Rather than grabbing the first task which presents itself to your mind, sit down for ten – fifteen minutes and make a list of what needs to be done. This helps you prioritize, so that you don't end up trying to cram loads into your first days back at your desk.
   
   A to-do list is also a good way to battle overwhelm: you won't be worrying that you've forgotten about something vital, and you can focus on just completing one task then moving on to the next.


5. (Re)-Establish Good Habits
   If you've had a long break, it can take time to get back into your usual good habits. Perhaps you find yourself chatting too much when you should be working, or your mind wanders constantly when you're trying to focus. Work on getting back into your good habits.
   
   In some cases, you may want to use your return from a break as a chance to establish some good habits. Often, a vacation or other break from work can help us to come back into our "normal" life with a fresh perspective. Is there anything which needs to change? Perhaps you want to make a real effort to finish work on time each day, or maybe you've realized that if your inbox can survive untended for a week, you don't need to check emails at 8am every day.

How do you get back into your usual routine (or even a better routine!) after taking a break? What tips would you add?

Written on 3/26/2010 by Ali Hale. Ali writes a blog, Aliventures, about leading a productive and purposeful life (get the RSS feed here). As well as blogging, she writes fiction, and is studying for an MA in Creative Writing.

Photo Credit: jonycunha

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So they say to be careful while opening the overhead compartment because items may have shifted. They even talk about procedures for a water landing on flights that don't go over water. However, no one seems to mention the tiring effect of jetlag and travel in general.

Despite an ever more interconnected world, and technology’s promise of reducing the need for physical travel, we seem to be more mobile than ever before.

Many of us travel long distances quite frequently, and here are a few ideas that I’ve found to be helpful over the years for reducing – if not completely eliminating – jetlag, and for enjoying the potentially stressful experience of long-haul flight.

• Keep to your usual routine
  Follow your regular schedule as closely as possible before you fly. Make sure that you get enough sleep the night before you travel, and don’t do anything that’s particularly stressful or demanding. Keep your exercise regimen going – step it up a little, if possible – the week before you fly, and make sure your diet is healthy and that you are taking some good vitamin supplements and antioxidants. You don’t want to get sick before or during the flight, since this will make any jetlag feel worse, so keep your immune system up to par.
• Get some sleep
  Jetlag seems to be worse after a night flight so traveling during the day may be preferable. However, if you’re flying during the night, it’s important to get some sleep. Just two or three hours will make a big difference to how you feel. Some people seem to have no problem with this, but I’m a light sleeper and find it very hard to fall asleep on a plane. You need to be reasonably comfortable – a Travel Pillow or Neck Rest can really help. Noise Canceling Headphones and a blindfold are really useful, too. Some airlines provide these, but they are often not very good, so it’s better to bring your own. All of these will halp ensure that you can screen out some of the noise of kids laughing, babies crying, people talking, etc.
• Focus on comfort
  Airline seats are notoriously small and cramped, but it’s often possible to get a seat with more legroom – try to book an exit-seat, or look for cheap or free airline upgrades. Some airlines have a ‘premium economy’ service on their long-haul flights – these seats have more legroom and greater recline, and they aren’t necessarily much more expensive than economy class. Of course, you can sometimes get a good deal on or an upgrade to business class, which is an excellent service on most long-haul flights. The business class market is very competitive, and many airlines now have fully flat beds.
• Keep hydrated
  Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated, and don’t drink any alcohol, which has a dehydrating effect. I’m not sure why airlines seem to want to ply their customers with booze throughout the flight, but my advice is to say no to any alcohol that’s offered. Also, don’t drink much coffee or tea, since the caffeine might keep you overly alert.
• Watch what you eat
  Some people try to manipulate their diet before and after flying, but there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that this is effective. I think the best advice is simply to eat regularly at the usual meal times and to eat only small quantities – don’t have a heavy breakfast or dinner before or after flying, for example – stick to salad, fruit, a little meat, and avoid eating lots of starchy foods like pasta and potatoes. You don’t want to be hungry, but you certainly don’t want to feel uncomfortably full.
• Get some exercise and stay fresh
  Try to get some exercise during the flight itself – walk around a bit, do some stretches. It can be very difficult to do much of this on a long-haul flight, but it’s very important to keep your circulation going. If you have to transit, walk around the terminal and try to get some fresh air, if possible. Also, keep fresh by cleaning your teeth and washing your face every few hours – it makes you feel better.
• Jetlag remedies
  Several herbal and homeopathic preparations are available for beating jetlag. I have never tried these, but some people have told me they are effective. As with all such substances, it will be a matter of trial-and-error as to which, if any, works for you. The proper use of melatonin – a naturally occurring substance that regulates our sleep pattern – may also be helpful, but you do need to get the timing right, and I have personally not found this to be effective. The judicious use of more traditional sleeping pills may be helpful, but don’t overdo it, and be very careful about taking alcohol with such pills at high altitude – the effect will be magnified – and you don’t want to be sound asleep for many hours on a flight since this immobility will increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If in doubt, avoid such pills.
• Be realistic
  Don’t expect to jump immediately and fully into your usual routine after your flight. Our bodies aren’t adapted for this kind of long distance travel, so it’s always going to be a little but tiring, whatever steps we might take. Take a shower, get some rest and, if possible, give yourself a day or so as a buffer so that you can recuperate before resuming your schedule.
• Enjoy yourself and relax
  Travel can be a stressful experience, but it’s important to be as relaxed as possible to avoid feeling frazzled at the end of your journey. There are many things beyond your control – delays, baggage problems, the behavior of other people – and so the best thing is not to worry about these things. Just do what you can to make yourself comfortable, relax ad enjoy the experience. Even long-haul flights can be interesting and rewarding – you can have some time to yourself, to read, to write, to think – so why not make the most of it and enjoy the experience?

What kind of travel tricks do you have? Let us know in the comments!

Written on 1/09/2010 by Mark Harrison. Mark Harrison writes about personal growth, communication, and increasing personal wealth. Check out his new book, Thirty Days to Change Your Life.

Photo Credit: Daquella manera

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Traveling with small children has a lot of challenges. From the near constant complaining about being uncomfortable and thirsty to the incessant need to see every bathroom along the way, it is a wonder that anyone survives. But, everyone does it because family holidays are fun. They are supposed to be fun right?

Too often what could be great memories are overshadowed by the stress of just keeping the kids from killing each other. I am not going to tell you that I can make a long car or plane trip pleasant or instruct you to happily sing songs in the front seat to spread your joy around.

That is all crazy talk. What you can do is try a few things that might make the portion of your holiday you spend confined in a small space with your offspring bearable.

That's the best I think anyone can hope for, bearable, when it comes to traveling with kids. Some people are of the mindset that your entire holiday has to be filled with sunshine and rainbows. I say save all of that for the destination and be happy with at least a relative sense of calm on the way there.

Tips for traveling with tots:

• Load your Phone
  Before you leave, go the app store and load up your iPhone with kids games (good list here). There are a ton of free games that will keep your kids busy for hours. Even if you have to spend $1.99, it's worth it. As a backup, toss a couple movies on there too. I am telling you, the thrill of even holding a parent's phone is a thrill for a kid; having it loaded with activities is even better. By the way, bring headphones unless you like hearing the Spongebob game lyrics for hours.
  
• Mentally prepare yourself
  There are going to be meltdowns and crying fits. Expecting them will make it easier to take a deep breath and allow them to just run their course.
  
• Make surprise bags for the children
  Take little brown bags or whatever is handy and put in a little inexpensive toy or game, stickers, a little coloring book and crayons, anything they have not seen before or in a long time will work. Make one for each hour you will be in the car or plane and pass them out accordingly. Hopefully, it will keep them occupied for about twenty minutes of each hour.
  
• Put the kids in comfortable clothes and shoes
  I find that taking off their shoes and putting them in one spot helps to put them back on when it is time too move.
  
• Pack bribe treats.
  I know it sounds bad, but a piece of candy can go a long way toward giving you a few minutes to regain your composure. This is an emergency only tactic.

The most important of all travel tips is to take it easy on yourself. If the kids break down and stomp and scream on the airplane, remember that half of the people there have been in your shoes. You only think they are judging you.

The more upset you get, the worse your child will behave. They sense stress and it gets them stressed out too. Also, try not to set them up for failure by going too long without food or spending more then a couple of hours sitting in a car or plane seat. Finally, and this is really important, when you arrive at your destination pour yourself a big glass of wine. You earned it.

Feel free to tell us about your experience of traveling with children. What did you do to keep them from killing each other out of boredom?

Written on 12/19/2009 by Monika Mundell. Monika Mundell is a passionate freelance writer and pro-blogger. Her blog Freelance Writing helps new freelance writers to get started in this exciting industry. If you like to work with Monika, feel free to visit her Portfolio site.

Photo Credit: Marta Crowe

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At this time of year, it's a common site in any office: people scurrying around madly, frantically plastering post-it notes around the place, scribbling notes, calling out last-minute instructions, asking "where the **** did I put my plane ticket"...

Yes, it's holiday time, and, unfortunately, that much-needed break from work can be a cause of extra stress. Have you ever rushed around trying to get everything done before heading off for two weeks? Have you ever insisted on leaving mobile numbers, hotel numbers and emergency contact details "just in case"? Have you ever started checking your work emails at the airport, before you've even got on your plane?

Here are seven tips to make sure you get all your work sorted out pre-vacation: you don't want to just clear your desk, you want to clear your mind too...

1. Delegate
   There's a good chance you're not delegating as much as you should be. Your vacation is an excellent opportunity to pass on some responsibilities to others: see how they handle the tasks for a couple of weeks, and, if possible, leave those tasks on their list, not yours, on your return!
   
   If you struggle to delegate work, or if you worry that "if I want a job done well, I have to do it myself", you might want to check out Four Steps to Easy Delegation.


2. Prioritize
   Hopefully, you're already prioritizing your work, focusing on the actions that get you real results. When vacation time comes, you may need to get ruthless. Start by making a list of what absolutely can't wait until your return: maybe projects with a client deadline in three days time. Get these sorted first: either finish them, or leave all the necessary instructions for someone who can.
   
   Then figure out what shouldn't wait, but could do in a crisis. Do these before you start thinking about the "could be put off for months" category...


3. Make a Check-List
   If you've got several different projects on the go, make yourself a check-list for each one, jotting down the steps you need to take before going away. Trying to keep everything in your head is a sure way to forget something important: something that will only come back into mind when you're buckling in on the plane...


4. Set up an Out of Office Reply
   Most companies will have a policy and instructions in place on these, but if you work for yourself, or for a very small company, you may need to come up with your own. Check out how your email system works, and set up a message to be sent to anyone who emails you while you're away.
   
   In almost every case, you should include:
   
   • The dates you're away (eg. "I am out of the office from Monday 20th July to Friday 31st July inclusive")
   • A line such as "I will respond to your email on my return".
   • Details of what the person should do if it's urgent, eg. "If you need a reply before then, please contact my colleague, Bob Smith, bob.smith@companyname.com".
   In some cases, you may want to put a mobile number that you can be reached on.


5. Leave Instructions and Equipment Somewhere Obvious
   If you have any particular piece of office equipment (eg. the company video camera) that others are likely to need in your absence, make sure it's not buried in the bottom drawer of your desk.
   
   Write instructions about any common tasks that only you normally do: perhaps setting up an account for a new client on your web system. It's generally a good idea to document these anyway (what if you're sick?) but a vacation can spur you into action on this.
   
   Make sure the instructions are stored in an obvious place. A searchable company intranet is good for this.
   
   The last thing you want is someone phoning you up on vacation asking "errr, we can't find..."


6. Leave Yourself a Note
   On your last day in the office, leave a note to yourself detailing:
   
   • Where you'd got up to on any unfinished tasks
   • What tasks you postponed until return
   • What needs immediate action when you get back into the office
   • Anything else you'll worry about forgetting whilst on vacation
     
   You might want to include a reminder to yourself to turn off your out-of-office reply: it's easy to forget this!


7. Relax and Enjoy It
   Surprisingly enough, your company can survive your absence for a couple of weeks - without you checking your email in the hotel lobby. Most "crisis" situations at work are really just us over-reacting: it's rare that anything goes so wrong that an apology (and occasionally a refund to a customer) can't fix it.
   
   Relax and have a great vacation, in the knowledge that you left everything in the best state possible before going away.

Written on 12/01/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali is a professional writer and blogger, and a part-time postgraduate student of creative writing. If you need a hand with any sort of written project, drop her a line (ali@aliventures.com) or check out her website at Aliventures.

Photo Credit: purpleslog

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A vacation is supposed to help you escape from the stress and chaos of your everyday life. It should be all long walks on the beach and lingering over candle-lit dinners or exploring colorful bazaars and hiking nature trails. It should not be having an IV drip inserted into your arm or hanging around a police station for two days straight. Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law dictates that it’s when you’re relaxing poolside with piña colada in hand that disaster will strike.

Whether your travel is for business or pleasure, navigating the intricacies of a foreign bureaucracy or medical system can be a nightmare, particularly if all you want to do is get home. But a little bit of knowledge and planning goes a long way—hopefully as far as you’re going.

Before you go
Review the country-specific travel information at the U.S. State Department’s Web site. Not just for passport applications, you can also use the site to sign up for travel alerts, get safety and health tips, learn about student and teacher discounts, and register with an embassy. If you’re an American citizen and going somewhere dangerous or staying longer than a month, it’s a good idea to register with the embassy or consulate where you’re traveling. If you’re traveling to a country where your own does not have diplomatic relations (for example, the U.S. and Bhutan or North Korea), register in an adjacent country and find out what third party represents your government’s (and your) interests there.

Travel with a list of emergency contacts at home and abroad, including that of the local embassy or consulate and the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Citizen Services (1-888-407-4747 in the U.S., or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas). Also, leave photocopies of your identification, passport, itinerary, and contact information while traveling with a friend or family member at home.

Find out your health insurance provider’s travel coverage. (Medicare, for one, does not cover any medical care outside of the U.S.) You might want to get additional travel insurance. To be super safe, bring copies of your medical records with you.

If your passport magically disappears
These things seem to have a way of walking off all on their own. Leave a post-it note with your local address while traveling in your passport, so if it really has been lost, and not stolen, a Good Samaritan can return it. Stash photocopies of your passport’s information page and any visas in your hotel safe or money belt. As soon as you realize your passport is missing, report it to the authorities; a police report may not be necessary to obtain a new one, but it will certainly expedite things. At the very least, you’ll need an affidavit detailing the circumstances under which the passport went missing. Often you can do this at the embassy.

Get in touch with American Citizen Services at the nearest U.S. embassy (or your home country’s). Since September 11, U.S. embassies and consulates can only issue temporary passports that must be replaced upon return to the United States. They will need to validate your identity, which is where your photocopies come in handy. Having a friend or relative call to alert the embassy that the passport was lost or stolen will also help confirm your story and speed the process.

Unfortunately, embassies and consulates do not normally issue passports on weekends or holidays, although there should be an off-duty officer to assist you. You’ll likely be told to come back when they’re open for normal business hours (sorry), but if you’re scheduled to depart immediately—and you ask very, very nicely—the officer may be able to issue a letter to your airline and alert Customs & Immigration that you will be trying to reenter the country without a passport. Whatever you do, never try to bribe a consular official. Bad idea.

If your wallet is stolen.
If possible, lock all your valuables and an emergency stash of cash, traveler’s cheques, or a credit card in your hotel’s safe as soon as you arrive. Pickpocketing is one of the most common crimes against travelers. If you realize your wallet has been stolen, notify your bank and credit card companies immediately. They should be able to replace the card relatively quickly or arrange a cash advance through one of their local offices or a bank. (American Express has great fraud protection and emergency replacement services, although it’s not accepted in quite as many places as Visa and MasterCard.) Although not as urgent, you may also want to place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

The best way to avoid being a pickpocketer’s target, is not to be conspicuous. The only person who likes a loud, obnoxious tourist is someone who plans on stealing from him. Don’t wear inappropriate clothes, flaunt expensive jewelry, or carry excessive amounts of money. Keep your wallet on the front of and close to your body. Fanny packs and money belts have come a long way. And it probably goes without saying, but don’t leave your luggage unattended.

If you get food poisoning.
Do some research on any foods you should avoid and the water situation in the countries you’re visiting. Almost half of foreign visitors to developing nations end up with, er, explosive digestive issues. Avoid street foods and, if in doubt, drink bottled water or travel with a portable purifier, available at most camping stores. Don’t forget about milk, ice, and fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those washed in water. Even the bacteria on a garnish can wreak havoc on your stomach. The common sense line is “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”

If you do develop food poisoning, don’t panic. Unless you become severely dehydrated, have blood in your stool or vomit, or develop a very high temperature, you don’t need to visit a doctor. The symptoms should subside in a couple of days if you stay away from solid foods and stay hydrated. (Water, water, water, but no milk or caffeinated beverages.) Other than over-the-counter stomach soothers like Pepto-Bismol, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in 2004 an antibiotic called Xifaxan, which can be taken to treat or even prevent diarrhea caused by E. coli.

If you get an infectious disease.
The best defense is a good offense. Make sure you are up to date on your standard vaccines and boosters, like measles and polio. Also check the Traveler’s Health page at the Center for Disease Control’s Web site to find out if any vaccinations or special medications—like those for malaria, yellow fever, and hepatitis A—are required or recommended for the place(s) where you’ll be traveling. The International Society of Travel Medicine can point you to a travel health expert in your area.

Avian flu (H5N1) and swine flu (H1N1) are still of concern in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, and the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, respectively. Malaria and dengue fever, both spread by mosquitoes, are still common in Southeast Asia and South and Central America. Symptoms include a high fever, chills, and rash. A malaria infection requires hospitalization, although dengue usually does not.

If you think you’ve been exposed to a contagious disease, do not fly. I repeat: do not fly. You don’t want to expose a plane full of people to your infectious souvenir no matter how badly you want to get home. Locate the nearest hospital or healthcare facility and seek immediate attention. If you’re lucky (relatively speaking, of course), your infection will just have to run its course. If this is the case, make sure to keep well hydrated (with clean drinking water) until you’re well enough to travel again.

If you get sick or injured.
If you have any preexisting conditions, it’s wise to check the types and locations of medical facilities in your destination country before traveling. If you have medication that can’t be refilled abroad, your doctor may be able to write a one-time prescription to cover the length of your trip, although occasionally this requires clearance from your insurance provider.

Your hotel should be able to provide you with a list of doctors, dentists, and hospitals. Some luxury hotels even have their own on call. If worse comes to worst, call the nearest embassy or consulate for a list. If you’re in a pickle, dial the local police. They should know where to take you.

An interesting fact: While the media focuses on more exotic diseases, the number one killer of American tourists abroad is good old fashioned motor vehicle accidents. It’s a little easier to forget your limits and make bad decisions when you’re on vacation, but drunk or reckless driving is always dangerous regardless of geography.

If you get arrested.
When in a foreign country, travelers are subject to the host government’s laws and punishments, some of which are quite different and sometimes harsher than America’s. You may be expelled, fined, imprisoned … or caned. (Recall the case of eighteen-year-old American expat Michael Fay, who was caned in 1994 for vandalizing cars and stealing road signs in Singapore.) In some countries, the burden of proof is on the accused.

If you are arrested, ask to speak to a consular official immediately. International agreements require many countries to allow a visit with a representative from your embassy. While what they can do is limited, they can provide a list of attorneys, contact your family, and assist with transferring funds to pay your legal fees. They can also monitor your treatment while being held, which if you’ve ever seen Brokedown Palace, can be less than a party.

If a weather disaster strikes.
Know about seasonal weather risks, like hurricanes, before you go, and keep an eye on the weather as you travel. Always listen to local officials calling for evacuation. In an emergency, stay tuned to the radio or television and seek advice from locals who may have ridden out such storms before.

In a hurricane, go to the lowest floor of your building, preferably a basement, hallway, or closet. Stay away from windows or glass doors, and brace under a table or in a doorframe. If you are indoors during an earthquake, protect yourself under a table, door frame, or with pillows or blankets from falling debris. If you’re outside, move away from buildings, electric wires, and traffic lights. In a tsunami or flash flood, move quickly inland and to higher ground. Note that a tsunami is often preceded by a rapid recession of water from the shore. A foot of water will float most cars and trucks, so do not wait to evacuate in a flash flood.

If local politics become sticky.
When traveling in countries with charged political atmospheres, never engage people you don’t know well in political arguments or conversation. In the event the local political situation erupts in violence, keep your head down and stay discreet. Do not dress or carry things that would make you stick out as a tourist. It is much better to leave your luggage behind than to draw the attention of a revolutionary looking for some leverage. Immediately proceed to the closest embassy, where consulate officers can provide protection and assist with evacuation.

If someone you’re with dies.
This is truly a worst-case scenario, but if you are with someone who happens to pass away while traveling, you’ll need to contact your local embassy. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs will inform the next-of-kin (assuming it’s not you) and give advice on how to transport the remains back to the United States.

If you’re captured by pirates.
The word “pirate” may make you think of Johnny Depp in knee-high boots and a three-point hat, but modern maritime piracy is on the rise. If there’s a motorboat of Somalian gangsters with automatic weapons trailing your cruise ship, you won’t be thinking of Jack Sparrow. Piracy is most common off the coast of Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Yemen, and Venezuela. If you are being approached by pirates, the captain of the ship should contact the appropriate assistance stations. Make sure you have a life vest and, if the pirates board, obey their orders—preferably not with the words “Ay, matey.”

In short, make copies of everything, lock it up, and contact the closest embassy or consulate. Oh, and don’t be a stupid tourist. Bon voyage!

Written on 9/25/2009 by DivineCaroline. DivineCaroline a place where people come together to learn from experts in the fields of health, spending, and parenting. Come discover, read, learn, laugh, and connect at DivineCaroline.com.

Photo Credit: by Michal Osmenda

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Do you have a bad road trip story? Join the club. Almost everyone I meet has one, and the ones that don’t have a bad story haven’t been on a road trip, so they don’t count. How do these vacations go wrong? The idea of the open road seemed so inviting when you said to your family or friends, “Hey, I know! Let’s go on a road trip!”

Luckily, things go right as often as they go wrong on road trips. There are spur-of-the-moment pit-stops that turn into vacation highlights, great and creative road trip games that the players still talk about years later, gastronomic dreams-come-true enjoyed in restaurants off the beaten path, and deep bonding moments that permanently alter relationships for the better. I often hear inspiring stories like the one where a mother packed a book of questions as a way of entertaining her kids and found out things about them that changed the entire way she perceived one of her daughters.

Both the good and the bad things help point the way as to how to better plan for great road trips – ones without the backseat bickering, killer boredom, numb legs, broken down or over-packed car, or the feeling that someone you used to love has morphed into someone you can’t stand to spend another minute with.

So, how do you plan a road trip that lives up to your blue skies-open road kick-butt fantasies – one that will go down in time as your favorite vacation ever?

• Choose Wisely
  If you can choose who you’re traveling companions will be, choose wisely. It’s amazing how often people who barely know each other or who frequently argue will decide to go on a road trip together. Road trips are the ultimate litmus test of compatibility – being in a car together day after day can test even the strongest of bonds. Pick travel buddies who you’re very sure will be a good match to your personality and travel style.


• Where are we heading?
  Select a destination that everyone is excited about. Anything less than a unanimous decision guarantees indifference, less patience when things go wrong (like taking the wrong turn or running dangerously low on gas), and less fun for everyone overall due to the one traveler (or more) who doesn’t really want to go to Wally World.


• Take your Time
  Plan lots of pit stops, sightseeing, and other activities for the trip itself. Every time I hear of someone planning a 13-hour haul peppered with a few bathroom breaks and a steady diet of MickyD’s, I cringe. Since when are vacations an opportunity to torture your family? A road trip should be about the journey as much as the destination. If your priority is getting there quickly, fly!


• Make a plan
  Do the necessary homework. If you’re traveling somewhere that’s popular, make reservations instead of crossing your fingers and hoping luck will smile on you. If your car hasn’t seen a mechanic in the last month, take it in for a visit. If you’re uncertain about the safety of your home or some of the places you’ll be visiting, sort it out before you go.


• Learn to Pack
  Pack with your brain, not your heart. Although you may be tempted to bring everything and the kitchen sink, realize you’re not traveling to Siberia (or are you?) You can get a lot on the road if necessary, so there’s no reason to squeeze your best friend between a cooler and a beach chair.


• Bring a huge playlist
  Spice up your trip with plenty of entertainment including road trip games, movies (movies and a DVD player are essential if you have young children, if only to give you an hour or more off from the inevitable “Are we there yet?”), and music. Making a road trip soundtrack for your vacation is not only fun to listen to on the road, it’s entertaining just selecting the songs before you go. Make sure that everyone gets to listen to something they enjoy and don’t subject anyone to a song they hate.

Written on 7/22/2009 by Tara Waechter. Tara is the founder of Planning-Fun-Roadtrips.com, a site dedicated to helping people plan better and more satisfying road trip vacations.

Photo Credit: brandi666

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While you might be content with your current life situation, it's never a bad idea to 'spice things up a little' and create some great memories. I'm constantly looking for adventure ideas that are quite unique and pack a "whole lot of awesome".

Some of these will obviously be a bit more difficult to experience than others, but I think everyone can apply at least one of these to their lives this year and get a great adventure in return.

• Take a Road Trip with No Planned Destination
  At 18 I moved from the UK to South Africa, on my own, in pursuit of my dream job. And whilst I was in one of the most beautiful countries in the world I had never really gotten to see much of it. Therefore when my brother came to visit for two weeks, we decided to take a road trip with no real destination in mind and ended up covering around 1000km.
  
  Funnily, about 500km from my home in Cape Town I met some people I had seen in some nightclubs a week earlier, and proceeded to meet more amazing people from around the world. Luckily we didn't have any problems with accommodation, so depending on how long you are planning to drive, keep some important phone numbers with you just in case.


• Sleep Under the Stars
  If you're looking for a simple adventure but one packed with beauty, this could be right up your street. Sleeping under the stars can be as simple as setting up a tent in your back garden or visiting a nearby camp site to gaze on the world's beauty.
  
  If you want to go extreme and take a planned 'sleeping under the stars trip', supposedly one of the best places to visit is Petra in Jordan, where they organise this with a tour guide and you sleep around a camp-fire.
  


• Go Bungee-Jumping
  Another exhilarating and relatively cheap adventure idea is bungee jumping, excellent for those adrenaline junkies out there. This was something I got to try about 6 months ago, hurling myself off a bridge and reaching 120mph. The experience was nothing short of amazing.
  
  It did feel like I was falling for a lot longer than it appears, and while it is scary you definitely won't regret taking the plunge.
  


• Drive the Nürburgring
  If you are a car fanatic, simply turning up to this place can feel like you've arrived in heaven. The Nürburgring is a 13-mile race track in Germany which anyone can drive (at racing speeds!) for only 15 Euro's.
  
  The track is a popular testing ground for brand new cars, and you'll often see people who have some money to spend racing around in their Ferrari's, Porsche's and Lamborghini's.
  


• Take a Safari
  Definitely one of the most amazing, but expensive items on this list is taking a safari. I've had the luxury of doing this twice and loved the experience. There's nothing quite like seeing the likes of Lions, Elephants and Buffalo in their natural environment, giving you a greater perspective on the world around us.
  
  South Africa and Namibia are two of the most popular places to visit for a trip like this. You might like to know that in Port Elizabeth (South Africa) there is also a public offering which means you can take your own car and literally drive alongside a lot of the wild animals.


• Swim with Dolphins
  This is one item I haven't done myself but it's definitely on my list. Swimming with dolphins is an adventure goal that is planned by many, and it's no surprise. For those of you that live in America there are quite a lot of opportunities to do this, for European travellers one of the cheapest places to go for this experience has to be the Dominican Republic.
  
  Then again, you might be lucky enough to have this happen in a natural environment as well.
  


• See the Northern Lights
  The Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, occur when solar wind particules meet with air molecules and turn their energy into light. The result is often a green, sheet-like light that covers large areas; other common colors of this light include yellow, blue and purple.
  
  The best time to see them is between November and February, and the light tends to be most visible in Canada, Iceland and Greenland.

Written on 3/11/2009 by Glen Allsop. Glen writes on the subject of Personal Development at PluginID. His sites main aim is to help people Plug into their Identity, be who they want to be and live the life they want to live.

Photo Credit: JeffChristiansen

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Traveling is unarguably one of the most gratifying experiences a person can have in their lifetime. Traveling awakens the soul, stirs the senses and paints the world in a new light. It may seem like a pastime for only a certain kind of person, but in all actuality, anyone and everyone can and should travel.

In my opinion, it's better to travel sooner than later in life for a few very key reasons:

1. Traveling can help you figure out what you want to do with your life: Exposing yourself to new places, people and cultures can awaken your sense of purpose. Learning about what's out there in the world can help you determine what feels like you - and what doesn't.
   It's also especially useful in helping people realize that there's no one way to live a lifetime. Every culture is different and so is every person within those cultures. If you wait till later in life, you run the risk of realizing your potential too late. Don't let opportunity pass you by; explore the world while you're young.
2. It promotes independence (and hones survival skills): Catching flights, keeping track of passports and navigating foreign-speaking cities, can force you to think on your feet and make decisions quickly. Being away from your comfort zone really pushes a person to think independently.
3. It eliminates resentment later in life: How often do you hear someone much older than you comment on how they should have done something when they were younger? No one wants to be sitting in a rocking chair at age 80, wishing that they had taken that trip when they had the chance. Don't let someone or something stop you from traveling. A chance to experience the world now is greater than any excuse you can come up with for not going. It's worth it and you'll be glad you have those memories later in life, trust me!
4. It makes you a more interesting person: Nothing sucks more than talking to a person who has absolutely nothing to say. Traveling can create amazing memories and it serves as a great conversation starter. You'd be surprised how many times travel comes up in conversation, whether it be at a party or at the office. Think of how great it would be if you can jump in next time and compare experiences. Whether you are talking about your recent safari in Africa or that time you swam with dolphins in the Caribbean, it makes you seem knowledgeable and worldly which, let's face it, is totally hot.
5. You work hard and deserve it: Life can be crazy these days. With the overload of gadgets, work hours and social networking demands, it's no wonder we haven't broken down as a nation, cracking from all the pressure. Today's youth works harder than ever to achieve more than ever, and there's no better way to reward ourselves and take time out than with a good old vacation.
   Remember, all that hard work is done in vain if there isn't an equal dose of play to go with it. You don't want to look back in 15 years and realize you wasted you're younger years doing nothing but work, right? So save that hard earned cash and go somewhere you've only dared to dream about- today. Turn fantasy into reality and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it!

I'm sure that one of the main reasons that a young adult would refrain from traveling is lack of funds or overwhelming feelings of not knowing where to start. Traveling doesn't have to be expensive or overwhelming for you to have a great time. There are some affordable deals out there for just about every trip you can imagine; it's all about timing and planning.

Understand that airfare is always cheaper in certain months, as are hotel rates and nightlife packages. Travel agents can be really useful in helping you find the best deals and packages. Plus, they know exactly what hotels and attractions to send you to, depending on what your interests are. Also, don't discount your friends and relatives. You never know who has an Uncle with a timeshare or an extra apartment in Miami that their parents rent out during the year. The more you ask, the more you shall receive.

Make it a priority to do your homework and planning a vacation will ultimately be fun, exciting, and rewarding - an experience that you will certainly never forget.

Written on 12/18/2008 by Miss Alyss, a strategist for a direct marketing firm in Manhattan. She hopes to have her website up and running in 2009.

Photo Credit: René Ehrhardt

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Christmas is ahead and so is the holiday season. This is the time when people start packing their bags and gear up for a nice holiday with family and friends. And this is also the time when almost everyone of us finds it hard to plan and organize things in the right way. Whether it is finding the right hotel, booking flights or making a checklist of things to carry, everything seems to take too much of time and effort.

Keeping that in mind, I decided to list ten pretty cool websites which help you in planning and organizing things in a better manner, thereby making your travel hassle free and enjoyable. Previously, I've mentioned a list of seven general travel websites which could be of great help to any traveler. But this list, as you will see, is different. It's comprised of cool, free, mostly unusual websites which not everyone knows about. I hope you enjoy reading about them and then trying them out.

Tripeedo
Tripeedo is an amazing site which makes finding airfares an easy task. It has a simple search bar where you can type the destination and date and it does the rest. It gives you a preview of information it has gathered from different travel providers like Kayak and Travelocity and then you can choose the one you want and check the fares immediately.

Don't Forget Your Toothbrush
Don't Forget Your Toothbrush is another cool website which makes the task of making a holiday checklist a cakewalk. You can just check the items you want and easily print out a holiday checklist without the need to type long sentences. It also allows you to set email reminders for important stuff.

Traveas
Traveas allows you to track information such as the status of your flight and other related information on your cellphone. It alerts you by sending an SMS in case your flight gets delayed or canceled. Hence it's another nice app to save you time and frustration during the hustles and bustles of your journey from home to airport.

SeeYourHotel
SeeYourHotel uses Google Maps to locate the hotel you want and then get a glimpse of its rooms. When you find a hotel on the map, just click on it and you get a box with various options including the option to book the hotel. Great app to find and locate good hotels.

Travel Guides Free
As the name indicates, Travel Guides Free (US and Canada only) provides free travel guides which can be received free by mail or downloaded to your computer. It certainly could be of great help to those traveling to and within the US and Canada.

SeatGuru
Wanna get the best and the most comfortable seats on your next flight ? Then SeatGuru is just for you. As they mention, it is " the ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information. " Another tool to make your journey a pleasurable one.

ATMLocator
ATMLocator helps you locate cash dispensers in almost every country and location. It is a service provided by Visa, can be accessed from your cellphone and you can even get a map view of the location of ATM. So next time you run out of cash in a location which is not familiar, then use this service to locate an ATM nearby.

World Taximeter
World Taximeter gives you the estimate of the fare of a taxi ride in major cities around the globe. So if you want to prevent yourself from getting duped by a greedy cabbie then make sure you check the fares beforehand if you are travelling to a destination listed on the site.

Sleeping In Airports
A perfect site for travelers on a budget (I'm sure a lot of you would be considering the recession) and plan to have an overnight stay at the airport. SleepingInAirports provides airport sleeping tips and the best airports to consider for the free overnight stay.

Drive Pricing
Drive Pricing does a good job calculating the gas cost if you intend to go for a road trip in the US. Hence you can use this site if you can't decide between a road trip and air travel and want to find out which one would cost you less.

Cheers,

Abhijeet

Written on 12/10/2008 by Abhijeet Mukherjee. You can catch him at Jeet Blog where he blogs about different Web 2.0 apps a nd online tools and how they can help you become more productive.

Photo Credit: agahran

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If you ain't just a little scared when you enter a casino, you are either very rich or you haven't studied the games enough. - VP Pappy

So to break this spell, I am coaching her on the games to stay away from, the games to increase the bets on, how to manage her money, etc. Trust me, she is never going to do all of these, but creating this list became fun so if she does a couple, I'm happy.

Here is what I came up with. If you have some extra tips, please add them in the comments.

General Tips

• Slow it Down: If you have five or six hours of casino time ahead of you, go to a game that takes a while. Trust me, you are not in a race to blow your wad. Games like Blackjack are one-and-done; each hand, even at a full table, might take 2 minutes. On the other hand, a single thrower at the Craps table could be there for 10-15 minutes. Even if you only play the pass-line, the game is exciting and offers a way to slow down the pace of your losses. (More on individual games in the next section)
  


• Time: You will never see a clock in a casino and you will probably never know that the sun is setting or rising. Wear a watch or set a timer to alert you to the passing hours. At some point, your brain fatigues and so does your decision making ability. Set some limits and head to the pool.
  


• Drinks: Do something to ensure you aren't drinking more than one drink per hour. If you want to get hammered, that's fine, but do so in the bar and away from the in-bar video poker machines. Trust me, not following this point will lead to you waking up in the morning asking where your $500 went. Remember, the drinks are free for a reason.
  


• Cashing in: If your bankroll for the evening is $1,000, DO NOT get $1,000 in chips right when you get there - break it down. Keep 50% of your bankroll in cash and toss it into your purse or the front pocket of your pants (front pockets are tougher for pickpockets). Take the other 50% and get some chips and go play.
  
  The reason for this is two-fold: mentally, it'll be easier for you to walk away with cash versus chips, and secondly, once you have all chips, it's difficult to get your money back; dealers will not cash you out. To get cash back, you are forced to find the cage which entails walking by eighty other game tables, cheering crowds, waiting in line, etc. That's a lot of temptation that you can avoid simply by retaining some cash.
  


• ATM Card: Leave it in the room's safe. Enough said. Don't bring it down to the casino.
  


• Winnings: How many times have you heard someone say, 'I was up $500 but I gave it back". Well, use that 50% rule. When you win something, take half of it, stash it, and commit to leaving it alone until you get back to the hotel room. You still have your original bankroll and half of your winnings to play with. Why not plan on leaving with some money in your possession?
  


• Club Cards: Don't laugh at the old ladies using these things, they are smarter than you. I went to Vegas three years ago and after 4 days, I was down $200. After at least 25 hours of gambling, I considered this a winning trip. Point being, I didn't win a ton of money or lose a ton. However, I was flagged in some database and for the next year I was getting emails that contained crazy discounts: everything from free airfare to massively discounted rooms. Use the card, get discounts and comps.


• Do more: Seriously, do more than just gamble. Here is a list of 10 cool things to do in Las Vegas. Don't like those, here are 10 more ideas. Should I continue?


• Help: Don't gamble with your mortgage payment or your family's food money. Gambling is entertainment, just like the movies; it's not an income source. If you have a problem, get some help. Please.

Games

Here are my opinions on some of the more popular games in Vegas. I am not making any promises, heck, you will probably still lose it all. However, the lesson I want to get across is this: Learn the game, learn the odds. Would you invest in a company without knowing how they operated? NO. Would you take a job without knowing anything about the company? NO. Well, then why gamble without knowing the games and knowing how to win?

• Slots: I have to admit, for as lame as these things are, the newer slot machines with interactive screens and bonus rounds are pretty fun. Having said that, you control nothing. All of the reel stops are set by the software on the machine, therefore, your winning was the result of the software and so were all of the "I almost won" moments. The software is set to keep you on the edge of your seat so when you get 2 matching symbols when you need 3, know that the machine is trying to keep you close, you didn't almost win - there is no almost.
  
  One point that is worth discussing is the betting lines. When you walk up to a $0.25 machine, your $0.25 is buying you the lowest payout. In order to get the max payout (you know, the huge number in blinking lights) you have to bet 'max lines'. On some machines it's 10 lines, on some it's 20. If you go with 10 lines, your single pull will cost you 10 x $0.25 or $2.50 per spin. That's slightly more than the quarter you planned to spend isn't it?
  Odds: Plan to lose unless you sat at the right time. General payouts are anywhere from 80%-98% depending on the casino.
  


• Roulette: This is my wife's favorite game (which, in my opinion, is why she always loses). It's the easiest game to learn, I mean you are simply picking the number that you feel the little ball will land on. There are 38 numbers to choose from so stare at the board and let the little voice in your head work its magic.
  Odds: The house has a 5.x% advantage over the player.
  


• Blackjack: Yes, there is skill to blackjack. While you have no control over the cards you, the dealer or the other players receive, you have a helluva lot of control over what you do with them. I am not going to give a full tutorial here but this is definitely the game that I have personally had the most success with. Here is a good place to read up on Blackjack strategy.
  Odds: This somewhat depends on the number of decks and the table rules, but all-in-all, the casino will have an .4-.6% advantage over the player in Blackjack. This is a pretty slim advantage.
  


• Let-it-Ride: Think of Jacks or Better, 5-Card Stud but 3 cards are community and they are flipped one at a time. Instead of betting with each flip, the flips give you a chance to reduce your existing bet or choose to let it ride. It is fun, it takes no skill, and at a slow table, the games go quickly so bet small until the table fills up. For more detail than you need, here is a good resource.
  Odds: The house has a 3.5% advantage over the player.
  

So the clear lesson is to choose the game with the lowest house advantage. If you hate blackjack, which has one of the lowest house advantages, move on and find something else. Once you have chosen the game you think you'll like, study it. My hope is that you'd do this before perusing the airport's book store because at that point, it's too late. There are tons of books that you can read ahead of time. Then, practice with a buddy or by playing on a free gaming site.

Good Luck!

By the way - do not take pictures inside casinos. They will ask you to leave.

- Jay

Written on 3/24/2008 by me, Jay White, the founder of Dumb Little Man and an all around average guy.

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