Cheaper, Better, Faster (33 page)

Packing—small bag for
stop on the way

If an overnight stop is on your car-trip itinerary, pack a small bag with one change of clothes for each family member and basic toiletries. Instead of unpacking the whole car, all you'll need to take into the motel is one bag.

Packing—travel
with tape

When traveling, always take a roll of clear tape. It removes lint, seals bottles, and even temporarily mends cuffs and hems. Duct tape works well, too, particularly where stronger mending is needed, like for shoe repair or suitcase patches.

Packing—wrap pants around mailing tube

Roll slacks around a mailing tube to keep them from wrinkling in your suitcase.

Restaurants—don't order fish on Mondays

The worst night to order fresh fish in a restaurant is Monday. Most restaurants don't get fish deliveries over the weekend, so Monday's fish special is Friday's delivery.

Traveling—with
maps and disappearing ink

A disappearing-ink marking pen, available at the fabric store, is great for marking maps. In a day or so, your marks will fade, and your map is all ready for the next trip.

Traveling—with
medications

If you are taking medications when you travel, take an extra watch and keep it always set on home time. You'll never have to wonder when to take your medicine.

Traveling—with pets

Have a special ID tag for any pet traveling with you. Include the name and phone number of someone who can be contacted and will be able to get in touch with you if your pet is lost while you're on the road.

Traveling
—with remedy recipe

Do-it-yourself remedy for traveler's . . . uh . . . (how do I say this delicately?) dysentery: In a glass mix 8 ounces fruit juice,
½
teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt. In a second glass mix 8 ounces purified water and
¼
teaspoon baking soda. Alternate sips from each glass until you've finished both.

Vacations
—avoid tourist site crowds

Before visiting popular tourist sites, call ahead to find out when the tour buses usually arrive. Dozens of tourists arriving at the same time can flood attractions with crowds, which can result in long lines and shoddy service. Buses usually run on fixed schedules, so you should be able to count on the information you receive.

Vacations—camera prop

Fill a small fabric bag with dried beans or rice to keep in your camera bag. When you want to take a time exposure and need to hold the camera very still, simply set the beanbag on a steady surface, place the camera on the bag, line up the shot, and shoot. The camera stays perfectly still because it is securely cradled on the beanbag. This is also a perfect solution for when you want to get into the photo too. Just securely position the camera on the beanbag, set the timer, and run like crazy.

Vacations
—factory tours

Many interesting factories offer formal or informal tours. Call the chambers of commerce for a list of all the factories that offer tours in the cities you will be visiting on your next family vacation. While you're at it, keep a list of the ones in your own area. Typically, these kinds of tours conclude with free samples of the factory's products. I know what you're thinking: Few, if any, banks offer tours.

Vacations—involve
the whole family in planning

Involve the whole family in vacation planning, particularly the kids. Letting them participate helps them put to use their geography and history knowledge. Saving the money first and then deciding how it will be spent demonstrates to your kids the principles of economy and good money management. If everyone has a voice in making the big decisions, the result will be far less grumbling and a lot more cooperation.

Vacations—new bulbs for lights with
timers

Before you go away on vacation, put new lightbulbs in all the lamps connected to timers. You want to be sure that when the timers go on, so will the lights. Save the lightbulbs you replaced for using when you'll be home.

Vacations—peace with kids

At the start of a trip give each child a handful of dimes. If they ask “How much farther?” or any other tiresome questions, they forfeit a dime. Let them keep what's left.

Vacation—plants

Before leaving on vacation, put your plants in a small, plastic children's swimming pool. Fill the pool with about 3 inches of water. The plants will survive for at least 1 week. Make sure the pool is in an area that will not get direct sunlight.

Mary Hunt
, award-winning and bestselling author, syndicated columnist, and sought-after motivational speaker, has created a global platform that is making strides to help men and women battle the epidemic impact of consumer debt. Mary is the founder of Debt-Proof Living, a highly regarded organization consisting of an interactive website, a monthly newsletter, a daily syndicated column, and hundreds of thousands of loyal followers. Since 1992, DPL has been dedicated to its mission to provide hope, help, and realistic solutions for individuals who are committed to financially responsible and debt-free living.

As a speaker, Mary travels extensively, addressing conferences, corporations, colleges, universities, and churches at home and abroad. A frequent guest on radio and television, she has appeared on dozens of television shows, including
Dr. Phil
,
Good Morning
America
,
The Oprah Winfrey Show
, and
Dateline
.

Mary lives with her husband in Orange County, California.

Seven Money Rules for Life

Raising Financially Confident Kids

Debt-Proof Your Christmas

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