Travel tips

Many of us travel frequently for work and pleasure. Let's share some tips. My top two--1) old prescription bottles are the perfect size to hold Q-tips. 2) I always pack a wooden clothespin or metal binder clip to hold curtains tightly together.

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If you travel alone, don't go dressed to get attention. Dress to blend in so you don't get a lot of attention, because some of it can be negative attention. You're alone, and you're probably far from home since you are traveling. Be safe and just blend in.

Bring an, "Everything, but the kitchen" bag. I carry an extra set of clothing, shampoo, Rolaids, band-aids, wipes, etc. If you're traveling, you never know when your car breaks down, or you need any of this stuff. Anything I can think I might need, I have it all in one bag.

Get a zipped file holder. Print out a lot of the authorizations you use a lot such as, if you do a lot of Shell stations Exxon's, and Phillip 66's, keep at least 10 of the authorizations so if you are out of town and see you can do one of these jobs, take the job because you already have the authorizations with you.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
Bringing a clip for the curtains is a great idea. But I'm sure I would forget it and leave it there every time. I do have a small kit like they sell at Walmart that has a toothbrush, razor, shampoo etc., that I keep in my overnight bag. And I always keep cold medicine in my car just in case, and of course ibuprofin. And a knit cap for sudden cold weather, and a water-resistant jacket for rain. And emergency cash for fixing flats or whatever.
Get TSA Pre Check or TSA Clear if you are able to, leave expensive jewelry at home, packing cubes are wonderful.
Most hotel rooms have a closet with hangers, many with pant clips.

I close the curtains using those clothes hangers....

I never check a bag even if traveling for weeks.....I use a personal item bag and rolling bag.

Join the airline, hotel and train reward programs...over time, the benefits add up.

If you are traveling in a popular or busy area or high season, consider booking directly versus using a third party website....this helps to ensure you won't get walked.

I am traveling this winter across the country by train, so I am looking for tips lol.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2025 05:43PM by BarefootBliss.
When I go out, road trip only.. I no longer fly because of some questionable behavior by TSA agents, I take a duffle bag of clothing, with my vitamins, meds and supplements. I take my "go bag" that I take almost every time I leave the house, it has emergency toiletries, and most of a full change of clothing, my documents (original birth certificate, SS card, vaccination records). There is a reason for this.. but I'm not going to explain, it's a trauma response. My wallet and tablet.

In my car I have LOAs and Leave Behind forms for all of the gas stations that I regularly shop, 10 of each, in 4 or 5 plastic folders in the seat pocket. A spare tire, a blanket, a few tea towels, several bandanas, 3 or 4 flashlights, 2 umbrellas (one is broken but I love it and I won't throw it away until I find another one just like it), a bottle of oil, a bottle of coolant, and all of the car's paperwork, my traffic vest, my traffic sweatshirt, a traffic safety rain poncho, and two reuseable drink bottles, one for hot and one for cold drinks.

I hope that helps.
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