Running low on funds?

There are ways of earning a little extra cash - and a little goes a long way!

Blog about it

There are more dreamers out there that would love to indulge in your thoughts - and by adding some adds to your site, you'll benefit from their clicks. Start up your own blog on blogger, wordpress, or any other site (you could even host your own), and use adsense to reap the earnings. A few thoused page views will easily earn you $100 a year!

Capitalize on your empty place

Why waste perfectly good empty apartment? Rent out your house, box, or whatever you live in at airbnb while you're home and/or away.

Sell your stuff

It's amazing how much stuff we stash away that we're never ever going to use again. Sell it! Putting your stuff up in the classifieds is often free, and you can use sites such as ebay, letgo or your local classifieds. You know which. Easy money!

Happy New Year?

Today happens to be Chinese (and Korean, Vietnamese, etc, etc) New Year, or the first day of the Spring Festival.

While many of us don't think about it, we actually celebrate the new year at various times throughout the world, something we can take advantage of as travellers!

If you're in Singapore, for instance, you might find some mandarine oranges in your room on this day, and you should definitely go downtown to partake in the celebrations. Even though the celebrations last for several days, DON'T WAIT! GO NOW! The first day is the party day. Tomorrow is a family day, which means the city (especially Chinatown) pretty much is shut down.

Share your itinerary

There are lots of ways to keep track of your itinerary. I like using TripIt, which works offline - that's important when you don't have wifi access, phone coverage, or just don't want to spend money on a data plan.

In the pipeline

Next up: Posts and pages on car rental and driving abroad, travel with children, hotel booking, where and when to find low fare flights.

We're bubbling over with information. However, since we're limited to one editor in the foreseeable future, and we're working full-time jobs and have small children, the goodies must be rolled out gently. Hang on!

Let's go exploring

Mor Hin Kao, Thailand's natural stonehenge.

What to bring in your carry-on

First of all: All you need is your carry-on. Thus, put all you need in it (and it ain't much)! In fact, some of these items may go in your pocket, around your neck, or even on you.

Keep in mind that your phone doubles as a flashlight, camera, dictionary/translator, travel guide, news paper, magazine rack, and library, to name a few things. Just saying.

• Toiletries
• All liquids go in a 1 liter zip-lock bag.
• Bring as small liquid containers and a few items as you can.
• Consider bringing a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
• Use travel bottles. For instance, pour some of your favourite conditioner into a smaller container.
• Instead of bringing all your perfume, use a 100 ml travel spray bottle or atomizer.
• You can buy sunscreen when you get there. If you're easily burned... Then don't forget :-)
• Depending on where you stay, you may be able to leave your shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion at home. Check with your hotel if they've got what you need. Alternatively, you can always buy what you need when you arrive!
• If you want to save money on drinks on the plane, but want something other than water, bring some juice concentrate (or powder, which goes outside of this bag).
• You can even bring a shot of Bailey's for your free (?) coffee!
• Don't put your tooth-brush into the bag. It's not liquid.
• Toothbrush & dental floss
• Nail cutter & file, a pair of pliers
• Cotton tipped swabs
• "Medicines" such as pain killers, motion sickness tablets, diahorrea relief tablets, and rehydration tablets. Remember to study side effects, and consult a pharmacist to know what can and should not be used at the same time, as well as under the influence of alcohol!

• Light clothing
• If you need heavy clothing, wear it. Dress in layers if need be, you can always dress down a little without needing to fill up your bag, but still... Don't bring stuff you don't need.
• Put light clothing in your bag. Plan to wear stuff for a little longer than usual, and to clean it if your staying somewhere for a longer period of time.
• If you need sandals and shoes, put the smallest items in your bag and wear the biggest ones on the plane.
• Underwear for you torso and personals, socks, pants, and shirt/top for when you spill that coffee. Be prepared to wear stuff for more than a day (you'll be saving the planet, yay!)

• A towel? Nah, not unless you're hitchhiking through the galaxy. But if you're not staying in a hotel, bring a microfiber towel that dries quickly.

• Laundry
• Laundry detergent powder in a double zip-lock bag. Double, because you want to make sure the soap stays contained!
• At least one laundry bag
• One for your dirty laundry
• and perhaps one for your clean clothes?

• Papers
• A photo copy of your passport (always keep the original on you)
• Your itinerary, with addresses for lodging, phone numbers, and other contact information.
• Vouchers (certain clerks love red tape)
• Bring a pen and a small notebook as well. Never know when it comes in handy!
• A few dollars and a spare credit card can be nice to hide in your bag, just in case. Eventually, hide it in a money belt, under your sole, or wherever. Just in case you get robbed or encounter a pickpocket.

• Keys
• You'll be needing those when you come back home!

• Entertainment
• Noise-cancelling earphones. OK, they might not be an absolute necessity, and they don't come cheap. However, they're a true blessing on long-haul flights, even when you're not listening to anything in particular. In contrast to earphones that or provided (or sold) on board, you can actually hear what's being said in the movies without turning the volume to the highest level.
• An e-book or three. You don't need a Kindle or similar e-ink device, a tablet or even your phone will do the job. Consider bringing an audio book as well, Amazon books are often offered with an Audible option.
• Your favourite book and/or magazine and a news paper.

• Electronic accessories
• Travel adapter
• Power bank to charge your phone (or tablet, headphones, etc) while you're on the go. Consider how many Amps you get per dollar! More is better.
• Phone charger - Concider a multiple USB port adapter, so you can charge several devices at once.

• Sunglasses (and reading glasses)
• Don't stuff your bag too tight! That's how sunglasses get crushed.
• Bring some cleaning accessories too, if you care to.

• Food and water
• You don't need to buy food. Bring your own! Prepare a couple of sandwiches, wrap 'em up in a plastic bag and freeze if you plan to wait a few hours before consuming.
• Although you can't bring drinks through security (not more than 3.4 ounce containers in a quart bag (100 ml in a liter bag for you metric folks), you may bring empty bottles. Most airports supply free drinking water from water fountains or bubblers so you can fill your container once inside, before you board.

Free travel pillow

Inspired by a $50 travel pillow, I just got an idea, which is free (if you already have a pillow cover in handy):

1. Bring a pillow cover with you on your trip.
2. Stuff the cover with your jacket.
3. Your new travel pillow is ready for use!

If you need a special pillow case, stay tuned. We're looking into having some exclusive pillow cases made out of silk. Durable, natural, and silky soft, of course!