Want to save money on your travels? Debbi Kickham, a professional travel journalist for more than 25 years, and former Editor of The Robb Report — shares insider tips in her Amazon.com bestselling book, THE GLOBETROTTER’S GET-GORGEOUS GUIDE: Diet and Beauty Secrets of Travel and Beauty Pros, Traveling Executives and Celebrity Travelers, www.GorgeousGlobetrotter.com. Debbi can offer a bevy of beautiful bargains for all travelers.
1). Always take your own snacks – don’t buy them at the airport or at your destination. I swear by powdered peanut butter – you’ll say “Sayonara” to Skippy! Powdered PB won’t be confiscated at security, and it’s low, low, low in calories. FitNutz (www.Fitnutzbutter.com) is gluten-free with no transfats, with just 50 calories in two Tablespoons, with just 1.5 grams of fat. It’s a dieter’s dream! Just add water and you have instant PB with no guilt. I also swear by Sunsweet Cherry-Essence Prunes for a huge antioxidant blast, at just 20 calories per plum – they will put a tiger in your tank no matter where you are (www.sunsweet.com). And don’t leave the house without Diamond Foods’ Cocoa-Roast Almonds, which have just 150 calories in 24 nuts. (www.diamondfoods.com). These will all tide you over like there’s no tomorrow. TV hostess Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune, and supermodel Emme both swear by traveling with almonds.
2). Follow the advice of Samantha Brown of The Travel Channel. Samantha shares her big secret in The Globetrotter’s Get-Gorgeous Guide – she always shuns expensive department stores and shops secondhand stores at her destination, when she needs particular clothing. For example, if she needs a sweater in a cold-weather destination, she finds it at a vintage store, faster than you can say, “Cashmere.” Samantha also loves to shop at Anna Lowe in Paris — Anna Lowe was an American who founded the first discount clothing store in Paris in 1938.
3). The Globetrotter’s Get-Gorgeous Guide has an entire chapter about bargain-shopping in Paris and throughout Paris. You’ll fall in love with Monoprix and outlet shopping!
4). Pack your own filled prescription for antibiotics. Nothing’s worse than traveling and spending $100 and countless time to see a non-local physician when you’re sick. Always bring a FILLED prescription for antibiotics (ask your primary care physician at home for a prescription) just in case you get a nasty sinus or stomach infection. You’ll save hours – and dollars.
5). Shop for bargains in the country you are in. In Mexico, you can purchase the generic version of Retin-A – the gold standard of skincare retinoids – for about $5, which is a fraction of the price it sells for in the USA. In France, purchase Oscillococcinum at a steal – it’s the world’s best homeopathic remedy to take at the first signs of cold or flu. Even if you’re not traveling to France, Oscillo is a must for your traveling medicine bag, and can be found at your local pharmacy. (www.BoironUSA.com)
6). Shop the pharmacy and supermarket for local skincare and souvenirs. At your destination, check out the pharmacy and supermarket for locally made (and usually inexpensive) skincare, soaps, and gourmet food items – which are great for you and make terrific souvenirs.
7). Bring a jumprope. If there’s no gym at your hotel, you can always jumprope and get in a workout, even when it’s raining outside and you can’t go for a walk. Short on space? Just go through the motions and “jumprope” without the rope in your hotel room. One flight attendant interviewed in the book swears by doing 100 Jumping Jacks the minute she gets to her hotel room. In fact, many flight attendants and travel agents use their hotel room as their gym, where they do push-ups, situps, and run in place.
8). Bring your breakfast. I never leave for a trip without powdered milk, raisins, and Kashi or puffed wheat in my TravelPro suitcase. This little trio can be a lifesaver when you need a healthy breakfast, a quick snack, or a pre-workout boost. And you won’t be scarfing down expensive oatmeal from room service or the corner deli.
9). Add orange or lavender oil to a cotton ball. If you want to wake up, dab some sweet orange oil on a cotton ball and inhale – you will feel instantly energized, without spending money on expensive products. Likewise, if you need to nap on a plane, sniff some lavender oil, and don’t forget your eyeshades and earplugs. You might also wish to take a satin pillowcase, which is broadcaster Joan Lunden’s travel tip – the satin won’t crease your hair and skin to cause wrinkles. You’ll feel like you’re in the lap of luxury.
10). Coconut oil is a great multi-tasker to travel with. Use it as makeup remover, skin lotion and hair conditioner.
Debbi Karpowicz Kickham is a former Editor of Robb Report Magazine – “The Millionaire’s Magazine” — and currently a Contributing Travel Editor at www.JustLuxe.com. She is a veteran member of the Society of American Travel Writers, www.satw.org. Reach her at dkk@marketingauthor.com.
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