To SIM or not to SIM

I use a Google Pixel phone with Google Fi service. It allows me to never have to have a SIM card no matter where I land. My bill averages around $35-$45 a month including 2-3 GB of data. I also have Skype unlimited International calling for $13.95 a month. This covers long conference calls for work easily and any calls to friends and family as well. So, for around $50 USD a month, all my phone charges are covered.

Google Flights

Whenever I’m looking for flights, the first place I look is Google Flights. It has a lot of flexibility for exploring. I love the map option if I don’t know where I want to fly to and I love the prices on the calendar before you commit to a date. Not every airline is covered, so sometimes I know I’ll have to also go search separately on an Airlines site as well. Or sometimes by searching here first, I can then go to the airline site to know I am covering all the bases in terms of costs and amenities.

My First Aid Kit

Everyone has their own go-to meds and supplements that comfort them and suggest best health in daily life. When I decided to travel full time, I wanted to carry a small First Aid Kit of things I might need. Space and weight are always a consideration when traveling, so getting rid of bottles was important. I found a rectangular pill box that has about 7 compartments that hold about 1 dozen pills each. Here’s what makes me feel good to go.

Advil – Both gel caps and Advil pm for sleep. I try not to use the sleep aid much, but it’s nice to know they are there in case of jet lag or (rarely), needing to sleep when I get sick.

 Tylenol – For me, this works for a headache best. Also, good for general aches and pains if I hurt myself jumping off a cliff or something.

 Magnesium Malate – SO love this stuff for sleeping a bit more soundly. Also, good for leg cramps, restless leg syndrome tendencies, menstrual cramps and digestion. All around wonderful mineral.

Charco-Caps – I get these at CVS in the States, charcoal supplement to absorb trapped gas which can be miserably uncomfortable. 

 Thermo-Tabs – These are buffered Salt tablets that help with light headedness and light nauseous from low blood pressure onset. This usually happens when an extreme temperature change happens. I learned about these living in the desert in Nevada, when I would travel to Southern California, I’d get super light headed and weak.

 Probiotics – There are now great shelf stable probiotics for travel, no need to refrigerate anymore, thank goodness. I try to use these as needed, for regularity and general gut health. Hey man, the gut needs love.

I also carry a few band-aids, some triple antibiotic ointment and an ace bandage. If I’m in a hot climate, I have sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

These are my go to items, yours are probably different but I just wanted to share what works for me. It’s very individual and shifts a bit all the time. A Votre Sante!!

Co Working on The Fly

There is a ton of information out there about coworking these days. From huge firms like WeWork to a million smaller coffee shop spots and everything in between, working from anywhere is easy as can be.

I only opt to work away from ‘home’ one or 2 days a month. I prefer the quiet most of the time. I get more done this way personally. But, it is equally fun to go meet up with friends for a coworking day.

Technically, I only need a couple of things no matter where I am in the world. Obviously, I need Wifi. So, that’s always confirmed wherever I decide to stay. Other than that, I use Astill as my VPN on my laptop, but there are lots of VPN options as well. This is important for 2 reasons, it protects my clients data while I am working on their stuff (and mine) and having a VPN also allows me to access websites as if I am in the USA (Netflix, cough). A VPN is affordable and necessary for my work, no question. The other thing I have come to love is my Apple PlugBug set of adaptors. The one I have currently has a USB port in it so it’s all I need to ensure my Laptop and my phone are safe where ever they are plugged in.