Business Travel On a Budget

Just because you're traveling for business, it doesn't mean that you have to spend big bucks to get there and back, especially if you work for yourself. Save money, while still being productive by knowing where to splurge. You can be the hero of your company and the envy of other business people. Here are 5 ways to make the most of your money and get ahead.  

Get the wireless package

Gogo Wireless is your ticket to successful flying. If you take to the skies often, save big by buying a monthly plan instead of paying per flight. You can use it unlimited throughout the month on your chosen airline, or, for a few dollars more, on all participating airlines. Get all your work done online while other people are watching the in-flight movie or reading a book. The monthly plan pays for itself in just a few three-hour flights.

Purchase a Priority Pass for airport lounges

It’s hard to work in a crowded terminal or even at one of those tiny coffee shop tables, plus you need to find a place to plug your laptop in if you start to run out of juice. Airport lounges are so much more comfortable and efficient. Membership at Priority Pass gains you admittance to over 600 airport lounges across the world, where you can enjoy Internet access, free drinks and snacks and more. The best part? You don’t need to pay for a business class ticket to gain entry.

Pack light

Packing light is always a budget move. Not only do you save on baggage fees, you can go from the plane to your business meeting right away, without having to wait at the baggage claim or drop your bags at your hotel if you don’t have time. Women can make use of a little black dress, a blazer, cardigan and different accessories to make many outfits out of a few key pieces. Men can get by with one suit and several different shirts and ties. You can pack less and still look great and professional every day.

Use your smart phone to save time, money and aggravation

Chances are your phone bill is paid for by your company (or you write it off on your taxes), so use it to make the most of your time. Use a service like TripIt to keep track of all your miles and itineraries, book flights and get travel alerts on-the-go. You can also use it to make reservations with dining programs like OpenTable to get rewards and discounts on dining. Your clients will never know you wined and dined them on a budget!

Get more airline miles

As frequent travelers, business people spend a lot of time in airports. Why only get frequent flyer miles for flying? Accrue miles for parking, shopping and dining when you sign up with Thanks Again and get free flights faster. Use the free flights for your personal trips if you have to use your own money and get reimbursed for the costs. If you use a business credit card for your travels, use the free flights to save on your future business trips.

These are some great ways to make the most of your time and money, making you a more effective business traveler. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and look your best when you arrive at your destination, in case you don’t have time to freshen up. Good walking shoes will also be a lifesaver, as they can be perfect for work situations and also for sightseeing if you have some extra time before heading back home. Feel better and more productive on all your trips!

How do you save on your business travel?

All the Baggage Guidelines You Need

Every so often the airlines change their baggage allowances. This means not all carry-on bags actually qualify as carry-on size, but it generally depends on the airline as to how flexible they are. AirFrance is notoriously strict about bag size and weight. If you want to travel carry-on-only, it can make it a bit of a challenge, but that's okay, because you know I got you covered when it comes to packing light and teaching you how to mix and match. 

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You can always do laundry when you travel, so the less you take, the easier it will be to carry and get around, plus the airlines are never going to be sad that you just have a small bag. Take the minimum you can (I always plan out my travel wardrobe around my schedule and make sure I have incorporated time to do my laundry into my itinerary). It makes traveling a lot more convenient when you have fewer things to worry about and fewer decisions you have to make. 

 Do you travel with just a carry-on? If so, what are some of your best tips for packing light?

Getting Salty Without the Actual Beach

Here in Portland we don’t get a lot of sun, even outside of Winter. Much of the time you go to the beach, you still have to wear long sleeves or a rain jacket. Going to the beach can be super-relaxing and gives your body much-needed vitamins. Mostly I like to go to the beach to walk along the sand and then go shopping, but my husband likes to go and attempt to swim, then run back and lie in whatever sun there might be, which usually isn’t much. So, instead of wasting 3 hours driving to and from the beach, we have found a new way to visit the beach throughout the whole year: salt caves.

Salt caves are rooms that are made of salt from the Dead Sea. The floor is covered in salt and feels like walking on the beach. The salt is a natural ionizer, which pulls impurities out of the air and the minerals permeate the air to help cure ailments like eczema, acne, allergies and respiratory issues like asthma. A regular session is 45-50 minutes and is the equivalent of 3 days at the beach. What a great way to soak up all that goodness in a short amount of time!

You go in and sit in a lounge chair and they turn down the lights for you to relax. Generally, there are only a few people in the room at a time, and in some places, you can have your own cave to yourself. I spend my time blogging on my phone or checking email and, even though I’m technically working, it allows me to concentrate and unwind at the same time. You can sit in the salt if you want or just dig your toes in (as you remove your shoes before entering). Of course, some we've been to require you to wear socks or booties.

They keep the room comfortable, so it’s almost like being at the beach. It is suggested that you wear loose clothing in order to get the full effects of the salty air. This allows you to wear warm weather gear to give you the beachiest experience. After you leave you will feel completely relaxed and after several visits you may start to feel the difference. I have naturally oily skin, but found it evened out after my visits. I also felt like I breathed a bit better – being a lifelong sufferer of allergies. Even if you aren’t trying to relieve any ailments, a salt cave visit can be cheaper than the beach and can also be found in places where there is no beach. It’s like a mini vacation! Look for one in your area.

The one we used to visit in Portland closed and a new one opened, but it is part of a spa and only open for salty goodness Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, making it hard to visit when you have a job. Because of this, we pretty much only visit salt rooms while on vacation and have been toying with the idea of putting in our own salt room in the backyard. It would be like a vacation every time I went inside. 

Have you ever visited a salt cave/room?