How To Travel On A Budget To The USA

Going to the USA is exciting because it’s one of those places that you can keep coming back to. There’s simply so much to see and do that it can’t all be done in one go. It just shows how big the country is when you have to get a plane and spend hours on there to get from one part of the country to the other. Here are some tips when traveling on a budget to the USA.

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Choose The Destination Wisely

When going to the US, it’s so big, and there are so many locations to visit. So you first need to pick what area of the country you want to go to because all of them are likely to be different. The cost of each place will vary, too, so that’s something you need to have in mind. For example, places like Vegas and New York are going to be expensive because they rely on the tourism of food, drink, and in Vegas - gambling. That means you’re going to have to spend a lot of money in these places to have a really good time. So if you’re on a budget, you may want to think of other places you can go where you can a great experience and feel of the US but without having to spend a lot of money.

Opt For Trains And Buses

Trains and buses are very handy when it comes to traveling from place to place. If you’re planning on doing multiple destinations, then it’s certainly worth investing in trains and buses for your trips from city to city. There are a lot of places in America where you can make the journey in a few hours by train, and that might be much more affordable than having to fly. You also need to remember that jetlag might be something that you experience while you’re out there, and therefore, you want to be wary of how much you’re doing and not exhausting yourself out so that you can’t enjoy your trip as much.

Look For The Freebies

There will be lots to see and lots to do when you’re in the US, but just like anywhere, there are likely to be a few freebies that you can get your hands on. Like this legendary nightclub as an example, if you and your party are up for seeing the sights at night and experiencing the party lifestyle of Americans. There will probably be plenty of free museums and excursions that you can go on and still enjoy everything that the US and it’s many states have to offer.

Have Plenty Of Currency For Tips

Remember that the US is known for tipping, and as tourists, it’s good to respect this unwritten rule that’s in place. It’s nice to reward the staff that serves you, so give what you can when you can.

Traveling on a budget is possible when visiting the US, so use these tips to take full advantage of what’s available.

How To Deal With Dirty Bathrooms with FannyPac

It's inevitable. When you travel, you're going to have to visit a bathroom or two, and often, those bathrooms can be less than ideal when it comes to cleanliness. As a lady, I was brought up to use the hover method, but as an adult, I want to feel like a person who doesn't think they're going to get some scrungy disease from a toilet seat. Fanny Pac knows the feeling.

Fanny Pac knows about those questionable bathrooms that you don't have a choice but to use, and the way we feel when we try to figure out if we can make it elsewhere. For the most part, we can't just nope right out of there, even though we see that there aren't any toilet seat covers and we don't want to touch anything at all. Fanny Pac has you covered (literally) with a tiny pack of emergency disposable seat covers. 

Though they come in a little pack that slips easily into your purse or pocket for just when you need them, each seat cover unfolds to a large size to cover any seat you need to use. I also love that instead of ovular, like a lot are, these are rectangular, so you have more coverage and much less chance of them slipping into the bowl before you get to sit down (you know what I mean, because it has happened to us all). The four corners flap over the outside of the seat, meaning more stability. 

Yikes!

When you travel, or go to a lot of festivals, or both, you see a lot of public bathrooms. I have quite a few requirements in what I think constitutes a good restroom, and even though sufficient lighting and convenience is near the top, cleanliness is always top priority. You aren't going to get this when faced with long lines of portable restrooms, places that have way more customers/guests than stalls, a lot of bars, parks, buses, and sometimes even airplanes. In fact, I was at a national chain store the other day and, though the bathroom was sparkling clean, there weren't any seat covers in the stalls. Whaaaaaat?

If you're someone who likes to be prepared for all sorts of situations or is even slightly germophobic, you're going to want to order a pack (or 10) of Fanny Pacs for your day bag, travel bag, purse, car, and coat. You don't want to be caught in the situation where you end up having to line the toilet seat with toilet paper, which does not keep germs out, especially when it's one of those places that you just have to pull out a hundred tiny squares to even have enough coverage for your business. 

Fanny Pac are eco-friendly, flushable, biodegradable, and unscented, so even those who have sensitivie skin and allergies can use them, plus they're not harmful to the environment, so your solution to yucky bathroom nightmares don't turn into any other sort of nightmare. Each pack comes with 10 seat covers, giving you (hopefully) enough for a regular vacation, but you can also buy a 5-package of packs. 

Not only are these great for travel and just normal home situations, but they are can be a lifesaver for those with mobility issues and other people who can't squat/hover, like little kids who are too short to even sit on the toilet without help. Get a bunch for your whole crew. Stuff them in their stockings this Christmas. 

Now, if someone can just think of a solution to finding no toilet paper in the bathroom, we'd be set. (tip: I also carry tissues and napkins at all times.)

More details

Where to buy them: On the Fanny Pac website

Cost: $5.99CAD/10pk

Learn more about Fanny Pac by following them on social media: Facebook | Instagram 

Disclaimer: I was provided with a Fanny Pac for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine. 

Review: Arcopedico's Vegas Mary Jane Travel Shoes

It can be difficult to find a good pair of travel shoes, and I often end up buying a new pair (or two) of shoes for travel each year, because they don't last long enough to make it through more than a few trips with constant wear or they didn't look as good with things as I thought. Earlier this year I received pair of Arcopedico boots for review and they are awesome. I have worn them at home, for work, and almost every day of my trip to Edinburgh and London and my feet never hurt. So, when I was offered a pair called Vegas, I immediately said yes.

The Vegas is a slight wedge shoe with cute criss-cross elastic straps that allow you to slip them on and off (perfect for the airport and the rest of your trip), but keep them secure on your feet. If you like a Mary Jane shoe, then this is a fun twist for your shoe collection. 

As with the boots I received, these have excellent dual arch support, meaning you stand the way you should, taking pressure off your back and distributing your weight evenly. Your soles and the balls of your feet feel much better too. 

These shoes go with just about everything. As you can see from my next photos, I wore them with dress pants, jeans, and even my witch costume that I wore to a Halloween themed brunch. I've already gotten so many compliments on them, because they're super cute, which you can't say about most orthopedic shoes. I'll be wearing them a lot more.

One of my favorite features of these are the wide toe box, so you don't find your toes cramped, even at the end of the day. If you have wide feet like I do, this is hard to come by in shoes that aren't specifically wide-width.  The top is non-binding, giving you a feeling of being barefoot. I saw elsewhere that customers thought this shoe ran a bit small, but I wear a true 6.5 and the 37 fit me very well. 

Another favorite is the grip that you get on the bottom. There are so many shoes like this that have no traction at all, and I have slipped more than once and almost hurt myself. My boots held up even over wet cobblestones, and I have no doubt that these would be the same.

The backs of these go slightly up your ankle. On most shoes, this would automatically spell blisters for me, but the Vegas doesn't rub at all for me, so it looks nice and gives a little extra support in the back. I also found that my pants didn't get caught in it. If you have other shoes like this, then you'll know what I mean. 

I wore these with bare feet, but also with tights and they fit well both ways. If you wanted to keep your feet warmer, you could wear these with a nice trouser sock when it's colder out. I took my tights off so you could see the straps and how they would look with a summertime or spring look. Please ignore my ghostly skin, though I think it works with this costume. 

The Vegas has a nice flexibility, so your feet are able to move normally, instead of being cramped while walking all day. I don't know about you, but this can be a problem for me, and contributes to foot pain if you're walking all day. Nobody wants that on vacation.

I'm already excited to pack these for my Spring trip to New Orleans. In fact, I'll probably wear them on the plane, especially since they'll be great for running through the airport. They'll also help me navigate the broken and hilly sidewalks of the city.

If you're traveling at all this year, or have a traveler on your holiday gift list, this is a must-have shoe. Take a look at some of the other styles Arcopedico makes as well, because if this one doesn't call to you, others certainly might, and will keep your feet happy, even if they are the only shoe you take on vacation. The cost is certainly worth the comfort you get in return.

More details

Where to buy them: On Arcopedico's website and on sites like Amazon

Cost: $145

Colors they come in:  Black lined leather (shown) | Pewter lined leather

More info: Non-metal dual arch support, made in Portugal since 1966, non-removable polyurethane insole, lining contains the antimicrobial Sansmell™ deodorizing system for a fresher foot environment.

Learn more about Arcopedico by following them on social media: Facebook | Instagram 

Disclaimer: I was provided with the Vegas for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine. This post contains an affiliate link, and if you make a purchase through it, I'll be monetarily compensated (and eternally grateful).