3 Hacks to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze ✈️

3 Hacks to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze ✈️
Traveling can be exciting, but the packing and logistics can be a real drag.  Who wants to spend their precious vacation time worrying? Vacation is the time to relax and enjoy.  Here’s three simple hacks I use to make traveling a breeze:  

Ditch the Boring Black Bag 

Let's face it, everyone has a black suitcase.  It's like a sea of black rolling through the airport, making it a nightmare to spot your own bag.  Invest in a vibrant, colorful suitcase that stands out!  Not only will it be easier to identify on the baggage carousel, but it will also inject some personality into your travels.  Think bright blues, cheerful yellows, or even a fun print.  Your luggage will be your personal travel beacon, and you'll never have to worry about it getting lost again. I love my pink and teal luggage because it really stands out.  

Pack Smart with Compression Bags 

Imagine this: you're finally at your destination, ready to relax, but your suitcase is a jumbled mess of clothes.  Sounds like a recipe for stress, right?  Enter compression bags - your new best friend for organized packing. These clever little bags allow you to compress clothes and save tons of space in your luggage.  Bonus: they also keep your belongings organized and wrinkle-free.  Fold your clothes neatly, seal them in the bag, creating a compact package.  This hack will not only save space, but it will also make packing and unpacking a breeze.  

Stay Hydrated with a Collapsible Water Bottle 

Lugging around a bulky water bottle can be a real pain, especially when you're trying to navigate busy airports or explore new cities.  The solution?  Collapsible water bottles! These lightweight marvels shrink down to a compact size when empty, making them easy to carry in your backpack or purse.  They're also eco-friendly and reusable, which means you can say goodbye to single-use plastic bottles and contribute to a greener planet.  Stay hydrated and worry-free with a trusty collapsible water bottle by your side. 
These three simple hacks can make a world of difference in your travel experience.  No more stress about lost luggage, messy bags, or bulky water bottles.  I got the two-pack with a pink water bottle for me and a blue one for my son and we love how easy they are to bring along when traveling. 

Now you can focus on what matters most: enjoying your adventures and creating unforgettable memories.  So, pack smart, stay organized, and get ready to explore!

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The One Thing I Recommend the Most for Traveling Families

The One Thing I Recommend the Most for Traveling Families
Traveling as a single mom can be challenging to say the least. After the packing and planning of the trip the day and time arrives to go to the airport.  Navigating through airport security with young children in tow can be daunting. However, there is a solution that can make your journey smoother and more efficient - TSA PreCheck. In my opinion, it is the best travel investment for families with young children. 

TSA PreCheck allows you to breeze through security checkpoints without having to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids (got a water bottle through even), belts, and light jackets. This means less time spent in line and more time to focus on keeping your children entertained and comfortable during the travel process.

As a single mom, managing your children's needs while juggling luggage and documents can be overwhelming. With TSA PreCheck, you can eliminate the hassle of unpacking and repacking your belongings at security checkpoints, reducing stress and making your travel experience more enjoyable. In fact, before I had TSA PreCheck, my ipad was stolen in the security line because we had to take our devices.  The gentleman behind us saw an opportunity to grab it when we weren’t looking and I had to call security who then tracked him down. He had boarded a plane to Seattle.

TSA PreCheck not only benefits you on all your travels, but when the tickets booked include you children under 12, they get the benefits of precheck as well.  They can accompany you through the expedited security lanes, making the entire process more convenient for your family and saves so much time.  

While TSA PreCheck requires an initial investment of $80, the time and stress saved during each trip can quickly outweigh the cost. Additionally, many credit cards and travel rewards programs offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck enrollment fees, making it a cost-effective solution for frequent travelers. If you plan to travel internationally, there is the Global Entry option for only $20 or so more which saves so much time going through customs. 

In conclusion, TSA PreCheck is a valuable travel investment for single moms looking to streamline their airport experience and make traveling with children more manageable. By enrolling in TSA PreCheck, you can enjoy time-saving convenience, stress-free travel, family-friendly benefits, and a cost-effective solution for your future trips. Make the smart choice and invest in TSA PreCheck for a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience with your family and focus more on the memories being made than the stress of going through airport security. 

Here’s the link to apply.  Happy Travels! 

Waimanalo Country Farms: A Fun Fall Family Favorite

Waimanalo Country Farms:  A Fun Fall Family Favorite
Looking for a fun-filled activity for the whole family this fall on Oahu? Look no further than Waimanalo Country Farms! This local farm has been in operation for generations and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. From a pumpkin patch and sunflower field to tractor rides and animal encounters, there's something for everyone at Waimanalo Country Farms. And what's more, admission is only $10 per person. So round up the kids and head on over to Waimanalo Country Farms for some fun!

No fall visit to Waimanalo Country Farms is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch! Here, you'll find pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, perfect for carving into jack-o-lanterns or using as decorations around the house. The kids will love picking out their own pumpkins to take home, and you'll love getting some great photo ops in front of the beautiful pumpkin display.

In addition to pumpkins, Waimanalo Country Farms also has a stunning sunflower field that's sure to get you into the autumn spirit. Stroll through the rows of towering sunflowers and take in their beauty. This is also a great place to snap some pictures! Be sure to stop by the farm's on-site store before you leave so you can buy a bouquet of fresh-cut sunflowers to take home with you.

After you've had your fill of pumpkins and sunflowers, hop on board one of the farm's tractor-pulled wagon rides for a tour of the premises. Along the way, you'll get to see some of the animals that call Waimanalo Country Farms home, including chickens, goats, and pigs. The kids will love getting up close and personal with these friendly creatures!

No day out in the country is complete without some delicious refreshments, and Waimanalo Country Farms has got you covered with their on-site lemonade stand. quench your thirst with a cup (or two!) of refreshing cold lemonade. If you're feeling peckish, grab a slice of cornbread or sweet corn from the stand as well. Trust us, it's worth standing in line for!

Waimanalo Country Farms is the perfect place to take the family for a fall day trip. With its pumpkin patch, sunflower field, tractor rides, and animal encounters, there's something for everyone at this local farm. So round up the kids and head on over to Waimanalo Country Farms for a day of autumnal fun! Admission is only $10 per person, making it an affordable day out for the whole family.

Why Using a Travel Agent is Boss

Why Using a Travel Agent is Boss
When I was in elementary school, I was fortunate to go to the Philippines with my grandparents three times.  I will never ever forget the experiences and memories I have from those trips. I remember visiting my Papa's village and handing out candy to my relatives. They were overwhelmed with gratitude and so excited to meet us because we were from Hawaii.  

Before each of those trips we would go to the travel agency and meet with the travel agent lady who took care of the flight arrangements for us. We gave her all our details and picked our seats and picked up our plane tickets.  I remember the second time I went she upgraded us to first class and it was really special for me.

Today with access to the world wide web, we can search the internet for anything.  We can google and research and find and book flights and hotels on our own.  There are a number of search engines now such as Expedia and Travelocity that advertise deals on travel.  I didn’t know until recently that Expedia owns a bunch of the other companies so their prices are very similar. 

When it comes to travel the value you get for using a travel agent is incredible. With a travel agent you get your own assistant to research and create your ideal itinerary.  You get a custom tailored trip to you and what you want. Travel agents have access to databases and websites that the general public do not have access to.   

The best part is it doesn’t cost you any extra at all. Travel agents receive compensation from the vendors when they book. Researching all the details for vacations can be exhausting and time consuming.  Using a travel agent saves you a bunch of unnecessary stress and lets you relax and enjoy your vacation and focus on what's more important: making memories with loved ones.    

I highly encourage you to use a travel agent to make your life a little less stressful. If you have a trip in mind and would love to get you booked and ready to go. My travel website is  https://www.evotravelagent.com/ahealthymermaid and if there’s another agent you resonate with, no worries at all.  

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