What is a Biometric ID Card and Why You Might Need One if You are Traveling Abroad

Biometric ID cards are issued to foreign travelers and contain a digital photo and details of the cardholders’ immigration status, whether they are allowed to work, receive government benefits and how long they can stay. The cards also contain a “biographic footprint” of personal history and “biometric data” such as fingerprints on the cardholder. The information on each card (which is about the size of a credit card) can be read electronically and matched against a computerized National Identity Register that will retain a cardholder’s fingerprints and personal information. If you are an American studying in Britain for more than … Continue reading

Benefits of Traveling by Bus

If you were like most people, when you think of travel, you think of the airlines or rental car. Unfortunately, another mode of travel should be considered – the bus. In the 1970s, I remember traveling all across the country in a Greyhound bus. In fact, I met some great people and actually enjoyed my trips very much. However, it seems that bus travel has slowly been forgotten, which is a real shame. Years ago, traveling by bus was glamorous but today, we view it as a third-rate source of transportation. Sadly, some services have been eliminated, drivers go on … Continue reading

Traveling in the Cancun Area

There are two main ways to travel while visiting the Cancun area, you can rent a vehicle or you can use hotel transportation, taxis, and tour buses. I have outlined the benefits and drawbacks for each type of transportation as well as tips. Renting Your Own Vehicle Benefits If you plan on visiting a variety of sights in the Cancun area or have a larger number of people in your group (taxis only accommodate 4 people) you will want to rent a car. This is what we did. The cost was $500 for the week, but we saved between $100-200 … Continue reading

Be Smart When Dealing with Discounts

Paper coupons, online coupon codes, group rates, and military discounts are spectacular ways to save big bucks when traveling to amusement parks.  However, not all discounts are authentic.  Each year, thousands of complaints are filed with the Better Business Bureau regarding counterfeit deals.  To protect yourself from getting ripped off this summer, consider the following: Research:  When you see a coupon that appears too good to be true, go online and check it out.  Sites such as RipoffReport.com feature fraudulent coupon offers.  The popular website also gives tips on how to avoid using expired coupon codes.  It also has a … Continue reading

How Much Work Will You Really Do On Vacation?

One of the benefits of owning and operating your own business is that you can often take your work with you when you go out of town for a vacation. While that is certainly a good thing, it is important to have reasonable expectations about how much work you will be able to get done while you are on the go. For the past few days, I have been traveling with my family. We still have a few more days of vacation left, and I have not been able to do as much work as I thought that I would … Continue reading

Travel Tip: Know Before You Go

When I go through security checkpoints at the airport I am fully aware that I may not be reunited with my carry-on post pat down. Frankly, I am a bit surprised that I have fared as well as I have given that I am typically too busy trying to get my young child through the metal detectors and past wand-swinging TSA agents to keep an eye on our bags. Needless to say, my concern about losing my material possessions while flying only intensified after learning about the recent TSA employee-run robbery ring that was uncovered a few weeks ago. Am … Continue reading

Breastfeeding is a Personal Choice

As a mother who has nursed three babies and edits an attachment parenting site, I am a big supporter of breastfeeding. But one thing I’ve noticed is that some people are crazy about it. There are a lot of breastfeeding moms and supporters out there that get kind of nasty to moms that don’t breastfeed. My personal experience was when my oldest quit nursing at seven months old. She just quit. No notice, no warning. Just one day she woke up and wanted nothing to do with my breast. Come to find out I was pregnant, but she didn’t care, … Continue reading

Know Before You Go

Much has been said about the TSA’s full-body screenings at airports, but now that the busiest travel day of the year is in the books, most people have come to the conclusion that the majority of the hype was due to overzealous media outlets. Still, if you plan to fly anytime during the remainder of the busy holiday travel period (roughly from now until January 3, 2011) there are a few things you should know before you head to the airport. For example, full-body screening is still optional, though the price for opting out is enduring a rigorous pat-down procedure, … Continue reading

Good News for Laptop Lovers Taking Flight

I can’t count how many times I have been stuck behind an annoyed business traveler at an airport security checkpoint who spends precious minutes complaining to Transportation Security Administration agents about having to take his or her laptop out of its bag. I stand there (holding my carry-ons, my child and her backpack) staring at my watch contemplating how to politely tell my fellow flyer how much quicker we could all make it through the line if he would simply close his mouth and open his bag. It’s the rule. So deal with it and stop wasting other travelers’ time … Continue reading

Chiropractic Care

Back pain is all too common. It is one of the most common complaints at doctor’s offices all around the country! Many people turn to a chiropractor for their back problems — but do you really know much about chiropractic care? Humans have been practicing chiropractic healing for thousands of years — at least as far back as ancient Egypt! The oldest school of chiropractic thought believed that out of place bones along the spine (known as subluxations) are to blame for most diseases. This belief was picked up by Daniel David Palmer, who founded the modern practice of chiropractic … Continue reading