Scariest Scams of 2009

Today's post is not about travel tech gadgets, but I thought it was important for readers to see this list of some of the most popular scams that are around. Most of these you probably have heard about, though some might have not just yet.

Scariest Scams of 2009

Hand-Cranked Cell Phone Charger

Continuing with the theme of essential travel gear, I thought this little gadget would be a great idea for most of the travelers. These days almost no one goes anywhere without a cell phone or smartphone. Most of these devices do not have that great of a battery live especially the smartphones. It is rare for the battery to last more than 5 hours at best. If the phone is also used for navigation or game playing the battery live might be much much less. And that is where travel gadgets such as Dynamo Hand-Crank USB Cell Phone Emergency Charger come in. It is small 2.4 x 1.2 x 1.8 inches and its power source is readibly accessible since it is your hands. It allows you to generate sufficient power to recharge a cell phone battery via repeated turns of the handle connected to an internal alternator. It’s designed to work with most cell phones with a USB port. There is also electronic alternatives such as this Emergency Cell Phone Charger, that come with several adapters for various phone types. Though an USB-port would work for most of today's phone and especially smartphones.
Considering these cost under $30 bucks, you could toss one of these in a car and/or a backpack while traveling all over the country

Make love not landfill

As a follow up to yesterday post regarding usefull travel accessories to take along on a trip, here is a great review of several water bottles that can save you money and help save the planet: Review of the Best BPA-Free Water Bottles

More bpa-free water bottles

Update: Green travel: how to ditch the plastic water bottle

Did you know?:
Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, along with other applications. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised further concerns regarding exposure of fetuses, infants and young children. In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA as a toxic substance. - via Wikipedia

Top travel accessories

A compiled list of travel accessories that are good to have anywhere you go:

One of the travel accessories is the travel bag. A good backpack can be usefull for a short overnight travel as well as for a longer journey. With a decent size backpack, you can travel light and avoid the hassle with baggage claims. Compared with shoulder bags or purses, backpacks are better for carrying all that travel gear and supplies because the weight of the pack is evenly distributed across your body and is supported by the strongest muscles in the body: the back and the abdominal muscles.

In additon, a belt bag is good to take along on a longer trip. It is good for carrying cash, credit cards, cellular phone, sunglasses and other items that you would want to keep close. Belt bags are handy for shopping, walking or jogging, sightseeing and more.

Travel map, of course, is an essential accessory for travel. Though nowadays a map would be replaced by a GPS device or a cell phone with navigation features. Even with all of the technology, it would still be a good idea to take a print out along on the trip and a good old compass.

Along the same lines it is also a good idea to pack a small light weight rechargable, if possible, flashlight. You never know if the part of the world you are traveling to all of a sudden has a power outage. Or maybe you just need to find your way around the room or camp ground without waking up everyone around you.

And this leads to another take-along that might be essential on a trip...tissue paper and a sanitizer. Don't get caught without one :)

A water bottle is not only a great accessory to have on a trip but it can also save money and protect your health and invigorate. Instead of purchasing multiple water bottles or drinking from street fountains, a waterbottle would provide clean drinking water that you can fill up from a water filter or at a rest stop. Drinking water is very important. It is even more so on trips when you spend a long time in between stops and walking. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water. Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite. This is important when staying in other countries where the food or the weather might be different and have effect on bodily functions. Moreover, being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired. It is recommended to drink 8 glasses 8 ounce each a day. I recently found a water bottle that actually keeps track of how much water you have been drinking. Sportline Hydracoach Water Bottles tracks your fluid consumption through the day and motivates you to stay properly hydrated. So drink up and drink a lot while traveling.

Last for this entry, but definitly not least, accessory to always have with you on a trip is any type of a first aid kit. Good items to include in the kit are:
•first-aid manual
•sterile gauze
•adhesive tape and bandages in several sizes
•antiseptic wipes
•antibiotic cream/solution (triple-antibiotic ointment)
•hydrocortisone cream (1%)
•acetaminophen and ibuprofen
•tweezers
•sharp scissors
•safety pins
•disposable instant cold packs
•calamine lotion
•alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
•plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)