If this one functions like mine, you can also connect the router to the internet via WiFi, then connect all of your devices to the router. This is great for hotels that limit the number of devices you can connect to their wifi, or for connecting devices that normally can’t be connected hotel wifi (like Chromecasts).

If this one functions like mine, you can also connect the router to the internet via WiFi, then connect all of your…

I use one of these: http://a.co/8mRlXsR. Keeps everything organized and contained, and is small enough to throw just about anywhere. I have duplicates of everything I need for travel. (I keep duplicates of all my toiletries in my suitcase, too, plus a few weeks of my medications. Ensures I don’t forget anything.)

Don’t forget about Google Contributor. Basically, you bid on the banner ad space against the advertisers. If you have a higher bid, you don’t see an ad (or if you’re like me, you’re shown cat pictures). You still see some ads, but the quantity is reduced. I pay $5 a month and in October saw ~1000 fewer ads.

I just listen to Girl Talk’s ‘All Day’ on repeat. Not normally my type of music, but it seems to work.

If you need a charging cable, go to a hotel and say that you left one there (especially if you say “I forgot my Apple lightning charger”). Usually they have a bunch that people have left and don’t ask questions. Might be a bit different if you are staying there, but have go.

If you need a charging cable, go to a hotel and say that you left one there (especially if you say “I forgot my…

These are my shirts of choice as well. I like that they have a bit of give to them, but still feel like a normal t-shirt. I can wear one a size down so it fits really well under my shirts, but it isn’t as constricting as like Under Armour.

These are my shirts of choice as well. I like that they have a bit of give to them, but still feel like a normal…

I ran into this when I bought a car from a dealership for the first time. I went in and after a few hours of test drives I got more or less the price I wanted on the car. I shook the salesman's hand, turned down the undercoating, and was sent back to financing.

I listen to audiobooks. The trick is to use an audiobook that you've read before, preferably several times (my go-to is Harry Potter). That way you're paying enough attention to quiet your internal monologue, but not so much attention that you force yourself to stay awake to see how the book ends.

Just to keep this holiday advice fun and light: this is the reason most recovering alcoholics don't drink at all. "Just one beer" becomes two becomes waking up in a gutter with no pants.

I think buying a home as an "investment" is definitely the wrong way to to think about it. As Malanie points out, almost any actual investment vehicle will outpace a house pretty quickly (unless you cash out on the right side of a bubble, but a pox on that).

I'll agree with some of the other posters: there are some things missing. For me: a few pills of medication (they don't expire), spare contacts (dailies), spare glasses (old ones), toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, 3 days of underclothes (socks, underwear, undershirts), normal t-shirt, swimming trunks, normal shorts,…

I use an LG Tone+ bluetooth Headset pretty much all the time (it can hide nicely behind my shirt collar). Since that has music/audiobook controls on it, I don't think I'd get much use out of a smart watch.

One of the biggest causes of tooth decay is actually potato chips. It might not be any worse than the three listed here, but because no one seems to know about it, they don't take measures against it.

At work when I get distracted an need to refocus, I solve a Rubik's cube a couple times. Once you learn how to do it, it is really simple. It does, however, take a bit of concentration to do quickly, so all distractions are driven from my mind. After that, I can get back to work.

This is the most American tip I have ever heard.

I've been doing this for a while now, though slightly differently. I eat a low calorie diet during the week (~1000 cal/day), then a bit more on the weekend (~2-3000 cal/day for a couple days). Then, every few months, I take a week off where I can have whatever I want.

Or just get a ScottEVest. They are fantastic.

From my understanding, there is only a penalty to withdraw the profits, not the actual principal (though reading now, you have to have the IRA open for 5 years to withdraw the principal without a fee). In that respect, you are quite right; it would probably be best to have a split between the two, at least before you…

I was just in the process of setting this up. I use eTrade for my IRA, and they have a free checking account with bill pay.

Also: a raw potato, cut in half.