Category - Life Hacks

Small Portable Chair: CLIQ’s Awesome Fold Up Chair

February 23, 2023

CLIQ Portable Camping Chair Review

Packing for a hiking vacation, especially when everything needs to fit into a backpack, maybe a hassle. Having to cram everything you need into a small space or carry a heavy load may be psychologically and physically exhausting. There is always something you wish you had room for and something you have to leave out.

One of the primary challenges when packing a hiker’s backpack is the limited amount of space available. These backpacks are designed to be lightweight and compact, meaning they often have a smaller carrying capacity compared to traditional suitcases or travel bags. Every inch of space must be utilized effectively, making it essential to prioritize and pack only the most crucial items.

6 Reliable Electric Cooling Blanket Options To Get A Perfect Night Sleep

September 12, 2022

Julie Buckingham

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Electric Cooling Blanket: Sleep Better

Even in the winter, when I have blankets on to stay warm, there are times I wake up too hot and need to cool down. I hate sweating when I sleep, so I’ve learned over the years to stick my feet out from the covers to get my body temperature just right. Obviously, this doesn’t allow for too many comfortable sleeping positions; that was until I got myself an electronic cooling blanket, and life has been so much better.

I used to travel a lot for business and hated hotel beds. I could never get adjusted to the heat of the room or the thickness of the blankets. My boyfriend would always tell me to just kick the blankets off, but that didn’t work either as I prefer the comfort of having covers on my body as I sleep. I’ll admit, I’m just a picking sleeper that needs the temperature to be just right.

Temperature is easily one of the biggest obstacles to getting quality sleep. Studies have found that the optimal temperature for the best quality sleep is cooler than you may think, around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-20°C). Temperatures that fall too far below or above this range can lead to restlessness. Temperatures in this ideal sleeping range help facilitate the decrease in core body temperature that in turn initiates sleepiness. Getting into that perfect sleeping temperature zone can be difficult due to warmer climates, the heating of your home or simply laying next to someone who naturally sleeps hot and warms the bed.

There is a wide range of sleeping products that market themselves as solutions for staying cool in bed. I started with a Cooling Pillow, which actually worked pretty good at first, but as I mentioned, do a lot of traveling. Packing a pillow is a waste of space in your luggage.

My goal was to find a quality electric cooling blanket that would keep my whole body at the right temperature. I quickly realized, though, you get what you paid for. I tried a few affordable cooler blanket suggestions before overpaying for a portable air conditioner. The air conditioner wasn’t worth the money and my partner didn’t like freezing every night. He asked me to return it and continue to search for a blanket that would keep me cold, not the entire room.

9 Best French Press Coffee Maker Models on the Market

February 17, 2022

Adam Lewis

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The following article is a complete breakdown of the best french press coffee maker models on the market that I have researched and tested. This article explains what makes a great french press and should help you narrow down your search for finding the best coffee maker that fits your needs.

Best French Press Coffee Maker

I would classify myself as a heavy coffee drinker, but not a pretentious one. I don’t go to Starbucks very often, but when I do, my order is straightforward; a medium cup of black coffee to which I add a little cream and sugar and I’m good to go. I work from home mostly, so I make coffee at least twice throughout the day for myself. Over the years, the evolution of the coffee makers I have purchased got bigger and more complex. I liked coffee makers that would grind the beans for me, measure the right amount of water to add, and even give me digital options to how refined the grind was. However, that all changed after having my first cup of coffee from a French Press.

I remember it well, my wife and I took the kids to visit friends who lived out of town for the weekend. The first morning I woke up I was greeted with a nice cup of coffee, but I never saw it being brewed. I assumed it was some fancy new expensive coffee maker as the coffee was vibrant with flavor. At the time, I was currently looking for a new coffee maker after my $349 Breville maker had broke, so I was very curious to learn about what had made this great cup of joe. When I discovered the coffee was made from a French Press, I was amazed. I was in disbelief that something so simple could whip together such a great cup of coffee.

When we returned home a few days later, I went out to pick up my own French Press with the intention of it being a temporary replacement until I could find the next best thing as far as pro-style coffee makers go. But, it’s been over six months now, and I’m still using a French Press. I love the taste and my wife, and I love how much extra counter space we have in our kitchen now.

However, I should point out that I have tested out a few different French Press maker models. In fact, I met this guy working for a local department store that seemed to be a coffee fanatic. He was Barista that worked at this local hipster coffee shop part-time and also worked at the department store where I was shopping to buy the best french press coffee maker I could get my hands on. He was the perfect person to bounce questions off.

I was interested in learning that despite the fact that a French Press coffee maker was such a simple tool for brewing coffee, it has a few different versions. Some are cheaper than others while some seem to charge more for a more professional but don’t, in fact, brew better coffee.

The following are the six Best French Press Coffee Maker Models on the Market.

19 Road Trip Essentials For The Perfect Trip

January 2, 2020

Liane Corbin

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Road Trip Essentials

A road trip can be a fun and exciting way to explore new places and see the sights. But in order to make the most of your road trip, it’s important to be prepared and have all the essential items you need. In this article, we will discuss some of the essential items you should bring on your road trip.

First and foremost, it’s important to have a reliable vehicle that is in good working condition. This means making sure your vehicle is properly serviced and all necessary maintenance is up to date. It’s also a good idea to bring along some basic tools and supplies, such as jumper cables, a spare tire, and a jack, in case you encounter any problems on the road.

Next, you’ll need to have all the necessary documents and identification. This includes your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. It’s also a good idea to bring along any maps or navigation tools you might need, as well as a list of emergency contact numbers in case of an accident or other emergency.

In terms of supplies, you’ll need to have enough food and water to last the duration of your trip. This means packing non-perishable snacks, drinks, and meals, as well as a cooler to keep them fresh. You’ll also need to bring along any necessary medications, as well as first aid supplies in case of any injuries or illnesses.

Other essential items to bring on a road trip include a phone charger, a portable charger, and a car charger, in case you need to charge your phone on the go. You’ll also need to have some entertainment for the road, such as books, music, or games. And finally, don’t forget to bring along some basic personal care items, such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and hand sanitizer.

In conclusion, a road trip can be a fun and exciting way to explore new places. But in order to make the most of your trip, it’s important to be prepared and have all the essential items you need. This includes a reliable vehicle, necessary documents and identification, food and water, and other essential supplies.

When planning for a cross country road trip, you must pack well. Failing to plan is planning to fail. The last thing anyone needs is to be thousands of miles away from home and discover that you are missing something that would make life on the road much more comfortable. Whether a child’s favorite toy, a favorite article of clothing, or something else essential, we are here to help you pack for the ultimate road trip essentials adventure list.

So, what do you need for a successful road trip? Whether you are going fifty miles or fifteen hundred miles, it’s all about the essentials. Let’s answer a few questions first as we assemble the ultimate packing list of road trip essentials for you:

How far are you going?
How do you plan to travel?
Where will you stay?
Who is going with you?
How long will you be on the road?

Knowing a bit more about your trip will help you to plan everything you need for your exciting adventure. Here are our travel tips for your road trip.

Travel bags

It doesn’t make much sense to lug around huge suitcases with you when the goal of a road trip is “out of the vehicle” adventure. If you know that you will be visiting the Grand Canyon on a particular day, for instance, pack a travel bag with things that you might need for exploration–sunscreen, water bottles, camera, hat, sunglasses, etc. When in doubt, bring it with you, or if you think you’ll need it at some point, bring it along, rather than trying to find it en route.

5 Tips For Booking Flights or Vacation Online

May 15, 2019

Mike Patch

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Tips For Booking Flights or Vacation Online

Online Vacation Booking Tips

Nowadays, booking a flight or vacation online couldn’t be easier. There are dozens of apps and websites promising to find you the best deals possible. Google Flights which has become an extremely popular go-to for booking flights has taken out a lot of the guesswork. There is also, of course, friendly tips and family advice on where to go and when to book a vacation or flight online. That being said, there are still some solid booking tips that you may not have heard of that could also help you save big when it comes time to booking a flight or vacation. Check out the following tips, I’m sure you haven’t heard of at least of these tricks.

Use Rate Calendars To Figure Out Pricing Drops

Most travel websites start by asking you to enter the destination and number of people on the trip, followed by the dates you’d like to go. Nearly all websites will also show you a rate calendar for the cost of flights to and from your desired location. If you plan your trip in advance, you may begin to spot pricing drops of flights closer to a specific date. As a good test, watch the prices of the same day of the week you wish to leave but a few weeks earlier. As seats begin to fill there can be a flux in price based on the number of seats filled and days remaining to departure. Read More