I'm writing this on the Sunday before the big Philadelphia Eagles playoff game.
Big Eagles games are always interesting to me because I like the energy before games like this.
You can feel it in the air. Even when you're outside and people are going about their daily lives, you can feel this quiet electricity or charge.
So, I'm hopeful that we pull in a win today.
When you're reading this, it will be a day after the game and you will already know the result.
I wonder what your reaction will be, but I guess it depends if you're a fellow Eagles fan and whether or not the Eagles pulled in a win.
Let's see how this one-day time capsule turns out.
As you can probably guess, I'm an endless optimizer. So after every trip, I take a look at how I can improve.
But I know you don't care about my quirky tendencies, so I'll get to the point.
I'm going to share the recent travel hacks that I've learned and added in 2025. Review them, see what aligns, and discard the rest.
Let's dive in.
XE App for Currency Exchange - Link
I usually use Google or do conversions in my head. But the last few countries I visited had some pretty complex exchange rates. So I started using this app instead. The best part? You can do calculations right in the app. Super helpful for figuring out tips and
haggling with vendors.
3 in 1 Charging Station - Link
This one is simple but game changing because I can charge my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once with one cable. It reduces the wire mess and keeps everything tidy. I set up a little station right by my
nightstand and in the morning, all my devices are charged.
Pre-Packed Travel Clothes
In the endless quest to make packing as painless as possible, I bought extra clothes and keep them packed in my luggage. Ok, let me be real, it's not like I have my shirts and pants there. I just have my underwear and
socks already packed. Given that my toiletries and some of my essentials are already pre-packed, all I really need to do is pick out my shirts, pants, and pack my electronics. Now I can literally travel at the drop of a hat.
Prioritizing Rest
I've realized I can't do it all. Now that I'm prioritizing rest, I've noticed that I've been making less mistakes, having more fun, and my trips are just going smoother. So I try to get to bed as early as possible, but if I'm staying up late for salsa dancing, I make sure to sleep in the next morning and start that day
later.
Hiking Pants for Travel - Link
I found some that are stylish and lightweight. Here's why I love them. They're light so I can pack multiple pairs. They dry fast. And I can dress them up or down depending on the occasion. If you look closely at
some of my videos, you'll see that I'm actually wearing hiking pants.
Sitting Next to the Airplane Bathroom
Remember my horrible situation when I was testing out those jet lag pills? Thank god I was seated right next to the bathroom. Otherwise that experience would have been so much worse. In the future, I'm going
to prioritize seats next to the bathroom. Most people try to avoid these seats, so that's a win for me.
Staying Off Social Media
On my last trip, I stopped going on social media while traveling. It gave me so much peace. I felt more present and less anxious. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot.
Wearing a Mask on Planes
I've gone back and forth on this one. COVID was six years ago. Can you believe it's been six years? Few people wear their masks on planes anymore. But now I'm just tired of getting sick on my trips. So the mask stays on.
Getting a Massage After Flights
This really helps with recovery and undoes the damage of the cheapo seats that I get. It's also a nice way to transition back into
normal life.
There's always something to learn, and that's what makes traveling so fun!
Keep traveling,
Andrew
What's one travel hack you swear by that most people don't know about?