Tagged With "PHONE"
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
These are all good tips and add up to quite a bit of coin. I've also never had luck with renegotiating cable rates. But I did give up my coffee stop and just brew my own and take it along to work. Works fine for me. Looking forward to the rest of your tips. Thanks, Samantha!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks Samantha. All great tips. Some we do now and some (public transit) we do not since we live outside Edmonton and both work in the city. A 15 minute commute would turn into over an hour on transit. We actually just redid our cable subscription, obtained a better plan and updated internet with a reduced monthly cost. With our kids now moved out we are able to save a good bit on our utilities, phone costs and especially food costs. All extra coin for the next trip.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
And don't forget: use a miles-earning card for everything you DO spend! Between bonuses for new cards and steady use, you can go a long way!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Great tips.! Cable companies usually don't reward loyalty and offer their best promotional rates to new people. Netflix, Amazon Prime are good ways to save on cable bills if you can get internet. As far as eating out, I always find it's a question of what I order. I avoid drinks, desserts , and the cost is not bad at all.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks DrFumblefinger. Glad you enjoyed the post and the second part will be out this week!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Hi there Rob. Since I wrote this post we actually cut the cable and only have OTA and Netflix. Saves us over $100.00 a month. Nice amount to save for our travel adventures! And you are right about the drinks. That is what will kill you. Stay away from them and it should help. Thanks for the comments. Part 2 this week!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Yep, it definitely adds up. Thanks for the comment. Make sure to read part 2 coming this week.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks for the comment. Glad you were able to get a new contract with your cable company. We had Comcast and they don't care about retaining customers, only getting new ones Such a shame. Thanks for the comment and happy travels.
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Re: Budget Way to Use a Cell Phone and VOIP in Europe
Sounds like a real money-saver, at home in the U.S. but it might not suit all travelers abroad. Since the phone uses the Sprint network (CDMA) you couldn't just add a local SIM in Europe where GSM is used. That would mean it would only work on wi-fi in Europe, and you might find it inconvenient to not be able to make or get calls when you were away from it.
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Re: Budget Way to Use a Cell Phone and VOIP in Europe
Thanks for sharing that PHeymont.It's definetly not a perfect solution and my thinking it's a partial solution to those who normally don't travel with a cell phone. Or if travel with one,they can use is in conjuction with theirs.It's also a great solution for people who don't have good cell Phone connection at home if they have WiFi,no need to run outside for coverage. phone reception in their house.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
It's a nightmare! A fair chunk of my packing now includes various chargers, connection cables and mains power adaptors for phones, iPads, Kindles. cameras.... Oh, plus a universal backup power supply battery (RAVPOWER - good value) in case I cannot get to a mains socket - just to keep in touch! I have to say that the Euro proposal to have ONE single charger for all devices has some merit!! PS - watch out that chargers that are sold as suitable for iPhones are often not powerful enough to...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 2
This is a great report PHeymont!Exactly the step by step instructions we all need.Can't wait for parts 3 and 4.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
The RAVPOWER unit that I went for is shown on the following link (a real mouthful): http://www.ravpower.com/ravpow...hite-us-version.html This model has enough power to fully recharge an iPad! Currently available from Amazon for USD 36.00 They also do more powerful packs. (Hope this doesn't cut across any "No Advertising" policies
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 2
There is a lot to know on this topic. Thank you so much for the education.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
No, Mac, that doesn't cross any sort of policy. We want to help travelers get good honest feedback about products that might be helpful to them on the road (or conversely that aren't worth the money). What's not tolerated is people paid to promote products on our website and providing dishonest information. Ravpower is exactly the kind of unit I'm looking for. Need to go order it soon.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
In the Duel of the Devices, I'm going to declare the RAVPower unit the winner. Both of these devices are essentially external batteries, something that's becoming more popular as more phones come with non-removable batteries. There are two critical differences, however: capacity and output. The PowerStick has a capacity of 750mAh (about half the power held by an average cellphone battery) and a maximum output current of 700mA (phone chargers usually supply 1000mA). The RAVpower device has a...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
By the way...here's my solution to the other charger issue (plugging in at home). It's a 5-port USB host that has a short cord to plug in (no brick to get in the way at the outlet) and takes 5 standard USB cords for your devices...the kind that come with your device, although more are available cheaply. The five outputs include 2 2100mA for iPad, 2 1000mA for most phones, and 1 1300mA for Samsung. All can be used for any device up to the designated output (that is, you can plug your phone...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
PowerStick only charges from a USB port. The PowerStick has a capacity of 750mAh Perfect ! That is all that I need for my modest travel needs - just a little juice for a camera or my old flip (!) phone, if needed during a day of sightseeing. The PowerStick is only about the size of a pen, takes no thought to use and does not involve batteries. My kind of tool. Travelers who carry a lot more toys have greater needs than little me.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
Well, I understand the urge for simplicity and not getting tied down...but both the PowerStick and the RAVPower ar e batteries. The RAVPower isn't big; about the size of a cellphone. But it costs 30% less, and will actually put a full charge on a phone, which the other won't. In fact, it will put a full charge on about 6 phones.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 4
Great Info! Skype is great but I found Magic Jack versatile when the other person is not sitting on a computer. I am also a fan of Google Voice ,but I don't think I'm using all their features.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
Ran across this device for charging smartphones http://www.jackeryusa.com/
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 3
PH - You are explaining so much about mobile communications. Thank you for putting it in words non-geeks like me can understand. I am learning a lot by reading this series.
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Re: Worlds Cheapest Phone?
Gotcha beat, mate! TracFone in the U.S. has a new Samsung for $9.95 and a reconditioned LG for free. They're here TracFone is owned by a Mexican company owned by Carlos Slim, one of the richest men in the world, so I guess he doesn't use these phones!
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Re: Worlds Cheapest Phone?
Nope - you're still spending $9.95. Is that plus Tax ? 2 phones is just being greedy ! $8 still gets you a NEW disposable phone that works across Europe !
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Re: Worlds Cheapest Phone?
Well, okay, it's not new...but it's free. You don't have to buy the other to get it...you just buy airtime and they'll ship the free phone with it.
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Re: Worlds Cheapest Phone?
GarryRF-That's great to hear.Can you tell us what the rates are If you go to other countries in Europe with those pre paid phones? Seems to me it would be worth buying for a traveler just as a emergency phone.
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Re: Worlds Cheapest Phone?
Is it locked to T-Mobile, or can other SIMs be used? By the way, walking home tonight I saw a bunch of TracFones at 7-11. FlashFlyer, if you want one, now's the time. They've got a $20 model on sale for...wait for it...$7.11!
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Re: Plugged In and Ready to Go?
I use this device from "Anker". Its a rechargeable battery that holds 13,000mAh. Or 13 Amps of power to take on the move with you. Two recharge outlets using your USB charge lead. 1amp per hour or 1.5amp per hour. I've had plenty of use from it and keeps its charge for weeks - with its internal Lithium Ion Battery. Excellent company Anker. Emailed me after my on line purchase. Asked if they could be of any further help just Email them. I bought this for $30 when it was on offer with Amazon.
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Re: Plugged In and Ready to Go?
We've been carrying a couple of their external batteries (since our newer phones don't let you change batteries!), although ours are only 6800 mA. They've been great.
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Europe: Say goodbye to roaming fees, but not so soon
Airport cellphone users...plans still underway to end their roaming charges. Photo: Dmitry Rozhov The previously-announced plan to rid Europe of cellphone roaming charges is still on track, but delayed at the station for...
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Anatomy of a Trip (details, details)
Money Planning well under way and a picture emerging of how I might spend my time in Oaxaca, the question of obtaining pesos begins nagging. We all know what to do, assuming there’s nothing left from the last...
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European phone operators told: Hang up on roaming charges!
The European Parliament, legislative body of the E.U., has voted (534-25!) to put an end to roaming charges with E.U. for all mobile phone users. the change is to take effect by the end of 2015. Even with caps imposed in recent years, the...
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Congress to Hang Up Your Flying Phone? Maybe!
Responding to FCC proposals to allow inflight cellphone use, the chairman of the House Transportation committee has introduced a bill to ban the calls—not for safety, but to reduce the potential noise level. His bill would still allow use of...
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Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
PICKING THE RIGHT TECH FOR YOUR NEEDS This is part 1 of a 4-part report on communication for travelers. Years ago, traveling meant being out of touch with home, and struggling with unfamiliar pay phones for local calls for...
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Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 2
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR OVERSEAS PHONE SERVICE?This is part 2 of a 4-part report on communication for travelers. No—the girl in the Renoir is not really on her cell…but you can be! Usually, the first question most people ask...
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Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 3
GETTING YOUR PHONE READY TO GOThis is part 3 of a report on communication for travelers. In the first two parts, we discussed the kinds of service available, and how to choose the one you want. Obviously, using your own smartphone is the best...
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Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 4
ET—HERE’S HOW TO CALL HOME! Right! I promised you alternatives to paying high cellphone call rates for calling back home. Using one of these low-cost strategies lets you spend more on data (or dinner!) and lets you choose a SIM by the best...
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Budget Way to Use a Cell Phone and VOIP in Europe
I've been reading up on cell phone usage in Europe and there is a lot of good material out there, no doubt. I have a little different way to go about calls while in Europe, and it's geared mainly towards the budget traveler. Here in...
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Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
When you really want to travel and really don't see where the money can come from...take a good look at Samantha's savings tips.
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Sept 15, 2019 Times Square Photographers
Jonathan L observed people watching the world pass them by
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Worlds Cheapest Phone?
Buying a Cellphone in the UK has never been cheaper !Travellers can now go into an ASDA Store (WalMart Group) and purchase a new Alcatel Phone on the T Mobile Network for £5. ( $8.US )Have we entered the age of the throwaway Phone?Phone +...
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Plugged In and Ready to Go?
These days, we seem to carry fewer books and more gear, and while a lot of the gear goes under the heading of "wireless," it really isn't, because eventually it all needs to be charged. We'll take a look here at some of the electrical questions that...
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Europe's roaming price caps kick in
As Europe's next round of reduced roaming charges kicks in, some questions remain for non-EU travelers.
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Re: Sept 15, 2019 Times Square Photographers
Seems everyone's a photographer in our modern world. Some people do it very well. Others, well, not so much so.
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Re: Sept 15, 2019 Times Square Photographers
It makes it harder to sell photos. But to me it was as much about not looking at the world directly. I see the same thing a concerts now.
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Re: Sept 15, 2019 Times Square Photographers
I know what you mean about not looking at life, except through your viewfinder or phone. If there is time now, I actually make a point of walking through a place to see what I see with the camera put away (after I've taken the photos I need for TravelGumbo, of course).
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Re: Sept 15, 2019 Times Square Photographers
I took a photography course this summer. Our last assignment was to go to Santa Fe Plaza for 1 hour and take not more than 2 photos.