Travel example  (James Ameen) 

Thesis: It is possible to travel light and save money when traveling.

(Websites used: REI, AAA, TSA, Eurorail, Britrail, Caravan)

(Key words: learn to wear layers of quick dry clothes, and travel in comfortable weather)

Introduction

Attention-getter

* I save and spend my money on traveling.

* I have traveled through many places around the world.

* Here is a picture of me traveling in Switzerland. (Show picture if computer is available.)

* Notice how I am dressed with a small backpack.

* It is possible to travel for a short time or long time just with a small backpack or a small suitcase using wheels.

* However, I know this may be impossible for many people who need to carry or bring a lot of things for various reasons. 

* I am just informing you about "traveling light" if is possible for you. 

Preview

* In these economic times it is helpful to at least know how to travel light and to save money when traveling.

* I will share some of my ways to do this and I appreciate your input as well.

* Before I begin, this presentation is meant to discuss traveling light and in an expensive way during comfortable weather. I am not discussing traveling in uncomfortable weather--such as in freezing temperatures. 

(I will be referring to the REI website as I discuss "traveling light.")

Body

I. It is important to travel light.

A. I will show an example of a light but sturdy backpack.

        1. You can see how many pockets it has.

        2. You can see how sturdy it is and how it will be "locked on" to the body for comfort.

        3. A sturdy and durable backpack from Recreation Equipment Incorporated (REI) or Sports Chalet, Sports Authority, etc. will help you avoid getting injured.

        4. I will demonstrate how a backpack can be worn. (However, a small suitcase with wheels can also be used.) 

B. I will show examples of quick dry clothes that can be put into the backpack--so you can just wash them in a sink and dry them in a warm room.

        1. Your hat can be something that you can wash quickly and dry quickly.

            a. My hats (like all my traveling clothes) are nylon or polyester and dry quickly.

            b. There are many hats to choose from that dry quickly.

        2. Your shirts can be polyester and are easy to wash and dry.

            a. As you can see, my shirt looks like a normal cotton t-shirt, but it is polyester.

            b. Quick-dry polyester shirts are comfortable and dry quickly if they get wet.

        3. Your pants can be polyester or nylon and are easy to wash or dry.

            a. As you can see, my quick-dry pants can be converted into shorts.

            b. These pants have lots of pockets so I can "feel" my important belongings (credit cards, money, passport, etc.)

            c. Notice how the pants are so thin they can dry easy after being wet (like the shirts).

        4. Your jacket can be nylon.

            a. Nylon dries quickly--like a windbreaker jacket.

            b. This jacket is light and folds easy in a backpack or small suitcase with wheels.

        5. I do not take a heavy jacket, but layers of clothes, including polyester, fleece and/or silk long underwear.

            a. Packing long underwear is easy to do rather than taking a heavy coat.

            b. It may be best to travel in the north during Summer and south during Fall, Winter and Spring times so you can try and avoid freezing temperatures and very hot temperatures (i.e., try to travel in temperatures near 70 degrees wherever you choose to travel). I will apply this issue to the use of more or less long underwear.

            c. Your nylon jacket can "go over" your polyester shirts and long underwear shirts.

            d. I think quick dry fleece clothing is a must if you are going to be in cold weather. 

        6. You regular underwear can be a Speedo bathing suit--or something similar like polyester quick dry underwear.

            a. You probably know how Speedo bathing suits dry quickly.

            b. Notice how my bathing suit can be used as underwear and a bathing suit.

            c. I realize this issue may apply differently for women. 

        7. My socks are Smart Wool.

            a. Smart Wool socks are made to last.

            b. Smart Wool socks help a person walk several miles without having to worry about blisters since they are made well.

            c. Do not dry these socks in a dryer.

            d. Like all the clothes I mentioned, hang them in a warm room (not a bathroom or closet to avoid mildew) after you wash them in a sink.

        8. Your shoes can be Gore Tex tennis shoes.

            a. Notice that my shoes are called Salomon--but your shoes can have a different name.

            b. They are built like walking shoes, running shoes, and hiking shoes--all in one.

            c. Since they are Gore Tex, they help prevent my socks and feet from getting wet.

            d. I do not take mountain climbing shoes since they are heavy and hurt my body when I walk. 

        9. Remember to bring some gloves. 

            a. I bring a light pair and a heavy pair--just in case. 

            b. Quick dry and well-made gloves should keep your hands dry even in rain and snow. 

C. Here are some tips regarding "extras."

            1. Carry all important items like money, credit cards, and passports in a place where you can always "feel" that they are there: like in your front pant's pocket or in a "waist purse" that is hidden under your shirt or pants.

            2. Carry toilet paper with you (in your backpack or small suitcase) since there be many times when you will need it.

            3. Have a camera case in front of your body (with a strap) that holds your digital camera and picture disks rather than on the side of your body. (I will demonstrate how I wear a camera case and/or hide it in my backpack.)

            4. Look at the Transportation Security Administration's ( TSA ) website and pack your personal items accordingly so you can go through security lanes quickly.

            5. Clean tap water is the same as bottle water. (Refer to the Natural Resources Defense Council's-- nrdc.org -- website regarding this topic.) 

                a. Ask someone when you are traveling where clean tap water is located. 

                b. You can fill your bottle with clean tap water instead of buying expensive bottle water. 

                c. If clean tap water is not available, try to buy your bottled water at a reasonable price. 

Transition

Remember that the aforementioned clothes and personal items can be found for half off the retail price if you are patient and wait for sales to occur. For example, clothes designated as summer clothes are less expensive at the end of the summer season. Likewise, clothes designed as winter clothes are less expensive at the end of the winter season. In addition, sales can be found on the Internet and at discount stores such as outlet stores. 

I have discussed what you can put into your backpack or small suitcase--such as quick dry polyester, nylon or silk clothes. I also suggested that you check with  TSA  about your personal items. Now, I would like to talk about possible ways to save money when traveling.

II. You can save time and money when traveling.

A. My suggestion of traveling with a small backpack or a small suitcase (with wheels) saves you money.

    1. You can save time by not having to check in luggage.

    2. Checking in luggage may cost you money--depending on the airlines.

    3. You can be quicker while traveling on planes, buses and boats because you are traveling light.

B. You can go through a travel agent to find the best deals.

    1. I have gone through the AAA travel agency and have learned a lot about specials and deals.

    2. Caravan is an example of a tour group that is inexpensive, yet they try to be professional.

    3. When I have traveled by myself (or without a tour group), I have attained advice from a travel agent and the Internet.

    4. Be careful of scams (especially on the Internet). I will give an example from my own life. 

C. If you can, make plans early so you have time to research the best deals.

    1. Travel agents, the Internet, etc. will continue to post deals and specials everyday.

    2. Do not make a hasty decision without comparing prices and getting professional advice about your trip.

    3. I will share examples of when I made logical choices (good decisions) and emotional choices (bad decisions).

D. When traveling, seek out advice from professional locals that know what places to avoid.

    1. Many places are "tourist traps" and try to squeeze all they can out of tourists.

    2. Other places can be eager to have tourists and want them to be happy so they can tell their friends and relatives.

E. It is possible to eat and dine at places that are not expensive.

    1. There are many markets that sell food for an inexpensive price.

    2. Supermarkets have cards that you can apply for that will save you money.

    3. Look at the menu before you sit down at a restaurant and see if it is within your budget.

F. If you have not booked your hotel beforehand, go to the city or town's information center to get advice about where to stay that fits your style and budget.

    1. Getting the professional locals involved in making your decision can help you avoid scams.

    2. Seeking advice from professional locals can also help you plan your trip wisely if you have chosen to just travel to the location without planning beforehand.

G. I will tell you about some of my issues regarding these issues.

    1. Do you have any traveling advice?

Conclusion

* I have given you some information about traveling light and saving time and money.

* I am suggesting to travel light so you can move quickly through tourist lines.

* I am suggesting to pack polyester or nylon clothes (or light clothes) so you can wash your clothes yourself and they will dry in a warm room for the next day.

* I am suggesting to have some other items with you at all times like clean tap water and toilet paper.

* I am suggesting to check out the  TSA website so you can pack your personal items appropriately.

* You can save money by planning beforehand and getting professional advice.

* You do not want to be trapped in a tourist trap that tries to rip you off.

* If you choose not to plan ahead, make sure you consult professional locals at the place you are visiting (usually at the local information center) to get the best advice.

* Like most choices, planning and seeking professional advice is key to having a good time on vacation and saving money.

* In addition, I suggest traveling light.

* My desire was to suggest these behaviors and to choose how they would apply to you and your travel companions.