Travel – Page 3 – Physician In Numbers

Monday Melange, May 2021

Lately, the PiN household has joined the modern, electronically connected world. By that, I mean, I have started forwarding articles to Mr. PiN that I think he would enjoy. Or that I want him to do something about.

I thought I might share some of the articles that I thought interesting enough to forward. After going through all the links, I will concentrate on the personal finance and travel-related articles I sent in the past year.

My Winter Of Discontent

Lately, I have just about had it.

I don’t particularly like winter. I mean, it’s OK for a month or so. I like some fresh snow, Christmas carols, lights, happy memories. By the end of January, though, I’m ready for earlier sunrises and later sunsets and warmer weather.

This winter is even more annoying. The pandemic is rounding its 11th month. I’m tired of not seeing friends and family. Even though I love my house, I don’t want to be here anymore.

I’m watching my weight and shouldn’t eat treats; and I’m trying to clear out my messy house, so shopping for pleasure isn’t helpful either.

Grump, grump, grump.

Today Mr. PiN came up with a great way to keep me happy and engaged while we wait for the Earth to continue turning towards Spring.

What Are The Best Souvenirs?

In this season of coronavirus, with no travel for six months, and none likely for many more, having spent much of my free time decluttering, I find myself contemplating the best souvenirs I have acquired over several decades of travel.

In other words, what were the best souvenirs I brought home from my trips?

Monday Melange: Travel Points

I have been saving links to posts by other people for over a year. Some of these posts just struck my fancy at the time, others I find myself thinking about for weeks or months afterwards. I would like to share them with others, rather than hoarding them on my list of saved posts. I hope some of them speak to you as well.

I love, love, love stories about travel hacking. Not the low stakes stories of: I had to rush home for an emergency and saved a few hundred dollars on a last minute ticket using miles. No, I like the big shebang: look at this crazy thing I did for free (or nearly free).

What Are My Best Uses Of Credit Card Rewards?

At the beginning of the year, I was really thinking about how to get more from my credit cards. I opened up a card or two, worked to get the welcome bonus, and was plotting how best to use credit card bonuses to reduce the cost of our multiple planned trips in the coming year.

I have some large medical bills coming up, the question becomes a little more pressing. If I have to pay out lots on money on my credit card(s), I would like to get the most out of it that I can.

Wednesday Woolgathering

And now for something completely different….

Here are some posts that I read and liked from before the world changed.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

This week, I was supposed to be attending WCICON20 in Las Vegas. I have been looking forward to going for months.

I wanted to attend the first meeting, in Park City, but couldn’t arrange the time off. Many people posted how much they enjoyed it, and I was looking forward to meeting people who want to talk about finances, education, and even wellness. More, I was looking forward to meeting people who aren’t all internists. Maybe I even had some fan-girl interest in meeting the people behind the blogs I read (or podcasts I listen to) each week.

Not to mention, I was looking forward to 1 week away from the office, away from the EMR, and possibly in some sun.

However, in the past weeks, we have had to deal with the arrival of the novel coronavirus in our country, and the prospect of quarantine (or self-quarantine).

2019 In Review

This is the time of year when people make resolutions for the next year. Usually there is talk of losing weight, saving more, getting ahead.

Before I consider resolutions (or plans) for 2020, I would like to look back at 2019, and think about accomplishments I can point to with pride. I find it is healthier for me to concentrate periodically on things that have gone well, rather than always pointing out what needs to improve.

7 lessons from our recent road trip

9 PB&Js may not be enough

Packing a good lunch or two is an excellent start to a road trip. It cuts down on costs (at least $23, based on our return trip), and helps move the trip along, when you can pull out a sandwich instead of stopping to buy something. Packing a lunch is also good for your health. One may quibble about the health benefits of a PB&J, but it’s certainly better for me than what I might be tempted to get: burgers, fries, Dorito’s…

Unfortunately, when your travel partner is a very large man who exercises a lot, 9 sandwiches don’t last as long as you might expect.

Next time we’ll pack more.

Go Away or Staycation?

I have a 4-day weekend coming up, and I am having a hard time making plans. I love this time of year at home, and it seems a shame to go away in the middle of it. On the other hand, my husband and I love to travel. I thought it might help if I listed some pros and cons.