It is daunting for many students to know that upon graduation they are going to face thousands of dollars in student debt – but for many students there is no alternative to this means of funding their education. Are you one of the thousands student that have graduated from a post-secondary institution with a degree, owing thousands of money, and no prospect of a job in your chosen field? The facts are that student loan debt is one of the leading causes of consumer debt in the United States.

We are reassured that the grace period in which the student loan must be paid gives the former student at least six months to find a job, before payments begin. This grace period allows the student adequate time to find a job, but really – is it? Is six months enough time to find employment that will guarantee income to be able to pay these high monthly payments?

My ATM card is gone. I think I dropped it the last time I got cash, and didn’t notice until I needed more. Now I’ve had it canceled, and I’m waiting for the replacement to arrive from home.

Of course I had waited until my wallet was empty before heading to the machines. With my usual impeccable timing, I discovered the problem on the eve of a holiday. Add that to the thirty-five hours or more my card will spend in the air getting here, then stick on processing, pick up and delivery times at both ends, and adjust for crossing the international date line, and it will be nearly a week before my card reaches me. I need some cash.

Over the years I’ve learned to never rely on only one source of money when I am traveling, so I have many ways to get money while I’m out of my home country.

Did you know it is possible to go through two days in one without crossing the International Date Line? You’ve probably done it yourself without realizing it. It happens every time you cross an international border. You can even spend your two-in-one day in the same country. How does this magic occur? The immigration officer at the Thai border put it pretty succinctly, “Leave country, come back, two days, same day.”

You don't really have to take deodorant and shampoo on your next trip, do you?  I don't, and you shouldn't either.  No, I'm not suggesting you revert to your natural body odors or walk around with greasy hair.

However, if you don’t want to risk contributing your expensive toiletries to the nearest trash bin when you check-in for an international flight, don’t pack them in the first place. Weight limits for checked baggage are coming down, airlines are enforcing them more strictly, and some are starting to weigh your in-cabin bags. You already have limits on the amount of hand lotion you can take on board with you. Now is the time to apply those limits to your checked bags too.

What did you do most of the time you were gone? I know what it was, even if you don’t. You spent more time sleeping than you did on any other activity.

Did you enjoy it? Did you feel happier, better informed, exhilarated, or inspired by the bed you slept in, the room décor, or the quality of the sheets? No? Of course not. You were asleep.

How much time did you spend in your room while you were awake? Let’s see, you got ready to go out, then you came back and got ready to sleep. Maybe you came in to change once during the day. Perhaps you read a little before falling asleep. None of these have anything to do with the reason you are traveling. Therefore, your room is the first place you should look to cut costs.