Happiest Countries/Free Checked Bag/Cheap Electronic Basics
Nomadico issue #149
Who is Feeling Happiest These Days?
The latest worldwide survey on happiness is out and if you thought the mood wasn’t so hot in the USA or UK, you were right. The countries with high taxes, strong social services, and low inequality are still the places making people smile. “When it comes to happiness, the Nordic countries are clearly doing a lot of things right. For the eighth year in a row, Finland is the world’s happiest country, with its neighbors clustered close behind.” The USA dropped again, to #24. Two countries Americans are flocking to—Mexico and Costa Rica—scored #6 and #10.
Frontier Will Take Your Free Luggage Instead
In a canny marketing move from an airline that has been a lot more attuned to customer sentiment than most, Frontier is taking advantage of Southwest’s backing off its long-running “Bags Fly Free” tagline by offering a free checked bag promotion. It won’t last, but they announced “a free checked bag for flights departing May 28 through August 18 when travelers use promo code FREEBAG.” See more about this and their other opportunistic changes here.
A Downgrade for United Credit Cards
Speaking of airlines, United just raised the annual fee of its most popular Chase credit card by more than half, from $99 to $150, and you’ll have to jump through an almost comical number of hoops to make up the difference with the new perks they’re touting. I still think it’s worth keeping if you fly with them more than three times a year because you get a free checked bag on all flights (not just domestic ones) and two lounge passes each year when you renew. Plus if you don’t have it already, $150 up front for 80,000 miles after meeting the spending requirement is a sweet intro offer. Otherwise, you might want to put this on your “replace list.”
Discount Stores for Electronics Basics
I spend most of my time in Mexico or abroad, so when I’m back in the USA I’m like a Soviet defector walking around gaping at the rampant consumerism all around me. The plus side of all that obsessive shopping is the staggering amount of choice and competition, which certainly keeps prices low for commodity items. I’m reminded of that when I need anything basic and electronic, like a charger, an adapter plug, or a pair of earbuds for the plane ride when I’ve lost one or both. If you lose something while traveling in the USA, just head to 5 Below or a dollar store and you’ll be out the door just a few bucks lighter. This also applies to reading glasses, cheap sunglasses, water bottles, travel mugs, soft coolers, and other items cranked out by the millions.
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Regarding the cheap chargers and earbuds.
I don't think that is a good idea. You get what you pay for. That stuff is garbage, made in China. I would not trust those chargers with my phone. Or even having them plugged in with the risk of fire.
And as for earbuds. I think would like the quality and fit of a top brand pair.
I would also say the same for charging cables. Buy quality, braided charging cables. Sadly Apple's cables are not up to snuff. I prefer Anker. I also reinforce my cables by buying heat shrink tubing and placing that over the ends where the connectors attach. Then using a hair drying to shrink the tubing. That will renenforce the weakest point of the cables.
And then just make sure you don't lose them. The best way to do that is to have a good place where this stuff is stored safely. And have a routine that the you always follow to put them in there when you leave a place.