Life Hacks To Make Your Car Feel More Like Home While On A Road Trip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias

Today I'd like to revisit a recurring theme this, and every, Summer break- road trips.

It's no secret that we have been, and will be continuing, exploring the state of California in our series of mini Road Trip Vacations. Typically our Summers wrap with a 2 week long trek up the Pacific Coast to visit Momma in Oregon, but we're having to miss out on that this year due to the entire state being shut down for the upcoming lunar eclipse. Yea, it's kind of bananas.

But I digress, we actually have a road trip up to the darling dutch town, Solvang, CA, coming up next week. It's a place I've been visiting since childhood and this will actually be my first time staying as a full blown tourist, hotel room and all. But, before we hit the road in that Southern California traffic there are a few housekeeping things I needed to attend to this week.

We have a small car.

Sure, it's just the 2 of us plus the 2 small dogs, but a convertible can start to feel cramped really quick when you consider minimal trunk space, luggage, and anything one tends to buy/accumulate while traveling. As a result I've become hyper-aware of how to make our car feel a little more like home, to avoid stir crazy moments reminiscent of a National Lampoon's scene. The very first, and most important, tip I have is to ensure that your car is running at it's most optimal prior to pulling out of the driveway on your journey.

#1: Get in working order, without wasting time.

For us this has always meant a special stop at our local Walmart's Automotive Care Center- the friendly associates work on a first come, first served, basis to get your car in and out (and on the road) as fast as possible. Best of all, no matter how much time my car's necessary services take I can enjoy the convenience of shopping and preparing for my road trip while I wait. Some services I especially like to check off my list include tire pressure check/alignment, fluid top off, and oil change.

In fact Walmart currently has a special on their Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil change, which helps clean out the sludge lesser oils leave behind, while helping to reduce leaks and oil consumption in worn or higher mileage engines. It’s a motor oil specifically designed for new or late model vehicles with over 75,000 miles, with the mission of keeping engines running clean and going strong. You can visit your local Walmart Auto Care Center (ACC) now to take advantage of the special rollback pricing from $39.88 to $35.88- that's a $4 dollar savings!

When you stop in to the ACC be sure to let your customer service representative know that you're preparing for a road trip- they'll be happy to suggest any check-ups or maintenance services your car may need before heading out!

#2: Start squeaky clean.

Whether you're the cleanest creature on the planet and plan on doing all of your living outside your car on your road trip you're still going to accumulate unexpected messes. We always plan on tossing out our trash at every rest stop, and only eating at sit down restaurants but by the return trip we're munching on snacks while driving and somehow have trash from inside our hotel room that's migrated into the car with us.

Hitting the road with a dirty car will only contribute to that grungy feeling when you've been sitting in the same seat for 6+ hours and you're starting to wonder if that funky smell is coming from yesterdays breakfast wrappers or you. If you start clean you are more likely to keep and maintain a clean car while on the road. More importantly, take everything out of your car that isn't needed for the road trip itself. Keep your road maps and emergency roadside gear in the car, of course, but pull out those extra scrunchies, the fries you've been saving for 2 months under the seat, and that old concert ticket from 2007. Why? Because living out of a car is rough and hunting for pieces of your life in between migrating from one campsite or hotel to the next can be frustrating enough without rediscovering the past 10 years of your life in the progress.

#3: Keep it smelling fresh.

My next tip is an actual life hack.

We've used plenty of things to help fight odors while on the road but this is my absolute favorite for warm weather travel. I have hundreds, yes hundreds, of wax cubes at home I'll never possibly get through. Toss 1-2 cubes in a stubby mason jar with some holes punched in the lid and toss it in a free cup holder or under the passenger seat. As your car heats up in parking lots on your trip your favorite fragrance will fill your car!

Find the fragrance a little too strong? Use previously melted wax chunks which tend to have less 'throw' to the fragrance after having been melted prior.

#4: Put a little personality into it.


I'll admit, as expensive as motor vehicles are I still cringe at the thought of putting a sticker on the back of my bumper. It's not the end of the world, really, but to me I simply can't come around to the idea.

Regardless, I fully support adding one or more personal elements to your car. Personalizing your car with a simple decal, funny sun window sun shade, or antenna topper will not only help you carry a bit of you and your personality on the road but could save some headaches as well. The last thing you want to be doing in a strange town or new state is trying to remember where you parked your vehicle. One of the easiest things to scan in an overcrowded parking lot is antenna toppers, with windshield shade screens being next.

If you really want to get into the spirit of expressing yourself through your car you can even make custom antenna toppers out of foam practice golf balls, which happen to be permanent marker friendly and the perfect size. They even come in a variety of fun bright colors!

#5: Prepare to get dirty.

Traveling in Southern California in the Summer we never expect to encounter inclement weather on the road. However it seems like every single road trip we wind up with stained, wet, or just plain funky clothing and no where practical to put them.

Keep several reusable shopping bags in your car specifically for wet clothing (sudden downpour, wet ride at the amusement park, quick tide at the beach, pool clothes, etc) and emergency dirty laundry. Trust me you'll thank me later when your dog gets carsick on you and you're 25 miles from the next road stop!

PRO TIP: Keep disposable shower caps in your car to work as makeshift shoe covers for dirty shoes!

#6: Stay organized- especially when eating inside the car.

Hands down the biggest threat to my rolling sanctuary, while on the road, is food. When Jay and I swap off driving we may go over 20 hours without really stopping for more than 5-10 minutes  at a time. And when we add children, such as nieces and nephews, into the mix that's plenty of time spent munching on snacks and gulping down fast food trying to keep everyone full and satisfied.

If you have passenger or back seat eaters then you NEED to have some sort of structured system for eating. The above craft organizer bins are the perfect size for just about any meal and will accommodate most size beverages. I especially appreciate the tall walls, which help prevent tipping of drinks and french fries. If you really want to have eating in the car under control then toss a few small cookie sheets into the back seat before you hit the road- they make great meal and doodle trays for kids!

#7: Keep back seat passengers engaged.

While we usually put this tip to good use with the dogs (a good chew toy does wonders to a dog mom's mentality on hour 10 of road trip driving) it's just as much a great idea to keep small minds and hands busy while on a road trip.We find that minds actively engaged in a task tend to wear out, and allow time to pass, much faster than those aimlessly staring out the window.

For just a couple of bucks, and an hour's worth of time, you can actually turn an old liter sized plastic water bottle into a one-of-a-kind 'I-Spy' style backseat car game. Toss uncooked rice with a few drops of food coloring then allow the rice to air dry on some baking sheets out in the open for 24-48 hours. Next layer the colored rice and 15-20 small trinkets from colored beads and charms to pennies and more.

Make a list of all the things 'hidden' inside and hand it to a child in the back seat when you head out on the road. A free magnifier application on your smartphone or tablet can double as a real time magnifier if you want to earn 'cool' points for including technology.

#8: Find your soundtrack.

Every great adventure in life should be marked by amazing sights, unforgettable memories, fascinating new smells, and addictive beats.

In my book it's not a road trip if I'm not screaming along to the stereo with the windows (or the top) down, messing up all the words and turning every song into my personal life's story. If you're traveling with someone a 'Killer Roadtrip Playlist' can be a fun way to get to know the person you're traveling with, and a surefire way to make new memories. If you're traveling solo a great playlist is a lifesaver when the radio station inevitably cuts out on mile 98.

What should you put on your Killer Roadtrip Soundtrack?

It may seems second nature to fill your playlist with all your favorite songs but I'd advise against that. Songs you know by heart are already a little overplayed in your mind and you won't find the tunes very inspiring the 8th time you hear that song on your drive. Instead include a few favorites you haven't heard in years, include some classic tongue in cheek 'road trip' themed songs for campy humor injections, and take a moment to explore some music by artists you enjoy on the radio but have never taken the time to really explore before.

#9: Bring the outdoors in.

It may seem illogical to want to bring the outdoors into your car when you're about to spend hours a day driving through the outdoors IN your car. And, as someone who owns a convertible it might seem even more illogical- but this simple and fun D.I.Y. Car Vent Clip Vase is the perfect way to brighten up the inside of your car in both sight and smell while road-tripping. First you'll need to gather:

12-14 Gauge Colored Copper wire

Wire Style Clothespin Clips

Single Floral Bud Vials

Scissors

Needle Nosed Pliers

(Optional Hot Glue Gun To Cover Any Wire End Edges)

Start by cutting approximately 10" of wire.

Gently bend one end of the wire parallel to the top of the vial and wind the wire around the vial 3 times tightly. The wire will spring back with a little space between the vial and wire wrapping, this is fine.

Next bend the lengthy end of the wire down 1/4 inch inward from where the original bent wire end rests.

Using needle nosed pliers bend the original (wrapped) wire ending inward across the remaining wire rod length as to create a hook that holds the straight wire line in place.

Feed your remaining straight wire end through the side of the clothespin slip and bend it out and around the bottom middle of the vial.

Clip the wire end, leaving 1/4" of length and use the needle nosed pliers to bend the wire end inward against the clothespin frame.

Cap any sharp wire edges you are concerned about with a dot of hot glue to create a smooth round edge.

Repeat with a second vial, along the first, to create a 2 flower vase setup.

when the clip on vase is complete you should be able to remove the vials from their tracks with a little effort (to fill and clean) and replace them securely as you wish.

If you want a more organic look and feel to your clip on vases you can also use wrapped 'floral stem' guide wire for your wire wrapping technique. These come in muted green colors that resemble flower stems and will offer a more rustic look for your car. I've included another set of images showing the wrapping process above, as the green wire is a little easier to read on camera.

Depending on the type of flowers you wish to put in your mini vent clip vases, and the weather where you are traveling, you an expect to get 2-3 days of fresh life out of a single bud. I've had some tolerant flowers, such as daises, lost a week with a water change in the middle. Here, in hot weather the flowers tend to suck up the water fact and do require a refill every few days.

A vent clip vase like this would be especially fun to include and feature flowers found on road trip travels, while on the road!

#10: Don't sweat the small stuff- A.K.A: Have fun!

If you've prepared for your road trip using our tips above you're on the right path to a simply smashing road trip. Of course bumps are bound to come up, much like on any road in life, but the important thing is that you always take a deep breath before giving in to worry or panic. One of the most beautiful things about road trips are the options for varied paths and open itineraries. It's never just about getting from point A to point B. Remember that and you're sure to have a blast!

If you're looking to start your road trip off right be sure to check out the Walmart Automotive Care Center and their special Summer Pennzoil rollback deal. Find a Walmart ACC near you with the easy to use store finder here. Now, tell me where you are heading out to this Summer!

Ingenious Summer Vacation Hacks For Under $1

Vacations can be stressful, am I right?

I am one of the reported 40% of vacationers that experience enough stress over the act of vacationing that it often puts a damper on my entire trip. It really doesn't matter whether it's a day trip up the Coast or a 7 day Alaskan Cruise, the anxiety over planning for every possible contingency is real. And don't get me started on how much vacations can cost- is it any wonder I have visions of winged numbers flying out of my bank account every time we even think about eating away from home? Heck, I need a vacation just after writing that paragraph.

But, alas, there is hope for us 40%, and the other 60% of you can take some notes from some of my best Summer Travel hacks too! My first tip? Shop 99 Cents Only stores for all of your Summer travel needs- from delicious road trip snacks to tech accessories you can afford to have fall in the pool, stylish flip-flops, name brand sunscreen, and more. Even better 99 Cents Only stores are located along the West Coast and in the Southwest , so you can often do the 99 to fill in those 'oops, I forgot' items, on the go!

So it may be a no brainier to shop the 99 when packing for a vacation because you'll automatically save money on the things you'll need and use everyday. There's also always something new to discover at the 99, so there's plenty incentive to stop in often- However it also makes sense to shop the 99 for vacations when you 1.) Are traveling with multiple people and need a variety of the same item for each person, 2.) Might be traveling far and could potentially lose everyday items on your trip (Don't bring your favorite pair of expensive sunglasses to a water park, for example), 3.) Want to be prepared with items you might already have at home, but need in a smaller, easy to pack, size, 4.) Would like to splurge a little on some treats, games, or toys to make down time on your travel more fun, or 5.) Land in a strange town and want to avoid paying high prices for local grub (99 Cents Only Stores even have a fresh product section so you can eat great, on the go!)

Right now my local 99 resembles a vacation party store- they have aisle upon aisle crammed with amazing Summer essentials- and amazing less-than essentials. Right when I walked in the door the other day I spotted some full size graphic boogie boards for just $2.99! I live in a beach town and they were adorable enough to make me want to plan a trip to the beach! Of course I had to do some practical shopping too- we have day and weekend trips planned every other week through the Summer. I made sure to stock up on extra charging cables, fun smartphone camera filters, dryer sheets (to stash under car seats to fight 'road trip' odors), beach towels, travel size essentials, and more. I also picked up a few key things I use for Summer Vacation Hacks, read on to learn my secrets to smooth Summer traveling...

Most vacations will utilize a vehicle to some extent- whether you're flying to an exotic local and renting a car, or road tripping half way across country in your own, you're bound to accumulate trash. There's an old Pinterest hack to use a plastic cereal container as a car trash bin. For those of us with compact cars this can really eat up foot space. When I travel I like to pick up a few 'paint friendly' picture hanging hooks and a small gift bag from my local 99. These easy install hooks are meant to be easy to take down, with no damage, and will easily hang a stylish gift bag trash bag of your choice. Best of all the gift bags are so affordable you can empty them during your trip then toss them out at the end, without any fuss of cleaning or cost. If you manage to get the wide picture hanging hooks you can even use the extra hook space to help wrangle unused charging cables!

The next hack is one I was skeptical off the first time I tried it. You'll want to invest in a few spare charging cables- if you're like me, length matters. Unfortunately all those cables can really get in the way at the airport, in the car, or in the hotel room. Tightly wrap a spare charging cable around a pen or pencil, taping the ends down and leaving 3-4" on either end for the adapters to plug in. Next turn your hair dryer on high and slowly heat the cable, moving up and down while turning the pencil/pen. This will take about 3-4 minutes on high, until the cord is warm to the touch.

Turn your hair dryer off allow the taped cable to cool completely for 5 minutes before removing the tape. Slide the pen/pencil out from inside the coiled cord. You should now have a space saving 'bungee' charging cord! ***NOTE: Different cord materials and qualities will respond differently. Practice on an old or extra cord until you get the hang of how tight you should wind/how much you should blow dry.

My next Summer Travel Hack involves over the counter medications and supplements. Things you may take but once in a blue moon, but just might need should the fates frown on you and attempt to ruin your vacation. Heck, spend 8+ hours in a crowded car with 3 kids screaming and you'll probably need something to keep you trucking along!

While we have a pretty well stocked medicine cabinet at home there are a few things we don't keep on hand we've found we could have used on vacations in the past. While you're at the 99 grab a 7-Day Pill Organizer and some over-the-counter medications such as acid reducer, non-drowsy allergy medication, sleep aids, immune boosters, vitamins, and more. And, since it's the Summer, don't forget the suntan lotion and aloe vera! Cut the labels off of each item and tape them to the outside of each pill cubby for identification. (You may want to 'shrink' them in a printer's scanner, if necessary.) Keep this handy pill container in a purse or glove compartment for emergencies.

Summer vacations often mean we travel light on footwear, but also travel through all sorts of terrain in our footwear. Grab a pair of emergency flip flops from the 99 and a pack of shower caps while you're there. Use the stretchy shower caps to keep dirty show bottoms off clean clothes and car floors when traveling and packing. Shower caps are also great for keeping sand off of food at the beach, keeping bugs out of drinks at the campsite, and much more!

One of the things I love most about traveling is also one of the things I like least. Yes, you guessed it, staying in strange, new, places. I always pack a new toothbrush when traveling but I never quite have anywhere to put it, besides wrapped in toilet paper back in a travel bag. Help cut down on bactieria and let your toothbrush air out, while keeping it off hotel counter-tops by using a simple binder clip as a make-shift stand. Ingenious and simple! Use different colored clips to help keep track of which toothbrush belongs to whom.

Summer travel means plenty of time out exploring in beautiful weather. Whether you've designated someone's purse as your MacGuyver Kit, plopped a fanny pack on the eldest kid, or decided to carry your entire vacation life on your back sunglasses are always a pain to deal with. You need them, you don't need them. This amusement park ride requires you to take them off. The clouds just rolled in on a sunny forecast. You're back in the car with tinted windows. On. Off. On. Off. It's a wonder you don't lose several pairs a trip.

Oh, wait. You do.

Well I've got a lovely little hack that will save you tons of pairs of sunglasses- and if that doesn't work, simply buy several extra pairs *just in case* while you're at the 99. Badge holders. Yes, those funky little snap clips with the bungee strings on them. Clip them anywhere that's easy to access on the turn of a moment and snap your sunglasses on when not in use. Never hunt for your scratched up, lens popped out, nowhere to be found, sunglasses again.

The last tip is a two-fer.

Caribiner clips. Buy several packs of them at the 99 and clip anything with a hole or ring to them. This includes, but is not limited to, hotel key cards, car keys, fashion jewelry at the pool, your baby's binky, and more. Clip the clipped items to your purse/stroller/belt loop and never lose them again.

My even bigger suggestion is that you invest in a pack of mutli-colored hair elastics and dedicate a caribiner to them as well. Not only will the caribiner keep all your hair stuffs from getting lost but anyone with medium to long hair traveling knows it will be essential to put one's hair up at some point. For me it's whenever Jay decides to randomly pop the car's top down. Hair ties also make great drink markers, and even party identifiers (pop one on each of your child's wrists at the park in case of an emergency tell employees to keep an eye out for the 'orange' wristband, etc). You can also use hair elastics to bundle wet swimsuits together, contain loose cables when traveling (that pesky hair dryer), extend a jean button in a pinch, convert any bra into a racerback for beach or formal wear, fasten hats to backpacks as a makeshift loop tie, child-proof hotel cabinets by tying a hair tie around handles, and much more!

Our first trip of the Summer is this week, a one day over-night trip up the coast to Torrance, CA. One would think, after growing up in this state, I would be long bored of the coastal towns and scenery but I still love having a vacation in my backyard! For now we're all stocked up and ready to go- but I know we'll be back at the 99 before our next trip out of town. Now, tell me, where are you heading this Summer? Which of our hacks did you find the most useful! Check out more Summer Vacation fun with the 99 Cents Only Store here in the Social Hub and on Instagram!