How to Skimm Your Life

by The Skimm

  Avocado

  Not just a punch line about millennials. A large percentage of an avocado is made up of healthy fats (specifically something called oleic acid) that help your brain run smoothly.

  Tomatoes

  Whether it’s a tomato or a tomatoe, it contains a nutrient called lycopene. It gives tomatoes their red pigment and some studies have linked it to a healthy heart, protection against certain types of cancers, and even protecting the skin from UV damage.

  What about health food ingredients I can’t pronounce?

  Açaí

  Pronounced ah-sah-ee. They’re berries found on South American palm trees. While some of açaí’s benefits haven’t been proven, it contains antioxidants and is relatively low in sugar compared to most fruits. But that’s the pure berry form. Açaí bowls, on the other hand, can be loaded with sugar.

  Chia

  Not the pet. These seeds are tiny but pack a big punch. They come from a Central American mint plant and are high in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. All of which help keep your energy levels up and mind focused.

  Flax

  Pronounceable and versatile. Flaxseed can be used to make linen…or be put in your smoothie. The seeds come from the flax plant, and they’re high in those omega-3s and in fiber.

  Hemp

  We can pronounce this one, but that doesn’t make it less trendy. Hemp seeds come from the hemp plant. They’re the same species as cannabis but a different variety. Spoiler: They won’t get you high. But they are high in fatty acids and protein.

  CBD

  Stands for cannabidiol. It comes from the flowers or buds of hemp and marijuana plants but it’s a different chemical from THC (the one that gets people high). While there are a lot of claims around CBD oil as a magic ingredient, the most significant health benefits include pain relief and epilepsy treatment.

  It’s not revolutionary to claim “Eat well and exercise” is the recipe for good health. But it goes beyond that too.

  theSkimm: Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it…or get really stressed out.

  What about mental health?

  If you think you or someone you know has signs or symptoms of a mental health condition, do not self-diagnose. Mental health conditions don’t improve on their own, and if untreated, may get worse over time and cause serious problems. Get treatment from a doctor who’s trained to help.

  How do I find that person?

  If you have health insurance: Start on your insurance provider’s site. Most healthcare plans in the US offer mental health benefits just like they offer medical or surgical benefits. So if you have insurance, there’s a good chance you can get subsidized access to mental health treatments, like therapy.

  If you can’t find coverage through insurance: Check to see if you can find help through a Federally Qualified Health Center (visit hrsa.gov). Experts also recommend reaching out to the Crisis Text Line by texting 741741, which offers free help all day, every day.

  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

  Reminder: It is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you because of your mental health condition. In many cases, it’s on your employer to provide accommodation so you can do your job right (for example, time off for therapy, unpaid leave).

  Things Ready for Takeoff

  theSkimm on Travel

  Time to talk about the triple O.

  Not that kind of O. Talking OOO, or Out of Office. Travel is important for recharging, seeing the world, and getting out of your comfort zone. You know this. But taking a trip also comes with a lot of logistics and a lot of question marks.

  This chapter will make sure the only baggage you bring with you is literal. Hint: You’ll learn how to leave travel issues, overstuffed suitcases, planning problems, and jet lag at home.

  How can I skip the lines at the airport?

  Few feelings are better than cutting in line. You have a few options. These are listed from least to most expensive.

  For the traveler who forgets to wear socks…

  Keep your shoes on. TSA PreCheck is the most popular option to make your trip smoother. It gets you through the line quickly, and you don’t have to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or jackets during security. It’s also the cheapest option at $85 for a five-year membership. The catch? Applying isn’t easy. You have to submit an application online and then go to an in-person interview at an enrollment center (likely at an airport). Do it on a day you already have a flight so that you don’t have to go to the airport randomly. It can then take a few weeks to get approved.

  Thing to Know

  Your “known traveler number.” Once you’re approved for TSA PreCheck, make sure to save and use this number when booking flights.

  For the traveler racking up passport stamps…

  The world is your line-cutting oyster. Global Entry lets you skip the customs line so you can nurse your jet lag faster once you get home. When you get to customs, you just head to the Global Entry kiosk, scan your passport, give your fingerprints, and fill out a customs declaration onscreen. If you have Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck. You’ll need to do an in-person interview, and then pay $100 for a five-year membership. Once you’re approved, you’ll get a Global Entry card in the mail.

  For the traveler who wants everything at the tip of her finger…

  Get in the CLEAR. This is the program that scans your fingerprints and eyes to get you through the line faster by avoiding the boarding pass–ID checkpoint. All you have to do is head to the CLEAR kiosk at the airport to sign up, or get it done online before your trip. Unlike the other options, there’s no wait for approval. The catch? If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you still have to take off your shoes in the line. It’s also the priciest option at $179 a year (about $15 a month). This seems veryyy steep but may make sense if you travel a lot. Because time is money. Also to be, yes, clear: If you already have TSA PreCheck and are thinking of getting CLEAR, your TSA PreCheck will carry over too.

  How do I get flights for cheap?

  This can feel like asking how to sleep with a crying baby next to you on the plane: impossible. But there are some tricks you should always have in your carry-on pocket.

  For when you don’t like travel surprises…

  Keep it consistent. Book on the same airline so you can rack up rewards points. You also might be able to pay for a partner flight. For example, you can fly any SkyTeam partner with Delta miles—that includes airlines like Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and more. You can search for award flights on the airline website.

  For when you want to turn the weekend into a long weekend…

  Your wallet says thanks. Because the cheapest days to fly tend to be Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There’s also research that says the cheapest day to book is often on Sunday…the earlier the better (5 AM is your best bet to find a deal). Have fun with that.

  For when you want Kayak to do all the work for you…

  Might have to do some investigating. Some airlines (cough, Southwest, cough) don’t allow comparison sites to use their data. So check airline sites individually before booking to be positive you’re scoring the best deal.

  OK, I’m all booked up. Haaalp me pack.

  You probably don’t need that fourth pair of shoes but might bring them anyway. Here are some hacks to make the most of your suitcase space.

  For when you’re having trouble picking favorites…

  Your clothes are not your children. For a weeklong trip, use the 5-4-3-2-1 rule:

  five pairs of socks and underwear

  four tops

  three bottoms

  two pairs of shoes

  one hat

  For when you have to sit on your suitcase to close i
t…

  Roll out. Use the military roll method. Aka roll your clothes when packing, instead of folding them. You’ll be able to get more in your bag, and it reduces wrinkling. Roll underwear and socks, and stuff those inside your shoes to save even more space.

  For when your clothes smell musty after being packed…

  Get your sheet together. Stick a dryer sheet in your suitcase so your clothes come out smelling fresh on the other side.

  For when your suitcase is a hot mess during your weekend trips…

  Be more of a square. Packing cubes can help you fit more into your bag and stay organized once you arrive.

  For when your jewelry ends up tangled in your carry-on…

  Stick a straw in it. There’s a trick to fasten your delicate necklaces through paper straws to keep them from getting all knotted. No judgment if you just put yours in a pouch instead.

  For when you want to avoid a major shampoo explosion…

  Paging Ross Geller. Put a piece of plastic wrap in between the bottle opening and the cap. Screw it on tight. It’ll look like your cap is wearing a chic skirt.

  For when your shoes get dirt on your favorite shirt…

  Shower your shoes. Put shoes in a shower cap to keep them from spreading sh*t all over your clothes.

  But the only thing I really want to bring with me is my dog.

  Throw your pup a bone and pack him or her as a carry-on. Some airlines will let you fly with a dog under 20 pounds (you’ll have to pay around $100 for it, though). If your dog’s bigger, you’ll need to make him or her an emotional support animal. This is different from a service dog, which is a dog trained to aid someone with a specific disability. An emotional support animal means your pet provides you with therapeutic benefits. If you don’t actually qualify for this, you have the option to either check your dog as cargo or leave him or her at home. Distance makes the bark grow louder.

  Brb, feeling ruff after so much planning…

  The best is yet to come. See: jet lag. Jet lag is like the bad ex who always texts you on your birthday: reliable and exhausting. But there are some tricks to ghost it.

  For when you’re trying to adjust to a new time zone…

  Clock it in. Make sure to switch to the new time zone once you get on the plane. And prep yourself in the days leading up to your trip. If you’re traveling east, go to bed 30 minutes to an hour earlier than usual in the days before your vacay, and wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual. Early to bed, early to press snooze. Flights that get you to your destination in the early evening are also good for catching up on sleep. Then you can zzz a few hours after landing. But if you arrive in the AM or middle of the day, try not to nap. It’ll throw off your sleep patterns at night. Stay up until your normal bedtime at home and then hit the pillow. Hard.

  For when you can’t fall asleep on a bumpy plane…

  Always try to book your seat close to the colonial woman on the wing. The wings are the plane’s center of gravity, and sitting near them equals less turbulence and more sleep. And sad news: You’re supposed to drink only water on the plane. No wine. Womp womp. That’s because both flying and wine drinking can cause dehydration. Psst…some rules were made to be broken.

  I’m going on a trip abroad. What do I need to know?

  Aside from the jet lag tips…a lot. First up: passport.

  For when you need to get a passport…

  You might think it’s basic that we’re telling you that you need a passport to go abroad. But raise your hand if you can actually name the steps you take to get one. Bueller?

  You need to apply for one at least three months before your trip. If your trip is happening before that, you have to get it expedited. Hi, procrastinator. More on that later, fittingly. Here are the steps you need to take.

  Say, what’s up, doc?

  Doc as in documents. Gather yours. You’ll need identification (like a driver’s license) photocopied front and back, a proof of US citizenship (a birth certificate or old US passport) photocopied front and back, cash for passport fees, and your application form.

  Get in formation.

  Fill out the form. Go to the State Department website and fill out a DS-11 form. Print your application, but do not sign it.

  Take a pic.

  Get your passport photo taken. Most post offices will do this for you for an extra fee. If you’re doing it on your own, the pic needs to be 2 × 2 inches and printed in color.

  Pay up.

  It’s $35 for the passport acceptance fee and $110 for a new passport book.

  If you need your passport within two to three weeks, you should prep the same package as above but be prepared to put some money where your late mouth is. It’ll cost $60 to have it expedited.

  I have a passport. I just want to renew it.

  First things first: Put its expiration date on your calendar. You don’t want to be that person who arrives at the airport and finds out her passport expired weeks ago. Note: Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your return date. Meaning if your passport’s expiring within six months, you won’t be able to use it. Your passport’s good for 10 years if it was issued when you were 16 or older and for five years if you were 15 or younger. Check yourself before you wreck your trip.

  Signed

  Print and sign a DS-82 form from the State Department website.

  Sealed

  Grab your old passport.

  Smize

  Take a new passport photo. Reminder: It has to be 2 × 2 inches and sans glasses.

  Delivered

  Mail this whole package to the Passport Processing Center.

  What if I lose my passport?

  Don’t lose your sh*t too. Breathe. Then report it online via the State Department with a DS-64 form. Or, if you’d prefer to speak to a human, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They’ll likely schedule you to come to the nearest embassy for a passport reissue.

  If you lose your passport while you’re away…

  Again, breathe. The embassy can issue you a limited emergency passport that will let you come home to Uncle Sam or continue traveling abroad. Once you’re back in the US, you’ll have to swap your SOS passport for a perma passport.

  How should I tip abroad?

  You might not need to. Everywhere has its own tipping practices, so make sure to look yours up before you go.

  Here are general restaurant tipping guidelines in some different places…

  Europe

  In the UK and France, restaurants often include a service charge with the bill. If not, it’s typical to leave 10–15 percent. In Italy and Spain, 7–10 percent is expected for good service.

  Asia

  In China and Japan, tipping is actually considered rude in many places. In Thailand, Malaysia, and the Phillipines, 10 percent is generally OK. Many Hong Kong restaurants add a 10–15 percent service charge—if not, leave that much as a tip. In India, tipping isn’t required but 10 percent is expected in large cities.

  South America

  In Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, 10 percent is usually added at restaurants (if not, tip it). In Colombia, an 8–10 percent tip is often included but it’s common to tip more (up to 15–20 percent total).

  Africa

  In countries including Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, 10 percent is the norm at restaurants if the tip isn’t included.

  Australia

  0–10 percent. Tipping isn’t expected but 10 percent at high-end restaurants is a nice addition, mate.

  For when you’re seeing dollar signs from all the tip money you’ll save…

  Not so fast. Meet sales taxes. The VAT, or value-added tax, is the one you should know about. It’s an EU thing, and it might as well stand for “very alarming tax.” Alarming because it is so confusing. Here’s what you should know about it
…

  VAT 101

  With the VAT, a product is partially taxed at every point of production. As opposed to being taxed only once, like with a national sales tax or state sales tax (which is how the US does it).