Gearing up for another business trip? Perhaps you’re a frequent business traveler and want to streamline the process, or maybe you’re preparing for one of your first business trips. Either way, having a systematic routine for getting yourself ready to hit the road will end up saving you time.

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Here are eight smart business travel tips to make your business trips go as smoothly as possible with a minimum of inconvenience and, if you play your cards right, extra perks to boot!

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1. Make a Checklist

Make a checklist to help you remember essentials as well as those random items (spare flash drive, phone charger, extra business cards, etc.) that you will inevitably find yourself searching for once you're mobile. Update your list as needed. A thorough checklist will make everything else seem just a little less stressful.

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2. Don't Check a Bag

Bring a carry-on bag that meets airline specifications for size limits and pack versatile items that take up minimal space. Checking luggage can cause complications when flights are delayed or bags are misplaced, and it’s wiser and more convenient to have your belongings with you.

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3. Get Pre-screened

Sign up for TSA Precheck and Global Entry as well as frequent flier programs. Shorter waits save you time, and airlines recognize frequent fliers not only with flight miles—which can add up quickly to a free flight or two—but also with perks such as seating upgrades and priority boarding as well as airport hospitality lounges.

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4. Bring Your Own Snacks

Bring healthy snacks that are easy on your digestive system and keep your hunger at bay until you arrive at your destination. Airport convenience stores sell these usually inexpensive treats at a big markup, so make sure to bring your own along during your business traveling. Nuts, dried fruits, granola bars, and fresh fruits such as grapes, apples, or oranges all make great travel companions and will make you less likely to purchase expensive, caloric, and bland prepackaged foods on the airplane.

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5. Dress Well

Dressing for success is always a good idea, but even more so on business trips. Not only do you stand a better chance of being upgraded, but dressing well will make you feel more confident and comfortable. You never know when a great networking opportunity might arise.

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6. Use Technology to Plan Ahead

To make your business traveling as comfortable as possible, consult seatguru.com for a transparent look at your plane's seating configuration, including exit rows, lavatories, and in-seat power ports. You can even request seat changes on the app. Opentable.com makes it easy for you to secure dinner reservations in your destination city with its more than 20,000 worldwide restaurant members.

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7. Stay Healthy

Regardless of your destination, you will encounter breeding grounds for germs in high-traffic areas such as airports. The last thing you want to bring home with you is a virus that drains your energy and leaves you feeling under the weather. Antibacterial wipes are an important ally that will sanitize your tray table or any other makeshift common use space where you set up shop.

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8. Maximize Your Time

Looking to get some work done during your flight? Make sure you have a few essentials for remote working situations. Spring for some good noise-canceling headphones, a necessary investment for keeping your train of thought on the tracks. Proper headphones will allow you a modicum of privacy and the ability to focus or relax without disturbances. Make sure to bring a portable keyboard, which turns your smartphone or tablet into a laptop so you can salvage some productive moments and still have room for a beverage on your tray table. Finally, don’t forget a portable external hard drive. If you need to access volumes of paperwork, a compact external hard drive is your answer.

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Seeking to not just survive, but also to thrive as a business traveler? If you incorporate these business travel tips into your business trip routine, you will return to the office refreshed, invigorated, and ahead of the curve. Staying savvy to the latest in travel innovations will allow you to master the art of business travel in the course of your own business undertakings.

Looking to save a bit of money in the year ahead? As a business owner, the more money you save, the more of your money you can put back into your business. But where do you start? Finding ways to save money on a tight budget can be challenging when you’re already living a pretty frugal lifestyle, but you might be surprised how quickly small changes can add up to big savings by the end of the year.

Here are 10 easy ways to save money on a tight budget and make an extra $5,000 or more every year:

1. Avoid the Idiot Tax: Unnecessary expenses include parking tickets, late fees, and overdraft fees add up quickly and can be eliminated completely by carefully reading street signs, managing your calendar, and scheduling important events. Savings: $720
2. Pack Your Lunch: Convenience costs money, so bring your lunch or carry snacks with you instead of eating out or stopping at convenience stores. Savings: $1,040
3. Control Your Vices: Cigarettes, lottery tickets, and alcoholic drinks put an unnecessary dent in your wallet. Make a conscious effort to cut down (if not quit altogether) on impulse-driven, nonessential items. The money you’ll save will be worth more than you’re ever likely to win on those weekly scratchers, and cutting down on your other vices can help you feel healthier and more energetic as you try to manage your business. Savings: $600
4. Right-size Your Tech: Be realistic about your phone, media, and entertainment needs. Do you really need all those bells and whistles? Become familiar with the details of your cell phone plan and cable bill, then streamline features to suit your needs. Rather than subscribing to cable services that include all the premium channels, save big with subscriptions to services like Netflix or Hulu, with lower barriers to entry. Savings: $720
5. Play Outside: Instead of springing for weekend getaways that require hotel stays, pack your tent and head out for a camping trip to your local national park. Skip the pricey gym membership, and take up hiking, jogging, or swimming to stay fit on the cheap. Or, join a local sports league and get in an awesome workout while you make new friends. Even an investment in a treadmill or other piece of at-home exercise equipment will pay for itself quickly and allow you to exercise any time in any weather in the privacy of your own home. Savings: $240
6. Go to the Library: Public libraries offer numerous money-saving benefits, from free or significantly reduced rates on CD and DVD rentals to free tickets to local events or attractions. Savings: $120
7. Cancel Unused Subscriptions: It’s easy to sign up for a “free trial” and then forget it will self-renew. Subscriptions you don’t use or can’t justify in your budget are taking money right out of your wallet. Savings: $120
8. Renegotiate Your Financial Commitments: Start by looking for better interest rates and lowering the payments on your student loans and credit cards. Sure, lenders might deny your request, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask, and you might just be surprised by what they can offer you. Savings: $1,200
9. Consider Renting Out a Room: If you have the space, consider renting out a room via Airbnb or a similar service during high demand times in your area, or share the space you’re already using by finding a roommate to pick up half the rent. Savings: $800
10. Set a Weekly Budget: Take out cash, and use only that. It’s very easy to overspend when you use your debit/credit card, but when you see the cash dwindling in your wallet, you become much more thoughtful of what you spend. Savings: Limitless!

Even a small step can lead to big changes and, in this case, even bigger savings. Many of these money saving ideas are easy to implement, and they could provide benefits that go well beyond the money you’ll save, such as financial freedom for you and your family. Most importantly, living within your means can reduce the additional stress you have to manage as you work to keep your growing business healthy. Every cent you save is just one more penny you can use to help your company reach its goals.