816020d6

✈️ TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which One Should You Get in 2026?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:28:45 GMT

If you’ve ever watched someone else breeze past a 40-minute security line while you’re stuck taking off your shoes, you’ve probably wondered whether you should bite the bullet and get Pre-Check. (especially right now with long lines at TSA!)

But should you go for Pre-Check or Global Entry? And what is this new Touchless ID program that's rolling out?

In this blog post, I break it down so that you can make the best choice for you!

Quick Comparison:

TSA Pre-Check:

Best for: those who only travel domestically
Perks: Faster security at U.S. airports through the dedicated PreCheck line
Cost: $79.95 when you sign up through CLEAR** (lasts 5 years!)
Process: Start your enrollment process online, and then visit a CLEAR enrollment center (there's one at a Staples in Allentown for my local Lehigh Valley folks!). Can get approved within days, and then you'll get your KTN (Known Traveler Number). Share this with the airline you're flying, and that's how the little PreCheck icon will get added to your digital and printed boarding passes moving forward!
**There are three different companies you can register for TSA Pre-Check through - here's the official website that lists them . I chose CLEAR for this example because there are more locations near the Lehigh Valley.

Global Entry:

Best for: anyone who will take an international trip within the next five years
Perks: Faster U.S. custom (but also includes TSA PreCheck, so you get the faster security as well!)
Cost: $120 (lasts 5 years!)
Process: Create a "Trusted Traveler Program" account on the CPB.gov website , complete the online application, and pay the fee. CBP will review your application (this can take weeks to months), and then you'll get a conditional approval and an invitation to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center (for my Lehigh Valley folks, that'll be either Philly or Newark airports). You'll bring your passport and another form of ID to the interview - mine was quick and painless, and renewal is super easy once your five years is up. Once you're officially approved, you'll get your KTN (Known Traveler Number) to use for TSA PreCheck and to access the airport kiosks you'll now use to clear immigration when you return to the U.S.

My Advice? If you plan to leave the country twice in the next five years, Global Entry is the better value (I'd say just once if the process wasn't more of a headache!). For just about $40 more, you get both programs. Choose TSA PreCheck if you'll only fly within the U.S. and want the easiest, fastest application process. Choose Global Entry if you travel internationally, and aren't in a hurry for the benefits.

The renewal process for both is pretty easy, so you'll only have to endure the annoyances of setup once!

So what is this new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID I'm hearing about?

You might have heard people talking about the "new PreCheck app." It’s actually a feature called Touchless ID integrated into your airline’s mobile app (Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Alaska).

Instead of handing your physical ID and boarding pass to a TSA officer, you simply look into a camera. The system compares your "live" face to your passport photo on file.

Why would you want to opt into this?

Speed - Identity verification now takes about 5 seconds.
Hands-Free - You don't have to worry about pulling anything out of your bag while trying to manage your luggage.
It’s currently rolling out to most major airports this spring, There will be 65 in total, including PHL and EWR (both of which have already implemented this.)

How to set it up:

Check your airline app: Look for "Travel Documents" or "Digital ID" in your profile.
United has this under "TSA PreCheck and Travel Documents" under your account settings.
American has a step-by-step guide .
Upload your Passport: Even for domestic flights, the system needs your passport info to verify your face.
Opt-In: You must "Opt-In" to the biometric program before you check in for your flight.
Look for the Icon: Once you check in, look for a "Touchless ID" or "Digital ID" indicator on your mobile boarding pass. It should look like this!

Even if you use the new Touchless ID, always carry your physical ID. The tech is great, but if the machine goes down for maintenance, you’ll still need that plastic card!

Basic Packing List

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:20:36 GMT

Ever find yourself searching for a basic packing list to see if you've forgotten anything? Here's mine - plus a link to a Google Sheets template you can make your own!

To avoid overpacking, I like to start my packing list by creating an outfit plan.

List every day of your trip. For each day, jot down 2–3 outfits based on your planned activities.
For example:

Morning/Day: Sightseeing or travel (Comfortable).
Evening: Dinner or an event (Elevated).
Active/Backup: Gym, hiking, or just a "lounge" change.
Swim: Bathing suit and cover up.

Once you’ve mapped these out, you’ll see exactly what you actually need versus what you think you might need. Go down your planned outfit and add each article of clothing to the appropriate section of the packing list.

The Universal Packing List:

Clothing & Accessories

The "Outfit Plan" items: (I like sorting these in my Google Sheets pack list by category)
Tops
Bottoms
Dresses
Swim
PJs
One or two sets are usually enough for a week - I like doing a tank top, t-shirt, shorts, and long pants - that way you can mix and match depending on whether your room is a sauna or an icebox.
Underwear/Socks/Bras
Pack enough for each day plus two extra pairs.
Cardigans/Jackets
Wear your heaviest/bulkiest on the plane to save space! For me, this is often my jean jacket.
Shoes
One pair of walking shoes, one "nice" pair, and flip-flops/sandals. Wear your heaviest shoes@

Toiletries & Personal Care

Dental: Toothbrush, toothpaste, retainers, floss, and mouthwash.
Glasses & Contact Lenses: if you have sub-par vision like me!
Skincare: Body wash, cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (non-negotiable!). Bug spray if needed, and I always bring aloe because I burn easily. I also love a mini bath puff.
Haircare: Shampoo/conditioner, brush, and any styling products or items (including hair ties and scrunchies).
Hygiene: Deodorant, razor (love the ones with the shave gel bar built in so I don't have to remember shaving gel), and nail clippers.
Makeup and Jewelry
First Aid Kit: Band-aids, pain relievers, allergy meds, and any prescriptions.

Electronics & Tech/Entertainment

Phone & Charger: Airport chargers are EXPENSIVE.
Headphones: I can't travel without my noise-cancelling headphones anymore.
Surge Protectors/Power Strips/Portable Power Banks/Adapters
Laptop/Tablet: Only if you genuinely plan to use them.
Camera: And extra memory cards/batteries.
Books: I'm still a fan of a good paperback on a trip!
Humidifier

Essentials & Documents

Identification: Passport, ID, and copies of your travel insurance.
Wallet: Debit/credit cards and cash.
Bookings: Digital or printed copies of hotel and flight confirmations.
Comfort items: Travel pillow, eye mask, and a reusable wat er bottle.
Hat and sunglasses!
Any smaller beach/tote bags/backpacks.

Hope this helps as you prep for your next adventure!

Pre-Trip To-Do List

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 23:38:27 GMT

Ever get overwhelmed with all of the pre-trip tasks you have to do? Not even talking packing list, just all of the other stuff...

��️ 1-2+ Month(s) Out

Passport/ID Check: Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity and 2–4 blank pages.
Health & Wellness:
Schedule any required travel vaccinations.
Book any "personal care" appointments - hair cut? eyebrow wax? nails? doctor's visits?
Refill all prescriptions and ask your doctor for a "travel letter" if you carry injectable or strictly controlled meds.
Pet & Home Care:
Secure your pet sitter or boarding facility (the good ones fill up fast).
Schedule any home care (i.e. lawn care) that needs to happen while you’re gone and make sure you’re up-to-date on important maintenance
Financials: Check the expiration dates on the credit cards you plan to bring. If you're travelling internationally, make sure you have a card with no foreign transaction fees.

�� 2 Weeks Out

Inventory Check:
Do you have travel-sized sunblock? Toothpaste? Mini shampoo and conditioner? Airplane snacks? Buy whatever you need now so you aren't paying $15 for a single Advil at the airport.
Were you treating yourself to any new vacation outfits? Deal with that now to avoid the last minute Amazon package blitz.
Digital Audit:
Download your airline’s app, the local transit app for your destination, as well as any other apps for hotels, cruise lines, rental cars, etc.
Download "Offline Maps" in Google Maps for your destination city so you can navigate without using data.
Communication: If you’re traveling internationally, check your mobile carrier's international roaming plan or look into purchasing an eSIM for cheaper data abroad.
Check your phone’s storage; offload old videos to the cloud to make room for new memories.
Verify your Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) settings. If you rely on SMS codes but won't have a local SIM, switch to an app like Google Authenticator.
Paper Trail - Print a physical "Emergency Sheet" with:
Hotel addresses and phone numbers.
Your embassy’s contact info.
A photocopy of your passport and insurance card.
Service Holds:
Set up a "Mail Hold" with the USPS.
Pause regular deliveries (milk, meal kits, newspapers).
Home Prep: Schedule a "Pre-Trip Deep Clean" or do it yourself. Coming home to a spotless house cures 50% of post-vacation blues.
Cash: Consider getting some cash out for emergencies or tips. (If you are traveling internationally, get cash at your bank OR use an ATM when you arrive - DO NOT change your money at the airport! You'll pay through the nose in fees.)

�� 1 Week Out

The "Eat-Down":
Stop buying perishables. Your goal is to have an empty fridge by departure.
Wardrobe Prep:
Wash every piece of clothing you plan to take, plus your bed sheets. There is no better feeling than coming home from a trip to a clean bed.
Check for missing buttons or stains on your "vacation favorites."
Check the 10-day weather forecast for your destination.
Car Care: If your car will be sitting at the airport or in your driveway, ensure the tires are inflated and you have at least half a tank of gas for the return drive.
Bill Pay: Pay every bill that falls due within 5 days of your return.
Automated Replies: Schedule your "Out of Office" email in advance so it doesn’t slip your mind.

�� 12-48 Hours Out

Prep your “Personal Item”
Ensure your chargers, noise-canceling headphones, and a light jacket are in your carry-on.
Tech Charge:
Charge your "low-use" items: Kindle, camera batteries, noise-canceling headphones, and power banks.
Make sure when you wake up on your departure morning that your most-used devices are also fully charged!
Toiletries:
Refill travel containers.
Pack a "First Aid Lite" kit: Ibuprofen, antacids, Band-Aids, and any allergy meds.
If you're going on a cruise, make this more robust! There's less access to these items.
Kitchen Detail:
Run and empty the dishwasher.
Clean out the sink drain.
Take out the main trash and recycling.
Wallet Clean-Out: Remove unnecessary library cards, gym fobs, and extra credit cards you won’t use.
Plants: Give your green friends a deep soak or set up your self-watering stakes.
Hydrate! Drink more water than usual. Airplanes are essentially giant dehydrators.
Check-In: Perform your 24-hour flight check-in, save your digital boarding pass in your Apple/Google Wallet. Print if you want, but I also love just a standard screenshot in case your cell service is spotty.

�� The "Departure Day" Final Sweep

Finish any last-minute packing, especially the things you needed the night before (chargers, toiletry kit items, meds, etc.)
Unplug: Toasters, kettles, coffee makers, and non-smart TVs.
Water & Gas: If you are comfortable, turn off the main water valve to prevent leaks. Ensure the stove is completely off.
Thermostat: Set to "Away" mode (usually 55°F in winter or 78°F in summer).
Safety: Lock all windows, the garage-to-house door, and set your alarm.
Check for the "Core Four" one last time:
Phone
Wallet
Meds
Passport/ID
�� T ake a 30-second video of your house before you leave. Walk through and film the stove being off, the windows being locked, and the iron being unplugged. If you get "anxiety brain" while boarding your flight, you can watch the video and relax instantly. Plus then if anything happens, you’ve got your video showing all of your possessions for your insurance company.

The Unplug Protocol: A 4-Step Stress-Free Vacation Prep Guide for Busy Professionals & Business Owners

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 21:20:38 GMT

A working professional's guide to unplugging!

Step 0: Schedule the Vacation!

If you find that you are always “too busy” to take a vacation and that it’s never the “right time”, start planning your trips a year in advance . It’s the only thing that works for me.

Step 1: Create a Vacation Buffer

BLOCK YOUR TIME the week before you leave and the day you return. This way, you’re not taking calls until the minute you leave for the airport (or even while you’re at the airport or just starting your trip - I’m definitely guilty of that!).

The Internal PRE-TRIP Deadline

Set all project "due dates" for two days before your departure.

Protect Your Time: Block your calendar for the 2 days before you leave and the day after you return. No new meetings unless they’re ACTUAL emergencies. (see: defining what is and is not an emergency in Step 2).
The Final 48-Hour Admin Sprint:
Use your final two days for low-stakes tasks only: filing, organizing, final follow-up, and packing.
If a "fire" breaks out, you actually have the capacity to put it out without ruining your first day of vacation.
The "Hold" Folder: Before signing off, move unread or "action needed" emails to a folder named: To Review: [Return Date] . Having those emails in a “hold” area where you know you won’t forget about them (but also that they won’t be contributing to the pile that needs immediate review!) lowers the "return-to-work" cortisol spike.
Calendar Block: If there are any critical tasks you need to remember to do when you return, block your calendar now. Knowing you have a plan to tackle those will help you to relax.

Re-Entry Triage

Most people ruin their vacation high within 10 minutes of returning because they try to answer emails in chronological order. Don't do this.

Search by Sender: Search for emails from your most important clients/stakeholders first. Handle those, then ignore the rest for 24 hours.
The Delayed "I'm Back" Email: Just because you are physically at your desk on Monday doesn't mean your OOO has to turn off at 9:00 AM. Keep it on an extra day to actually give yourself space to breathe.
Schedule Send: Although you might be working on your first day back, no one needs to know! Schedule Send your replies for 9:00 AM the following day. This buys you a full day of productivity without getting immediate replies back.

Step 2: Communicate Early, Then Unplug

Silence the "quick questions" before they happen by managing expectations.

The 7-Day Warning - Send a brief email to active clients/collaborators one week out:

"I'll be OOO starting [Date]. If you have any urgent items that need my eyes before I head out, please get them to me by [Internal Deadline] so I can give them the attention they deserve."

The "Emergency" Hierarchy - Assign a Gatekeeper and give only that person your emergency number, then list them on your OOO.
Use the "Fire vs. Smoke" rule:
Fire - Safety issue, high-value contract at risk = Contact immediately
Smoke - A client is annoyed, there's a minor issue, someone has a question - DO NOT CONTACT
The 1-Hour Rule: Tell your gatekeeper: "If a problem arises, wait one hour before calling me. 50% of the time, you'll find the solution yourself in that hour." (A day is even better!)
The "Nuclear Option" - Delete your apps. Delete work email and messaging apps from your phone. The friction of re-downloading and logging back in is usually enough to stop a "reflex check."

Step 3: Maintain Expectations with a Solid OOO

Your Out of Office reply should act as a virtual assistant.

Here's a template to get you started (full transparency, this is 92% AI.)

Template: Professional & Cheeky

Subject: OOO: Currently Trading my Laptop for [Destination/A Beach] ��

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out! To make sure I’m at 100% when I return, I’m currently unplugged and off the grid until [Return Date].

The Logistics:

If you need [Task A]: Please reach out to [Name] at [Email].
If you’re wondering about [Task B]: Check out our FAQ/Portal here: [Link].
If it can wait: I’ll be diving back into my inbox on [Return Date + 1 Day] and will get back to you then!

I won’t be checking email (I’ve actually deleted the app for the week!), so if this is a true emergency, please contact [Emergency Contact Name].

Talk soon,

[Your Name]

Step 4: The "Brain Dump" Journal

Your best ideas often come when you finally stop working. Capture, don't execute.

Carry a physical notebook or use a dedicated "Ideas" note on your phone. If a brilliant idea hits you while you're poolside, write it down and immediately close the book. Don’t let ideas turn into work until you are officially back.

My Favorite Travel Gear

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:34:34 GMT

Here are some of my favorite travel-related products - all from Amazon! I personally own and regularly use everything on this list - no generic recommendations here!

(Clicking these affiliate links might net me a few cents - just enough to eventually buy a latte in 2029. Thanks for the caffeine!)

Here are some of my favorite travel items!

Packing:

Packing Cubes Set
Luggage Scale (not digital, so it'll never run out of batteries!)
AirTags:

Long-Haul Flights:

Compression Socks (critical for circulation)
Compress-able Pillow (technically for camping/backpacking, but I have loved this on long-haul flights! It has memory foam cubes that expand)
Travel Cooling Blanket (again, great for long-haul flights)
AirFly Pro 2 (turns the wired connection on airplane screens into bluetooth so you can use your own bluetooth headphones)

Noise-Reduction:

Bose Quiet Comfort Bluetooth Headphones (I cannot get on a plane without these anymore!)
Loop Experience 2 Ear Plugs (earplugs that are perfect for concerts/live events, as they lower the volume without compromising sound quality)
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs (earplugs that dampen all sounds - perfect for when you have to share a room with someone who snores!)

General:

Portable Mini-Humidifier (for dry hotel rooms)
Travel Umbrella with UV Protection (good for rainy days or overly sunny/hot days when you need some shade)

Cruise:

Cruise Line-Approved Power Strip (cabins can have very few outlets - especially on older ships - this non-surge power strip will help get power to the spot you actually want it. I recommend 5' or more.)
Plastic Luggage Tag Holders
(Highly recommend so your luggage actually ends up in your stateroom on time! The paper tags fall off all the time.)

Plastic Luggage Tag Holders - Royal Caribbean (long/skinny)
Plastic Luggage Tag Holders - NCL, Princess, MSC, Carnival (shorter/wider)

Assorted Rubber Ducks (so fun to hide on ships, especially if you have littles with you!)
Magnetic Hooks (great for extra hanging space in tight cruise cabins)
Towel Clips for Lounge Chairs (stops the wind from stealing your towel)
Towel Bands for Lounge Chairs (alternative to the clips, works better when the chairs are wider)
Magnetic Night Light (essential for an inside cabin so you can see your way to the restroom in the middle of the night)

Disney:

JanSport HalfPint Mini Backpack (in my opinion, the PERFECT size Disney backpack - stores just enough and easily fits in ride lockers. And MUCH cheaper than a LoungeFly.)
Portable Fan
Cooling Towels (4-pack) (keeps you surprisingly cool even if the water you use to soak them is room temp!)

For Cold Weather Travel:

orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer
ororo Women's Heated Vest (absolute game changer. I am in love with mine and wear it all winter.)