Dear Reader

Happy Friday, I hope you had a great week!

This week's e-mail includes:

Massive Overseas Data Consumption - Mystery Solved
Review of the Monos Carry-on Plus Suitcase + Metro Tote Bag
Watch me Pack for 14 Days in the UK with a Carry-on

MYSTERY OVERSEAS DATA USAGE

✈️Ever landed in a new country, turned on your phone, and thought, Wow, I barely did anything—how did I use so much data?

Yeah, same. And it cost me 🤑

Background Story...

Over Christmas, I hopped between multiple European countries using eSIMs, and my data was vanishing faster than a fresh croissant in Paris. I topped up way more than expected and couldn’t figure out why. Was my phone secretly streaming videos in the background? Mining bitcoin behind my back? I had no clue.

I really had no idea because the other people traveling with me were having zero problems with their eSIMs. I was determined to figure it out though!

The Culprit..

Fast forward to my recent trip to England, where I used Airalo’s UK eSIM with a 5GB data package and a local UK number. Determined not to repeat the same mistake, I dug into my phone’s settings. And that’s when I found something shocking.

Dropbox (my cloud storage) was quietly uploading ALL my travel photos and videos while I was on mobile data, chewing through nearly 2GB in just 48 hours! No wonder my data was disappearing!

The fix? I turned off auto-upload while on mobile data, and suddenly, my usage returned to normal. That one change meant I used the remaining 3GB (with some to spare!) over the next 12 days—without needing a top-up.

The Takeaway..

So, if you’re using an eSIM while traveling, learn from my mistake: check your mobile data usage settings! You might have apps running in the background that are secretly draining your data.

And if you’re looking for an affordable, reliable eSIM, Airalo worked great for me in the UK. No unexpected fees, no hunting for local SIM cards—just easy, seamless connectivity. A huge bonus was that I could make local calls to family and friends while there with the 'Voice/Data' option (only available in select countries).

You can grab your own Airalo eSIM here and avoid the headache of expensive roaming charges.

MONOS CARRY-ON SUITCASE REVIEW

Ever found yourself in the middle of a bustling European airport, wrestling with your oversized luggage and thinking, "There has to be a better way"? That was me before switching to a carry-on suitcase (which if I'm being honest, is life-changing!)

I had high hopes for the Monos Carry-On Plus and the Metro Tote Bag during my recent travels. With their sleek designs and promising features, I was eager to see if they lived up to the hype.

Over the holidays, I embarked on a journey through four European countries, including the snowy landscapes of Switzerland. Packing for varying climates meant my suitcase was STUFFED with warm clothes.

More recently, I spent 2 weeks in the UK trekking to 8 different locations.

Here's how the Monos gear held up:

Carry-On Plus Suitcase:

Size & Capacity: This model offers a bit more space than the standard Monos carry-on, with a capacity of 35 liters compared to the regular carry-on's 28 liters.
Airline Compatibility: I used it as a carry-on with WestJet, Air France, KLM, and EasyJet. Despite its slightly larger dimensions, it fit well in the overhead bins of all these airlines including the budget airline.
Durability: After 5 weeks of travel, the suitcase still looks good. Monos provides a magic eraser for any scuff marks, which came in handy. I've also found that it's quite sturdy despite being dragged around and flipped open and closed hundreds of times.

Challenges:

Handle Issues: When overpacked, the handle often got stuck. If packed normally, the handle was not an issue.
Wheel Performance: While the wheels glide smoothly on hard surfaces, navigating carpeted areas was a bit of a struggle, regardless of how full the suitcase was.
Packing Capacity: While I struggled to pack everything for a 3-week trip, packing for 2 weeks in this carry-on was more than manageable. Especially with the Gonex compression packing cubes.

Metro Tote Bag:

Design & Functionality: This bag quickly became my favorite. It fits easily under airplane seats and boasts multiple pockets for organized storage.
Convenience: The feature that stood out most was its ability to securely attach to any suitcase handle, making airport navigation a breeze.
Style & Maintenance: Not only does it look stylish, but its material also resists dirt, and I've received numerous compliments on it.

Conclusion:

While the Monos Carry-On Plus has its merits, especially in terms of capacity and durability, I did encounter some challenges that made me appreciate the suitcase my husband brought - Level8. However, the Metro Tote Bag has been a standout addition to my travel gear, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for its functionality and style.

I'll be writing a blog post to compare the 3 carry-on suitcases we traveled with over the last couple of months. There is a big difference in price, and with todays economy, I'm all about saving AND getting the best product possible. (I'm not an affiliate of any of the brands I'll be reviewing except Amazon).

The left picture is the 'after' photo; you'll notice several white scuffs and scratches along the front, along with a black scuff on the top left hand corner. There are several of the same on the back. The wheels are well worn now. This bag has been in several overhead bins, and checked twice. It's in pretty good shape, considering.

💡Curious how I fit 14 days of UK travel into this small carry-on suitcase? Watch the full video on Instagram (with commentary) showing exactly how I did it.

Traveling teaches us a lot, and having the right gear can make all the difference. I hope my experiences help you make informed choices for your next adventure.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Tanya

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