Allegro’s Best Travel Products

Traveler Neck Pillow -  No more sore neck with this super soft, lightweight, easy-to-pack travel pillow.  Small enought to take wherever you go.  Removable cover for easy cleaning.  Another option is the Inflatable Neck Cushion.  And if you’re prone to headaches during travel, you’ll want to get the Headache Ice Pillo.

Silk Travel Pillow Cases – Perfect for covering the airline pillows (for all the reasons that you think you should), plus it feels nice and won’t muss your hairdo.

Eye Pillow with Ergo Beads- Made of breathable cotton lycra and filled with smooth ergoBeads, this eye pillow will spread a gentle soothing weight with a massaging affect around your eyes.  Can be chilled in the freezer first to provide cool relief.  

Folding Travel Cane - Strong and lightweight these folding canes adjust in height from 33″ to 37″. Beautiful maple handle.  Take it anywhere!  Choose from 5 sylish patterns to suit your personality.

Lightweight Portable Transport Wheelchair – Ultra lightweight – less than 14.5 lbs total – this chair collapses to fit in its own carry bag.  So small it fits into most airplane overhead containers.  Tool-free breakdown and assembly.  Super comfortabe.  Easily fits in your trunk.   Weight capacity = 250lbs.

Bed Rail Advantage Traveler – The most portable bed rail on the market, this handy travel aid pops right out of the box ready to use.  Sturdy.  Fits on either side of the bed.  Lets you independently pull yourself up  and safely get out of bed without aid.

SKWOOSH Traveler Travel Cushion- Long car ride or flight ahead? Get serious about rear end comfort with this patented pressure relief gel cushion.  Relieves the tingling, numbness and soreness in the lower back, legs and rear caused by long hours of traveling.  Weighs only 1/2 lb and folds to fit in your briefcase or carry-on.  Even better, check out the SKWOOSH Pro Traveler.  It has an upgraded internal structure and integrated handles to make it more convenient to cary or hang.  How about one for the office?

See all SKWOOSH Cushions.  They make great gifts!

Travel Size Sonic Boom Alarm with Bed Shaker – Need I say more?

Airline Comfort Set - As seen on the Today Show, in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today this is the perfect travel set for long air routes, trains, buses or cars.  Includes a silk blanket, pillowcase and eye shade that all roll into a 12″ bag.  Weighs less than a pound. 

DreamSack- Protect yourself from germs on hotel bedding and the harsh detergents and chemicals used in hotel laundries.  This “original opening” Dreamsack opens on the side and has a full sized silk pouch for your pillow.  Super lightweight and machine/hand washable.  Air dries quickly.  The perfect gift for the travelers in your life.  Sleeping double?  Get the Double DreamSack.

See all Dream Sack Products

iZap Portable Toothbrush Sanitizer - Sanitize your toothbrush wherever you go with the iZap.  Eliminates 99.9% of the germs and bacteria on your toothbrush.  Great for travel, dorm rooms, gym bags, the office, hotels or home.   Uses 2 AAA batteries.  Lifetime bulb.

See all VioLight Sanitizers

 Cartdesk – A virtual office anywhere you can find a chair.  Featured on NBC Today and endorsed by American Airlines as one of the top travel products, this instant office not only transports your business travel bag, but quickly transforms into a fully functioning desk in seconds. 

Revitaleg Portable Leg Massager – Enjoy the benefits of a pneumatic compression massage anywhere.  Especially great for long distance travel to help avoid leg cramps.  Free shipping!

Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion – Great for elderly, the injured, those with mobility issues, or wheelchair users to help prevent back and hip strain when getting in and out of the car.  Just sit and swivel.  15″ in diameter.  360 degree turns.  Weight capacity 300lbs.

Car Caddie Helping Hand – Offers a helping hand for getting out of cars, trucks or vans.  Great for young and old.  Easy to install, non-permanent.

Handybar 3-in-1 Car Aid -  This is one of our most popular products.  It offers support for getting in and out of the car, plus it is a seat belt cutter and a side window breaker in the unfortunate event that you need to immediately escape the car.  Every car should have one.  Makes a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift.

Folding Shower Chair with Back – For travel or easy storage, this shower chair quickly and easily folds up when not in use.  Weighs 6 1/2 lbs.  Holds up to 250 lbs.  Will not rust.  Use in the tub or shower.

Zephyr Travel Hearing Aid Dryer - The new standard in moisture absorption for maximum hearing aid drying effectiveness.  Small size for taking on the road.  Automatically shuts off after 8 hours.  Includes a disposable Dry-Brik desiccant which also absorbs odors.  Accomodates all kinds of hearing instruments.

Portable Roll-A-Ramp Wheelchair Ramp – The perfect travel ramp.  Super lightweight.  Rolls up and fits inside the trunk of compact cars.  Disassembles in seconds for easy transport.

See all Ramps

And that’s not all, folks.  See All Travel Aids including the Grayson Reusable Bedpads, Coccyx Cushion and Harmonie Disposable Underpads.

Worried about contracting the H1N1 Swine Flu?  See our H1N1  Swine Flu Protection Products.  You might want to carry a mask if you travel a lot, and be sure to stock up on hand sanitizer.

That aside, we wish you a fantastic holiday season and safe travels!  Thanks for your business.  We appreciate it.

Ohhhhh, the queasy stomachs, the back pain, butt pain, boo boos, bathroom breaks, fussy babies . . .

Every trip has its ups and downs.  Minimize your downs with these

10 Best Car Travel Aids:

Coccyx Cushions – The hottest selling products in our travel aids category are the cushions.  That’s because we have such smart customers.  Sitting too long on your bottom will wreak havoc on your spine, sometimes causing serious back pain.  Relieve the pressure and maximize the comfort with a coccyx cushion.  Great for car, office and home.  Another great product for the driver is the Dream Foam Head Rest Pillow.

Queasy Drops Kids - Developed by health care professionals for queasy stomachs these lollies are perfect for kids prone to motion sickness.  They’re all natural.  Assorted flavors. 

See all Queasy Pops and Drops 

 Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion - This cushion swivels, helping you to help people get in and out of the car safely.  Prevents back and hip strain during transfers.  Lightweight and portable.  Another product like this is the easy to use Car Slide.

TravelJohn Disposable Urinal – For when you really have to go and there isn’t a bathroom in sight – or it’s nasty or inaccessible.  Can be used by men, women and children – standing or sitting.  Neat, huh.

Car Caddie Helping Hand - Offers a helping hand for getting out of cars, trucks or vans.

Handybar 3 in 1 Car Aid - Every single car should have one of these within reach of the passengers.  I bought one for everyone in my family for Christmas.  It could save your life.  The 3 – in 1 Car Aid features an emergency  seat belt cutter, side window breaker and arm support for exiting the vehicle. 

Eye Pillow with ergoBeads - Okay, for sure this eye pillow is not for the driver, but the passengers will love it when they’re trying to nap.  It keeps out the light plus it cools and soothes your eyes.  For maximum comfort add a neck cushion!

Car Seat Belt Cushion – Extra padding for pregnant drivers or people who don’t like seat belts.

Dream Ride SE Infant Car Bed- Super affordable and highly praised, this infant car bed is perfect to keep newborn’s developing organs un-scrunched during travel.

See all infant car seats

Disposable Underpads – These absorbent little seat protectors are inexpensive and could save your car seats from all kinds of disasters.  Get a pack.  You’ll especially thank me if you have kids or dogs.  

We hope you have safe and happy travels all year long.  Speaking of safety, here’s your bonus product:  Emergency First Aid Auto Kit.

And do me a favor (besides ordering something):  When you write a postcard to someone be sure to say, “The weather is here.  Wish you were beautiful!”  That always cracks me up.

Whether you have general insomnia, hot flashes, a snoring problem or a medical condition that’s keeping you awake, Allegro has something for you.  We even have products to help babies sleep better… so mommies and daddies can get a better night’s rest too.

Better Sleep Products

  The Snore Wizard – Without a doubt one of the most popular products at AllegroMedical.com.   Warning: It competely stops the snoring for some people and doesn’t work for others.  If a snorer is making you crazy, it’s probably worth the $60 bucks to find out, considering the high cost of surgery or worse yet, divorce…

 Baby Sleeps Safe - And mom will too, with this special two-piece infant sleep system developed by childcare experts. 

 Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock w/Bed Shaker – Are you a clock watcher, afraid you won’t hear the alarm?  Fear not, my sleepy friend, the Sonic Bomb will make SURE you’re awake with noise, flashing lights and bed shakers.  You can control all three, if it’s too much.  GREAT for heavy sleepers, college students and teenagers.

 Foam Eggcrate Mattress Overlay – another super popular AllegroMedical.com product.  This cushy overlay will save you $100’s off a pillow top mattress and will improve your circulation, reduce pressure sores and provide a cool, dry comfortable night’s sleep.  Great for sofa sleepers too!  Read Bed Check for Better Sleep for more better bed ideas.

 Eye Pillow with ergoBeads – like I always say, everything is better with cream cheese, bacon and…ergoBeads!

 Mother’s Choice Sleep Positioner – Awwww.  Don’t you just want to tickle those little feet?  This positioner will hold your baby comforably on their side or back in the crib, as recommended by the American Board of Pediatrics.

 Sunrise Alarm Clock -  This is just such a sweet product.  Imagine waking up to a slowly illuminated room, a simulated sunrise, instead being jarred awake by a screaming alarm.

 Double DreamSack - Perfect for couples who travel. This full silk pouch protects you from germs, harsh detergents and the general ick of hotel bedding. 

 Silk Travel Pillow Cases – Well, won’t you just be the smartest one on the plane when you slip one of these beautiful silk pillow cases onto your airline pillow!   Also get the Silk Pocket Pillowcase (fits standard pillows) to take with you on a cruise, visiting relatives, hotels or camping.  Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

 Chillow Pillow Cooling Sensation Memory Foam Pillow – You have to try this if you sleep a little hot.  Seriously.  I have two of them.  They really work.  Takes a few days to get started, but after that… amazing!

See All Chillow Cooling Products

 Rest Mate Bed Wedges - Box of 2 - Supports your upper body, prevents you from shifting and provides total comfort while you’re on your back or side. 

 Hugg-A-Pillow Bed Pillow – Cuddle up with this unique pillow designed to support your head, neck, shoulders and upper chest.  Available in standard or allergy free. 

 Stress-Ease Support Pillow – Ease the stress on your back and neck with this total cervical support pillow. And sleep like a baby, too.  Or, how about a pillow for butterflies?  Not really, check this out – Softeze Butterfly Pillow.

 Dreamsie Sleeper & Sleep Cap – Mde from 100% certified organic cotton knit, your little one will be safe and sound in this loose bedding alternative.  The full length zipper makes nightime diaper changes a snap.  Fits infants up to 6 months.

 Sweet Relief Duo – Personal Soothing & Cooling Set – Designed by women for women, these two pillows will cover your hot spots while you’re trying to sleep.  Grab a nightfull of zzzzz’s, while this fluid filled duo whisks heat away from your body and head.   Another great Mother’s Day gift!

See all these and more in Allegro’s Shop by Condition: Insomnia area.  Wishing you restful nights and sweet dreams forever. 

-v

Psssst… as always, thanks for being an AllegroMedical.com customer.  We appreciate your business.  Don’t forget about us when you need medical supplies!

But no matter where you are in the world, kicking back in your recliner at home or rippin’ gnar pow on your shred sled* in Snow Mass, there are products you may have never imagined, designed to keep you warm and safe in the cold.

Check these out:

Energy Efficient Heaters for Home or Work

Toasty Toes Personal Heater – Deluxe Ergonomic Footrest - use sitting or standing anywhere, anytime.  Adjustable angles.  Never too hot to touch! 

Electric Foot Wamer Mat – great for work!  Fits easily under your desk.  Waterproof.  Quickly dries wet socks, shoes or boots, leaving you dry and warm.

 Cozy-Legs Personal Heater – Under Desk Leg Warmer - Mounts to your desk, wall or optional stand.  Keeps your legs toasty.

 Bed Buddy Heat Therapy Kit - Comes with a sinus pack, hand warmers and foot warmers.  Lightly fragranced with eucalyptus, clove and cinnamon.  You can buy everything separately.  Bed Buddy Back Wrap.  All can be used hot or cold.  See all Bed Buddy products.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Dream Sack Airline Comfort Set - As seen on the Today Show, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.  Everything you need to stay warm and cozy on the plane, train, bus or car (no driving with your eye shades on!).  Includes a silk blanket, pillowcase, eye shades and a 12″ storage bag.  All totaled, weighs less than a pound. 

Dream Sack Luxury Travel Kit - You’ll be stylin’ in first class no matter where you’re sitting.  Great for your flight or in your hotel room.  Includes a silk/cashmere blanket, charmeuse silk eyeshades and an outer bag that reverses to a pillowcase.

Outdoors

Cane Ice Grip – Prevents canes and crutches from slipping on icy and snowy surfaces.  Don’t risk a fall!  Get one of these.  It’s only like, $7 bucks and it could save your life or the life of a loved one.  I’m serious.  Don’t make me come over there. 

 Ice-Away Snow and Ice Melt Pad – Much less expensive than embedded systems, this pad prevents show and ice from accumulating outside your door, or wherever you put it.   Line your entire sidewalk!  Great for home doorway entrances, wheelchair ramps, handicap-accessible structures, loading docks, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, schools or churches.  36″ x 32″.  Plugs into a standard outlet. 

IronClad Cold Condition Glove - Cold weather gloves for workers who need a high level of dexterity.  Wicks away perspiration, breathable, water and oil resistant, non-slip rubber, machine washable.

Grabber Foot Wamers - 5 hours of air-activated warmth.  Case of 30 packs,  2 warmers per pack.  Put them in your shoes or boots, use one time and then throw away.  These are standard equipment for skiers, snowboarders, hunters, campers, hikers, bird watchers or anyone who likes to do stuff outdoors in the cold. Also great for Arthritis, Raynaud’s, Lupus, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s, Myalgia or just poor circulation.

Grabber Peel-n-Stick Adhesive Body Warmer – Box of 40.  A portable heating pad that you wear!  Works for 12+ hours.  Use for minor aches & pains or for warmth outdoors during sporting activities.

Grabber Hand Warmers - Pack of 40, with 2 per pack.   These keep your hands and fingers toasty for more than 10 hours.  Just open the packet and put the warmers in your gloves or pocket and they start working in a few minutes.  No shaking or kneading required.

Emergency Rescue Blanket – another inexpensive way to save your life.  This lightweight blanket should be in every cold-weather car and every backwoods backpack.  It was invented for NASA and is used by militaries, search and rescue, and relief agencies worldwide.

I hope you stay warm and toasty until it’s time to stay cool and frosty.  I’ll be back in a few months with AllegroMedical.com products to help you chill.  You know I will.  Until then,

See all Hand Warmers

See all Foot Warmers

See all Heat / Heating Pads

See all Hot/Cold Therapy

*rippin’ gnar pow on your shred sled means that you’re doing really well on difficult runs while riding atop your snowboard device.  Gnar pow is gnarly powder.  Personally, I’d rather watch ’em carve from my seat atop the bar stool in the lodge.  I’m confident that if I tried snowboarding, I’d spend more time on my back side than my feet.  Perhaps Grabber makes butt warmers . . . hmmmm . . . an idea . . .

If you do get stranded remember to stay calm, use your head and you’ll be fine. Rule of thumb – stay in your car and call for help.

Here are some tips on what to do in different circumstances:

If You’re Standed on an Interstate or Highway:

• Try to pull off to the shoulder or completely off the road.

• Use your cell phone to call the police or your vehicle’s roadside assistance and tell them you’re stranded.

• If it is nice out and traffic is light enough that you can safely exit the vehicle, get out and raise your hood and tie your emergency flag to a radio antenna or door handle (or hang it out the window). Put on your flashers and wait until help arrives. Some say you should wait outside and away from the car in case another vehicle strikes your car. I’m not so sure about that rule but I guess it depends on the situation.

• If you can’t get cell coverage, or you have no phone, assess whether to walk for help. There might be an emergency phone down the road or a gas station within walking distance but use extreme caution if walking near a busy roadway. Don’t attempt to cross a busy, multi-lane highway. If help is far away or the road is too busy, you should stay near your car.

• Don’t risk your life to change your tire on a busy road. You’re better off ruining your tire and rim driving to a nearby gas station.

If You’re Stranded in a Blizzard

• Stay inside your car so you don’t get lost or frostbitten.

• Put on your emergency hazard lights, call for help and wait until it arrives. If you can’t get cell service, you’ll most likely get help from a police officer patrolling the area.

• Put your emergency flag out on the antenna or window, or a bright colored piece of cloth.

• Run your heater for about 10 minutes per hour or every half hour if it is really, really cold.

• Remove the snow from your tailpipe occasionaly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and crack a window if you have an old rusty car with a leaky exhaust system. It’s a good idea to keep one window cracked open anyway, so the freezing wind and wet snow don’t seal the vehicle.

• Clear heater vents – the grill under the windshield.

• Try not to sleep if the engine is running and you are alone.

• Move around every once in a while to keep the circulation going.

• To avoid frostbite, keep your skin covered when you get out of the car to clear the tailpipe and vents.

• Use emergency supplies and cell phone batteries conservatively.

• When the storm passes, write “HELP” in large letters in the snow outside your car.

Hedge your bet against mechanical failures by Winterizing Your Car.

See all Emergency Preparation Products.

If You’re Stranded in a Flood:

• Stay in your car (unless it is sinking) and wait for help.

• Open your car windows in case you need to climb out.

• Use your cell phone to call for help, turn on your hazard lights and hang a cloth or emergency flag out the window.

• If you have to get out of your car because it is sinking and the area is flooded, swim to a tree or something sturdy that you can hold onto.

-v

Once you’ve taken the Steps to Winterize your Car, it is unlikely that you’ll experience a breakdown due to mechanical failure, but you never know what else might leave you stuck in your car. Millions of motorists are stranded each year because of bad weather, accidents, flat tires, getting stuck in the mud or snow, losing their keys and other unfortunate situations.

With a few basic items, though, you can not only survive, but be safe and comfortable while you wait to be rescued.

Basic Emergency Items

• Cell phone

• Triple A (AAA) or other roadside assistance subscription & card

• Snowbrush and Ice Scraper

• Handybar 3-in-1 Car Aid – includes seatbelt cutter and side window breaker

• Bag of Sand or kitty litter to help with traction on snow and ice

• Shovel for scraping snow away from the tires

• Windshield Washer Fluid

• Emergency Blankets

• Winter clothes including a complete change of clothes, a scarf, hat, extra gloves and boots

• Emergency First Aid Auto Kit

• Duct Tape to fix a broken windshield, hold things together, pick up glass shards, mend hoses, serve as a gas cap, and a million other things

• Emergency Sign or brightly colored cloth to signal for help

• Multi-Purpose Tool Set

• Booster Cables

• Extra Fuses

• Battery-Free Emergency Flashlight

• Battery-Free AM/FM Radio & Flashlight/Nighlight

• Bottled water to drink (or to use in cars that overheat or need battery water)

• Protein bars and Energy bars

• Baby diapers and Baby Formula if you have a small child

• And last but not least, a good book

Don’t go out in bad weather unless absolutely necessary and please know the weather report before you go out! A Winter Storm Watch means that winter storms are in your area. A Winter Storm Warnings means that storms are heading your way. A Blizzard Warning means all hell is about to break loose… er, i mean, strong winds and dangerous wind chills are expected.

Get your Emergency Car Kit together now. Be safe!

Here’s What to Do if You’re Stranded in your Car.

I went over this checklist with my mom and thank goodness she was already set.  Are you?

There’s still time to save yourself from a break-down or worse.  Do it today.

Get your car checked out and tuned up.  Make sure they check your battery, antifreeze (50-50 mix of coolant to water), rear defroster, wipers, washer fluid, leaks, tire pressure… everything.

• Check your tire pressure.  Tire pressure drops by one pound per ten degrees so if you’re driving around in sub-zero weather your tires may be dangerously low.

• Keep a jug of  high quality windshield washer solution in your trunk for refills. 

• Invest in heavy winter wipers that keep ice from forming on the blade.  Remove them in the spring so they don’t stress your wiper motor unecessarily and remember to turn them off before shutting off the engine so they don’t freeze to the windshield.

• Keep your gas tank full.  If you get stuck or stranded you’ll need the heater to keep you warm.  You can run it at idle for as long as it takes.  It won’t hurt anything. 

• If you have to weather the storm inside an old rusty car, crack the window so you don’t fill the car with carbon monoxide.  And if you’re in a blizzard, new car or old, get out every once in a while to clear the snow out of the tailpipe.

• Sandbag.  Put a bag or two of sand or kitty litter behind your rear axle if you have rear-wheel-drive.  It will increase the traction of the rear wheels.  Start with 20lbs and see how it drives. You can add more from there if it still squirly.  Too much weight will lift the front end.  Put it in the middle front of the trunk, not in the passenger compartment. It could become a projectile in a wreck.   Don’t bother if you have front-wheel-drive because the heavy engine is already sitting over the powered wheels.

• To make sure your freezing cold car always starts in the morning (and you have instant heat),  hook your engine to a block heater.  This is an electric heater that keeps your engine warm while it’s parked.  It plugs into a regular AC outlet overnight.  Just remember to unplug it before taking off!  I vividly remember my dad forgetting that…

• Understand your car.  If you have teenagers or other family members driving your car, make sure they know what kind of steering system and tires they are driving on.  Cars handle differently if they have front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, part-time or full-time 4-wheel drive; antilock brakes, traction control or stability control.  Practice driving on snow in an empty parking lot to see how it handles different situations.

• Buy good snow tires if you must drive in the snow.  Even if you can only afford 2 of them, they are better than nothing to get around before the streets are plowed or even for increased traction when braking or turning on packed snow.  If you are only getting two, mount them on the wheels that are driven by the engine.  For all-wheel drive you really need four snow tires. 

• Consider chains for your tires.  If you’re someplace that permits or requires chains, make sure you’ve practiced putting them on.  Keep them in the trunk.  Instead, there are ladder-like devices (one is called Tiger Paws)  that unfold and allow your tire to grip it if you’re stuck in the snow or ice. 

• Clean your car completely of snow and grime before setting out.  Don’t be like me, as a teenager, just wiping a small peephole in the drivers side windshield and heading off to school.  Yikes.  Visibility is key in nasty weather, especially so you don’t hit another car or pedestrian.  Clean off the whole car including every window, mirror, and headlight.  Besides it is the law in most states.  If I sound like your mother, it is only because I care.

Print this out and check off everything.  Then, at least your car is ready on the outside.  Next, make sure you have your winter emergency car kit put together.   Hopefully you don’t run into any trouble. But just in case, do you know what to do if you are standed in your car?

Now I remember why I moved to Arizona.

Do you have a tip or two?  Please share them in the comments area! 

-v

1. Use Point Programs. We only use credit cards that earn points towards hotel stays and
flights. We use them for EVERYTHING including groceries, car payments, utility bills – things you wouldn’t normally pay with a credit card. And we pay the bill completely, every month, so there is no interest charged. You would be surprised how fast you can earn free flights when everything goes on the card. It helps your credit score too. Remember, you have to pay off the card(s) every month or the interest will kill you.

2. Bring your own food. We eat at least 1 meal a day from our day pack. It saves us money, calories and time. Throw in some apples, dried fruit, string cheese, granola or trail mix, protein bars and dark chocolate for a meal or snack in the car, on the plane, on a city tour or in your hotel room. We also like to gather yummy morsels at Farmers Markets for a picnic on the train or in the park. These are great places to pick up good bread, fruit, cheese, organic tomatoes, & wine. We also almost always split meals and appetizers, at home and away.

3. Travel light. Learn to pack well so you don’t have to pay extra for checked luggage. If you’re anything like my mother you may need some practice. Pack everything you think you need first and then remove half of it. I got by with just a carry-on for several weeks in Europe by doing laundry here and there. The trick is to mix & match, wear one color scheme, alternate between 2 pairs of shoes. Get ‘travel clothes’ that don’t wrinkle and resist dirt & sweat. If you can’t pack light, invest in some compressor sacs that squish things down so you can pack more in a smaller bag.

4. Pool Resources. Sometimes we travel with other couples or families and rent a big house
in the woods or on the beach. Then, we cook meals instead of going out and we do low
cost activities like play games, hike, etc. Let your social network (myspace, facebook) know where you’ll be and see if any of your friends want to join you to split the costs.

5. Swap houses. Wish you could take the family to London for Christmas? You can afford it if you swap houses. Google ‘House Swapping’ to see how it’s done.

6. Get a free hotel room upgrade. At the very least, when checking in ask for a better room, a bigger room or a better view. I just got a lakeview room upgrade at the Bellagio in Las Vegas last weekend, just for asking nicely. Sometimes, if I see a bad review of a hotel that we will be staying at, I email a link to the review to the manager and I let them know that we’re on our way and we’re hoping that
we don’t have problems “like this”. It’s amazing how the service level goes up. We were once upgraded from a standard room to a $1000/night suite in Hawaii, simply because I alerted the manager to some unflattering reviews of their hotel. Following our stay we sent a beautiful basket of Arizona goodies
to the staff and made friends for life.

7. Camp Out. Have an adventure! It saves you money plus you get closer to nature . . . and each other. Consider camping on the beach.

8. Head South of the Border. We’re taking our vacations at the beach in Mexico – a 3 1/2 hour
drive from Phoenix to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point). For a fraction of the price of a hotel room in the States you can rent a 1500 sq. ft. 2
bd/2ba condo on Sandy Beach, right on the water, complete with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, restaurants, swim-up bar, tennis courts, water
sports, etc.

9. Travel in the off season. We’ve even gone on a cruise during hurricane season. Besides, high season (usually the summer months) is the worst time to be just about anywhere because of the crowds, heat and high prices.

10. Stay Close to Home. Arizona summers are “off season” and the local resorts deeply discount their rates or give credits toward food and entertainment. Many families take their kids to the resorts that have water parks and water slides and they just hang out at the pool all weekend. You can also explore your home state by car and save on airfare. Take day trips or camp to save on hotels.

11. Get up to 1/2 off Hotel Rooms. We use www.priceline.com when the hotel chain doesn’t matter to us. You don’t get to pick your exact hotel before committing to the room, but you can narrow your choice to a certain area and designate a minimum star rating. We recently used Priceline to find a hotel in San Diego, in the Gaslamp area, and we saved $110 per night.

12. Shop the Web and book early. Bargains are
everywhere if you take the time to look. I check www.tripadvisor.com to
read unbiased reviews before booking. Tripadvisor also has a tool that checks a handful of major booking
sites like Orbitz & Expedia, allowing you to compare prices without going to each site individually. Also check the lesser known travel booking sites, like
www.bookit.com. If you’re using travel points you might have to book several months in advance to get the room or a seat on the plane.

13. Consider a Cruise. You can almost always find cruises at discounted prices if you don’t book through the cruise line themselves. We got much lower prices on an upcoming Disney cruise by going through a cruise broker online. We use www.cruise.com and www.cruises.com but there are a lot of them. Also, if you can go last minute, there are always great deals. When cruising, try to wait until you get to your destination to do your off-shore excursions. They are much less expensive. Airport transfers to and from the ship are cheaper if you book it yourself. Bring your own bottled water. Bring your own booze if they let you. Ask for a cabin upgrade. Ask your travel agent for shipboard credits. Sign up for the “club”.

14. Take advantage of time share promotions. Just don’t be roped into buying one unless that is your intention. Sit through the presentation, be strong enough to walk away from the hard sell, and be rewarded with a nearly free vacation or lots of spa/meal/drink credits.

15. Be spontaneous and book late. Sign up with your favorite travel sites to receive notification of last minute travel bargains.

Bon Voyage!

Travel safe and comfortable with Allegro’s Top Travel Gear.

Travel Easy

• Inflatable Neck Cushion – A few puffs of air and you have an instant neck cushion. Fits in your pocket! No more sleeping on your neighbor’s shoulder on the plane.
• Traveller Neck Pillow – Lightweight, easy to pack and comes with a removable cover.
• Supracor Stimulite Deluxe Travel Pillow – The ultimate travel pillow. It cradles your head & neck while circulating air and evaporating moisture.
• Eye Pillow with ergoBeads – Cools, soothes & keeps the light out so you can arrive well rested.
• Personal Massagers – Stressed? Take these anywhere for instant relaxation.
• Revitaleg Portable Leg Massager – Looks like quite the gadget. I must get one.
• Moisturizing Gel Socks – Hit the ground running after a long flight.
• Gel Therapy Gloves – Give your fingers a facial while you’re riding along.
• Car Seat Belt Cushion – This will make that long drive so much more comfortable. A must for pregnant passengers.

Travel Fit

• Aqua Bell Travel Weights – We sell a ton of these. Very, very popular. You should have one too.
• Perfect Pushup Travel Edition – Stay ripped when you’re on the road.
• Easy Mixer 16oz Travel Blender – Blend up your protein smoothie anywhere.
• Hand Exerciser and Stress Ball – Might as well do something constructive with your hands.

Travel Smart

• Portable Vibrating Travel Alarm Clock – I love this product. Wake up to good vibes.
• Travel Size Bedside Sonic Boom Alarm Clock w/Bed Shaker – Use it at home and away and you’ll never be late.
• Universal Plug Adapter – A must for international travelers.
• TravelJohn Disposable Urinal – When you gotta go, you gotta go.

Travel Safe

• Traveling Bed Rail & Car Caddie Combo – Getting in and out of the bed and the car has never been safer or easier.
• Superpole Traveler – Helps you stand up and sit down. Two-piece pole can be packed & transported.
• Portable Suction Grab Bar – Pack your grab bar when staying in hotels or someone’s home.

Travel Well

• AccelWell Travel Pouch for Diabetic Supplies – Keeps medicines cool for up to 13 hours.
• Micro-Cooler for Diabetic Supplies – Super economical. Maintains diabetic medicines or pens at a safe temp for up to 20 hours.
• Dia-pak Deluxe Travel Organizer w/Cold Gel-Pack – This water resistant organizer holds a 2 week supply of insulin. Made to last.
• Stratos Compact Aerosol Compressor for Nebulizers – Durable and super compact for travel. For 7 – 9 minute treatment times.
• Handheld Ultrasonic Nebulizer – This little nebulizer fits in the palm of your hand.
• Medflash Emergency Portable Personal Health Record – USB storage device holds your complete medical history. Wear as a necklace or use as a keychain.

Travel Kids

• Dream Rid SE Infant Car Bed – For babies 5 – 20 lbs. 3-point harness and ergonomic carry handle.
• Graco Turbo Booster Car Seat – Removable seat pad and dual cup holders.
• Ultra CarGo Booster Car Seat – For children 20 to 100 lbs.
• RECARO Start Child Car Seat – The ultimate in safety. Includes integrated sound speakers & ergonomic seating positions.

The Allegro family wishes you safe and comfortable travel this holiday season. And, as always, we thank you for your business.

Want to save some money on your next family vacation? Check out these 15 Money-Saving Travel Tips.

It’s getting hot in here. Phoenix, that is. Thank goodness for the Chillow Pillow. Regular pillows trap heat, which can make for a really uncomfortable night. The Chillow’s patented technology provides a unique fluid-cool, cushioning memory foam effect that is steady and long lasting. It requires no electricity, is noiseless, non-toxic and requires no refrigeration. Double the effectiveness with the Chillow Pak which includes the original Chillow and the ChillowPlus. I use the regular Chillow under my head and the ChillowPlus under my back or between my knees.

Chillows are perfect for lounging on the couch, relief from hot flashes, headaches or aching muscles. If only it covered my whole bed. And my lawn chair. I wonder if I could just strap one to my butt, for the car…

Hold up. I spoke too soon. No need to craft a ‘sit-upon’ out of your Chillow Pillow when Allegro is offering the Comfy Cruise Self-Cooling Cushion. Perfect for home, office, car or wheelchair use.

And what about Sparky? The Canine Cooler provides the same cooling comfort in a pet bed. If you don’t get one for your pet, guess who’s sharing your Chillow Pillow this summer?

For You Outdoorsy Types

Campers and beach bums: Don’t leave home without the Wheeleez Folding Beach Cart. It hauls up to 165 lbs of gear at a time over sand, soft grass or rough terrain. Use it at home, too, to tote stuff from your garage to your garden, or to move sensitive camera or sound equipment. Adjustable handle. Folds easily for storage. Get the smaller, lighter version, the Mini Beach Cart to move up to 77 lbs of gear at a pop.

Kayakers and Kayak Rental Shops: The Wheeleez Kayak Canoe Cart is about to make a whole lotta lives easier, especially if you’re transporting a large kayak or canoe on the beach. Go for the smaller, lighter Mini Kayak Cart for touring kayaks. It collapses and fits right in most kayak deck hatches. I really need to sell these carts to that kayak rental place we used in Kauai. I know, I’m a wus. But…but…sniff…I got a blood blister AND I scraped the skin off my hand before we even got in the water. Poor baby.

See all of our great Wheeleez Products

Golfers: If you’re serious about improving your golf game, you have to get the Bionic Golf Glove. This high tech glove is based on the anatomy of the hand, eliminating the natural mistakes the hand makes during the golf swing. The intricately placed padding of the Bionic Glove evens out the surface of the hand on the club, which prevents a too tight grip, keeping the hand from easily tiring. Makes a great gift.

Gardeners: Don’t let tired hands prevent you from working in your garden this summer. These do more than keep dirt out of your fingernails. Bionic Gardening Gloves add padding in all the right places to prevent fatigue, and help stop calluses and blisters from forming. Protect your hands and prolong your strength while gardening, with the best thing to come along since Miracle Gro. Try the reinforced Extended Wear Bionic Gardening Glove for heavy gardening and yard work). Men’s and women’s sizes available.

Take a look at Allegro’s whole line of gardening tools and products, all designed to make gardening easier and more fun.

Cast Wearers and the like: Nothing puts the kibosh on a day at the lake like a cast. Not any more! You’re safe to go in the water with the amazing Dry Pro Cast Protector. Keep your arm or leg cast or bandage completely dry while you are swimming or bathing. Dry Pro has the only completely waterproof cast cover in the world, with a patented vacuum system that ensures protection. So jump in! The water’s fine.

Allegro also carries the Dry Pro PICC or IV Line Protector and Full-Leg Prosthesis Cover.
For the shower, try the ShowerSafe Cast and Bandage Protector.

One more thing and I’ll shut up about casts. It’s summer. Casts get itchy and stinky. Please spring for a Cast Cooler.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Hot Tub

Oh…oh…oh… I love these. Check out these bad babies. The Spa2Go Inflatable and Portable Whirlpool Spa and Spa-n-a-Box Portable Spa. Did you ever think you could just put a big ‘ol hot tub anywhere you want? How cool is that?

Your Feet Are Showing

Cool off your hot, tired feet with Neat Feat Cool Foot Spray. Instantly refreshes and energizes your smelly (did I say smelly? I meant sweaty) feet after a long summer day, and keeps them dry.

Get your tootsies ready for summer sandals with a home pedicure. Own your own massaging foot bath and paraffin wax bath (pure heaven) for a salon pedicure at home.

When your feet are all purty slip them into a pair of these super popular Supracor Sandals and let your pampering continue as they massage your feet and absorb shock.

For those required to actually go closed-toed, I suggest you get a new job. If that’s not an option, do yourself, your shoes and your feet a favor and throw a nice pair of Super Feet Insoles in there. You won’t believe how much longer your shoes will last and how great your feet will feel.

Kidding Around

Wouldn’t be summer without kids on bikes, trikes, scooters and pedal cars, now would it? We have a bunch to choose from. Imagine your little princess pedaling in the park in her Pink Lady Pedal Car or your little astronaut zooming around the yard on his Radio Flyer Retro Rocket. Awww. I just want to pinch their chubby cheeks.

While you’re grilling New Yorks in the back yard, watching Bo destroy your flowers with his Hot Rod Pedal Car, go ahead and secure little Ian in his handy dandy Cozy Portable Playard Tent plus Cabana Kit. He won’t be wandering around, playing with dog poo, falling down, getting eaten by bugs, eating bugs. He’ll be secure in his own little see-through UV coated tent with a see-through lid… playing quietly…just like he was told to.

Get Fit, Stay Fit, even on the Road

Tired of coming home from vacation or business trips feeling like a slug because you hadn’t exercised? Keep up your exercise program no matter where you go this summer with an AquaBells Combo Set! Simply fill the 26 ounce super tough dumbbell pouches with water and instantly have up to 16 pounds for each dumbbell. Then empty the AquaBells when it’s time to hit the road. The kit also includes Aqua Bells Ankle Weights that go from 8 ozs when collapsed to 8 lbs when filled with water. Nice.

Another great travel fitness product is the Perfect Pushup Travel Edition. The pushup handles are so small you can put them in your briefcase or backpack, and they have the same great rotating motion as the original Perfect Pushup.

It’s the perfect time of year for outdoor jogging and biking, and now you can bring baby with you on that morning run, with a jogging stroller. I find 4:45 a.m. a nice time to get out in Phoenix in July. Allegro has great pricing on jogging strollers and bike trailers.

If you’re going to ruin your hair and make-up in the pool, you might as well get some exercise. Get a low impact, effective workout with water exercise equipment. Allegro has everything from water weights to underwater treadmills, to complete water exercise kits for men and women. Great for weak, painful or arthritic joints, and to add a twist to your workout routine. Use water’s natural resistance to get your body in shape.

While you’re in there, take your tunes with you with a SwiMP3 Surf Waterproof MP3 Player. Listen to up to 60 songs for up to 10 hours on each charge. PC and Mac compatible. Surf, swim, kayak or just get wet. Your SwiMP3 will stay high and dry while you’re down with your bad self.

Roll in Style

Need a lightweight wheelchair for trips to the zoo, or vacations at the beach? Get a Folding Transport Chair from Allegro. Or, check out this cool 13 lb. Nissin Travel Wheelchair. They’re convenient and comfortable for short trips.

Get ON the beach, in the sand, with a heavy-duty Rolleez All-Terrain Chair. You can also use this cool PVC chair in the park, at the campgrounds and in the snow – anywhere you have difficulty rolling. 250 lb. capacity.

Or, you can use the Wheeleez Monster Beach Cart to get you, your wheelchair, and a bunch of other stuff (up to 400 lbs) across soft sand, soggy grass or any other unstable or uneven surface. Hang out on the beach. Pop a cold one. Chill.

And don’t let your wheelchair stop you from hanging out at the pool. The rust-proof, water-proof Pool Wheelchair is exactly what you need.

Hey, it would be really cool if you ordered some of this stuff NOW. Thanks for your business. We appreciate it. –Val.