The cart hardly fit down the narrow streets

I am a jet lag wizard. I manage to avoid jet lag without drugs or sleep aids. In December I flew home from Hong Kong to North Carolina- a 13 hour time difference with no jet lag.

Catching some sleep in ATL after an all-nighter. It may be 3pm in Georgia, but is midnight in my destination

Jet lag is the worst, especially if you're on vacation. You don't want to be exhausted while trying to enjoy your adventure, and then you definitely don't want to feel you have to "recover" from vacation once you get home and head back to work. For me, I have to avoid jet lag because I often have to work the first day I arrive in a new country. The first time I flew to the other side of the world, I really didn't even think about it until it happened. My first few days were so rough. I remember thinking "what's wrong with me?" while I desperately tried to stay awake at 3pm.

Now, I rarely experience jet-lag because I follow my jet lag protocol which includes altering eating drinking and sleeping habits only during travel.

Outdoor gear is expensive, and if you're like me, you're hard on your clothing and equipment. I take great care of my gear and use it until it is absolutely dead. Seriously, my favorite top from Patagonia (the R1 Pullover) is still kicking after six years, but I'm wearing it around with holes in the elbows. My friends are probably embarrassed to hang out with me in public.

The holes have gotten worse since this photo was taken, I will probably patch them.....

While I take great care of my gear, and sometimes spend hours repairing it, sometimes its just time to let go. Zippers corrode, crotches rip, straps break. The worst part is replacing it. If that item is even still available, it is probably expensive. I suppose the term expensive is relative, but $200 to me is a lot of money. That top in the photo retails at $120. Ouch. My trail sneakers are around $100. Everything adds up so quickly. I've decided to create a guide to getting pro-deals. Keep reading to learn how.

• I have an unhealthy obsession with tiny things. Seriously I have the worlds tiniest, and cutest, tin of Tiger Balm, among other things like nail clippers and tweezers and pens and......
• You should never have more than two bags. One on your back and one on your front. Otherwise you'll be miserable trying to carry everything around on subways and in airports. I have broken this rule, mainly when I knew I would have an apartment to live in. Getting from the airport to the apartment and back was not fun....
• I don't trust the airlines and therefore make every attempt to not check anything. Many of the tips in this series will be aimed at getting everything into a carry-on and "personal bag", and capitalizing on the carry-on allotments. 
• I am an adventure instructor. My travel focus is more of a cross between a tourist backpacker and a wilderness instructor. None of my bags have wheels and fashion is not a top priority. If you're planning to spend a year in southeast Asia keep reading. If you're planning a shopping spree in Paris, some tips may not fit your trip. 
• I generally go for overkill. Why use a regular stuff sack when I could use a waterproof one?