Survival Guide

Work Backpack Loadout 

Remembering to bring everything with me is important, because once I set up, I have to pack up everything and take it with me if I want to go back to my car to get something. Also, people wouldn't necessarily chase me away from a fast food place, but it feels better to sit down with food and set up than it is to leave and come back. If I'm at a library, I may not have a close parking spot and trips to my car can be time-consuming and impractical.

• Laptop
• Tablet
• Cellphone
• Charger for laptop
• Charger for USB device
• two USB charging cables
• Headphones (a must)
• wireless mouse
• notebook
• pen
• USB external battery

• Dental pick
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Granola Bars
• Water bottle

It's challenging to remember to pack everything. The electronic devices get juggled around quite a bit, as I'm charging with a power strip converter in my car.

The tablet is my tool for writing, accessing information and maps, taking pictures, and reading books. It is invaluable when I'm on the go. My laptop needs time to set up and cannot hold battery life long enough to be used without a steady power source. The tablet has great battery life, but is slooooow to charge. I've adopted a two-prong strategy to keeping its battery full. While I'm driving, I charge the tablet and an external battery pack. Then when I sleep, I use the external battery to charge my tablet.

Free WiFi sites

• Lowes (accessible from parking lot)
• Target (inside only) 
• McDonald's (dollar menu salad. power outlets, TV, unlimited WiFi. best daytime spot)
• KFC (outlets are few, but seating is spacious. limit 1 hour)
• Barnes and Noble (name is ATT. Some places have tables)
• Starbucks (If you can stand the smell, and you don't pretend to care about buying a drink. LOL)
• Public library

These I use the most. There are others but I haven't used them yet. Mostly because I need a sitting area with power outlet. If I'm not buying food there, I'm not going to chance whether I can get WiFi and a power outlet. McDonald's are everywhere. If I really want a solid afternoon of computer time, libraries are the way to go. There's always a Lowes next to Walmart where I sleep at night, so if I need to look something up I can park close to the entrance for a bit. Or I walk into Target and google stuff on my phone. Those are reasons why I haven't used WiFi from other places.