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Hot water is spewing from a miniature apparatus. A paper cup, waiting patiently in its crook, catches the instantly brewed serving of energy. Sitting in my 14th floor hotel room, I realize that my desk at home needs one of these machines.

I've already been through four cups of coffee. The single serving coffee pouches come in disposable trays. Between the paper cups and disposable trays, the caffeine machine needs little maintenance. This little appliance has been the silver lining to my travel cloud.

Of course, like with any hotel room, the staff supplies the coffee service tray with both decaf and regular options. But I've traveled enough to know it is perfectly acceptable to negotiate for only regular and return the decaf for the hotel to use with non-serious coffee drinking guests.

After traveling through a couple of airports to get to the meetings I am currently attending, the first thing I did upon arrival was seek out the complimentary brewing station. No easy task, since it was cleverly hidden inside the cabinet where the television should be stored. The newly updated flat screen HD television, which apparently does not fit inside the cabinet, sat on top where the coffee apparatus normally resides.

I believe the complimentary tray was hidden to reduce the chances of a guest finding or using it. The less guests use, the more the hotel saves. In that way, a hotel can cut costs without technically cutting services.

The same holds true for the soaps and shampoos. I like to bring my own shampoo and conditioner because in my experience, hotels skimp on quality and quantity when it comes to toiletries. My hair requires a shampoo that produces a thick, creamy lather followed by a silky smooth conditioner. Without these essentials, I am reduced to untangling straw-like hair that has no chance of holding a style.

Meanwhile, the last few times I've stayed in hotels, my rooms have been ill-equipped when it comes to toiletries. I realize that I personally don't need their shampoo and conditioner, but what if I did? Would I really want to go out of my way to chase after tubes of mediocre hair product?

As for the soap, I do not carry my own. Maybe I should, because the room I checked into this week included only one miniature bar of hand soap. It was fine for hand washing, but the next morning when I needed a shower, there wasn't much left for lathering up the washcloth.

Everyone in the travel industry seems to be skimping to save money. On my first flight this week, there was no beverage or snack service at all. We were told if we were thirsty, we'd have to press the button to summon the flight attendant, who would try to accommodate us.

Thirty seconds after the no beverage service announcement, we were told to buckle up and return our trays and seat-backs to the upright position. We were officially descending toward the runway on our final approach.

On the second leg of the trip, the beverage cart came down the aisle loaded with water and ice. When it was my turn, I asked the flight attendant if she had anything other than water. The flight attendant shrugged her shoulders and stared at me. I took the stare to mean there was nothing else. I responded by deciding that water would be fine.

The guy on the next row got juice. I wanted juice, but I didn't ask the right question. The appropriate question to ask in order to receive a small sampling of the coveted juice hidden behind the curtain on the second shelf of the beverage cart was, "May I have some juice, please?"

The stare I received must have meant, "That's the wrong question. Ask another question, otherwise your getting water."

The shrug and stare must be part of a new airline protocol regarding giving out as much cheap water as possible to save money. Not a bad alternative to what other airlines are doing -- simply charging for all beverages.

Admittedly, I implemented some of my own cost-saving maneuvers on this particular trip. I packed only one suitcase to avoid the new airline checked-bag fees. Hubby drove me to the airport so I wouldn't have to pay for airport parking. I carried my luggage to avoid giving out tips. All week I took full advantage of the snacks, meals and beverages served in the meetings I attended, so as to save money on food.

The days of in-flight peanuts are gone. Complimentary items are dwindling. So many corners are being cut, everything is starting to look round.

However, I do find solace in the fact that things aren't so bad just yet. After all, even if it takes me a few minutes to find it, I still have my coffee.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.