|
|
The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Low Cost Vacations And Family Values
What's happening on the discussion boards?
Guest Article - Making & Saving Money
Free Offers
Classified Ads
This is one of those times where it's hard for me to get inspired. I got word Sunday that my grandfather has taken a turn for the worse. He's been fighting his third bout with pneumonia. He's in Sacramento, about 500 miles from me, so visiting isn't something that can be done easily. Waiting to see what happens is so hard!
Don't forget, you can contribute your articles or tips anytime for consideration. Just use the contact form.
Candy Crate - 15% off using coupon code gradsndads
The family vacation is a tradition intended to bring families closer together and one that many of us would just not think of giving up. Quality time for the family reinforces the importance of family values. It's sort of a "time out" from the day to day routine of living and growing. A chance to focus on getting to know better those that are most important to us, our family. Of course, how much importance you place on this event depends on your past experiences.
In today's fast paced society a vacation just isn't a vacation unless its costing you a small fortune to get to, and stay at, some exotic venue that usually offers no excitement without dishing out more money. I suggest we put on the brakes and get back to basics. You surely won't have a better opportunity to do so than on the family vacation.
Let's not forget that the "family" extends beyond our home life. Most of us have family that we rarely get to spend time with either because of distance or time issues. But, one should always make time for family. Right? I knew you would agree!
Not trying to make you feel guilty here but, we do have a way of letting life rush us through the years. I call it "non-intentional neglect" and most of us are guilty of it at some point in our lives. So, let's re-invent the family vacation to include some real quality time that reinforces the value of our families.
Would you consider a visit to grandparents, distant uncles, or a friend's home a vacation? When I was growing up, the family vacation usually meant visiting family members who lived some distance away. Coming from a family of limited finances, this tradition was budget friendly yet, was sufficient to satisfy our need to escape the norms of home life.
Of course, as the teen age years approached, it became harder and harder for my mom to convince us that "we would have a good time" visiting the relatives. Some of which we had already spent several vacations visiting and had, I guess, lost their uniqueness to us as teenagers.
That said, if any of you can figure out what makes a teenager happy, except socializing with their own peers, then congrats! Let me know your secret. All kidding aside, I believe that they still enjoy the family outings but have a strong resistance to acknowledging that they are actually having fun. In other words, they are having fun and just refuse to admit it!
I was a single parent for many years and just didn't have the money for family vacations requiring hotel stays and admission fees. I guess I followed in my mother's footsteps in hoping that a visit out of town would suffice. And it did. For many years, the family vacation consisted of a visit to a dear friend or family member's home who was willing to put up with four kids for a week. These are truly "beloved friends and family!"
I am fortunate to have a good friend for life who has two children within the same age group as my kids. Since we didn't get to visit often throughout the year, these visits were exciting for both my kids and hers who had become good friends.
So, by all means plan to visit a family member's, or friend's, home for a week. Young children especially enjoy these trips. They make new friends and the family ties are strengthened. This is an excellent way to reinforce family values and the importance of keeping in touch with family members that may live some distance from your home.
Do a little research before you go. Find out if there are any museums, historical sites, low cost attractions, or state parks within driving distance from where you'll be staying and plan to visit. Remember to ask the family member or friend you are visiting if they have any suggestions. Since they live in the area, they will most likely be aware of popular spots. Ask about bowling, roller skating, or special movie nights in the area and plan accordingly. You can even plan some game or craft activities to keep everyone busy and having fun.
For those of you who have worn out your welcome or simply don't have family within a reasonable distance, finding vacation spots that will provide a memorable experience for everyone in the family can be a challenge. Especially on a tight budget. Don't be discouraged, it is not impossible. Plan for your vacation and include it in your budget. This is the easiest way to prepare for a vacation expense and take the stress out of planning.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't lose sight of the value of a family vacation. Be sure to schedule quality time together no matter what your destination. Be safe and enjoy!
Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four on a mission to become debt free. As publisher of Simple Debt Free Living at http://www.SimpleDebtFreeLiving.com she hopes to guide and encourage others to live debt free. Budget, manage debt and save!
Add to Your Social Bookmarks:
Del.icio.us
Furl
Reddit
Simpy
Spurl
Y! MyWeb - Netscape
Snow Being Sold on Ebay in Let's Talk About the Issues - snowdog20, Sat 05-Jul-08 (4 Replies)
Sharia Law SHOULD be used in Britain, says UK's top judge. in Let's Talk About the Issues - snowdog20, Sat 05-Jul-08 (0 Replies)
Hussein Executed in Let's Talk About the Issues - snowdog20, Sat 05-Jul-08 (3 Replies)
Google Has Enough Data To Pull You Out Of A Crowd in General Chatter - Knight, Fri 04-Jul-08 (1 Reply)
Happy 4th of July! in General Chatter - Knight, Fri 04-Jul-08 (1 Reply)
There are many things that people need to survive in the modern world. One of this which is quite important that helps the pay the bills, shop for commodities such as food and other needs is money.
People get jobs to have an income. Regardless if the person is single or married; it is what puts food on the table, the clothes on ones back and a place for a person to stay in.
There are also other ways of getting money which can be done. Another way is putting up a business but even this needs capital to start with.
Income can be classified into 3 types. Working a desk job or being out in the field everyday selling a product is one form of income and that is called a paycheck income.
The other way is from residual income where a person does something then gets money from it as long as people still buy or use it.
The third type is passive income wherein a person gets income by practically not being involved in the business that one decided to get into with other people.
The question then remains as to why some people still do better off than others? There are a variety of reasons.
Some people work harder and are doing a good job at it. A person who finds the right job can do wonders. It can be in sales if that person has good rapport with others and is able to sell anything that is given.
It can be a certain profession where people have known this person to be one of the best in that line of business which keeps customers coming back for more. Whatever the reason, these people are at the top of the game and will continue to do so.
Others are overworked yet are underpaid. It is unfair at times but it is a reality. Not all companies are the same and sometimes being in the right company is a stroke of luck which makes people think that just because a certain person is earning this much, that automatically labels one as successful.
Some people who have money do the careless thing which is spending more than what is available leaving that person in debt.
To avoid falling in this predicament, the first thing one must do is manage the expenses. It is a given that big expenses such as a mortgage on a house and even a car will take some time to finish. By cutting down on luxury items and getting something similar for a more affordable value, the money saved adds up which can be used for other things like reducing those debts. A good example is instead of buying lunch out every time one is at work, one could instead make lunch at home, bring it to work and save on money.
It is always good to carry a notebook around to log whatever expenses have been made and keep track how much balance is left. That way, a person can stay within a budget on a monthly basis.
Another way will be to accumulate capital. At an early age, one can start saving up by getting a plan. Some banks and insurance companies have good rates which in the long term will possibly even double the money one has decided to entrust to such institutions in a number of years.
Investing money on good investments with the help of a financial advisor is another. Studies have shown that there are many places where money can be doubled.
One can do it through bonds since buying it at a certain amount increases in value once these mature.
The stock market is also another option since these companies pose growth and sometimes exceed the projected sales annually which are given back to shareholders in terms of dividends.
Buying some real estate property is also good since the price of properties go up and can be sold for a decent profit over time unlike cars that depreciate in value once it leaves the lot.
A little money spent wisely on sound investments and saving on certain things all help out in amassing a certain amount of money and make the dream of becoming a millionaire sooner than anyone can think.
The task is not easy. There will be times one will be tempted to buy something. It just takes a lot of planning, patience and self-control to make it happen.
Daegan Smith is an Expert Internet Network Marketer. "Learn How To Make $10,717 In Less Than a Week While Quickly And Easily EXPLODING Your Network Marketing Organization Without EVER Buying a Single Lead?" http://www.internetmlmsuccess.com mailto:netmlmsuccess@aweber.com
Do you like freebies? Perhaps this week's free offer will interest you:
If you offer a freebie, let me know! I will consider it for inclusion here and in the freebie section of the website.
Want to find more free offers? Search here to see if there's a freebie for your needs.
Make bundles of Cash on Google P/T F/T
Let us tell you about people who are doing it and how you
can do it too… It's fast, easy and can be done from home
part or full time (no previous experience necessary).
Click here to start making money on Google.
Site Map - Press Room - Disclaimer - Disclosure
Copyright © 2003-2008 Stephanie Foster unless otherwise indicated
Get all this FREE...right now!