Tips on How to Budget for an Affordable Family Vacation

Summer is the time for vacations, whether it’s visiting family or just getting away for a weekend.  The only problem: vacations can be expensive, from gas for the car to flights, hotels, and every meal at a restaurant. 

Chicago Healers Practitioner Julie Casserly, MBA urges vacationers to “Position yourself to be lucky to spend the amount of money you actually have for a vacation, instead of going into debt and later on having to pay for past choices.  No one likes having what I call a ‘spending hangover;’ it takes all the fun out of going on vacation in the first place.”

• Last Minute Deals – In a world where there are so many things to do, most of the travel websites will have last minute trips at a deep discount, particularly in economic environment.  Decide a budget and search online for an all-inclusive trip for the long weekend that falls into that number.  The exciting part is that you are leaving yourself open to trying a new adventure or a new place.
• Look At The End, First - Decide priorities for a vacation and what amount to spend, and then build a plan out from there.
• Choose the Day – Choose to travel on cheaper air fare days, say Tuesday – Saturday
• Name Your Price – Rent a car, hotel, or airfare through priceline.com where customers can name a price. Sometimes it can be 30% less expensive.
• Pack the Snacks – If a road trip in the works, pack a cooler!!!  No need to spend extra money on those high cost, high calorie snacks and fast food meals.
• One Stop Shopping – Buy in bulk; get airfare, hotel, and car from one vendor.
• Locals Know Best – Interact with the locals to learn the best restaurants and tours, where the prices won’t be spiked just for tourists.
• Set the Plan and Open an Account – Plan for future trips: set financial intentions by opening up a separate savings account that is ONLY to be used for vacations.  Set a plan for how much to spend each year on vacations and be sure to put aside an appropriate amount per paycheck that will allow for this later in the year.

Casserly explains further saying “It’s all about what free cash you have to be able to afford a vacation and about what is right for you and your family, there is no right or wrong, it’s about what you have chosen as your financial priorities and making sure that you create a positive energy flow from your spending (spending on a cash basis) and not a negative energy flow (spending with debt).”

About ChicagoHealers.com 
Chicago Healers (www.ChicagoHealers.com) is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy.  Our holistic health experts teach and advocate natural and empowered health and life choices through their practices, the media, educational events, and our website.  With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications.  For more information, visit www.ChicagoHealers.com.

Book Review - Money Secrets of the Amish

About the Book
Author and journalist Lorilee Craker was just like the rest of us, feeling the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008. As a freelancer, her income was going the way of the dodo-family dollars seemed like an extinct myth, the bank account some archeological evidence of past prosperity.

Then, inspired by a news segment covering the Amish and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to learn a thing or two about their time-tested approach to personal finances. While the middle-class was wringing its hands over the family budget and the wealthy were weeping over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content as always, spared from the cares of the world and worldliness. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.

In Money Secrets of the Amish, readers go on an "Amish money makeover," learning the choices, secrets, and disciplines that safeguarded the contentment and the coffers of America's favorite plain folk by spending less, saving more, and getting happier doing it.


My Take on the Book
I am always looking to save money, who isn't. This book takes this concept to the extreme and allows the reader to get a in-depth glimpse at what the Amish are all about and how they live in a frugal but smart way.

What was nice about this book was that the author immersed herself in the culture and did not write from afar, but instead interviewed many Amish about their ways and this is what she is bringing to the world through her writing.

The Amish have always been something of a mystery to me. I have seen them on the road, in stores or at other public locations in my years traveling and living in different places, but I have really not interacted with any of them. This book opened my eyes to the way they live and provided me (and you in the future) with some great ideas to save money and live within your means.


If you are looking for ways to to cut costs, and live simpler this book is a must read!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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5 Tips For Using Up Your Gift Card Balance

If the answer to the question "What's in your wallet?" includes gift cards with a useless balance -- say $2.34 -- you'll be pleased to hear about a bill passed May 25 by the Oregon legislature. Fed up with the serious amount of unused plastic in their wallets, house members voted to require businesses let customers exchange their gift cards for cash, if the balance is under $5.

According to The Oregonian, the state's citizens are presently encumbered with $100 million worth of unredeemed gift cards.

It may not be long before other states follow suit but, until then, here are five ways to deal with pesky balances on those glorified plastic coupons.

1. Know The Balance
This is easier than it sounds. Check your gift card balance to determine if your balance is $2.50 or $25. GiftcardGranny.com, which also allows you to buy and sell discount gift cards, offers a simple method of checking your balance for more than 300 merchants. You could also call the retailer's 1-800 number, but this method could mean a lot of time spent on hold.

Some cards require you to register your card to check your balance, but this can be useful if that piece of plastic is lost or stolen.

2. Keep Track of the Balance
Some gift cards have a little box on the back where you can note your remaining balance. If your card doesn't have one of these, write the total amount on a sticky note and wrap it around the card.

3. Add to the Balance
Amazon and Walmart allow you to add any increment to a gift card, so if the balance is $2.95 and you want to make an online purchase, calculate the total cost at checkout then go back and buy a gift card for the remaining amount. With any luck, this policy will catch on with other merchants and services.

4. Know a Merchant's Policies
Some stores allow card holders to pay for purchases in multiple ways, so you can empty the card and fork over cash or use a credit card to complete the transaction. You'll also want to check whether a store takes less-frequently accepted gift cards, such as Discover and American Express.

5. Know Your Spending Habits
Will you likely spend $50 at a store and never visit again? Then purchase a card with a $50 balance and avoid a dangling balance. Merchants with whom you shop more frequently, such as grocery stores, may call for a $100 gift card, since you know you'll use up the balance. Keep in mind you can buy discount cards for less than the face value, which can save you anywhere from 15% to 50%.

### Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch, is available to share "5 Tips For Using Up Your Gift Card Balance" with your audience for an in-studio, satellite or skype interview. Andrea has been featured as a media expert source on NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and many more. To view recent interviews or find more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews? Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

12 Tips to Save Kilowatts and Cash

Consumers across America are experiencing sticker shock with this month's electrical bill. While kilowatt rates vary by vendor, a new national increase is being seen across the country.

With the enactment of the Clear Air Interstate Rule from the Environmental Protection Agency, 31 states are required to substantially reduce power-plant emissions. Specifically, power plants must reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by a whopping 71 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 52 percent.

Coal is both the most common energy source and the primary cause of both emissions. As a result, this new regulation is expected to cost coal power plants billions of dollars for retrofitting or in facility replacements. Naturally, this expense is being passed on to consumers. Short of going "off the grid," what's a customer to do? Here are 12 tips to help reduce your kilowatt usage.

1. Go Window Shopping
When the weather hits over 90 degrees and it's too hot to be outdoors, leave your credit card at home and head to an air-conditioned mall. After a few laps around the perimeter, you'll have gotten some exercise while catching up on the latest fashions.

2. Get Out of the House
Turn off the air conditioning, the TV and all those electricity hogs and enjoy some time in the great outdoors. If your kids spend their summer vacations playing video games, they're sucking up a lot of energy without expending any of their own. Sign them up for sports leagues, summer camps and other activities outside the home. While you may have to pay a registration fee, you can still save on equipment by using Target and Sports Authority discount gift cards ordered from such sites as GiftCardGranny.com.

3. Turn Off Power Strips
Even if you've turned off the television, computer and other power vampires, those power strips are still sucking you dry. The same goes for rechargers, which may seem benign when not hooked up to your cell phone. The fact is, they're still drawing electricity when not in use, so flip that switch. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the standby power of unused appliances usually accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of residential electricity costs.

4. Power Down Computers
Running a computer and monitor 24/7 uses about 1,100 kilowatt hours annually, or roughly $100 a year. Save 60 percent to 80 percent by putting your computer in power-saving mode or turning it off completely.

5. Use Powerless Cleaning Appliances
Use an old-fashioned can opener instead of that space-hogging electrical opener to reduce kilowatt usage. Clean rugs with a carpet sweeper instead of a vacuum. (You can find these old-fashioned cleaners at a surprising number of garage sales.) Dry laundry on a clothes line or rack instead of a power-hungry dryer. (Washers and dryers are 19 percent of your energy bill.) In general, consider how you can replace miniature power users with powerless appliances.

6. Shut the Curtains
Turn off or turn down an air conditioner by keeping windows covered during the day. You'll minimize sun exposure while maximizing the cooler night air.

7. Wash Dishes in Batches
It may seem hand-washing dishes would reduce both your water and electrical bill, but Energy Star appliances are actually much better for your family finances. The original investment, however, is terribly high. As a simple fix, wait until the dishwasher is completely full before running it. Avoid filling the machine with over-sized pots and pans as they're cheaper to wash by hand. Keep in mind that dishwashers compose 2 percent of your electrical bill.

8. Lower the Lighting Bill
You've heard lots of talk about CFL light bulbs and there's a reason why. CFLs are cheaper to run, generate less heat and last much longer. Switching out just one incandescent bulb for a CFL will save you $35 in energy costs -- or up to 65 percent -- over the projected 10-year life of the bulb.

9. Turn Off the Stove
Pasta, veggies and other foods cooked in water will continue to cook once the water is boiled. Turn the burner off half way through the cooking process and you'll reduce your energy use; just make sure you leave on the lid to hold in the heat.

10. Fill Up Your Freezer and Fridge
As with your dishwasher, these kitchen appliances operate more efficiently when full. You needn't overbuy at the supermarket, however. Instead, fill bottles and milk containers with water to take up the extra space.

11. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Give your air conditioning system a break when no one is in the house. According to Energy Star, increasing a house's temperature during these hours by pre-programming a thermostat cuts the average household's electric bill by $180 a year. That's because heating and cooling systems are 45 percent of your monthly energy bill.

12. Clean A/C Filters
Filters clog up with pollen, animal hair, dust and other unmentionables. Cleaning or replacing your filter improves efficiency. You'll want to clean it more often if you have pets or are experiencing a particularly heavy pollen season.


###
Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch, is available to share "12 Tips to Save Kilowatts and Cash" with your audience for an in-studio, satellite or skype interview. Andrea has been featured as a media expert source on NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and many more. For more savings tips follow @AndreaWoroch.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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TO CATCH A DOLLAR Sparks New American Financial Literacy Campaign!

The Allstate Foundation, Dress for Success and the producers of the documentary To Catch a Dollar today launched an innovative new financial literacy initiative that encourages Americans to take concrete steps to improve their financial futures. The ‘My Dollar My Life’ campaign will provide Americans with the opportunity to make specific promises to change their financial health and, for the first 10,000 promises made, The Allstate Foundation will make a $1 donation to Grameen America.

“We’re honored to spearhead the ‘My Dollar My Life’ project,” said Vicky Dinges, Vice President for Public Social Responsibility at Allstate Insurance. “With each promise, we grow closer to an America where people not only understand the importance of planning for their financial future, but where people are actively building a stable financial future for themselves and their families. It’s our hope that this campaign will bring attention to financial empowerment for all Americans.”

To participate in ‘My Dollar My Life,’ users can visit tocatchadollar.com/promise and facebook.com/tocatchadollar, where they will have the ability to commit to one of a number of promises to improve their financial future, from contributing to a 401K to passing up an unnecessary purchase to save money. With each promise made, users will have the option of sharing their commitment on their Facebook newsfeed and The Allstate Foundation will donate $1 to the Grameen America branch fund for the first 10,000 promises made.

“Dress for Success has long placed a priority on improving financial literacy for women – especially those seeking to lift themselves out of poverty,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “The ‘My Dollar My Life’ initiative is a unique way to pursue this objective, combining the power of storytelling with the reach of social media to create real impact.”

Audiences in hundreds of theaters across the country watched To Catch a Dollar on March 31, the story of the first Grameen America branch in the United States and how its borrowers are using small loans to build businesses and improve their lives. The Allstate Foundation and Dress for Success were supporters of the film’s launch event and are partners in its ongoing economic empowerment campaign designed to educate, assist and activate a growing community supporting microfinance services in the United States. Throughout the month of April, in partnership with leading activist and advocacy organizations, the To Catch a Dollar community is exploring issues related to the film and relevant for America today: women in poverty, the plight of the “unbanked” in America, savings and financial literacy, and policy solutions. Visitors can learn more at www.tocatchadollar.com.

“To Catch a Dollar tells an important story, but more than that, it demonstrates to audiences that there are challenges facing women in this country, but there are also solutions – so long as we are willing to take the steps needed to reach them,” said Gayle Ferraro, director and producer of the film. “As a filmmaker, it’s an honor to work with organizations like the Allstate Foundation and Dress for Success to extend the reach of my film to have real impact in people’s lives. We’re excited to get started.”

The My Dollar My Life campaign will begin today and continue throughout the week on www.tocatchadollar.com.

About the Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.allstatefoundation.org.

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 110 cities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 600,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

About Grameen America

Grameen America's mission is to provide affordable microloans to financially empower low-income entrepreneurs.  Since January 2008, Grameen America, a 501(c)3, has loaned out over $16 million dollars in microloans to over 5,500 members.  Started in Jackson Heights, Queens, Grameen

America has quickly expanded to Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Omaha, Nebraska.  Our vision is to help create a world free of poverty. We predict a market where any individual with a dream can receive affordable financial products regardless of income, previous credit history, education, or business experience.  We envision a world where burgeoning entrepreneurs are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty through hard work and determination to forge better lives for their families and future generations (www.grameenamerica.org). Please contact krosenberg@grameenamerica.org / (212) 735-4023.

About To Catch A Dollar

Immediately following its theatrical premiere on March 31, the producers of To Catch a Dollar launched a text-to-give campaign to raise funds for a future Grameen America branch. By texting ‘AMERICA’ to 85944, the public will give a $10 donation to Grameen America and in a unique online selection process, users are simultaneously choosing from four candidate cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Using their Facebook accounts, voters will be able to vote once per week for the life of the contest.

To Catch A Dollar is an independent documentary owned and funded by the director Gayle Ferraro of Aerial Productions.  For more information go to www.aerialproductions.com or contact gayle@aerial-productions.com

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

   

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