To help individuals find that place and to give them the tools to cultivate the creativity, most of us should look to these five basic items.  Being aware of these throughout your day will help bring about the creative mind that is in all of us.

1.  Stay Focused

Creativity needs focus, especially if that creativity is for a solution to a problem.  To do that you need to clearly define the problem to begin with.  No solution is possible if the focus is not clear.

2.  Continue to Build Relationships

It is amazing how keeping up relationships with others expand our mind and exposes us to others who are creative.  Stimulation from those relationships can spark new ideas and insight to what others have experienced.  Makes sure that the relationships that you are building for creative awareness is not because of an obligation or for the purpose of convenience.  They need to be free and easy relationships that nurture the creativity.

3.  Creativity Needs Energy

There is no creativity when your body and mind are exhausted.  If you spend your day at full throttle you will find you have no energy at the end of it.  Most of us are pretty good at managing our time; learn how to manage your energy so that you have some for your creativity.

4.  High Quality Stimuli

In this world of junk food for the mind there is no challenge for creativity.  Between YouTube and badly produced reality shows, most of our minds are turning to mush.  If you are looking for the creative mind you need to feed it with high quality stimuli.  Read something from the great works minds of our times.  Challenge yourself in what you are exposed to with your entertainment. 

5.  Create Time to be Creative

For many of us, time spent is usually used trying to find a more efficient way of getting something done.  However, if you take the time to find the most effective way of getting something accomplished you will tend to focus more on finding a creative way of solving your problems.  Take your time and instead of spending it clearing out your emails, use it to be think creatively and look for effectiveness rather than efficiency. 

I have taken a bashing for many years as an openly confessed Los Angeles Clippers fan.  My few spots of joy have been the occasion when my beloved Clippers actually found a way to squeeze out a win, especially against their cross town rivals the Lakers.  However, those moments of ecstatic joy for a Clipper team that continued to languish in the bottom of the standings was taking a toll on my own self-esteem. 

You see, I’m of the belief that you pick a team and you stay loyal.  You cheer during the ups and the downs and you never jump off the bandwagon just because your team is having a tough year.  I’m probably the poster child for picking the teams that struggle to win it all.  I’m a St. Louis Rams fan (used to see them when they were in Los Angeles), a Los Angeles Angels fan, and an Anaheim Ducks fan.  As you can see, these teams have won, but are not very often which can try a man’s patience and fortitude. 

I’m also the kind of guy who believes in the underdog in a situation.  The Clippers have been the underdog in more seasons that I care to admit.  The blockbuster deal involving Chris Paul now puts the Clippers into another league, a league of potential winners who could see more winning than I’m used to.  If the Chris Paul, Blake Griffin combination with all the other players can do what many in the media have claimed they are capable of, watch out.  Then again, if the Clippers get that good, I might actually get to cheer on a team who isn’t the underdog.

As a Southern California native and one who has lived all his life in Orange County in the shadow of the Los Angeles Angels and their ‘Big A’, I am thrilled over their recent acquisitions. The addition of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson has made this life-long Angel fan giddy with excitement. Having both Albert and C.J. joining the Angels just weeks before Christmas makes it feel like and early present for those of us who have been waiting since 2001 for another World Series Championship.

Was Albert Pujols Worth $250 Million?
Many of those in the sports world will look at the huge $250 million over ten years contract and wonder what Arte Moreno, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels was thinking? Add to that the salary of ace pitcher C.J. Wilson of $77 million over the next five years and your see a very inflated team salary. I think there are a couple of answers as to why the Angeles decided to pull the trigger on both of these blockbuster deals. The first being that the Los Angeles Angels have been the bridesmaid and not the bride in many high profile baseball players in recent years. Their lack of success in landing names like Adrian Gonzales (Boston), Mark Teixeira (Yankees), Carl Crawford (Boston) and pitching ace CC Sabathia (Yankees) has kept them from gaining the momentum they have needed in the last couple of seasons to win the American League West title.

The Los Angeles Angels Marketing Machine
We can also look at the marketing genius that Arte Moreno and his staff are. The Los Angeles Angels owner made his fortune with outdoor advertising and understands the Southern California market. There is a very large Hispanic population in not only Orange County, but in Los Angeles and Riverside counties, huge draws for the Angel baseball team. Albert Pujols is a native from the Dominican Republic as is a former Los Angeles Angels fan favorite Vladimar Guerroro. The marketing team under Arte Moreno I am sure has already factored the Hispanic population into their equations when offering Albert that $225 million. The thought is that it probably won’t take long for the Angels to make that salary back.

C.J. Wilson Gives the Los Angeles Angels More Weapons
The addition of C.J. Wilson, a successful pitcher coming from the Texas Rangers to fill out a rotation that includes proven ace’s Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana just puts icing on the cake. This is a homecoming of sorts for C.J. Wilson, who has proven himself a winner and is a local talent who grew up and went to school near Anaheim Stadium.

It is All About Winning
For a fan of the Los Angeles Angels this is nothing short of dream come true. Both the Angels and Albert Pujols along with C.J. Wilson make this a win-win situation for all concerned. Both bring a winning attitude to the Angel organization and puts on notice to the rest of the American League that the Los Angeles Angels are all in and going for it.

Over the month of December you will probably be invited to more social parties than you will for the other eleven months.  The holidays usually bring with them stress and being invited to the company Christmas party or holiday celebration can add to that stress.  Many of us face questions like, what should I wear, how should act, and what should I bring?  The following tips can help you navigate these tricky questions and let you enjoy the holiday season.

1.     How to Dress for the Holiday Party

Any social gathering during the holiday season should be treated as special.  Everyone should dress up a little more during the Christmas season.  Men should wear either dress jeans or slacks and a long sleeve shirt.  Take it up a notch and put on a sport jacket to impress the crowd.  If this is a suit event, make sure it is a dark suit with either a solid shirt or small patterned shirt and tie.  Women should love this time of year as this is their opportunity to glitter and shine.  Look for bright colors, dangling earrings, and beautiful shoes to complete the evening.  Remember that modesty is important at a business Christmas party and you should not take out the really short and low cut dress for these occasions.

2.      Uninvited Guests Need Not Apply

It is just bad taste to bring along an uninvited guest unless you have cleared it with the host or hostess.  Nothing is worse than a host having to make room for another person who they didn’t expect.  Uninvited guests also include children.  If the invitation does not include children, chances are the host is looking for an adult only party.

3.      Gifts for the Hostess

If you are not asked to bring a food dish to the Christmas party, bring a gift for the hostess.  Many of us bring a nice bottle of wine; however, note cards, special vinegars and oils, or chocolates make for nice hostess gifts.

4.      A Gift for the Boss or Co-workers

Usually buying a gift for the boss is not necessary and probably will make you look like your kissing up to them.  Gifts for co-workers can be tricky as well.  Feelings can be hurt if someone gets a gift and someone does not.  If you do choose to give a gift, try to be discrete when giving it.  Remember to be gracious and don’t feel that you need to apologize if someone gives you a gift and you didn’t reciprocate.  Say thank you and remember to get them a gift next year.

5.      Christmas Parties are Made for Mingling

Many times at the business Christmas party you will find yourself not knowing a lot of people.  However, it is important to be gracious and mingle with them.  Approach groups of people and introduce yourself to them.  Be gracious and include yourself into the conversation without intruding on it. 

6.      Goodbye is Such Sweet Sorrow   

As the guest at the party, be gracious in your good bye.  Your host and hostess are probably very busy with other guests leaving so take very little of their time and quickly thank them for a wonderful evening. 

Nothing like adding a little more cheer to your Christmas spirit by throwing another tax on the American people.  In a time when many people are having a tough time making ends meet, adding a tax on the Christmas spirit is going a little too far. 

The Agriculture Department under President Obama’s Administration has announced that they will be instituting a 15-cent tax on all fresh Christmas trees this year.  The reason for the Christmas Tree Tax is to financially help support a new Federal program to improve the image of the iconic Christmas Tree. 

The Secretary of Agriculture will be appointing a Christmas Tree Promotion Board it was announced November 8, 2011.  The purpose of the Board will be to start a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expand existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry.” 

Of course the catch is how to pay for this promotion program for Christmas trees when Federal monies are being cut left and right?  Impose a tax of course.  A 15-cent tax will be imposed on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers that sell more than 500 trees a year.  That tax will probably be passed on to the consumer from the Christmas trees seller. 

What many find interesting is that Agriculture department is adamantly denying that this is NOT a tax because it does not provide revenue for the Federal government.  However, it is the Federal government that is imposing this 15-cent per tree be paid by the Christmas tree seller whether they want to or not.  On top of that, the Federal government uses that 15-cent fee to pay for a program directed by a department within its Administration to use as payment towards a program to improve the marketing of Christmas trees.   

Considering that we are in a very stagnant economy right now and over nine percent of Americans are out of work, is this the brightest idea for the Obama Administration to impose right now?  Personally, I think the Christmas tree has a great marketing image without the help of the Federal government.  If we are not careful, Hanukah Menorahs and Kwanzza Kinaras will be taxed by the Federal government.

Most experts will tell you that if you want your child to have a fun and safe Halloween, you need to make sure they understand the dangers.  Parents need to understand that Halloween can have several affects on different children.   Some children see Halloween as a time to be on their own and out with friends.   Others see Halloween as a scary holiday.  Every new parent to Halloween should look over the following tips that can help them understand what your child is feeling during the Halloween season.   In doing so you can help to make sure they have a fun time while still being safe.

1.  Teach Your Child About Halloween

Many times your child will have gotten their Halloween information from friends or from school.  However, as a parent it is important to discuss with your child what Halloween and the traditions of the season are. Talk with them about why children and adults dress up in costumes for Halloween.  Take your child to a Halloween costume store so that they can see the different types of makeup, fake blood, scary masks, and monster costumes.  By doing this you help your child to understand that what they may see on Halloween night is fake and just for the fun of it.

2.  Never Allow Your Child to Trick or Treat Alone

If your school-aged child is still young enough to go trick or treating they are still too young to venture out alone.   Trick or treating without mom or dad in tow is just not a safe thing to do these days.  If your child argues, tell them they may go with another child’s parent who is watching over the group of kids out on Halloween night.   Make sure to thank the other parent for doing this chore and that you will take over the duties the next Halloween.

3.  Halloween Candy Needs Inspection

I know my kids could hardly wait to get through the door and dive right into the cache of Halloween goodies that they had acquired through trick or treating. As tempting as it is to let them dive in, you need to set some rules before they start gobbling up their goodies. Let them know that they can’t eat any candy until trick or treating is over and your back home.  All packages that have are open need to be thrown out for your child’s safety. The last one is to try to keep your kids from eating too much candy.  The sugar rush from eating too much will make them grouchy and irritable just before bedtime.

4.  Talk to Your Child About Their Halloween Experience

When the Halloween evening has settled down and the excitement of scary masks and trick or treating is over, take some time and talk with them about their experiences. What was it that they liked or didn’t like during trick or treating? You might find that your little ones were more anxious about the images that Halloween offers up. Visions of scary costumes, haunted houses, and fake blood can give some children nightmares. If that is the case, this is the time to help your child talk through that anxiety.  Give them the peace of mind that Halloween can be a fun time and not a scary experience.

As any child will tell you losing track of your stuff is easy to do.  Most adults fall into that category as well.  How many of us have set down our cell phone or car keys and haven’t been able to locate them again.  Fortunately for you we have come up with some great ways to help you keep track of your stuff and stay organized in the process:

1.  Don’t Lose the Paper Trail

This usually means keeping the receipts to where ever you have traveled.  This paper trail will help you track down any device you may have lost.  If you eat at a restaurant, take a cab, or grab a cup of coffee somewhere, always ask for the receipt.  If you sat your keys down at the local Starbucks, you may only be a phone call away from tracking them down.  Many receipts have the name of the server who waited on you.  That name could be important as they could remember serving you and help your retrieve your lost item.

2.  Learn to Label Everything

In this day in age, many of us have a tough time believing that people are honest.  However, law enforcement experts all agree that a labeled item with your name and phone number have a great chance of being returned to you.  Address labels either printed by you and or professional asset tags will work great.  By giving someone the benefit of the doubt, most people will try to return your items, especially if you have made it easy for them by labeling your stuff.

3.  Make Things a Habit

If you are not a creature of habit, become one.  Those people, who do the same thing or put their stuff in the same place every time, will notice if it is not there.  For example, if you always put your car keys in your left pants pocket, you are more likely to notice them missing if you leave the house.  Make it a habit to know which pockets you put your cell phone, wallet, keys or other essential items.  You will be less likely to leave them behind the next time. 

4.  It is All About Being Flashy

For example, your iPhone is going to look like everybody else’s iPhone.  Chances are that if you leave it on a table at a cafe, you will not notice it.  Consider covering your iPhone with a flashy case cover.  It doesn’t have to be bright pink (unless you like that) but something that catches the eye.  Giving your iPhone that maximum visibility might be a little embarrassing, but you probably won’t forget your iPhone when you get up to leave.

As summer turns to fall the minds of all kids and their parents begin to turn to getting back into the school routine.  This is also the time where the added stress of new schedules, homework, extracurricular sports, and other family functions begin to take their toll on parents and kids alike.  Things can get very hectic in a very short time if not managed well.  We have put together 7 tips to help parents find the balance they need when it comes to school, work, life and family.

1.      Beat Stress by Getting Organized

The number one reason most parents get stressed when their kids head back to school is because the family is not well organized for it.  Some quick solutions to help you and your family stay organized is to buy a calendar and keep it up to date with your activities.  Use the calendar to schedule daily dinner menus, chore lists, and upcoming events to help you stay organized.

2.      Remember Your Priorities

Recognize what is the most important to you at home and at work and make sure everyone understands what they are.  If need be, set goals with your family on what activities are most important and get them involved in making sure those goals are achieved.

 3.      Evaluate Your Values

Stress comes from not understanding the difference between values and priorities.  A parent’s tasks don’t always fall into something of value and becomes just a priority; however, you will feel out of balance if some tasks are not taking your values into consideration. 

 4.      Do a Favor, Get a Favor

With the hustle and bustle of school kids, learning to pay it forward can be a stress reliever.  Do favors for other mom’s long before you need a favor from them.  Volunteer to drive someone else’s kids if your kids are going to the same place.  Doing the favor first sets the tone for other parents to do the same for you.

 5.      Hire Some Help

You can’t be super-parent and do it all; however, you can hire help inexpensively.  Look into hiring some high-school students to help with your kids’ homework.  Retirees are great to help out and give you an extra set of hands.  All of these are cheap ways to relieve your stress of trying to do it all.

 6.      Keep in Touch with the Family

Schedule some time with the whole family to talk about issues you or they may have.  Deal with responsibilities and delegate chores as well as taking this time to update the calendar for upcoming activities.

 7.      Get Some Exercise

Nothing relieves stress better than good old exercise.  Make it a priority in not only your life, but your kids as well.  Bike ride together or take family hikes.  Exercising helps to increase your energy and gives you that leg up you will need when the school schedule starts to get crazy.

***Remember, stress just goes with the territory of being a parent of school aged kids.  When the stress gets a bit too much, look for reasons to laugh about the situations.  Not only will you feel better, but your kids will find the laughter contagious and they will have learned a lesson on stress busting.

Anyone traveling out to shop at a discount outlet mall will tell you that it is quite the adventure.  Outlet malls are huge shopping centers where brand name manufactures sell their clothing, shoes, apparel, jewelry and other items at discounted prices.  They are usually considered by the brand store as last year’s fashion or overstock from their retail stores.  Many of them include stores such as Nike, Anne Taylor, Levis Strauss, Coach, The Gap, Old Navy  and many others. 

Discount outlet malls have grown in popularity as it seems that there has been a rise in demand for brand named goods.  However, are customers really saving substantial money when they are shopping at these discount outlet malls?  The answer maybe not where you shop, but how you shop.

Why Outlet Malls Seem Like Good Deals

A huge reason that outlet malls seem to be a shopping deal is because of where they are located.  Outlet malls are built out in remote areas where the land is cheaper.  Building in remote areas makes the discount outlet malls more convenient to several cities.  The outlet malls also need to be located far enough from their brand retail or department stores to make them unique. 

Outlet malls used to be the dumping ground for brand retailers to sell their overstocked or slightly damaged goods.  However, that has changed as name brand retailers manufacture their goods overseas and damaged or overrun goods rarely happen.  Therefore, most goods sold at outlet malls have been produced specifically for outlet malls.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that those products sold in outlet malls are as good as those purchased at the name brand retailers.  Many times the items are made of cotton not wool or detail stitching is lacking.     

Buyer Beware When Shopping at Outlet Malls

Discount outlet malls are known for their drastically reduced prices.  Strolling through an outlet mall you will find huge discount signs everywhere.  It’s not uncommon to see fifty or sixty percent off tags advertising huge discounts.  However, fifty to sixty percent off of what?  Many outlet malls stores will reference a product to be priced at $150; however, the product may have never sold for that amount anywhere.  The perceived discount is what the buyer at an outlet mall store will find valuable, not the actual savings.  Therefore, it is important that as a buyer that you know your products and the reference price of those name brand items.  Knowing that will give you a better realization of what discounts, if any you are getting from your outlet mall shopping.

It is getting routine to hear about security violations where personal information gets out.  One of the more common types of personal data we give online is our credit card information.  This in turn ends up as credit card fraud when hackers get a hold of that information.  However, online purchases will continue to be made and there needs to be a way of limiting credit card fraud.  Currently there are three popular ways that the average consumer can continue to make online purchases and minimize the chances of credit card fraud.

1.  Try Online Payment Services

Online payment services have been growing and one of the larger services is from Google.  The Google Checkout service is a free to use and stores your credit card details and doesn’t share them with online merchants.  When an online vendor accepts the Google payment service you can make the purchase simply by clicking the Google Checkout button.  The other big name with online payment services is PayPal.  As with Google Checkout both options don’t charge you a fee to make that online purchase.  The safety of both sites is that if a unauthorized or fraudulent purchase is made you have 60 days to notify them for reimbursement.

2.  Use a Disposable Credit Card Number

Not only is it inconvenient to type in your 16 digit credit card number especially when you are making a purchase to an online merchant who you don’t know well.  The safer way to go and avoid credit card fraud is to us a disposable credit card number.  Many banks now offer temporary card numbers for online purchases.  These temporary credit card numbers and security codes are valid for that one online vendor you make your purchase with. 

3.  Purchase Using a Secure Credit Card

Though many credit card issuers off zero-liability with online purchases, having a secure credit card gives you that added layer of protection.  Secure credit cards require that you enter a predetermined password to complete the online purchase.  Not all issuers offer this service; however, if you are a frequent online buyer having a secure credit card could keep potential hackers from getting your information. 

Using any of the above suggestions should help keep credit card hackers at bay; however, as a consumer you should be checking your credit card accounts regularly.  With some care and effort, you may be able to stay one step ahead of credit card hackers and continue to enjoy shopping online.

Next month will be the tenth anniversary of the September 11^th  attacks and in reflection we all can see that traveling by air has forever been changed.  Now every air traveler knows that you can no longer say goodbye to your friends at the gate, now you’re x-rayed before getting near a plane and have your shampoo bottles get confiscated regularly. Full body scans  and personal pat-downs are the norm and all because we need to keep air travel safe.

With that ten year anniversary of those September 11^th  attacks just around the corner, will personal space, speed of boarding or just plain freedoms ever return to those who choose air travel?  Is there a balance in all those things and still keep a high safety standard for those who must use the airlines to travel?

Many of the experts have envisioned two different scenarios for the future of air travel safety.  One is that security checkpoints at most airports will be nearly bomb-proof and getting through security will be a breeze.  Another is that security will be even tighter than we have now and boarding a plane will be next to impossible.  Much of what direction we go will depend on what happens in the next few years.  The need for adequate electronic detection needs to be improved whether it is microchips in passports, software that recognizes faces, or fingerprint databases that are complete.  If technology doesn’t provide the adequate protection than human interaction will continue to be ever more invasive. 

Welcome to the full body cavity search.

The current debt crisis and the unstable stock market have many families wondering where they can invest their money, other than under the mattress.  Deciding where to invest your money all depends on your goals.  Some families look for safety in where they invest their money, others need to have quick access or better interest rates.  We have put together a few tips on where to invest your money for families looking at their short term finances.

Before You Begin Investing  Money

Before you start to invest your money, you should first think about reducing any debt you have.  Look at your unsecured debts like credit cards and get them paid off first.  Most financial experts will tell you that it makes no sense to invest in savings that pays you single digit interest while paying out double-digit interest on your credit cards.   

When You Need Safety for Your Money

With the current recession and debt crisis, many families are in dire need of safety for their money.  If that is the case, a plain old FDIC insured savings or money market account will do the trick.  Just remember to keep your investment below $250,000 as this is the maximum the FDIC will insure.  If your investment is more than that, then spread the money over several different banks and stay under the $250,000 limit.

Take advantage of the different websites out there that will compare yield rates at the different banks.  Shopping around could get you a better rate with safety for your money.  The important thing to remember is to make sure that the bank you are dealing with is FDIC insured. 

When You Need Quick Access to Your Money

Having your money accessible when you need it is essential for some savers.  Many money markets from mutual-fund companies or brokerage firms can give you that access.  Most of these funds invest in highly liquid securities such as CD’s, government debt and commercial paper.  If an emergency arises while invested in a mutual fund, you can usually write a check that is tied to that account. 

However, your money in market funds unlike banks and savings and loans are not FDIC insured.  However, since these are short maturities on the securities of these funds, they are relatively safe to invest. 

Looking for More Interest on Your Money

With more interest comes the opportunity to be exposed to a little bit more risk in your money.  Most families will only choose to take that risk if they plan to tie up their money on a short term.  One popular money strategy is to invest in either a no-load short-term bond fund or a bank loan fund.  Many mutual fund companies will sell both and some families will split their money into both types of funds.  Depending on the economy either fund could end up generating more interest on your money.

It has been a long time since my children were in daycare.  Both my wife and I were working and after crunching the numbers we decided that our daughters could benefit by attending preschool and daycare.  However, a good friend of mine recently found themselves in the position of having to find a preschool or daycare to take their child.  Her questions to me were valid and important when she asked me how we decided on the right daycare.  Where should you go?  What can you afford? Whom can you trust with your child?  Unfortunately, most parents just are not sure what they should be looking for or even where to start when it comes to finding the right day care.  I’ve put together ten tips that should help you navigate those questions and come up with some great answers on daycare and preschool for your child.

1.  Choosing Home Care or Preschool for Daycare

Deciding on either home care or preschool for your child will depend on the experience you want your child to have at day care.  Home care will provide your child with a more nurturing environment.  There will be a smaller number of children and less structure for your child.  A preschool will be often divided into smaller classes and offer your child more field trips and other educational opportunities.  You will have to decide on what type of experience you want your child to have.

2.  Trust Your First Impression on the Daycare

Use a word association on what you felt as you walked into the day care facility or home.  First impressions on a facility will tell you a lot about how well it is run.  If you got a happy or secure feeling, write it down and note it for later.  Chances are you will be visiting many day care homes and facilities and it is important to remember your first impressions.

3.  Your Child’s Daily Structure at Daycare

While visiting the day care, look to see what type of activities they have the children doing.  Are they allowed free, unrestricted play or is it a total structured day for the children?  Experts agree that the best day care situations are ones that incorporate both.

4.  Learn About the Meals at Daycare

Ask if meals are provided or do you need to provide a lunch and snack for your child.  If food is provided, ask to see the weekly menu and verify that it is balanced and nutritious.  Make sure there are plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat in the menu.  See where the meals are prepared and verify if they are pre-packaged or home cooked. 

5.  Nap Time at Daycare

You will find in most day care facilities that naptime is a policy.  This is a time where children will lie down and sleep during the day, usually sometime after lunch.  Will this disrupt your child’s nighttime routine or are you okay that they nap in the afternoon?

6.  Child to Teacher Ratio at Daycare

Many states have certain regulations concerning the ratio of day care teachers and children.  However, a good rule of thumb is at least one provider per six children.  If it is a home care facility then there should be at least two adults per child due to the limited space and facilities in a home.

7.  Other Children’s Attitudes at Daycare

A great way to judge a good day care facility is by watching the children interact with the teachers.  If the children are affectionate and comfortable approaching the teachers, then there is a positive learning environment at that day care.

8.  The Location of the Daycare

It is important to understand that the location of the day care can affect your child.  Is the location safe and can your child play outside?  Are there parks or other places to visit nearby? 

9.  The Cost of Daycare

Find out what the schedule is with the day care.  What time can you drop off and what time can you pick your child up at?  Make sure your work schedule will fit the day care schedule.  Ask what the fines are if you pick up your child after the scheduled time.  Ask about any holidays and days that they day care facility might be closed.

10.  Find Out What Your Child Thinks of Daycare

This might be the last tip on the list, but it is probably the most important.  Your child can help this big decision along.  Bring them along to the day care open house or interviews.  Look to see how they interact with the providers and other children.  Ask your child if they had fun and would they like to go back and play there again.  Those answers might be the confirmation you need to make a great decision on a great day care.

Good parenting is an art that is perfected over many years.  Ask any grandparent and they will tell you.  None of us gets great at it (except maybe Bill Cosby) and therefore we need as much time as possible to work at it.  With that said, I feel I’ve gotten pretty good at it through the years.  Raising three girls who are pretty much self-sufficient wasn’t always easy or pretty; however, it has been one hell of an adventure. 

Now, my girls have reached adulthood with the youngest turning eighteen a few months ago and graduating from high school.  All three have started their lives down paths that I’m sure will bring them great success.  But no matter how old they get, your parenting will continue.  Those opportunities for “teachable moments” might end up being fewer and farther apart, but they still happen.

My wife and I are looking forward to our empty nest as they all go off to careers and college.  I’ve half-heartily told each one that I’m changing the locks after they leave.  An empty threat that they know I’d never really carry out.  Actually truth be known, I look forward to those times that they do come looking for my advice.

I hope that as you continue keeping up with this journal you will find the occasional “nugget” of advice that will help you in your parenting adventure.  I truly believe that there is no better adventure than that of a parent raising your children.

 Hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…. 

With the advent of higher security and an economy that has beaten the airline industry up a bit, traveling by air has been very frustrating.  Long lines, frequent departure delays, crowded planes and sometimes rude airline staff are common occurrences, especially in those jam-packed summer months. 

On top of all that is the confusing way airlines charge customers to fly with them.  As with most summers, airline fares are rising and there is no end in sight.  Continued rising fuel charges as well as revenue made on the customer with baggage fees, paying extra for meals and other miscellaneous charges.  However, if you are looking to save some money on your next airline flight take these tips into consideration:

1.      Book Your Airline Reservation Early

Most experts will tell you that the earlier you book your airline flight, the lower the rates will be.  Another reason to book early is that you will have more choices in the dates and times you want as well as a chance at the best seats in the plane.

2.     Make Sure to Use Your Miles

Your reward miles are a great way to save money when flying; however, it is important to book your airline flight early when you are using credit card rewards or making use of your frequent flyer miles program.  Airlines and credit card programs often change and can result in not getting the lower price or the flight you want.

 3.  Be Open to Various Airline Schedules

If you want to save money on airline tickets you need to keep your schedule flexible.  Being opened minded about when and where you go on a flight can save you tons.  This is especially true if you’re booking a flight last-minute on an online airline website.

4.   Consider Flying Overnight

Money can be saved if you choose to fly the “red-eye” flights rather than during the day.  Many travelers prefer flying in the evening to arrive at their destinations the next morning.  Most of the major airlines usually reduce the airfares on their overnight flights.

5.  Best Days to Fly

You will find the cheaper flights in the midweek, especially Tuesday or Wednesday.  Flights on Mondays and Fridays are usually the most expensive when travelers are heading out to their destinations; however, sometimes flights are cheaper on Saturday when most people have already reached their destinations.