Will We Have to Continue Sacrificing Safety for Personal Freedom in Airline Travel?
Next month will be the tenth anniversary of the September 11th 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 11th 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.
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Where to Invest Your Money During The Debt Crisis
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.
10 Tips to Help You Choose a Good Daycare Provider
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.
There is No Escape to Parenting, No Matter How Hard You Try
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 s
till 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….
Tips to Help Save More Money With Air Travel Deals
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.
