All We Need

Myths about keeping an aquarium

2012-01-08T18:42:00.001-05:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/home-garden/Myths-about-keeping-an-aquarium/articleshow/9966254.cms

Keeping fish in aquariums is a hobby which is quite common. People are often very apprehensive about keeping fish and having an aquarium.

In fact there are myths surrounding this hobby and believing in these can ruin your interest in this wonderful hobby.

The few myths that will be busted are as follows

Maintaining a fish tank is very expensive - This is absolutely untrue. In fact the bigger the aquarium, the easier it is to maintain. Fresh water fish are very easy to maintain and cost effective. The fresh water fish are hardy and can easily adapt to new surroundings. The only possible expenses that come with maintaining a basic fresh water tank is the fish food, filtration and sufficient lighting. These costs are low and maintaining the aquarium becomes easier with these infrastructure.

The water in the tank has to be changed everyday - This is dangerously wrong and following this can actually kill your fish. The thumb rule is to never change the water completely. Water change ideally should be only 10-20 per cent every week. If you have a filtration system, then even a month's gap can be managed before changing 30-50 per cent water. The bacteria in the water helps the fish survive and changing the water completely may be harmful.

Catfish aka Sucker fish keeps the tank clean- Catfish are not hunters. They do not eat the feces of fish. It is actually unhealthy for any fish to do so. If there is algae, it needs to be scrubbed out. No fish can keep your tank clear and clean. It is highly unlikely that a catfish will keep your tank clean.

Small tanks should be for beginners- False. If you are starting out with this hobby, never go in for a small tank. Small tanks are very difficult to maintain. Big tanks are very easy to maintain and the mortality rate of the fish are also low. Keeping fish (especially Goldfish) in a fish bowl is a very bad idea. The fish have very little space to move around and can die easily.

Over-populating your tank is harmful- This is sadly, another myth. Fish need sufficient oxygen to breath, or they can suffocate in the tank. They also need to have their waste diluted and processed before they poison themselves with it. A fixed amount of water has a fixed capacity to handle these two requirements and only water change periodically is good enough for your tank.

Destroying the natural environment - Fish that are sold in aquarium pet shops are bred in captivity. These fish cannot survive in the natural surroundings and putting the fish back into the lake or river can actually spoil the ecosystem. These fish cannot survive in a natural environment where they have to scavenge for food or hide from other predators

Having a healthy fish tank is easy. All it needs is water change once or twice a month. Fishes are happier and stay healthy that way. If the water conditions are good, nothing more is needed.

Best Cruise 2012

2012-01-05T19:42:00.000-05:00

Ref:http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/top-10-cruise-itineraries-in-2012-.html

If you have your eye on the high seas this year, you’re not alone: Some 20.3 million cruisers are forecasted to take a cruise vacation in 2012 (according to the industry analyst folks at Cruise Market Watch), and with the boatloads of new offerings, it’s evident that today’s cruise base has far surpassed the newlywed and nearly dead. So skip out on the cookie-cutter cruises and sail into new horizons instead, courtesy of one of these innovative cruise itineraries.

Sea Voyager Expeditions (courtesy of Sea Voyager Expeditions)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Adventure Seekers

A brand-new cruise line for 2012, Sea Voyager Expeditions is striving to carve a niche for itself by offering expedition sailings to some of Latin America’s hottest ecotourism destinations. Sea Voyager’s first sailings are slated to roll out in April with robust offerings in fauna- and wildlife-rich destinations in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador on the roster. We’re particularly keen on the "Cartagena, Colombia, to Balboa, Panama, with Panama Canal Crossing" itinerary aboard the 60-passenger M/V Sea Voyager, leaving from the UNESCO World Heritage colonial city of Cartagena, Colombia, and taking in prime hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming stops in off-the-path Colombian ports, including Tayrona National Park, the San Bernardo Islands, and Isla Fuerte, as well as the San Blas Islands in Panama, before transiting the Panama Canal.

Why They Will Love It: Flexible itineraries – amendable based on guests’ whims – focus on areas of raw wilderness, off-the-path villages, and indigenous peoples. Each sailing is accompanied by experienced naturalists and guides who lead excursions like rain forest hiking, kayaking in hidden bays, bird-watching, snorkeling, and more. In the above-mentioned cruise itinerary, guest can expect encounters with the Kuna Yala tribe of the San Blas Islands, and may also have the opportunity (time and weather permitting) to experience part of the Panama Canal crossing in a zodiac, while in Gatun Lake.

More Info: A 9-night sailing is scheduled on August 31 from Cartagena; from $2,620 per person for early bookings; www.seavoyagerexpeditions.com.

Star Flyer (courtesy of Star Clippers)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Culture Vultures

Sailing between the European cultural capitals that line the Baltic Sea is certainly nothing new, but come May, doing so by a tall sailing ship (à la the Vikings), via Star Clippers’ new Baltic cruise itineraries, will be possible on the line’s 170-passenger Star Flyer. While numerous cruise itineraries are scheduled, we particularly like the three back-to-back 10- to 11-night Sweden, Russia, and Finland offerings, scheduled to sail round-trip from museum-packed Stockholm, taking in the UNESCO world heritage site of Tallinn, Estonia; culturally saturated St. Petersburg; and design-savvy Helsinki, Finland; as well as less-trodden stops in the medieval walled island city of Visby in Sweden or the ports of Hanko and Mariehamn in Finland.

Why They Will Love It: Experience a mix of the Baltic Sea’s most popular bordering cities, alongside smaller, less-visited ports bursting with their own cultural lures. Be immersed in the best of the Baltic lands of the Vikings and the Eastern Empire of the Tsars, thanks to the cruise line’s signature extended port stays, allowing visitors extra time for ogling the oeuvres at the museum or savoring local cuisine.

More Info: The 10- to 11-night Sweden, Russia, and Finland itineraries cited above embark June 30, July 10, or July 21; from $3,398 per person; www.starclippers.com.

Disney Fantasy (courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Families

Making her maiden voyage in March, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy, will replicate many of the features of her heralded sister ship, the Disney Dream (like the AquaDuck – the first water coaster at sea). But Fantasy will one-up the whimsy and creativity of the Disney cruise experience with new pool deck features, elaborate stage shows, and ship-wide interactive, state-of-the-art technology. The boat will sail Caribbean itineraries, primarily alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel) ports, with a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Why They Will Love It: Expect high-tech, family-friendly entertainment, like a Muppets-inspired adventure game and an animation-themed dinner show. Kids will go gaga for the 1,800-square-foot AquaLab water play area, equipped with an assortment of jets, geysers, and bubblers, while parents can seek out serenity at the adults-only Satellite Falls splash pool on the deck above, rounded out by an evening in Europa, an 18-and-over entertainment district. Plus, plan on family-friendly Caribbean excursions like stingray snorkeling and dolphin swims, and of course, lots of time spent frolicking on the beach.

More Info: Year-round 7-night sailings depart from Port Canaveral, Florida (just a stone’s throw from Walt Disney World); from $959 per person; www.disneycruise.com.

Riviera (courtesy of Oceania Cruises)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Foodies

Upscale Oceania Cruises’ 1,250-passenger Riviera – launching in April 2012 – is poised to raise the bar on the epicurean experience at sea, following in the footsteps of sister ship Marina, the first purpose-built vessel dedicated to a culinary-minded clientele. Slated for a series of Mediterranean sailings through fall, before repositioning to the Caribbean for winter, we’re particularly keen on October’s 10-night “Bon Appétit Wine & Food Festival” sailing from Athens to Rome, with port calls in Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and Monaco. The themed cruise itinerary (a first for the line in 2012) will welcome aboard a panel of notable chefs, wine experts, and editors from Bon Appétit magazine.

Why They Will Love It: Riviera boasts 10 dining venues (eight of which are inclusive, including a French bistro by Chef Jacques Pépin, a steakhouse, an Asian-inspired eatery, and more) – a staggering number for a ship of its size. Oenophiles won’t want to miss the private-dining option at La Reserve by Wine Spectator, where Wine Spectator editors pair premium vintages with seven-course dinners. Plus, cruisers can hone their own kitchen skills in the hands-on Bon Appétit Culinary Center, and tack on extras like chef-accompanied visits to in-port markets.

More Info: The Riviera offers assorted 10 to 15-night itineraries in the Mediterranean (April to November) and Caribbean (November and December) in 2012; from $1,999 per person, or $3,049 per person for the “Bon Appétit Wine & Food Festival” sailing on October 14; www.oceaniacruises.com.

Deep Ocean Expeditions (courtesy of Deep Ocean Expeditions)
Best Cruise Itinerary for History Buffs

With the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking approaching in April, a duo of savvy cruise operators are catering to history buffs with adventurous spirits (a big pocketbook doesn’t hurt either). Deep Ocean Expeditions takes up to 30 clients out on two-week expeditions aboard the R/V Keldysh (a vessel chartered from an oceanographic institute) to the site of the Titanic wreck, set about 380 miles off Newfoundland’s coast. A staggering $59,680 pays the cruise fare, which includes an 8- to 10-hour dive to the shipwreck site in a 7-foot-wide Russian Mir submersible, designed for three passengers. For a less extreme cruise option, the Titanic Memorial Cruise is offering two sailings on chartered ships: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ 1,309-passenger Balmoral, which will trace the Titanic’s original intended route from England to NYC, or the 694-passenger Azamara Journey, slated to travel round-trip from NYC, with a stop in Halifax.

Why They Will Love It: Memorials above the ship’s wreck site on April 15 are planned on both Titanic Memorial Cruise itineraries. All three voyages will be steeped in Titanic history, with a rich roster of onboard lecturers and historians, wreck experts, authors, and relatives of Titanic survivors expected to attend.

More Info: Deep Ocean Expeditions’ 12-night expeditions leave from St. John’s Newfoundland, on July 1 (sold out), July 13 (sold out), July 26, or August 8; from $59,680 per person; www.deepoceanexpeditions.com.

The Balmoral’s 12-night memorial cruise embarks from Southampton, England, on April 8; rates from $4,018 (currently wait list only). Or, try the 8-night sailing from NYC on the Azamara Journey on April 10; from $4,900 per person; www.titanicmemorialcruise.com.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Nature Enthusiasts

Venture to the farthest reaches of the wilds of Russia, courtesy of this first-time offering from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Cruisers can set sail to circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk (on the far eastern fringes of Russia) in style, aboard a rare 5-star expedition ship, the 184-passenger MS Hanseatic. Excursion highlights include zodiac runs to the tiny unpopulated (unless you count the fur seals and sea lions) islands of Iony and Tyuleny, and the wildlife-rich Shantar and Malminskie Islands; hiking across the grassland tundra of Talan Island, of Taran Point on the Koni Peninsula, or of the Yamskiye Islands; and brown bear viewing on a zodiac ride from Cape Utholoskiy.

Why They Will Love It: The itinerary presents a dizzying array of pristine landscapes, defined by volcanoes, coniferous forest-blanketed mountains, tundra, glaciers, and geysers, all comprising natural sanctuaries for songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters, brown bears, and more.

More Info: The 16-night expedition embarks on June 13 from Otaru, near Sapporo, Japan; from $10,810 per person; www.hl-cruises.com.

American Queen (courtesy of Great American Steamboat Company)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Nostalgia Lovers

This year marks the return of the fabled Mississippi River cruise, following a multi-year hiatus. April will see the launch of the Great American Steamboat Company’s 436-guest American Queen, billed as the largest and most lavish paddlewheel steamboat ever built, with a savory Southern-inspired menu helmed by top Mississippi chef Regina Charboneau: Sign up for one of the inaugural April sailings showcasing the New Orleans Jazz All-Stars, plucked straight from the Big Easy’s jazz scene. Or, look to American Cruise Lines’ 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi debut come August: With spacious staterooms, private balconies, and festive lounges headlined by Dixieland bands or Mark Twain impersonators, ACL scores points for its themed cruise itineraries, anchored on the Civil War and Mark Twain. Both cruise lines will operate the breadth of the Mississippi River System, leaning heavily toward port calls in Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

Why They Will Love It: Cruisers can celebrate a slice of Americana with timeless voyages along the legendary rivers of the American heartland, bolstered by Southern-inspired hospitality, cuisine, and entertainment, as well as history- and culture-rich ports.

More Info: The Great American Steamboat Company offer 3- to 10-night sailings year-round; from $995/person; www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com.

American Cruise Lines operates 7- to 14-night sailings come August (and continues on year-round, with a break in January and February); from $3,995 per person; www.americancruiselines.com.

Avalon Angkor (courtesy of Avalon Waterways)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Off-the-Path Explorers

Top-of-the-line river cruise operator Avalon Waterways is not only launching an intimate new luxury vessel in the coming year, but is also set to debut the first-ever Mekong River cruise itinerary between Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The colonial-inspired 32-passenger Avalon Angkor was custom-built by traditional craftsmen just for the job, featuring only 16 spacious staterooms, complete with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and balconies. Explore lesser-visited villages in Vietnam (Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc) and Cambodia (like Prek Bang Kong, Angkor Ban, Udong), passing by floating markets, temple complexes, and pastoral rice paddy-pocked landscapes en route.

Why They Will Love It: The “Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River” itinerary will mark the first time that cruisers will be able to transit this particular route nearly year-round – eliminating some seven hours of previously required land transfer time for travelers. Explore virtually untouched-by-tourism villages of Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as more popular draws like the ancient ruins at Siem Reap and the cultural and historical cities of Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City.

More Info: The 14-night vacation (broken down into seven nights by cruise and seven nights on land) embarks on select dates starting in September (and continues on year-round, with a hiatus in April and May), between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap (with an air transfer to Bangkok); from $3,459 per person; www.avalonwaterways.com.

Crystal Symphony (courtesy of Crystal Cruises)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Partiers

If attending Rio’s revelrous Carnival tops your bucket list, Crystal Cruises’ brand-new “Samba Serenade” itinerary is just the ticket to get you there with flair. The route will boast five maiden calls in party-hearty Brazil (Buzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Santos/São Paulo, and Itajai), kicking off with an overnight stop in Rio during the height of the Carnival festivities. Get your fix for samba and over-the-top entertainment at the Carnival, before recouping onboard the 922-passenger Crystal Symphony, outfitted with a casino, smattering of watering holes, and a karaoke-prone nightclub. Find more good times hopping between the wineries of Montevideo, Uruguay; sexy beaches of Punta del Este, Uruguay; or taking tango lessons in Buenos Aires.

Why They Will Love It: The cruise line can custom-tailor your Carnival experience at Rio’s Sambadrome, from grandstand seating to luxury VIP sky box suites to even participating firsthand – yes, marching in the parade, fully costumed, embedded in one of samba schools! Plus, cruise fares include $500 in onboard spending credit, good towards (among other things) wine and spirits in Symphony’s lounges and nightclub.

More Info: Embark on the 12-night sailing on February 20 from Rio de Janeiro; from $6,040 per person for early bookings, including airfare; www.crystalcruises.com.

Windstar Cruises (courtesy of Windstar Cruises)
Best Cruise Itinerary for Romantics

The intimate, laid-back-luxury ships of Windstar – dreamy yachts outfitted with billowing white sails, and boasting a passenger capacity of no more than 312 – are in and of themselves the stuff that romantic fantasies are made of. Enter a brand-new 2012 “Islands of Italy” itinerary that couples classic Italian sites (Rome, Pompei) with exclusive and oft-overlooked Italian islands, where dramatic landscapes, spectacular sunsets, and lingering meals with endless glasses of wine combine for a recipe for romance like no other. All three ships in Windstar’s fleet will alternate running the itinerary, each set to showcase new finishes from the midst of an $18 million refurbishment.

Why They Will Love It: The “Islands of Italy” voyages bring couples to the lush volcanic island of Ischia, the largest in the bay of Naples; Lipari, boasting beaches, castles, and archaeological sites; the active volcanic island of Stromboli; and glamorous Porto Cervo on Sardinia, known for its bustling cafes and boutiques. Tack on a boat tour to storied Positano on the Amalfi Coast, via Sorrento, along with a dose of French flavor at Porto Vecchio, in Corsica.

More Info: Select 7-night sailings in April, August, and October embark from Rome; from $2,199 per person; www.windstarcruises.com

Your Man in India

2012-01-03T13:26:00.002-05:00

I heard this website from one of my friend and went thorugh the details at their website as below.

https://www.yourmaninindia.com/index.php

Looks like these guys are literally doing every thing in back home. What a wonderful idea and service.

I did not use the service but heard it is great.

It is really great initiative and i am pretty sure if it is reliable this is going to flourish well in future.

Chineese Astrology

2011-12-28T10:02:00.000-05:00

he Chinese mode of astrology that has twelve animal signs means interesting thing for different people. So, what's your sign saying?

We've seen them on placemats on restaurants or just adorning someone's wall, but there's much more to Chinese astrology and its signs than being a decorative element. Read on to know more....

First, find your sign here:

Rat 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008

Ox 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009

Tiger 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010

Rabbit 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011

Dragon 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012

Snake 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013

Horse 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014

Sheep 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015

Monkey 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016

Rooster 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017

Dog 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018

Pig 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019

The signs:

The Chinese Zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao are 12 animals, which represent the rotating 12-year cycle. They are the ox, rat, rabbit, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. People who are born under each sign are known to exhibit personality traits that are unique to that sign and funnily enough, with the animal itself! Many a time we've heard of how it's the 'Year of the Dog' or 'Year of the Rabbit' and how it's relevant to the astro chart.

Here are the main characteristics of people born in the year of the listed animals:

Rat:

These are smart and charming folk, quite the toast of the party! The Chinese zodiac sign also says those under this sign are funny and sharp too. They are known to harbour excellent tastes, be loyal pals and quite generous too. The downslide is, they can also be a little greedy when it comes to money matters.

Compatible with: Dragon or Monkey

Ox:

This is another influential Chinese zodiac sign. You'll find 'Ox' people to be very solid in their goals, steadfast and ambitious too. They are hard-working but can be a little stubborn and a tad serious. The flipside is these people have a tendency to feel introverted and lonely. They need to have their family and friend circle around them.

Compatible with: Snake or Rooster

Tiger:

Those born under this sign are energetic people, quite authoritative and with good leadership values. They can be relied upon, are very charming and are courageous too. But watch out, the 'Tiger person', can be a little moody and intense and may snap at you when you least expect it.

Compatible with: Horse or Dog

Rabbit:

Those under this sign can be warm and have very giving personalities. They just love being among family and friends and are quite compassionate towards others. Rabbit people are great hosts and take care to ensure their guests are well looked after. However, they can be too naive and that may bring them some trouble.

Compatible with: Goat or Pig

Dragon:

Quite a feisty, powerful sign, the Dragon person is highly individualistic, can make for charming and polite company. The person born under this star sign is almost always self-assured and can be a natural born leader, very adept at giving orders. The downside? These people like things to go their way and often do what is necessary to remain on top.

Compatible with: Monkey and rat

Snake:

The snake symbolises character traits of being intelligent, seductive and very analytical. Those born under this sign are also charming and good with money. They are excellent problem solvers and can find their way out of situations quite well. However, the Snake person can be a little insure and a little jealous.

Compatible with: Rooster or Ox

Horse:

The seventh of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac, the Horse signifies people who are carefree and enjoy traveling. They like to seek out their own avenues. The Horse person is energetic and has a lot of sex appeal. He or she loves entertaining and parties. The Horse person also has the gift of the gab but can be a little hot-headed and impatient.

Compatible with: Dog or Tiger

Goat:

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Goat love their own company. These are also artistic people, very creative in their outlook to life and love to be wanderers. They have a delicate charm and can be a little lazy too. These people can also be very emotional and insecure and they need a lot of reassurance.

Compatible with: Pig or Rabbit

Monkey:

The people born under this sign are total pranksters. They love to have fun and can brighten up the atmosphere anywhere. Monkey people are the center of attention at parties and social affairs and are quite energetic. The downside: They may break someone's heart quite easily and can be unreasonable and a little self-centred.

Compatible with: Rat or Dragon

Rooster:

The people under the sign of the Rooster are observant and can be very trusting and resourceful as well. A Rooster person loves attention and a little flattery will get him or her onto your side, instantly! Such a person may also be a little secretive about their relationships and hold his or her cards close to the sleeves.

Compatible with: Ox or Snake

Dog:

The Dog in Chinese astrology stands for honesty and faithfulness. Those born under this the sign can be loyal and speak their minds. However, the Dog person can also be prone to mood swings and can snap badly when things don't go his or her way.

Compatible with: Tiger or Horse

Pig:

Those born under this sign are nice natured, extremely well behaved and like to look at the good side to everything. They make for pleasant companions and are intelligent too. Pig people can also be naive, sincere and are knowledge seekers. Unfortunately, they are also a little possessive and jealous.

Compatible with: Rabbit or Goat

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/faith-and-ritual/Are-you-as-seductive-as-the-Snake/articleshow/10727523.cms?intenttarget=no

Some Money Savings Tips - Intresting Article from CNN

2011-12-08T14:00:00.002-05:00

Source: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/pf/1111/gallery.money_and_time_management.moneymag/index.html

Retirement:
Yes, you really can devise a smart savings plan for retirement in just a quarter of an hour. The potential reward is huge: A survey by banking giant HSBC found that people who have even a rudimentary plan for reaching retirement goals are ending up with up to three times as much money as those without one.

Step one: Figure out your monthly savings target by filling in basic info like your projected retirement age and current savings rate at T. Rowe Price's Retirement Income Calculator (troweprice.com). Time needed: five minutes.

Step two: Coming up short? Use the remaining 10 minutes to pump up your 401(k) contributions on your plan's website. If you can't put away as much as the calculator recommends, commit to automatically increasing the amount you're saving at the time of your raise; half of large employers offer this feature, according to Aon Hewitt.

Small change, big impact

Financial experts recommend saving at least 10% of income a year for retirement. Sound impossible? Increase your savings by just one percentage point a year until you get there and you'll hardly feel a pinch. Below you can see the difference over time, assuming you start with the average 7% contribution.

401(k) balance after 30 years on a $50,000 salary:

7% contribution: $685,700

Dialed-up contribution: $869,000

401(k) balance after 30 years on a $100,000 salary:

7% contribution: $1.4 million

Dialed-up contribution: $1.7 million

Savings:

Want to save money for a rainy day or a sunny vacation week but never have enough leftover cash to stash for these goals? Have the money taken directly from your paycheck, so you'll never miss it.

Only about 20% of workers split their paycheck among multiple accounts, though many employees with access to direct deposit can do so, reports electronic- payments industry group NACHA.The association found that those who take advantage save $90 more a month than those who don't.

How to do it: If you don't have dedicated savings accounts for each of your goals, set them up. Discover Bank (discoverbank.com) is a good option since it consistently pays higher-than-average rates, recently 1% a year.

Opening accounts online takes 10 minutes tops. Next contact your payroll department to see if you can split your paycheck; if so, figure on filling out a form, adding another five minutes. Not an option? Set up automatic transfers from your checking account so that the money is moved on payday.

Coupons:

You know that coupons can reduce the bite groceries and other household goods take out of your budget -- 25% of take-home pay for the average family -- but you can't spend hours perusing the Sunday circulars. Fortunately, there are apps for that. Download these:

Coupon Sherpa: Delivers coupons to your phone for in-store scanning (free for iPhone and Android).

CardStar: Stores your merchant loyalty cards on your phone, so you won't miss out on points or discounts (free for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone).

Backup

"The majority of Americans haven't included financial documents in their disaster plan," says Jim Judge, of the American Red Cross's Scientific Advisory Council.

Be prepared: Scan the paperwork below onto two CDs. Keep one at home and one in a safe deposit box.

* Driver's license and passport
* Social Security card
* Health insurance card
* Insurance policies
* Mortgage and other loan papers
* Property deeds
* Car title and registration
* Marriage license
* Your will
* Last year's tax return
* Bank and brokerage account numbers

Bills:

Today the average wireless customer pays $1,320 annually; cable customers shell out around $800.

BillShrink.com can help you reduce those costs. Fill out a quick worksheet -- your address, how much you pay, favorite channels, and so on -- and directly upload data from your phone account. The site will identify lower-cost providers based on your current usage and show you exactly how much you could save over two years.

Use the rest of the hour to cancel your current accounts

Stocks and Bonds:

Is anxiety about finding the perfect investment -- high growth potential! low risk! -- keeping you from making decisions about where to put your money? Don't let it.

Studies by the financial consulting firm Ibbotson Associates show that swings in your portfolio value are due more to your exposure to the stock market generally than the specific stocks, bonds, or mutual funds you pick.

How to do it: If you want to fine-tune the mix, check out CNNMoney's asset allocator tool.

Or, for a more hands-off approach, go for a target-date retirement fund from T. Rowe Price or Vanguard.These invest in a preset mix of stocks and bonds based on how far you are from retirement, and automatically grow more conservative as you near your quit date.

Cut the Clutter and Organize:

Invest a few hours in getting rid of the financial detritus that's filling your filing cabinet, and you'll take a psychic load off your shoulders, says therapist Debbie Stanley, author of "Organize Your Home in No Time."

The only stuff you need to keep (and how long to keep them):

Tax returns: Keep them forever.

Tax backup (receipts, W-2s, statements, etc.): Hang onto these for six years (the IRS has up to this amount of time to audit returns).

Pay stubs: Keep these until you get your W-2 in January.

Receipts for home improvements: Hold onto them for six years after you sell the home, for tax purposes.

Receipts for big-ticket purchases: Keep them for as long as you own the item, for warranty and insurance claims.

Year-end investment statements: Retain until six years after you sell, for proof of gains and losses for taxes.

Career Related:

Today 89% of firms use social media to find candidates, according to Jobvite.

Not seeking work? "The best time to create a digital footprint is before you're looking," says Miriam Salpeter, author of "Social Networking for Career Success." That way your next move can find you.

How to do it: If you're not yet on LinkedIn, the site most companies use to recruit, start by uploading your résumé. Include your entire job history, since profiles with multiple jobs are 12 times more likely to be viewed than those with one; add a photo, and your click-through rate increases by seven times.

Be sure to use keywords in your summary that are important in your industry (hint: check job ads to find them) so that you'll come up in searches.

Christmas Time Activities for Kids

2011-11-29T10:39:00.001-05:00

From: http://www.thegoodstuffguide.com/brilliant-family-christmas-countdown-tradition/

· Sip hot cocoa (with marshmallows, whipped topping and sprinkles) by the fire (one of my favorites!).
· Drive around and look at Christmas lights.
· Wear Santa hats and play a board game.
· Buy candy cane ice cream.
· Watch a Christmas movie.
· String popcorn.
· Put together a puzzle.
· Bake Christmas cookies (one night).
· Decorate cookies (next night).
· Sit by the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols.
· Go for a walk in freshly fallen snow.

· Tape candy canes and coins to outside of vending machines.
· Drop off toys to local toy drive.
· Take hot cocoa to your teachers today.
· Find an online organization and make a donation.
· Maybe we’ll go ring bells for Salvation Army.
· Maybe we’ll pay for the person’s order in the car behind us at the drive- thru.
· Maybe we’ll deliver treats to their daddy’s work. Or our local firemen.

Happy Moment!!!

2011-11-28T11:12:00.003-05:00

I really felt so happy when my cute little princess woke up today morning and wished me "Happy Birth Day".

She made me one cute little card with myself,wife and my daughter under a rainbow.

She made a note that "I am the Best Dad Buy Tia". I do not think i can buy this happiness with million dollars.

Before she go to school she came close to me and wished me again.

You are the Awesome Kid Manasa. We love you so much!!!!

Black Friday - Do not go Crazy

2011-11-25T15:54:00.002-05:00

This year's Black Friday deals are impressive: The coupon site Brad's Deals reports that at Best Buy, you can get a 42-inch LCD television for $200, a Blu-ray player for $40, and a Lenovo laptop for $180. But do those discounts really justify standing in line, in the cold, for hours on Thanksgiving evening, when you could be home watching a movie instead? (This year, many stores plan to open at midnight or earlier on Thanksgiving instead of in the early morning hours on Friday.)

Telling shoppers to avoid sales might sound hypocritical coming from someone who has reported on the best deals and discounts out there. But there are some very good reasons why you should turn and walk the other way rather than let yourself be sucked into holiday sale mania. Here are five of them:

Many discounts will continue long after Black Friday is over. While certain so-called "doorbusters" are available for a limited time only (and in limited quantities), many deals will continue throughout the holiday season. (And, in fact, some, such as free shipping at online stories, are often available throughout the year.)

The best deals are only available to a few people. Those doorbusters aren't available in endless supply, which is why people line up so early in the hopes of being among the lucky few to snag one. While stores vary in how many doorbusters they keep in stock, Best Buy's ad specifies that stores will sell a minimum of 10 Lenovos for $180, for example. Circulars featuring Black Friday ads often contain information on the number of doorbusters, which helps shoppers gauge how competitive the day will be.

When you do score a discount, it often just leads to more spending. If you've ever impulsively bought a muffin to go with your coffee, or surprised yourself by buying a whole new outfit when you meant to get only a shirt, then you will understand why research shows that shopping leads to more shopping.

Shopping can be broken into two phases, researchers say. In the first stage, people question whether they want to make a purchase. When they decide that the pros outweigh the cons, the "buying phase" takes over. "Once that happens, a roller coaster of shopping can begin," says Uzma Khan, assistant professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and one of the study's authors. The researchers call the phenomenon "shopping momentum."
Useful article from : http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-reasons-skip-black-friday-164603988.html

That means shopping sales can have the unintended consequence of leading to even more purchases, including ones that aren't on sale. Plus, many of the items that aren't doorbusters aren't even good deals, which is one reason shoppers should bring their smartphones and use them to compare prices on products before making purchases. (Certain apps, such as Pricegrabber's, make it easy to scan barcodes and see if a better deal is available elsewhere.)

Sales that get you to buy something you wouldn't have purchased otherwise are not good deals. It's just like the old joke: A woman brags to her husband about how much money she saved on a pair of shoes, and then he points out that she didn't save any money, she spent it, because she really doesn't need the shoes. The bottom line: Only take advantage of discounts when they're on items you would be purchasing anyway, even without the deal.

Frenzied buying almost never leads to smart shopping. One-day sales, midnight madness, and other sales techniques that spur quick decision-making tend to be disorienting and lead to over spending, says Kit Yarrow, consumer psychologist and author of coauthor of Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings Are Revolutionizing Retail. "They're training [consumers] to purchase even though they may not be ready," she says. "If people are buying for fear or anxiety that it won't be available, then they're less likely to make good purchasing decisions."

Here are some alternative ways to spend your Black Friday: Giving back or volunteering, eating turkey leftovers, and getting an early start on Christmas movies. Most of the discounts will still be there when you're ready to hit the stores.

Black Friday Craziness

2011-11-22T13:49:00.003-05:00

This year 2011, Soon after Halloween every one can observe all big retailer started preparing for thanks giving sale. Is't it too early? Or may be it is competition.

All businesses want to make maximum sale during these 2 months (November and December). I do not blame them. But i really felt this craziness is going wild.

I started seeing some retail stores wanted to open their stores on thanks giving night itself.

Every store has SALE. Every thing is on SALE.

I am really confused what to belive. This is going to be real test for consumer to do intensive research before they buy any thing which is going to on "SALE".

I wonder how stores can give that much discount on items now but not before?One thing is very clear there should be some logic behind all this extraordinary SALE event.

It is known to every one that no business man will sell his stuff for loss.

Only thing i can can think of with my small mind is as below.

For e.g if ABC TV which is priced at $500 originally on "SALE" during this time with 50% discount means either real value of the TV or price the merchant bought from distributor should be between $100-$150 and retailer projects it as $500 during non holiday times and give advertise for discount during holiday times to get rid of it.

In this case store still makes good profit (Shall we call this sale because he make less profit).

Who ever bought this TV before this SALE is a "looser" as he pays $500 for this $250 sale ITEM during holidays.

It looks like people should stop buying Expensive items January to October and only purchase during holiday seasons like Thanks Giving and Christmas so that they will be winners Group.

I am thinking too much. I will stop it here.

Travelling with Kids - Great Ideas

2011-11-17T13:39:00.001-05:00

I found these tips from below website and i thought they are really good.

http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2011/06/traveling-with-kids-she-nicole.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrSoSheSays+%28Or+so+she+says...%29

1. Have a Schedule. Set up a general schedule for watching dvd's, playing handheld video games, listening to books on cd, resting, stopping to eat, playing games, etc. Instead of just doing whatever, have specific times when you will do things. It gives the kid something to look toward.

2. Pack a Snack Bag. I have a specific bag with snacks in it. I give snacks according to the schedule, instead of just eating all day long. Each kid has their own water bottle in their cup holder. It has to last for four hours so we aren't stopping to potty every couple of miles. I read on a blog to choose snacks that take a while to eat: cheese packs that you dip sticks into, fruit roll-ups, candy necklaces. I also pack each child a mini-can of pringles and a regular bag of M&M's for special treats.

3. Pack an Activity Bag. In the bag have items for making on-the-road crafts and creations. A sheet of aluminum foil is fun for them to make a creation of their choice. Add some pipe cleaners. Paper sacks and markers are fun for making puppets. Then they have something to play with for a while. Dig through your drawers and pull out any activity pads, coloring books, etc., that have made their way to the bottom of the drawer and been forgotten. I read a cute idea of packing a lunch sack with a new dollar store toy, some stickers, paper, and a snack in the bottom .. a 'grab bag' of sorts. When boredom hits, give them a bag to play with the contents inside. I think this is what will contain the M&M's.

4. A Map. Give each child a map of your route, with a highlighter attached to it with string and tape, so that they can highlight as they go.

5. Money. Give each child $10 in $1 bills. Each time they ask "how much longer?" they lose a dollar. Whatever money they have when you arrive at the destination is theirs to spend on souvenirs.

6. Tried-and-True. Of course bring dvds. We go to the library and check out some videos we haven't seen yet. We have an inverter that allows us to plug things into it for power. So we take our Wii. The kids have got to where they don't play their DS games much at home, so they are always excited to play with them in the car. My kids are really into reading right now, so we checked out some books on cd. Each of my kids gets to fill a small Sterlite tub with a lid with small toys. They love little action figures and things and they will keep them busy for hours, especially Eli. And Kyndal burns us some cds of our favorite music to listen to.

7. The Travel Fairy. This is my favorite thing to do! Each time we stop to eat, I sneak a wrapped gift onto their car seat. When we get back in the car they see that the Travel Fairy has left them something special. It's usually something fun to do on the trip. One of my favorite things is a disposable camera. On this trip I will also give them some sand toys for their last gift, since we will be playing on the beach.

8. Organization. On our Yellowstone trip I bought each of the kids a back-of-the-seat organizer. It holds their handheld electronics, a pad of paper and some markers, their maps, their dollars and anything else they will need within reach. I carry Wal-mart plastic bags for trash, with one attached to the bottom of each organizer. The middle console has a travel container of baby wipes. Brynne has tummy aches that come on pretty fast, so I keep Maalox and a medicine dispenser in my driver's door in case she starts feeling poor.

We really try to drive for about four hours, then stop for a meal and time to stretch. Then go another four hours, then stop again for a meal and time to stretch. And so on. The trip to my parents' in Missouri is 4 hours. So, this gives them a reference.

These tips have worked for us on numerous vacations. If you have any other ideas you have used that I don't have listed, feel free to share!

Investing in USA as of Oct,2011

2011-10-18T10:39:00.004-05:00

How have stocks actually done over the past, during shorter periods of time? Below is data showing the total return of large stocks per year over the past five, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years, according to IFA.com

. 5 years: 1.3%

• 10 years: 2.0%

• 20 years: 7.9%

• 30 years: 10.5%

• 40 years: 9.8%

• 50 years: 9.2%

If this is the case then investing in stock market for good return for atleast 10-15 years is not a good idea at all.

Then buy and hold concept of stocks is no longer valid.

Here is what i am thinking of now:

1. You need to buy stocks and sell when you see return of 5% atleaset in couple of months and re invest the return.

2. Buy and Hold may work for retirement accounts like 401k and IRAs as they are for long term but there are also consistent check needed periodically.

3. For 401k and IRA i feel it is always best to invest on high dividend yield stocks which may help boost your portfolio.

4. I also feel investing on real estate which are going to be used for commerical purpose is worth it.

5. Also if we can do real estate ladder (like investing in multiple commercial properties) will help for semi long term financial needs.

6. Also investing in gold either in form of jewelary/stocks/ETFs is also a great idea.

As always adjusting portfolio is very essential in timely manner for not to become victim for financial scams and downturns.

source:http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/krantz/story/2011-10-17/rate-of-return-for-stocks/50807868/1

Top stocks in a crummy market - Sep,2011

2011-09-28T09:18:00.000-05:00

Top stocks in a crummy market

Content:

Restaurant chains Starbucks (SBUX, Fortune 500) and Chipotle (CMG) have continued to ride a wave of momentum. And retailers ranging from bargain stores Costco (COST, Fortune 500) and Family Dollar (FDO, Fortune 500) to higher end stores like Whole Foods (WFM) and Nordstrom (JWN, Fortune 500) are doing well. So are apparel stores like Ralph Lauren (RL, Fortune 500), Limited Brands (LTD, Fortune 500) and TJX (TJX, Fortune 500).

Most of the remaining winners were a mix of companies from so-called defensive sectors: healthcare, utilities and consumer staples. Allergan (AGN, Fortune 500), Bristol-Myers Squibb, (BMY, Fortune 500) Duke Energy (DUK, Fortune 500), Southern Company (SO, Fortune 500), Kimberly-Clark (KMB, Fortune 500), Colgate-Palmolive (CL, Fortune 500) and General Mills (GIS, Fortune 500) are all holding up well this year.

Starting a business: You can't escape risk, so go for it

2011-09-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

source: http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/edmunds/story/2011-08-31/Starting-a-business-You-cant-escape-risk-so-go-for-it/50201314/1

Recently I was having dinner with friends and the conversation turned to entrepreneurship. One woman said she would love to start her own business but was afraid of the risks. A couple of folks around the table agreed with her.

I suggested that the woman try looking at starting a business more as an opportunity than a risk. Needless to say, several who had never been in business argued that owning your own company is risky business.

This week's column is dedicated to the folks who keep reminding us that owning your own business is risky.

Because we live in an unpredictable and complex world, there is always risk involved in our effort to make a living, whether we work for ourselves or someone else.

We can see this complexity and unpredictability when things happen to us that we don't understand or weren't expecting. This is the nature of existence.

Modern mathematics claims that complex systems bring unpredictability. In meteorology this is called the Butterfly Effect. The theory says a butterfly flapping its wings in China can affect the weather as far away as New York City. And that weather could be wonderful or destructive.

The idea of a Butterfly Effect can be easily applied to our daily lives. Decisions are made every day by people we don't know who are flapping their wings and affecting our lives in powerful ways. Sometimes their decisions work in our favor and sometimes they don't, whether you are in your own business or working for someone has nothing to do with the risk factor.

For example, the travel industry, along with many other industries, has spent the larger portion of this decade trying to recover from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The attacks, along with the meltdown on Wall Street, left many future retirees with minimal money for retirement. Many of those people thought after years of working for someone they would be able to retire in comfort, only to learn that they will have to supplement their retirement income for the rest of their lives.

A number of these people have started small, part-time businesses to make ends meet. I know this because I coach and advise some of these folks.

Most recently, Hurricane Irene may leave many trying to recover for years.

Life is complex and unpredictable; risk abounds, and we can't escape it. Jobs are eliminated every day and many people are only able to find employment by creating their own businesses.

New and future entrepreneurs often hear that according to statistics 85% of small businesses fail within three to five years. Constantly hearing and reading this kind of statistic can erode the most capable person's self-confidence. And, I am not certain that the statistic is correct, in spite of its popularity.

My success in business has been a result of many people reminding me that I am capable of success. I shudder to think where I might have landed had I been constantly reminded that I stood a bigger chance of failing than succeeding.

If we are to address the concept of risk in total, then we must admit that any way we choose to make a living is risky. So, as a writer, speaker and entrepreneur I will always encourage the entry into what has been, is, and always will be the backbone of this country's economy: small business.

Every single person working today is working for what is, or used to be a small business.

Between 1979 and 1996, corporate America erased 43 million jobs. Perhaps we should reread The New York Times 1996 series on the "Downsizing of America." They put a face on what life looks like when a person's income has been snatched away. And, things haven't changed.

We are still reading and hearing about layoffs regularly. Those news stories are a reminder of the risks in the world of employment.

A great number of those people had to look to self-employment and small business to make a living.

Should we remove any hope by repeating a statistic that says they have a slim chance of success? We should no more tell new and future entrepreneurs that than we should tell the young, eager, just out of college student, who has landed his or her first corporate job that they run the risk of being terminated in a few years because corporations are still making adjustments in employment.

Nothing is without risk in this life. The best we can do in this unpredictable environment is to hope the Butterfly Effect that comes our way is manageable.

As I write this, somewhere a "butterfly" is flapping its wings. That butterfly may be in the form of a politician preparing legislation that will have a far-reaching effect on all of us. Or, it could be a major stockholder having lunch with a CEO and informing him/her to cut the budget, or else. Whatever it is, you can be certain you will feel it in the days, weeks or months to come. We have no control over those butterflies.

But what we can control is the ability to give support in every way to everyone who takes the risk of venturing into the world of work, regardless of who owns the company.

Gladys Edmunds' Entrepreneurial Tightrope column appears Wednesdays. As a single, teen-age mom, Gladys made money doing laundry, cooking dinners for taxi drivers and selling fire extinguishers and Bibles door-to-door. Today, Edmunds, founder of Edmunds Travel Consultants in Pittsburgh, is a private coach/consultant in business development and author of There's No Business Like Your Own Business, published by Viking. See an index of Edmunds' columns. Her website is www.gladysedmunds.com. You can e-mail her at gladys@gladysedmunds.com.

US: Contract and Part time jobs

2011-09-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/money/jobcenter/workplace/bruzzese/story/2011-08-31/Contract-part-time-work-away-from-office-gaining-traction/50182422/1

You may or may not work full time for an employer, and you usually spend at least some time during a workweek laboring from home or a nearby coffee shop. The key is that an employer connects with you via technology while you do the same work you would as if you were sitting in a cubicle at an office.

Sara Fell, the founder and chief of FlexJobs.com, says she's seen a 400 percent growth in telecommuting jobs in the past three years.

STORY: Your office doesn't have to be in an office
MORE: Anita Bruzzese's column index
Some of the reasons have to do with more employers seeking to cut real-estate costs by letting workers do their jobs from home, and by a desire of key talent to have more flexibility in their work arrangements.

Keeping critical employees happy is becoming more critical for employers. Workers have been given minimal pay raises — or none at all — during difficult economic times. And employers worry that their workers are beginning to show increasing dissatisfaction, which can affect productivity and efficiency.

A recent Corporate Executive Board Co. survey found that more than three-quarters of departing workers wouldn't recommend their employer to others, the worst percentage in five years.

Another reason remote work is gaining traction: Technology makes it easier than ever. While many believe only certain jobs lend themselves to working remotely, Fell says her company recently received a job posting for a neurosurgeon in Nevada.

"We were surprised at first," she says. "But then we learned that so much of medical work is looking at digital imagery, which can be done from another location. The physician would fly in for surgeries and just have to be licensed in that state."

U.S. Census data show that more employers are letting workers set up home offices to get work done with 61 percent more workers considering home their primary workplace in 2009 compared with 2005. A study from oDesk found that companies spent more than $18 million on online work in June. That's 93,000 new jobs posted and more than 1.8 million hours of work performed.

Fell says that jobs for remote workers can range from entry level to executive. Salaries sometimes run 10 percent to 20 percent less than working on site.

Many of those seeking remote work are willing to accept less pay for the added benefit of flexibility and working from home, she says. Still, many companies do offer benefits to remote workers, even those who only work part time.

If you're looking for remote work, Fell says you can get the attention of those hiring such workers:

• Spiff up your LinkedIn profile. While it can pay off to be active on other social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook, LinkedIn is still a place where most recruiters will go to check out your professional profile.

Don't go overboard, she says. Stay "true to yourself" when participating in social networking.

"You can join groups that interest you on LinkedIn. Just choose those areas where you feel comfortable or those that are within your industry," she says.

• Show your independence. Your LinkedIn profile or resume should note experience working remotely or independently on projects. It's helpful if recommendations from others can laud your adaptability or your ability to be a self-starter.

• Sharpen your technology skills. No matter what your industry, it's critical that you show you're up on the latest software in your field.

Take classes or get new certifications to demonstrate you're staying current. Be prepared to show you know how to use online communication channels such as Skype or instant messaging, which will be critical in any remote-work situation.

• Write well and often. "It's really important for remote workers to be proactive in communicating with their bosses or other members of a team," Fell says.

An early indicator is your resume. "Your resume has got to be free of typos, and you need to avoid a form cover letter. Your writing shouldn't be too formal. When you apply for these jobs, it's your chance to prove that you're a savvy communicator."

US: Cashing in on Rental Property

2011-09-20T10:25:00.001-05:00

source: http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/30/real_estate/rental_property_investing.moneymag/index.htm

MONEY Magazine) -- Most of the news lately about real estate has been dismal: Home prices are swooning, foreclosures ballooning.

There is, however, one bright spot: the rental market, where demand is up and rents are rising. That's partly because those foreclosures have turned more than 4 million former homeowners into renters, but also because many other prospective homeowners, worried about losing their jobs or housing prices falling a lot further still, are reluctant to buy now.

As with many investments, the best time to get in is when most others are sitting on the sidelines. To figure out whether you can benefit by investing in rental property, here's what you need to know.

THE CASE FOR BUYING NOW

Many factors make this a great time to invest. Mortgage rates are at a 40-year low, and homes in many areas are ultra-cheap. Meanwhile, demand for rentals has risen in more than 500 cities, according to recent Census data. That, in turn, has enabled landlords to charge more. Hotpads.com, a real estate research firm, reports that rents nationwide jumped 11.6% in 2010, to $1,320 a month.

You'll need that rental income to tide you over until home prices bounce back; in fact, the typical investor today plans to hold for 10 years, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors.

If you can hang on that long, you've got a good shot at solid gains, especially if you're financing the home purchase. "Whereas leverage is dangerous when buying stocks, it can be a good long-term strategy with real estate," notes real estate investor and Columbia University adjunct finance professor Marshall Sonenshine.

The big catch: "Can you afford to hold the property that long and not need the equity for your kid's college fund?" says Sonenshine. Or whatever other pressing need might crop up.

You'll also face some tough financing rules. Most banks now require a down payment of at least 20% to 25% and evidence you have enough cash to cover six months' worth of mortgage, tax, and insurance payments.

HOW TO FIND A GOOD DEAL

Investment real estate is like produce: It's best bought locally. "Buy something you can get to in 10 minutes," says Seattle real estate investor Bill Snyder.

Familiarity with the neighborhood also limits nasty surprises like a noisy bar or a nearby development competing for renters.

Work with a local realtor who has experience with rentals and can help you assess how attractive a given home will be to tenants.

And while prices on multifamily dwellings haven't dropped as much as they have on single-family homes, don't ignore plexes: Intake from a few rents instead of just one will boost your cash flow; a single vacancy won't hurt as much; and you could benefit from economies of scale for things like appliances and painting. But stick to buildings with four units or fewer to avoid stricter financing requirements, such as a bigger down payment and higher mortgage rates.

Once you've identified candidates, crunch the numbers. The goal: to make sure your rental income will at least cover your loan payments, plus a 20% cushion to handle repairs, vacancies, and property management.

To figure out what you'll garner in rent, ask sellers for recent leases, says Snyder, and double-check their numbers by perusing sites like Rentometer and Craigslist for similar rentals in the neighborhood.

Assume your mortgage rate will be at least a half-point higher than rates on owner-occupied properties. Factor in insurance and property taxes, and bank on a 5% vacancy rate. Otherwise, "one empty month can kill you," says Ellie Berlin, a broker with Houlihan Lawrence in Larchmont, N.Y.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE IN FOR

Brush up on your people skills: Owning rentals also means responding to tenant complaints, like the 2 a.m. phone call about a broken toilet. Want to palm off the grunt work? You can hire a handyman (around $45 an hour) or a management company (8% to 10% of monthly income plus a half-month's rent for filling vacancies), but the luxury will eat into cash flow.

To find your own tenants, creative ads on Craigslist are your best bet. Run credit and reference checks (National Tenant Network, at ntnonline.com, can help). And invest in small touches to make your place stand out, such as cool lighting fixtures or antique door hardware. Those will pay off when it's time to sell too

US: Housing Market

2011-09-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

MONEY Magazine) -- It was with some trepidation that Stephanie Kim and her husband, Brendan, 40 and 42, put their Chicago townhouse on the market in June. While the place was in great shape, prices in their city were off 8% from 2010 -- and of the 30 similar homes in the area listed the previous year, only nine had sold.

And yet there was an offer on the house almost immediately; the sale closed two months later at just $15,000 under the $650,000 asking price. "We thought it would take a lot longer to sell," says Stephanie.

Nationwide, the U.S. housing market remains deep in the doldrums and economists expect prices to fall another 5% to 10% in many places. And yet some sellers, like the Kims, are seeing signs of a turnaround

In a few of the hardest-hit areas, such as Detroit, homes have become so cheap that it no longer makes sense to rent.

In other places, like Los Angeles, price drops haven't stopped, but they've slowed, and homes are selling faster. Plus, even if your area is still hurting, your neighborhood might be on its way back.

When the rebound arrives, desirable zip codes will see price jumps first, says David Stiff, chief economist for housing research firm Fiserv Case-Shiller. "Real estate is always local, but these days it's hyperlocal," says Chicago broker Scott Berg.

To estimate where your own house lies on the recovery spectrum, answer the following questions.

HOW FAST ARE NEARBY HOMES SELLING?

While it's a good sign when price drops slow down, inventory levels are actually a better gauge of where your market is headed, says David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders.

That's because monthly home-value numbers are skewed by seasonal fluctuations, and prices are usually the last thing to budge when a market turns the corner.

What to do: Ask a realtor to tell you the number of listings now on the market in your area and the number of homes sold over the past year.

Let's say there are 100 listings and there were 240 sales last year, or an average of 20 per month. That equals a five-month supply, which is considered stable. More than six months and it's a buyer's market, says Crowe; less than three and sellers probably have the upper hand.

IS BUYING CHEAPER THAN RENTING?

People are more likely to buy homes when the payment on a loan is below what they'd pay to rent a similar home.

The number to calculate is the price-to-rent ratio, or the price of a home divided by one year's rent on a comparable one. In general, it's cheaper to buy when the price-to-rent ratio is below 15, although some places, such as San Francisco, have higher ratios even in soft markets.

What to do: Compare your neighborhood's price-to-rent ratio with what it was before the housing boom. You can find historical sale price info on Trulia.com; your realtor should be able to give you information on rental rates from a few years ago.

WHAT'S THE FORECLOSURE FACTOR?

Not surprisingly, a decrease in foreclosure filings is often an encouraging sign. But the official data aren't entirely reliable. "In some markets the year-over-year change is artificially low because of processing delays," says Rick Sharga, senior vice president with RealtyTrac.

What to do: RealtyTrac.com can tell you if the official level of distressed sales is rising or falling (just plug in your zip code).

To suss out the hidden foreclosure factor, take a close look at the homes in your neighborhood. Distressed owners tend to fall behind on lawn cutting and house painting long before a foreclosure, says Crowe. If you see several places in disrepair, don't expect your home value to rise soon.

IS YOUR AREA PRIMO?

As buyers return, they'll naturally grab places with shorter commutes and better schools and amenities.

The Kims' townhouse, for example, was located in Chicago's South Loop area, near Lake Michigan and museums. "Buyers are cherry-picking," says Sharga. You won't buck the larger market trend entirely, but once things are cranking in your favor, your home will pop first.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/15/real_estate/home_prices.moneymag/index.htm

Plan Do Nothing Vacations

2011-09-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

Source: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/19/7731136-how-to-plan-a-do-nothing-vacation

In some circles (and if you’re reading this, you probably fall within the demographic I’ve envisioned), vacation-related travel has taken on a new disposition in recent years. Whereas classic vacations were mainly about enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment, increasingly vacation goals are more hectic and even productive. Strict do-nothing vacations have fallen out of favor, being replaced by a schedule full of cultural immersion, adventure activities, mind-expanding experiences and other distractions that don’t lend themselves to supine positions and single-celled reading material.

As a freelance travel writer, I’m particularly sensitive to this phenomenon; the pressure to turn every trip, no matter how insignificant, into one or more travel writing assignments makes sitting still for a couple hours a heroic act of willpower. Even before my unlikely career path materialized, as an American with sadistically few vacation days, any time I left home my impulse was to maximize every waking moment. Sure, I’d submit to an hour or two on the beach, but only after hours of pulse-quickening busyness. Of course there’s nothing wrong with this vacation style, but everything in moderation, my friends.

Obviously, engineering a do-nothing vacation isn’t difficult if you’re willing to make a few concessions. With a single phone call or a few mouse clicks you can arrange a suitably low-impact journey on a cruise ship or have a tinted van waiting at the airport to shuttle you into a fortified, all-inclusive resort and, voila!, doing nothing (and decidedly substandard eating) has been achieved.

But what precautions should those afflicted with chronically itchy feet take for successful do-nothing vacations in more natural surroundings? Based on my recent experiences, I’ve compiled the following tips:

Tip 1: Choose your destination wisely
Pick a destination that’s lovely and special, but boring as hell. I recently pulled off a spectacular do-nothing vacation in the pleasingly lackluster environs of Granada and San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. Paradoxically, if I’d attempted a do-nothing vacation in Prague, I’d have probably hated myself – or been hated by friends and colleagues. (Probably both.) If at any time during the trip, you feel the urge to walk more than 200m all at once, you’ve chosen poorly. If the destination has more than two guidebook pages devoted to it, you’ve chosen poorly. If you ever say to yourself ‘Huh, I wonder what that thing is over there,’ you’ve chosen poorly.

Tip 2: No technology allowed
Leave all tech that allows access to work at home. Laptops are indisputably wonderful little entertainment boxes, but most of us also have work-related or work-accessible content on our laptops and that is do-nothing vacation sacrilege. Bring an ebook reader, a phone, even a smartphone to if you absolutely have to stay in touch, but any device with a trace of work content must be left behind. Also, people especially prone to Twitter and Facebook distraction should be strip-searched by a professional for access devices before leaving home.

Tip 3: Dress for a do-nothing outing
Don’t bring fancy clothes. If you bring fancy clothes, you’ll want to wear the fancy clothes, which means you’ll want to go somewhere fancy, which means a lot of fancy prep time and fancy behavior and fancy etiquette and this is already sounding like far too much effort. Going out for a decent meal while on a do-nothing vacation should not entail any preparation more rigorous than walking the dog. Here’s a good benchmark: any restaurant that won’t seat you while wearing a tasteful Simpsons T-shirt is probably too much work. Also, no hiking shoes. Hiking is to a do-nothing vacation as whiskey and Red Bulls are to a serene, civilized evening in Bangkok

Tip 4: What to bring
Your do-nothing vacation destination should have, or you should bring along, at least four of the following components/paraphernalia: swimsuit weather, hammocks, body of water (pool, ocean, lake), lots and lots of towels, reasonable food within 200 meters of your bed, cocktails in primary colors within 100 meters of your bed, a vista that’s better than most TV shows, and a large variety of reading material in the following genres: humor, adventure, sci-fi, teenage wizards, biographies of people who didn’t die in an especially tragic way, superheroes being awesome, and horny vampires.

Tip 5: Words to watch out for
Whenever anyone utters the following words/phrases, they need to put a dollar into their companion’s cocktail fund:

•‘What time is it?’
•‘Overslept’
•‘Pants’
•‘Should’
•‘Hard Rock Café’
•‘Work’
•‘Work out’
•‘Too much’
•‘Too late’
•‘Too early for [insert alcoholic beverage]‘
•‘Too fattening’
•‘Too drunk’
•‘Too naked’
•‘The economy’

North America's most charming fall islands

2011-09-20T09:44:00.005-05:00

Come autumn, Mother Nature's dazzling palette is the No. 1 roadside attraction. While it's great fun to drive through a forest of gold-and-crimson trees, sometimes you need a rest from the hair-trigger braking that's required on packed country roads. In an effort to minimize stress, we sought out places where you can see fabulous fall foliage without the crowds.

These 12 dreamy islands have forest vistas interrupted only by sailboats, farm stands and lighthouses. Plus, each of these destinations has something special to offer, from wine tasting to seal spotting to a gourmet culinary tradition. Consider this your guide to the mellowest leaf-peeping getaways imaginable.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

The Pacific Northwest does not leap to mind as a hotbed of dazzling deciduous trees, but this Canadian island is flush with larch and maple groves, which, come fall, provide a red-and-gold glow against a backdrop of oceans and mountains. Amid this kaleidoscopic patchwork of color, you'll find the vine-ruffled hills of sunny Cowichan Valley, the most popular of the island's three wine regions. The 17 wineries here specialize in white and burgundy varietals, but the pinot gris at Rocky Creek is a standout — it was the silver-medal winner in the 2011 NorthWest Wine Summit. After your tastings (you can print out a map of all of the wineries from the Wine Islands Vintners Association), drop by the town of Duncan to walk among the 80 totem poles crafted by artisans of First Nation (the tribe that has called this island home since 2,500 B.C.). Then head southwest about 15 miles to the San Juan River, where bull Roosevelt elk make their spooky breeding calls near leaf-covered hiking trails.

Timing Tip: Foliage typically peaks in late September.

Get There: Accessible from the mainland by ferry lines, such as BC Ferries. Vancouver/Victoria round trip from $29 for adults, $14.75 for kids 5–11.

Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

In the late 1800s, millionaires flocked to second homes in the Thousand Islands, an archipelago hopscotching the St. Lawrence River beside the Canadian border and dappled with colorful trees. Exhibit A: George Boldt, founding proprietor of New York City's Waldorf-Astoria. He bought Heart Island to construct a replica of a medieval fortress, complete with turrets and drawbridges. Sadly, Boldt's wife died before she could move in. The millionaire bolted back to Manhattan, taking with him the salad-dressing recipe the locals had shared with him while he was yachting through the Thousand Islands. Until its seasonal close on Oct. 16, you can tour 120 rooms in the castle. The crimson sumacs, amber oaks, and yellow poplars that surround this monument to love are especially beautiful at their peak in mid-September.

.Timing Tip: Foliage peaks around mid-September. The state's fall foliage report makes it easy to keep abreast of changing colors.

Get There: Shuttle boats from Alexandria Bay take you the quarter-mile distance to Heart Island. One operator is Uncle Sam Boat Tours. usboattours.com, $18.50 for adults, $9.25 for kids 4–12. Boldt Castle, boldtcastle.com, $7 for adults, $4.50 for kids 6–12.

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Arguably North America's most astonishing fall-foliage display happens each year when birches and maples burst into red-and-yellow glory along the edge of Nova Scotia's northeastern island — the part of the island protected as Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Leaf-seeking travelers come to hike along Lone Shieling Trail — a footpath that winds through the park's Acadian forest. It's along this trail that you'll encounter one of the oldest sugar-maple groves on the continent. Scottish pride is also strong here: Many locals speak a Gaelic dialect, and the vibrant Celtic Colours festival spotlights folk music every fall. celtic-colours.com, Oct. 7–15, 2011.

Timing Tip: Peaks early October. See updates at novascotia.com.

Sheffield Island, off Norwalk, Conn.

The now unused 143-year-old lighthouse is the high point, literally, of this island one mile off the coast of Connecticut. Ferry over from the mainland on a 45-foot catamaran, and hike a trail that passes through a nationally protected wildlife refuge, which covers 47 of the island's 53 acres with colorful deciduous trees, such as chestnuts (yellow-red), beeches (golden bronze), red maples (intense scarlet), and the state's signature white oaks (violet-purple). The island's most notable residents are the seals, who regularly migrate through this region during the winter and can be easily spotted along the shore. Alternatively, take a two-and-a-half-hour Fall Foliage Cruise study tour on Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium's research vessel, Oceanic, during which you can inspect animals trawled from the harbor. That tour passes, but doesn't stop at, Sheffield Island. maritimeaquarium.org, $20.50 per person.

Timing Tip: Leaves start to turn in mid- to late October. Check the state's foliage website, or call the foliage hotline for updates. 800/282-6863.

Get There: From Seaport Dock on the Norwalk River, board the Norwalk Seaport Association's catamaran. seaport.org, $22 for adults, $12 for kids 4–12, $5 for kids 3 and under.

Monhegan Island, off Port Clyde, Maine

The brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows of poplars, birches, and sumacs seem all the more colorful against the landscape of dark spruce and pine trees on Monhegan Island, about 10 miles off the coast of Maine. A dozen miles of trails snake around the island and are perfect for leaf-peepers and birders interested in seeing puffins and rare species, such as rusty blackbirds. Since the early 1900s, artists like Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper and George Bellows have come here to sketch, paint, and take photographs. By late October, most of the approximately 20 artists studios have emptied for the season, but the village galleries, such as the Lupine Gallery and Winter Works, continue to display the artists' works.

Timing Tip: Typically peaks in late September. Maine's foliage website posts
updates.

Get There: From charming Port Clyde, Maine, hop a departure on the Monhegan Boat Line. monheganboat.com, $32 for adults, $18 for kids 2–12 (all fares are round trip). monheganwelcome.com.

Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Canada

Take in primo views of Crayola-colored leaf-scapes accentuated by green slanted riverbanks as you crisscross the Dufferin Islands. The 11 oases that make up this archipelago are known only by their collective name, but a 1.2-mile hiking trail links most of the islands via 22 small bridges. Researchers believe the waterways have been paddled by canoe-building natives for more than 3,000 years. A self-guided interpretative trail makes it easy to admire hickory oaks blazing orange while poplars and beeches glow yellow. Don't be surprised if you see artists setting up their easels to paint the gorgeous scenery.

Advertise | AdChoicesAdvertise | AdChoices
Advertise | AdChoices
.Timing Tip: Typically peaks in late September.

Get There: Drive the Niagara Parkway, and take the exit for the Dufferin Islands. No entrance fee, but permits required for camping. niagaraparks.com.

Little American Island, Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minn.

Bordering Canada about five hours north of Minneapolis–St. Paul, Voyageurs National Park is home to countless color-dappled islands. But Little American Island on the west end of the park shines for its history, too. The 1893 mini gold rush drew prospectors in a (mostly vain) search for riches. Today, the only gold to see is in the bright autumnal color of the tamarack and aspen leaves, mixed with the crimson of red maple. Rent a canoe or rowboat to reach the island, where you can hike along a quarter-mile, wheelchair-accessible interpretative trail, which passes close to historic mine shafts and machinery.

Timing Tip: Typically peaks mid-September. Check out the state's foliage website, or call the state's foliage hotline for more information. 800/657-3700.

Get There: Accessible only by boat. Take Highway 11 east 11 miles to the park's Sha Sha Resort, where you can rent a canoe or rowboat and paddle north and west on Rainy Lake for about 20 minutes. nps.gov/voya, canoe rentals from $10 per day.

Assateague Island, Eastern Shore, Va.

The 300 or so wild mares and foals that strut through the state and national parks on Assateague and its commercialized sister island Chincoteague were made famous by the children's book "Misty of Chincoteague."

In late October, color-seekers hike or bike a 1.6-mile woodland trail to a few scattered viewing points, where the horses can be photographed at short distances. The 37-mile-long, completely wild Assateague is decorated with the reds and golds of red-maple, oak and sweet-gum foliage, not to mention the shiny red of poison ivy that lights up the sand dunes, in sharp contrast to the shoreline's many evergreens. At the end of November, birders take to a 3-mile long wildlife loop to glimpse herons and egrets during their peak migration period.

Timing Tip: Leaves often peak in late October. Check out the forestry department's fall foliage site, or call the state's foliage hotline for an update. 800/424-5683.

Get There: For best wild-horse sightings and foliage colors, pass through Chincoteague, Va., to the south entrance of Assateague Island National Park. nps.gov/asis, $8 per vehicle.

Grand Isle, Lake Champlain, Vt.

Expect a Hallelujah chorus of color in this northern corner of Vermont. Grand Isle, also called South Hero Island, is one of just a handful of islands in Lake Champlain. Come late September, the entire 226 acres of the island's state park bursts into a cornucopia of color, with fiery red-sugar maples, sunny yellow alders, and purplish pin cherries as far as the eye can see. Learn about local history at the mini-museum in Hyde Log Cabin on Route 2 — it was built in 1783 and is thought to be one of the oldest such structures still standing in the U.S. ($2 for adults, free for kids). Refuel on warm apple cider and donuts at roadside stalls while snapping photos of the island's many clapboard (pronounced "clabberd") houses.

Timing Tip: Color usually peaks late September. Check the state's foliage Internet alert.

Get There: Grand Isle is connected by a land bridge to the mainland by Route 2. vtstateparks.com, $3 for adults, $2 for kids 3–13, open until Columbus Day, Oct. 10, 2011

Mercer Island, King County, Wash.

Color-seekers in Washington State often head to Mercer Island, across from Seattle in Lake Washington, for its rare autumnal palette of changing leaves. This island of 6.2 square miles was once a retreat for the wealthy and has since become an upper-middle-class community of about 22,000 residents. Yellow-and-gold hues set the tone along the bike trails that crisscross the region. Find the best foliage in 113-acre Pioneer Park on the southern side of the island, where you're likely to see tamarack, vine-maple, red-alder, and Pacific-dogwood trees. The island's restaurant community, with its organic country cred, is a huge draw. Case in point is Bennett's Pure Food Bistro, whose meals contain ingredients sourced regionally and prepared without artificial additives. The menu changes seasonally, but at any given time you can expect to find fresh seafood straight from the waters off the coast of Alaska and vegetables foraged from Washington State. 7650 SE 27th St., bennettsbistro.com, entrées from $14.
Timing Tip: Color peaks in late September. Call the state's foliage hotline. 800/354-4595.

Get There: From Seattle, take Highway 90 and follow the signs.

Mackinac Island, Mich.

Mackinac (pronounced "ma-ki-nah") is a blessedly sleepy island known for its astonishing views of Lake Huron. Sights include picturesque Fort Mackinac, erected by the British in 1780 (admission fee for adults$10.50, kids 5–17 $6.50), and Grand Hotel, whose broad front lawn is decorated with lilac trees that have burgundy blooms in the fall. About 80 percent of the rest of the island is state parkland, from which cars have been banned for more than a century. Climb a limestone bluff to see yellows, reds, and oranges in the canopy of maple, birch, oak and white cedar spreading outward in all angles. From some vantage points, especially on the southern part of the island, you'll see the majestic 7,400-foot-long Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Before you return to the mainland, try some fudge from Murdick's 124-year-old shop.

Timing Tip: Typically peaks early October, slightly later than the rest of upper Michigan. Check the state's foliage hotline. 800/644-3255.

Get there: Mackinac State Park has no admission. Three ferry lines connect St. Ignace and Mackinaw City with the island (details at mackinacisland.org). Star Line has seasonal service that runs to the end of October 2011. mackinacferry.com, from $19 for adults, $10 for kids 5–12.

Nantucket Island, Mass.

About 25 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, Nantucket Island braves strong Atlantic headwinds, a likely reason why its trees never reach great heights. Beech and oak trees that normally tower above the ground on the mainland reach only a few feet tall here. For leaf-peepers, this means that the fiery reds and brilliant yellows of fall hug the landscape in a unique way. The island's location east of the mainland also presents a westerly ocean panorama found almost nowhere else on the East Coast — it's a view that is sensational any time of day, but especially at sunset. Before sundown, rent a bike and loop through the cobblestoned carriageways of the island's downtown, emptied of summertime beachcombers, and admire the 800 or so mostly gray-shingled homes and shops built between 1740 and 1840. Young's Bicycle Shop, open since 1931, rents bikes from $10 a day. For local flavor, try to visit during the Harvest Fair on Oct. 1 or the cranberry festival taking place Oct. 8.

Timing Tip: Foliage peaks around the third week of October. Follow the changes on
the state's foliage website.

Get There: From Hyannis, several ferries serve Nantucket, such as the Steamship
Authority‚ a one-hour high-speed ferry that sails back and forth year round. steamshipauthority.com, $35 for adults, $18 for kids 5–12.

source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44504444/ns/travel-destination_travel/

Complaint againest any retail business who try to cheat customers

2011-08-23T20:31:00.002-05:00

If you notice any retail business try to cheat customers call below number to file complainet ASAP.

Legal Metrology: 040 - 27508367

US - States with Highest and Lowest State Taxes

2011-07-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

The Ten States with the Highest Tax Burdens

10. Pennsylvania
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.1%
Total state and local taxes collected: $109.7 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 76.3%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 23.7%

Pennsylvania has among the largest revenues in the country. The great majority of this money comes from its residents. Approximately one third of state tax revenue comes from individual income taxes. Another one half comes from various sales taxes. Pennsylvania also has the highest state corporate tax rate in the country. There are a number of ways the state could increase the amount of taxes it "exports" to non-residents, however. The state can further expand its burgeoning gambling industry. According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, $81.4 million in tax revenue was generated by table games in the most recent fiscal year. The state could also pass a tax on natural-gas drilling, as it is currently the only state without one.

9. Maine
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.1%
Total state and local taxes collected: $10.7 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 64.7%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 35.3%

For a state with one of the highest tax burdens on its residents, Maine has a relatively large percent of its total tax revenue come from out-of-state residents and business, standing at more than 35%. Maine has the eighth lowest population and the tenth lowest tax revenue. The state has middle-of-the-road taxes for gasoline and alcohol, but at $2.00 per pack, it is tied with Michigan and Alaska for the 11th highest tobacco tax.

8. Vermont
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.2%
Total state and local taxes collected: $6.1 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 62.1%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 37.9%

Vermont collects a relatively large percentage of its tax revenue from non-residents. The state has one of the largest shares of vacation homes in the country, and collects a major portion of its property tax revenue from these homes, effectively taxing residents of other states. Despite this, residents of Vermont have among the greatest tax burden in the country. A large reason for this is the state's excise taxes, or taxes on the sale of goods and services. According to a recent report from the Mercatus Center titled, "Excise Taxes in the States," Vermont collected the greatest amount in excise taxes per capita in 2010, $858. This includes taxes on things such as tobacco, alcohol, insurance, and motor fuels.

7. Minnesota
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.3%
Total state and local taxes collected: $45.7 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 75.5%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 24.5%

Less than 25% of Minnesota's tax revenue comes from non-residents and businesses. The state only collects average, or below average, rates on alcohol and tobacco, and has one of the smallest tourism economies in the country. This means the state relies heavily on income and property taxes from residents. Minnesota has the 21st largest population in the country, but it collects the 12th most in tax revenue each year. The state and local taxes collected per capita is the seventh highest in the country, as is the tax burden as a percent of income.

6. California
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.6%
Total state and local taxes collected: $354 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 82.5%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 17.5%

California is exceptional in many ways when it comes to taxing its residents. The state has the highest statewide sales tax in the country, currently 8.25%. It also has the highest tax on gas, charging 46.6 cents per gallon. The state collects among the lowest amount of taxes from non-residents and business out of all the states. But with the lowest credit rating in the nation, according to S&P, an ongoing budget problem, and a $10.8 billion deficit, one of the biggest in the country, the state may want to change its approach.

5. Rhode Island
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.7%
Total state and local taxes collected: $9.4 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 70.9%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 29.1%

Rhode Island is one of the smallest states and has one of the smallest revenues. Despite this, residents' tax burdens are among the highest. Each year, the average Rhode Islander pays $671 in state "sin taxes," or taxes on things such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. This is the second highest amount in the country, behind only Delaware. Part of the reason for this is that the state taxes each pack of cigarettes $3.46, the second highest in the country. The state's tax burden is hurting business as well. Rhode Island has an exceptionally high corporate tax rate of 9% and was recently rated as the worst state for business by CNBC.

4. Wisconsin
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 11%
Total state and local taxes collected: $41.7 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 77.9%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 22.1%

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin relies more on income and property taxes for its revenue than most states. In fact, both are approximately 25% higher than the national averages. The state receives a smaller portion of federal money than most others, leaving little room for this money to offset state spending. Worst still, taxes on industrial property owners rank among the bottom half, and often the bottom third, of the country, while residential taxes are among the greatest. According to a study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Wisconsin's middle class pays a bigger share of government spending than any other state, except for New York.

3. Connecticut
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12%
Total state and local taxes collected: $33.3 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 80.1%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 19.9%

The state with the highest per capita income in the country collects more than $5,000 per resident on average, the most in the country. It is the 30th most populous state in the U.S., but it collects the 19th most in tax revenue. Less than 20% of Connecticut's tax revenue comes from non-residents and business. According to the Tax Foundation, the state ranks 47th in business environment, with a 7.5% tax on businesses. The state's residents have a higher tax burden than all but two other states. Part of the reason for this has to do with the fact that the taxes Connecticut commuters pay to the empire state counts as part of the Connecticut tax burden.

2. New York
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12.1%
Total state and local taxes collected: $243.9 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 71.4%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 28.6%

New York places much of its tax burden on residents from other states. Consider, for example, the amount of state revenue derived from New York City tourism, or those who commute to the city for work. Despite this, state residents maintain the second largest tax burden in the country. The state has one of the highest state and local tax collections per capita, an average of $6,884. It has one of the highest combined averages local and state sales tax rates — 8.3%. The Big Apple also has a number of exceptionally high excise taxes, such as its $4.35 tax on each pack of cigarettes, the highest rate in the country. Additionally, the state has exceptionally high property tax rates. According to the Census Bureau, the top ten counties in the U.S. with the highest property taxes as a percentage of home values are all in New York.

1. New Jersey
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12.2%
Total state and local taxes collected: $85.9 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 79.5%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 20.5%

New Jersey residents have a higher tax burden than those of any other state. As a percent of their income, taxes in the Garden State were 12.2% in 2009, nearly double that of Alaska. Like Connecticut, much of this tax burden comes from state residents who commute to New York City and pay taxes there as well. This illustrates how a state resident contributes to the tax base of multiple states. Although not reflected in the percent of income residents pay in state and local taxes, it is nonetheless an additional burden commuters have to bear. According to Tax Foundation, the state has the third-worst environment for business in the country, with a corporate tax rate of 9%. It also has an above-average sales tax, as well as one of the highest rates in the country for cigarettes and liquor.

The Ten States with the Lowest Tax Burdens

10. New Mexico
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 8.4%
Total state and local taxes collected: $16.9 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 59%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 41%

The state and local tax burden on New Mexico residents is the tenth lowest in the country. The state has a slightly below-average business climate, with a corporate tax rate ranging from 4.8% to 7.6%. Gasoline taxes are quite low, but excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes are above average. The state tax on beer is one of the highest in the country. A high percentage of state and local revenues come from non-residents. This is usually the case with most states with a low tax burden on its residents. Per capita, state residents pay just $2,027, the sixth-lowest amount in the country.

9. Louisiana
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 8.2%
Total state and local taxes collected: $44.2 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 54%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 46%

Despite having the fifth highest average state and local sales tax rate, residents of Louisiana have a relatively low tax burden. A leading reason for this is the simple fact that, on average, residents pay one of the smallest amounts of total state and local taxes in the country. According to the Tax Foundation, property taxes in the state are $565.23 per capita, the fifth lowest amount among states. Louisiana also collects $1.78 in federal spending for every dollar spent on federal taxes — the fourth highest ratio. This rate of federal spending helps offset the need for higher state revenue from taxes.

8. South Carolina
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 8.1%
Total state and local taxes collected: $35.4 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 66%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 34%

Residents of South Carolina pay the second smallest total amount in state and local taxes per person in the country, behind only Mississippi. The average person in the state pays $2,742 in taxes. Excise taxes are extremely low: the state has the fifth lowest gasoline tax in the country and the ninth lowest cigarette tax. The state also has relatively low property taxes at both the state and local level.

7. New Hampshire
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 8%
Total state and local taxes collected: $9.6 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 56.4%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 43.6%

New Hampshire "has no special revenue source from non-residents, but the citizens' approval of limited government spending has kept the tax burden low," according to the Tax Foundation, The state has a flat 5% income tax rate that only applies to dividend and interest income, but, effectively, no tax on wages, and as a result most residents don't have to pay it. The state is also one of only five states that has no sales tax. This causes many people from outside of the state to travel to New Hampshire to purchase goods that are heavily taxed in their own states. Not all taxes in New Hampshire are low, however. The state has the third highest property tax rate in the country.

6. Texas
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 7.9%
Total state and local taxes collected: $196.5 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 63.4%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 36.6%

The population of Texas is 30% larger than New York, but collects more than 60% less in tax revenue than the Empire State. The tax burden on residents is the sixth lowest in the country, at just 7.9% of average income per resident. The biggest reason for this is that the state is one of just six in the country to levy no personal income tax. Texas also has the 11th lowest sales tax, at 7.39%, and average or below average rates on gasoline, cigarettes and alcohol.

5. Wyoming
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 7.8%
Total state and local taxes collected: $9.3 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 29.9%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 70.1%

Besides Alaska, Wyoming has the greatest percentage of its state revenue paid for by non-residents. This is because of taxes on oil and coal that bring money in from out-of-state oil and mineral companies. These taxes account for such a large percentage of Wyoming's revenue that the state does without a corporate income tax. The state also has no individual income taxes. Wyoming has an average state and local sales tax rate of 5.38%, one of the lowest in the country.

4. Tennessee
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 7.6%
Total state and local taxes collected: $48 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 63.7%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 36.3%

Tennessee has the eleventh lowest per capita income in the country. Residents of the state pay just $1,851 in taxes, the second lowest amount in the U.S. The state's business climate is average, but other taxes are relatively low. The sales tax of 7% is one of the highest in the country, but food purchases are exempt from all but 1.5% of that. Dividend and interest income is taxed in the state at a rate of 6%, but there is no other personal income tax levied. Tennessee collects no state-level property tax, one of just a few to do so.

3. South Dakota
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 7.6%
Total state and local taxes collected: $5.2 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 56%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 44%

Since 1977, South Dakota's tax burden has dropped from 9.1% to 7.6%, causing the state to change from the 15th least burdened state to the third least burdened. The state has no corporate or individual income tax. It is easier for South Dakota to keep a low tax burden than many other states, however. According to the most recent data available from the Tax Foundation, South Dakota receives $1.53 back for every dollar collected in federal taxes, lessening the state's dependence on state and local revenue.

2. Nevada
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 7.5%
Total state and local taxes collected: $20 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 52.5%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 47.5%

Nevada has the second-lowest tax burden in the country, with residents paying just 7.5% of their income on state and local taxes. Nearly half of all state tax revenue comes from non-residents. According to the Tax Association's State Business Tax Climate Index, Nevada has one of the most favorable environments for business, as it is one of the four states to levy no corporate tax at all. A significant amount of the state's revenue comes from "sin taxes" on gambling, alcohol, and tobacco, most of which comes from tourists. Sales tax is above the national average, and the tax on gasoline is one of the highest in the country. Counties are also allowed to levy additional gas taxes on top of the state.

1. Alaska
Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 6.3%
Total state and local taxes collected: $18.8 billion
Pct. of total taxes paid by residents: 20.5%
Pct. of total taxes paid by non-residents: 79.5%

Alaskans have the lowest tax burden of any state in the country, paying just 6.3% of their income in state and local taxes. This is over one full percentage point lower than the state with the second smallest tax burden. According to the Tax Foundation, "Before the Trans-Alaska pipeline was finished in 1977, taxpayers in Alaska bore the second-highest tax burden in the country. By 1980, with oil tax revenue pouring in, Alaska repealed its personal income tax and started sending out checks instead. The tax burden plummeted, and now Alaskans are the least taxed." The state also levies no personal income tax or sales tax.

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/113173/states-pay-most-least-taxes-247wallst

The Montessori Mafia

2011-04-09T07:22:00.000-05:00

But her daughter’s future and ours might be much brighter with a little less conditioning to perform well on tests and more encouragement to discover as they teach in Montessori schools. Ironically, the Montessori educational approach might be the surest route to joining the creative elite, which are so overrepresented by the school’s alumni that one might suspect a Montessori Mafia: Google’s founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, videogame pioneer Will Wright, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, not to mention Julia Child and rapper Sean “P.Diddy” Combs.

Is there something going on here? Is there something about the Montessori approach that nurtures creativity and inventiveness that we can all learn from?

After all, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were famous life-long tinkerers, who discovered new ways of doing things by constantly improvising, experimenting, failing, and retesting. Above all they were voraciously inquisitive learners.

The Montessori learning method, founded by Maria Montessori, emphasizes a collaborative environment without grades or tests, multi-aged classrooms, as well as self-directed learning and discovery for long blocks of time, primarily for young children ages 2 1/2 to 7.

The Montessori Mafia showed up in an extensive, six-year study about the way creative business executives think. Professors Jeffrey Dyer of Brigham Young University and Hal Gregersen of globe-spanning business school INSEAD surveyed over 3,000 executives and interviewed 500 people who had either started innovative companies or invented new products.

“A number of the innovative entrepreneurs also went to Montessori schools, where they learned to follow their curiosity,” Mr. Gregersen said. “To paraphrase the famous Apple ad campaign, innovators not only learned early on to think different, they act different (and even talk different).”

When Barbara Walters, who interviewed Google founders Messrs. Page and Brin in 2004, asked if having parents who were college professors was a major factor behind their success, they instead credited their early Montessori education. “We both went to Montessori school,” Mr. Page said, “and I think it was part of that training of not following rules and orders, and being self-motivated, questioning what’s going on in the world, doing things a little bit differently.”

Will Wright, inventor of bestselling “The Sims” videogame series, heaps similar praise. “Montessori taught me the joy of discovery,” Mr. Wright said, “It’s all about learning on your terms, rather than a teacher explaining stuff to you. SimCity comes right out of Montessori…”

Meanwhile, according to Jeff Bezos’s mother, young Jeff would get so engrossed in his activities as a Montessori preschooler that his teachers would literally have to pick him up out of his chair to go to the next task. “I’ve always felt that there’s a certain kind of important pioneering that goes on from an inventor like Thomas Edison,” Mr. Bezos has said, and that discovery mentality is precisely the environment that Montessori seeks to create.

Neuroscience author Jonah Lehrer cites a 2006 study published in Science that compared the educational achievement performance of low-income Milwaukee children who attended Montessori schools versus children who attended a variety of other preschools, as determined by a lottery.

By the end of kindergarten, among 5-year-olds, “Montessori students proved to be significantly better prepared for elementary school in reading and math skills than the non-Montessori children,” according to the researchers. “They also tested better on “executive function,” the ability to adapt to changing and more complex problems, an indicator of future school and life success.”

Of course, Montessori methods go against the grain of traditional educational methods. We are given very little opportunity, for instance, to perform our own, original experiments, and there is also little or no margin for failure or mistakes. We are judged primarily on getting answers right. There is much less emphasis on developing our creative thinking abilities, our abilities to let our minds run imaginatively and to discover things on our own.

But most highly creative achievers don’t begin with brilliant ideas, they discover them.

Google, for instance, didn’t begin as a brilliant vision, but as a project to improve library searches, followed by a series of small discoveries that unlocked a revolutionary business model. Larry Page and Sergei Brin didn’t begin with an ingenious idea. But they certainly discovered one.

Similarly, Amazon’s culture breathes experimentation and discovery. Mr. Bezos often compares Amazon’s strategy of developing ideas in new markets to “planting seeds” or “going down blind alleys.” Amazon’s executives learn and uncover opportunities as they go. Many efforts turn out to be dead ends, Mr. Bezos has said, “But every once in a while, you go down an alley and it opens up into this huge, broad avenue.”

Perhaps it’s just a coincidence that Montessori alumni lead two of the world’s most innovative companies. Or perhaps the Montessori Mafia of can provide lessons for us all even though it’s too late for most of us to attend Montessori.

We can change the way we’ve been trained to think. That begins in small, achievable ways, with increased experimentation and inquisitiveness. Those who work with Mr. Bezos, for example, find his ability to ask “why not?” or “what if?” as much as “why?” to be one of his most advantageous qualities. Questions are the new answers.

It may seem like a laughable “only in New York” story that Manhattan mother, Nicole Imprescia, is suing her 4-year-old daughter’s untraditional private preschool for failing to prepare her for a private school admissions exam.

Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/?blog_id=1

Top Family Destinations

2011-04-06T16:30:00.002-05:00

Among people who plan to travel in 2011, 83 percent will be traveling with family, and 90 percent of those traveling with family will keep their trips domestic, according to a recent TripAdvisor survey. What follows is the top 10 destinations where these travelers have the best-rated options for entertainment, dining, and accommodation.

This ranking was released as TripAdvisor’s inaugural Traveler’s Choice Family list, compiled based on user reviews from TripAdvisor.com. The 10 destinations were determined based on the number of recommendations of users who traveled with family.

For each destination, we’ve included the top-rated attraction based also on user reviews—resulting in numerous instances of lesser-known attractions outranking the destination’s most famous ones—and provided an overview of the other popular activities for families.

1. Anaheim, California
Top-rated attraction: Flightdeck Air Combat Center, a flight simulation center for kids and adults from age 13 up.

By comparison, Anaheim was once a sleepy southern California town of orange groves, but it began transforming into a Fantasia for families when the Disneyland Resort opened in 1955.

Now, Disney is the city’s primary employer and Anaheim is synonymous with Mickey-themed entertainment including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure and more, but it’s not the only game in town. There’s also Adventure City, a small amusement park for smaller kids, K1 Speed Indoor Karting, Hobby City Doll and Toy Museum, and the Old West –themed Knott’s Berry Farm Park including Camp Snoopy park for the younger ones, as well as Soak City Water Park by Knott’s.

For more adult-friendly shopping dining and entertainment there’s Downtown Disney, Block at Orange, Westfield MainPlace mall, and Anaheim GardenWalk, which includes a bowling center. Family-oriented dinner shows include Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure, and the local sporting options include the Anaheim Ducks, formerly the Mighty Ducks NHL team, and the LA Angels of Anaheim.

Wisconsin Dells,Wisconsin

Top-rated attraction: Bigfoot Zipline, a 2-hour ride for nearly all ages of gliding on cables above oaks and northwoods pines.

Set in the dells of the Wisconsin River, this little town has been a summer fun destination for 150 years, and is now claims the title of Water Park Capital of the World. Families can go kayaking, rock climbing, jetboating and jetskiing, and take one of the popular amphibious Duck tours. Wisconsin Dells is home to the country’s largest outdoor water park, Noah’s Ark, and the largest indoor water park, Wilderness Territory.

Less active activities include Rick Wilcox Magic Theater and Wizard Quest virtual game. Adult diversions include golf, Ho-Chunk Casino. For a throwback semi-indoor/ semi-outdoor night, try the popular Big Sky Drive- in movie theater.

Wildwood Crest, New JerseyPhoto: Driendl Group | Photodisc | Getty

Top attraction: The beach and boardwalk

Located in the southern part of the Jersey Shore, the peaceful beach community (and dry town) Wildwood Crest is the more family-friendly alternative to the adjacent parts of the Wildwoods (Wildwood and North Wildwood, which come closer to living up to the “wild”). Visiting families stay in any of numerous midcentury modern or “doo wop” motels or in vacation or seasonal rentals.

Ocean, beach, and bay activities include boating, jet skiing, fishing, crabbing, whale and dolphin watching, and in the evenings, movies on the beach. The boardwalk is not far, with amusements, rides, and games for children and adults. Area water parks are Ocean Oasis, Raging Waters, and Splash Zone.

Orlando, Florida

Top-rated attraction: Discovery Cove, an amusement park where visitors can swim with dolphins and observe fish while snorkeling

Orlando is one of the two vacation towns that Disney built—it’s the site of the granddaddy of them all, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center, Animal Kingdom, and the Typhoon Lagoon water park. Other top attractions are Universal Studios, SeaWorld, the Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre, Gatorland, and the iFly skydiving simulation.

Popular local evening outings include the comedic magic with unlimited food and beverage at the Outta Control Dinner Show and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. This is only a small sample—plenty more family-oriented attractions await in Orlando.

Sandusky, Ohio

Top-rated attraction: Cedar Point Amusement Park and Resort

The big draw of this Lake Erie coastal destination is one of America’s oldest amusement parks, Cedar Point, which has a whopping 17 roller coasters, rated from 2 (mild thrill) to 5 (aggressive thrill). Cedar Point’s water park Soak City also ranks high among Sandusky visitors.

Some of Sandusky’s other family attractions include the Kalahari Waterpark Resort, Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, the Merry-Go-Round Museum, and the Sandusky Maritime Museum.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Top attraction: The Carolina Opry, live theater performances

The coastal city of Myrtle Beach has the titular beach, but there are plenty more family entertainment options, such as horseback riding, the Soar and Explore Zipline and Ropes Course, and Mt Atlanticus mini-golf, and Ripley’s Aquarium.

For parents, there are golfing and casino cruises, and evening entertainment for all at the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theater and Le Grande Cirque.

Hershey, Pennsylvania
Top-rated attraction: Cullari Vineyards and Winery

No surprise here—the attractions of the company town of Hershey, Pennsylvania are Hershey-themed or affiliated: Hersheypark amusement park, Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey Gardens, Hershey Trolley Works, and The Hershey Story museum, and the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.

As for the non-Hershey attractions: there’s the two-wheeled tours of Segway of Hershey, Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park for small tykes, Antique Automobile Club of America Museum.

Ocean City, Maryland
Top-rated attraction: Old Pro mini golf in four indoor and outdoor themed locations

Ocean City is Maryland’s popular 10-mile-long, narrow barrier island beach community featuring three miles of boardwalk. Family attractions include of course the free beaches and the boardwalk, as well as Trimper’s Rides and Frontier Town amusement parks, the Ocean City Life-Saving Station and Wheels of Yesterday museums, and the Carousel Ice Skating Rink.

The destination’s unique draw for outdoors-loving families is Assateague Island, where overnight beach campers can wake up to glimpse the island’s free-roaming wild ponies. Fishing for billfish, tuna, and wahoo is another popular local draw—and for the more advanced, OCMD is known as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.”

Carlsbad, California
Top-rated attraction: Carlsbad Lagoon for wakeboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, pedal boating, and tubing

The Southern California coastal city of Carlsbad has an old-fashioned downtown (Carlsbad Village) as well as protected wildlife habitats. Popular local attractions include Legoland California (for kids 12 and under) and Sea Life Aquarium, the state beach, three lagoons for bird-watching, about a dozen golf courses, Carlsbad Skatepark and Carlsbad Raceway.

For days when the weather’s not cooperating with vacation plans, there’s the Gemological Institute of America Museum, the Museum of Making Music, and a designer outlet mall.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Top-rated attraction: Yoga for You, offering private classes on the beach

Located in the Florida Panhandle, subtropical Panama City Beach features that no-brainer combination for family summer fun: beach and amusements. The beaches are popular for activities like jetskiing, parasailing, boat tours, scuba diving, and snorkeling in the warm Gulf waters or just loafing on the white sand.

The area’s plentiful parks include Coconut Creek Family Fun Park, Super Speed Fun Park, Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Cobra Adventure Park, Gulfworld Marine Park. Panama City has more family activities like mini golf, Rock’it Lanes and Bowlarama bowling, and movies

Source: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-38952334

15 places kids should see by age 15

2011-03-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

(Budget Travel) -- It took us hours of heated debate, weeks of research, and years of experience to whittle down America's monuments to a definitive list of 15 musts for anyone under 15. Not only are these attractions fun and (shhhh) educational, they're especially magical through the eyes of a child.

Two years ago, Budget Travel picked 15 American landmarks every kid should see, from Ellis Island to Redwood National Park. The new and improved 2011 lineup takes that challenge even further, by highlighting how our country's top sights cater to kids' abbreviated attention spans. From roasting marshmallows around a campfire to playing dress-up at Monticello, these cool, interactive activities ensure that the younger set will enjoy these must-see spots as much as their parents do.

Budget Travel: See the 15 destinations

Grand Canyon - Arizona
During the day, stroll the 4-year-old Skywalk, a U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the canyon's West Rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Come sunset, hit Grand Canyon Apache Stables, where, for $25.50 per person, you can hitch a one-hour ride on a horse-drawn wagon that ends around a campfire. Tip: BYO marshmallows and hot dogs so you can cook up a nighttime snack. Skywalk Package including mandatory Legacy pass. Kids 3--11, $57.49; Adults, $73. grandcanyonskywalk.com Grand Canyon Apache Stables: $25.50, kids 8 and up, apachestables.com/

Redwood National Park - California
Ancient, sky-high sequoias aren't the only attraction in this lush California locale -- there's cool aquatic life, too. Take a guided tide pool tour, where budding biologists can scramble between the coastal forest's rocks while hunting for underwater creatures such as orange and purple ochre sea stars and sprawling, green anemones. Free tide pool tours are offered during the summer through Redwood National Park; check website for exact schedule. nps.gov

Monticello - Virginia
The dreaded "look but don't touch" rule means nothing at the Griffin Discovery Room, which opened on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate in 2009. Nothing is off-limits in the space, which features replicas of the third president's possessions, from his alcove bed to his polygraph machine. Even his closet is fair game: Kids can try on clothes modeled after his 18th-century wardrobe. The Griffin Discovery Room is part of Monticello's House and Grounds tour. Adults, $17 (low season), $22 (high season); Kids 6-11, $8 (year-round). monticello.org

Budget Travel: The world's newest natural wonders

The Freedom Trail - Massachusetts
Who needs a social studies book when you can learn about Colonial history from an 18th-century ship captain while parading around Boston's waterfront? The 90-minute Pirates and Patriots tour, led by an actor in 1770s naval garb, focuses on maritime history and introduces the scrappy, ship-raiding characters that inhabited the city's North End during the Revolutionary era.

Stops include the aptly named Long Wharf, once the longest in the world and the epicenter of Boston's colonial shipping industry, and Griffin's Wharf, site of the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Bonus: Some tour guides are known to hand out vintage goodies, so you might walk away with a fistful of colonial money or musket balls. The Freedom Trail's Pirates & Patriots Tour runs from June to Nov. Adults, $12; kids 6--12, $7. thefreedomtrail.org

Niagara Falls - New York
Sure, your grandparents honeymooned there, but the majestic waterfalls straddling the U.S.-Canada border are worth a 21st-century trip. Ever wonder what it's like to be a rubber ducky in a massive bathtub? Sign up for the Cave of the Winds tour, which begins after you change into a complimentary yellow poncho and sandals (trust us, you'll need 'em).

After riding an elevator 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge, you'll stand on the Hurricane Deck, where you'll be drenched by the tropical-storm-like spray from the 181-foot Bridal Veil Falls, where the water falls at a rate of up to 68 mph. Cave of the Winds operates May 1--Oct. 25. Adults, $11; kids 6--12, $8; 5 and under, free. niagarafallsstatepark.com

Budget Travel: Top 10 most travel inspiring movies of the year

The National Mall - Washington, D.C.
Riding the streets of Washington, D.C., in a boat on wheels might sound cheesy, but cruising the Potomac River in one is pretty sweet. Set in a WWII-era amphibious vehicle, the 90-minute D.C. duck tour covers both land and sea.

The first leg hits the history-packed National Mall -- look for the 19-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian museums -- and then switches to a scenic river trip. Highlight: The boat pauses at Gravelly Point, a park located just a few hundred feet from the runway at D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, so you can watch roaring planes take off and land. D.C. duck tours cost $31.50 for adults, and $16.20 for kids 11 and under. trustedtours.com

Budget Travel: 25 best places you've never heard of colonial

Williamsburg - Virginia
Everyone in this living-history site likes to play dress-up, and visitors are no exception. At the Great Hopes Plantation -- a re-creation of the town's original 1700s farm -- a stash of old-timey accessories await, from tricorne (three-pointed) hats for boys and shifts and mop caps (bonnets) for girls.

The costumes come in handy in the field, where kids can perform 18th-century household chores, such as picking bugs off potato crops, fetching water from the well, or hoeing the soil, that are likely to make clearing the dinner dishes seem like a breeze by comparison. Great Hopes Plantation can be accessed through regular admission tickets. Spring prices: adults, $37.95; kids 6--17, $18.95; 5 and under, free. history.org

Walt Disney World Resort - Florida
Taking a family vacation to the world's largest, most popular theme park is a no-brainer, and just-opened exhibits give even more reasons to visit Mickey & Co. Our pick: the Wild Africa Trek, a private, three-hour safari featuring live Nile crocs, statuesque giraffes, and lazy hippos.

Strap into a harness and you can even dangle 10 feet above the crocodiles' heads. (The attraction is open to kids 8 and up.) Mid-jungle trek, the safari car (imagine an open-air Jeep that allows for standing) will stop on the trail for a traditional African lunch. Wild Africa Treks begin at $189 per person, including lunch, but not including admission to Disney's Animal Kingdom. disneyworld.disney.go.com

Budget Travel: 10 beautiful castle hotels

Independence Hall - Pennsylvania
Acquaint yourself with the spirits of America's founding fathers on Philadelphia's Ghost Tour, a 90-minute, candle-lit stroll that winds past landmarks like Independence Hall, where the Constitution was adopted; the Powel House, which hosted George and Martha Washington's 20th wedding anniversary celebration; and the 238-year-old City Tavern, John Adams's former watering hole.

A cape-wearing, lantern-carrying guide points out "haunted" graveyards (St. Peter's Cemetery) and reports sightings of Benjamin Franklin, who's said to roam the city's streets. The best part: All the ghost stories are based on documented accounts, which makes them all the more spooky. Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, adults, $17; kids 4 and up, $8. ghosttour.com

Budget Travel: Tourist traps you love

Alcatraz Island - California
Shiv collections and cramped jail cells don't exactly sound kid-friendly, but they offer a glimpse into America's most notorious island prison -- and the National Park Service is all for bringing younger ones for a visit. Hop a ferry from San Francisco's Pier 33 and stroll the damp, gray halls of the maximum-security pen, which housed criminals like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly from 1934 to 1963. (You can even get behind bars in one of the cells, if you dare.)

Don't miss the audio tour, which was updated in 2007 when former inmates and guards recorded their memories of doing time at "the Rock." If you're feeling brave, take the night tour, which lets you roam the prison after dark. Alcatraz Cruises is the official carrier for tours to Alcatraz Island. Adults 12--61, $26; kids 5--11, $16, 4 and under, free. alcatrazcruises.com

Budget Travel:Our 10 favorite cherry blossom festivals

Ellis Island - New York
Between 1892 and 1924, more than 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island; today, their descendants account for 40% of Americans. Go on a hunt for your ancestors at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, where for $5 you can search through millions of records to find the exact date your relatives sailed into the Port of New York, as well as which ship they were on and whether they traveled with other family members. (Bonus: copies of the documents are yours to keep.)

And don't miss the construction of the Peopling of America Center, which cost $20 million to build and is slated to open in 2012. The new space focuses on U.S. immigration from 1955 (when Ellis Island closed) to the present, and houses interactive multimedia exhibits, like a touch screen that reflects demographic changes in American cities over time. Ellis Island admission prices as of March 18: adults, $37.95; children, $18.95; children under 5, free. ellisisland.org

Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
Snag a Young Scientist Toolkit stocked with magnifying glasses, rock samples, and stopwatches to time geyser eruptions at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and hit the great outdoors for some investigating. The coolest toy: an infrared-thermometer gun that takes readings of thermal pools when pointed at the water. And there's lots of H20: The 3,472-square-mile park is home to more geothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mud spots) than any place on earth. The Young Scientist activity booklet and toolkit costs $5 (toolkit must be returned after use). Park entrance fee starts at $12. nps.gov

Budget Travel: Best secret hotels of the world

Fenway Park - Massachusetts
Even die-hard Yankees fans have to admit that visiting Major League Baseball's oldest stadium is an exercise in Americanism: Babe Ruth pitched there! Ted Williams hit a 502-foot home run! Boston's Fenway turns 100 next year, but its features are still intact. Check them out for yourself on a guided 50-minute tour, where hands-on exploration is encouraged: You can touch the Green Monster (the park's 37-foot-tall left-field wall), peek into the dugout, poke around inside the press box, and even walk across the baseball diamond, depending on how friendly the grounds crew is feeling that day. Fenway Park tours, adults, $12; kids 3--15, $10; seniors, $11. mlb.mlb.com

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve - Idaho
The National Park Service calls this Idaho preserve "the only officially weird park" in the country. And for good reason: The jagged, black landscape -- formed by volcanic eruptions up to 15,000 years ago -- boasts a 618-square-mile lava field, the biggest in the U.S. (The rocky surface is so moonlike that Apollo 14 astronauts trained at the site in 1969.) The park's most awe-inspiring feature is its lava tubes, underground passageways created by hardened molten rock.

Grab a flashlight and head to Indian Tunnel, which, at 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, allows for comfortable exploring. Craving an even more intense experience? Exit the cave at the far end, a feat that requires mounting a big rock pile and squeezing through a small opening. Park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle; bike or foot entrance starts at $4; age 14 below is free. nps.gov

Budget Travel: 11 places you want to be right now

San Diego Zoo - California
With more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing 800-plus species and subspecies, the San Diego Zoo is one of the most diverse in America. But its coolest attraction -- literally -- is the Polar Bear Plunge, which reopened last March after a $1 million makeover.

Aside from permanent polar residents Kalluk, Chinook, and Tatqiq, new features include a snow den you can burrow into (the snug space mimics where female bears birth their cubs); a helicopter used on actual Arctic explorations that invites climbers into the cockpit; and the Experience Wall, where zookeepers open the glass panels surrounding the bears' habitat, letting them sniff at visitors through wire mesh. Ages 12 and up, $40; 3--11, $30. sandiegozoo.org

Source: CNN article

Disney - Must Read

2011-03-02T13:23:00.001-05:00

(Budget Travel) -- If there's such a thing as an archetypal Disney fanatic, I'm pretty sure that I don't fit the mold.

I don't own Mickey Mouse T-shirts or have a Disney license plate on my car. There are no movie posters, bobblehead dolls or other assorted Disneyana decorating my cubicle.

But as hard as it is for my colleagues at Budget Travel to believe, I've been to Walt Disney World more times than I can count. In fact, when my family and I try to tally the total number of days we've logged in the parks, we usually start with some complex mental math only to throw up our hands and agree, "A few hundred."

Having grown up in Tampa, about an hour from Disney World, I've had some of my most memorable life experiences with Mickey and the gang. Disney World is where my fourth-grade science class went on a field trip to learn about marine biology, where my elementary school chorus performed Christmas carols, where I've spent countless New Year's Eves, Fourths of July, Labor Days and Memorial Days.

I even learned I was accepted into journalism school, from an e-mail sent to my smartphone, while riding in a simulated hang glider at Epcot's popular Soarin' attraction.

Budget Travel gallery: Indispensable Disney guide
So I guess you could say I know the place pretty well. Add in my family (mother, father and sister), and we've collectively amassed more than 60 years of park experience. With that kind of dedication comes a little embarrassment and a lifetime's worth of invaluable rules.

What follows is my hard-won Disney World wisdom, an insider's manual for first-timers and fanatics alike.

BudgetTravel.com: 5 cruise money-saving cruise questions -- and answers

1. Embrace your impulsive side
Disney World's sheer scale can be daunting: four theme parks, 25,000 acres, nearly 500 places to eat, more than 28,000 hotel rooms. Guidebooks often suggest creating a master multiday game plan before hitting the parks. I totally disagree. Rather than sticking to a rigid agenda, my family has developed a simple system: Check the morning forecast.

If rain is on the way, we head for Hollywood Studios -- it's far and away the most compact of the four parks, and almost all rides and lines are indoors or sheltered. Cloudy days are ideal for Animal Kingdom, since the big cats, great apes and Serengeti grazers are much more active when the sun is hidden, while Epcot is a must when the mercury is predicted to climb above 90 degrees. Many of its top attractions clock in at over 15 minutes, maximizing your precious air-conditioned hours.

And for those perfectly sunny days? Magic Kingdom, of course. Blue skies are ideal for carnival-style rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad -- not to mention that classic family photo in front of Cinderella Castle.

2. Don't even think about paying for parking
When you're shelling out $82 a day for admission, tacking on another $14 for parking can feel like adding insult to injury. I'm proud to say my family hasn't paid for a spot in years. What many out-of-towners don't realize is that the parking lots at Disney water parks, miniature-golf courses and the Downtown Disney entertainment district are absolutely free.

From those locations, shuttle buses will take you wherever you need to go (note that some routes require transfers). Our all-time favorite spot is an unmarked overflow lot across the street from the BoardWalk Inn. Next to a Hess gas station, the lot is almost always half-empty and is a 10-minute walk to the resort.

From there, you can stroll over to Epcot, take a ferry ride to Hollywood Studios, or catch a shuttle bus anywhere else -- all free of charge.

3. Ready, set...run!
If you've been to Disney World even once, you probably know that Fastpasses are the single-greatest time-savers ever. They are distributed from special machines at many popular rides, and they specify a time window (essentially a reservation) when you can return and skip the line. The only hitch is that they're limited and first-come, first-served.

Every December 26, my family visits the Magic Kingdom with a large group from our neighborhood. To ensure that we all get Fastpasses, our family friend, a special-projects manager at a major computer company, uses his logistics skills to coordinate what I call the "running man" strategy.

Because favorites like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain are located far from the entrance, it would be impossible to get our whole party to the Fastpass machines before the best time slots were taken.

Instead, we send the fastest member of our pack bobbing and weaving through the crowds to collect passes for everyone.

BudgetTravel.com: Hottest new travel gadgets

4. Look beyond the biggies
With top rides like Hollywood Studios' Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (an intense free fall) and Epcot's Mission: Space (a thrilling virtual space flight) commanding hour-long waits, it pays to go where the action isn't. Epcot's Sum of All Thrills is no less exciting than Mission: Space, but for whatever reason, I've never waited more than 15 minutes for it.

On a touch screen, guests design their own roller coaster, bobsled course, or jet flight, and then step inside a two-person module on the end of a robotic arm to experience a simulated version of their creation.

Another inexplicably empty attraction is Magic Kingdom's Tom Sawyer Island. The 3.3-acre site is a warren of wooded trails, caves and circa-1840s buildings. Each morning, staffers hide six paintbrushes on the island, and the first kids to find them get front-of-the-line passes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain.

5. Drink for free -- in eight languages
Disney World isn't exactly known for its giveaways -- which is why Epcot's Coca-Cola-sponsored Club Cool is such a score. Located in a nondescript storefront behind Epcot's silver geodesic sphere, Club Cool doles out free samples of eight soft drinks from around the world, including Costa Rican Fanta Kolita, Israeli Kinley Lemon and Japanese VegitaBeta.

Just beware the bitter and syrupy Italian (nonalcoholic) aperitif known as Beverly. It's a doozy.

BudgetTravel.com: 27 outrageous travel signs

6. Grab some shut-eye (and a quick history lesson)
During summer's peak, when the Magic Kingdom can stay open as late as 2 a.m., the conventional wisdom is to return to your hotel for a refreshing afternoon catnap or a cooldown by the pool.

But really, there's no need to leave the park. My apologies to the Hall of Presidents -- Disney's audio-animatronic celebration of the American presidency -- but there's no better place for a quick midday snooze.

Comfy seats, a long running time (23 minutes), perfect air-conditioned temperatures and Morgan Freeman's warm narration make for a dreamy combination.

7. Look at the line. Now skip it
Trying to fit all the highlights of a given park into a single day can feel like a race against the clock, so every little time-saver helps. At Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios), Test Track (Epcot) and Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom), riders have the option of queuing up in a dedicated singles line to fill any empty seats that might open up between larger parties.

Sure, you won't be able to buy the requisite cheesy souvenir photo of you and your family screaming your heads off, but you'll halve that hour-plus wait time.

Multi-kid families have another option, called the rider switch. If one of the kids is too young, short or scared to ride, one parent-child pair can enjoy the attraction while the other waits by the loading zone.

When the riders finish up, the parents can swap positions and the new parent-child team sets off for another run -- no extra waiting involved.

8. Squeeze in time for cocktail hour
At a certain point in every young Floridian's life, Epcot graduates from "the educational theme park" to "the park where you can drink your way around the world."

Everything from Chinese green-tea plum-wine slushies ($7.50) to icy, blended French Grey Goose citron cocktails ($9) is available in the grab-and-go bars that ring Epcot's World Showcase Lagoon. Sure, these drinks are delicious, but there's an even better alternative.

For those unconcerned with trying to hit every attraction before the park closes, I suggest setting some time aside to duck into La Cava del Tequila, hidden inside Epcot's Mexico Pavilion.

With only 30 seats, the grotto-like restaurant is an unexpectedly intimate shelter from the bustle outside and serves some mean specialties like flavored margaritas (avocado, cactus, jalapeño and hibiscus), house-made guacamole, small plates like blue crab tostadas and flights of top-shelf tequila (margaritas from $10, small plates from $6).

9. Buy a souvenir you'll actually want
For years, the most popular souvenirs at Disney World were hyper-collectible but decidedly uncool pins. (That didn't stop me from gathering them by the hundreds.)

But now Disney has gone and added a twist: It's introduced a line of souvenirs that are at once cartoonish, crowd-pleasing, and surprisingly hip. With their trademark Mickey Mouse ears, the three-inch-tall Vinylmation figurines (from $10) come in hundreds of designs.

You'll find everything from classic characters like Goofy and Pluto to iconic attractions like the monorail and Cinderella Castle.

The catch? These pop-art-inspired action figures are sold in unmarked boxes, so you never know which pattern you'll find inside. If you're unhappy with your randomly selected design, most stores keep three options in full view by the cash register, and you can swap yours for one of those backups.

10. Don't skimp on your hotel. I promise you'll regret it
Most people are quick to think you'll get the best hotel deals outside the parks. And while that's probably true -- a $35 room on congested International Drive is not unheard of -- value-oriented visitors should not rule out Disney resorts.

For example, the All-Star (Music, Sports and Movies -- three separate hotels) and Pop Century resorts are just minutes from the parks via Disney buses, and they start at $82 a night (make reservations at disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts).

Each is outfitted with oversize props that suit their respective themes. Think 51-foot-tall tennis rackets, a guitar-shaped pool and pop culture figures like Mr. Potato Head and Pac-Man. If all of this overblown theming comes off a bit kitschy, Port Orleans (from $149) and Coronado Springs (from $154) offer more subtle experiences inspired by New Orleans and the American Southwest.

Whichever you choose, I recommend you embrace it along with your inner kid. At Disney, that's kinda the point.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/03/01/bt.disney.world/index.html?hpt=C2

San Diego

2011-02-18T14:14:00.000-05:00

San Diego
With great restaurants, a culture-filled downtown, and amusements like Sea World, Legoland, and Zoo Safari Park, San Diego offers something for everyone, for a lot less than you'd pay at Disney World.

Rooms in the four-star Paradise Point Resort & Spa, located on a private island, start at $175 a night in spring vs. $375 for an equivalent hotel in Orlando.
source: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/pf/1101/gallery.family_vacations.moneymag/5.html