Save Money By Taking A Stay At Home Vacation

Families used to count on going on vacation once a year, but many are finding it too costly to travel on holiday these days. Even if you can’t afford a get-away this year, there are still many exciting activities you can indulge in for fun. Vacations might not be an option this year, so try a staycation. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite.

Give one room of your house a whole new look by updating it during your staycation. Get daring with color, polishing fixtures and reconfiguring the furniture layout. Turn your bedroom into an oasis and add romantic touches, like red velvet pillows and fresh flowers in a gem-studded vase. You’ll be amazed at the difference a few accessories can make in your room.

Set off on a cultural journey by heading to the museum, local art venues, and your town’s library. Get in touch with the history of the area in which you live, and find out the back story of your town or state. For example, New Jersey is called the “Garden State” and Missouri is the “Show me State.” Find out why at a bookstore you love, and not only will you get some culture, you’ll learn something new as well.

During your week off, at least one day should be considered total “you-time.” Get self-indulgent for once and hit a day spa, and while you’re there, get a manicure and pedicure. Since you’re off the clock, how about a nice deep-tissue massage to really relax you? Consider getting your hair done in a totally new style, perhaps even changing the color. A bold gesture, if you’re up for it, is to try out a henna tattoo.

Try a theme for each night of the week. On “picture day,” you can see a movie, take pictures of the sunset, and then rent a movie for later on that night. On “animal day,” you might consider visiting a zoo or local farm and then watching animal shows on television. Perhaps you could go root for a local baseball team on “sports day,” then watch “Field of Dreams” later on at home.

Try to get outside if the weather allows, perhaps hiking or camping. These are great ways to soak up the beauty of nature while also getting in some exercise time. If you can convince your friends to camp out with you without all of their usual electronic devices, such as cell phones, portable games, and PDAs, you can enjoy a night under the stars like they did in the old days.

So don’t let a lack of funds stop you from having a great time during your vacation. There’s always a way to find interesting and exciting places in your town without spending a fortune. With a little bit of ingenuity and a willing spirit, you can find fun wherever you go, and enjoy a staycation instead.  

Ellen Parsons has written dozens of articles on accredited online colleges and online universities for mid-career professionals.

A Recent Graduate’s Guide To Budgeting

If you thought paying for college was a challenge, wait until you discover the joys of making ends meet on an entry level salary. While you may not find yourself to be financially comfortable for a few years, you can start off on the right foot by setting a budget as soon as you negotiate your salary of your first post-college job. Make sure that you sharpen your pencil (and get rid of all luxuries) if you find that you won’t have any fun money left after meeting your obligations. The next steps are below:

1. Never pay bills after the due date. There are fees and interest charges attached to balances when you miss your due date by even a couple days. What’s more, your almighty credit report could take a hit as well. If you’re not sure why a respectable credit rating is important, try getting a car loan or a lease on an apartment without one. If your credit score is good, you’ll likely see better rates for car insurance and loans, too.

2. Don’t get carried away with credit cards. While you may be old enough to obtain a credit card without a co-signer, you need to demonstrate true restraint if you don’t want to wind up over your head in debt. It’s a good idea to accept a credit card as a way to start building a positive credit history, but be sure to pay the full balance every month. You’ll avoid paying interest and won’t find yourself buying more than you can afford. Using a credit card for online or large item purchases is smart because you can dispute the purchase if something goes wrong, but don’t let yourself linger in paying off the balance.

3. Start the habit of saving right away. You’ll be surprised how quickly you wake up and find yourself halfway to retirement. Honestly! Start out small and increase your savings with every pay raise. Ask your boss about the company savings plan and let your savings grow that way, too. In most cases the money is matched by your employer so the balance grows quicker.

4. Understand the pitfalls of using a debit card. While it may look like a credit card, a debit card functions exactly like a check does. The money you spend comes directly out of your account within a day or two. What happens if you aren’t diligent about the amount in your account and how much you are spending? You overdraw your account and accrue some nasty fees from your bank. If you have spent even a dollar more than you have, you could be deducted up to $40 in overdraft fees. The lesson here is to keep track of your spending so this never happens.

Independence, financial and otherwise, is what you’ve worked so hard for all these years. Protect your identity by keeping your social security number to yourself and shred your mail with financial account numbers on them. Spend only what you have and push yourself to save along the way. It isn’t always easy to be financially responsible, but it is always rewarding.

Jon Ross is an economics instructor who runs seminars on scholarships and online degree programs for adults.

The Secrets to Winning an Athletic Scholarship

Students in 2009 (and their families) can expect to pay about $80,000 for a four-year college program. What’s more, that figure continues to rise at the rate of 6.5% every year. If you are considering a private school, go ahead and double it. If, however you’ve been a good sport – literally – throughout high school, chances are you can look beyond standard student loans, financial aid and grants for assistance. Why not apply for an athletic scholarship? About $1.2 billion in scholarship money is awarded to students every year in exchange for their performance on various fields. Here are a few of the basics for you to kick around:

1. Go straight to college after high school graduation. In order to be considered for an athletic scholarship, you have to be between’ and 24 years old, so if you dilly dally for a year or two after high school, you might blow it. Most scholarships are awards to those who go to college the fall after getting your diploma.

2. There are 29 sports recognized by the NCAA (National College Athletic Association) The women’s list is a little longer and includes: Archery, Water Polo, Volleyball, Basketball, Bowling, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Cross Country, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Squash, Softball, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Rifle.

Male athletes can earn scholarships in: Swimming and Diving, Football, Gymnastics, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Lacrosse and Wrestling, Soccer, Baseball, Water Polo, Basketball, Fencing, Volleyball, Ice Hockey, Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor), Rifle.

3. Unless you and your athleticism has already become a household name in your region, don’t count on a recruiter finding you. Instead, prepare a sports portfolio of your efforts and make sure that it gets on the desk of the coach you are trying to play for at the college level. A bio of your life in sports and as many newspaper and/or broadcast TV clips of your highlights will be fine.

4. Before you can be considered for an athletic scholarship, you need to have earned admission to the college based on your academic offering. (Note: The SAT is the entrance exam required for collegiate sports consideration.)

If you are lucky enough to land a full athletic scholarship, you have some thinking to do. College sports, while exciting, aren’t a golden ticket toward a lucrative professional sports contract after graduation. You’ll need to choose a major in a field that holds your interest so that you can launch a career outside of sports once you hang up your cleats (racket, swim cap, whatever). Success comes in many forms, so be ready for everything that life might bring.

John Barnett is a high school baseball and soccer coach. He earned a masters degree at an online college and is considering several online colleges for additional study.

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