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Emerson Publications
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Family First Good morning! One of my friends recently told me I'm scaring him with my "get prepared" messages! That's good! Not that I really want you to be scared, but I do want you to be aware. We all need to be prepared for whatever might happen, whether it be job loss, natural disaster, truckers strike, or just the high price of gas slowing down every mode of transportation. I've already talked to people who are struggling to pay for gas to get to work. What's going to happen if the trucks stop rolling and they can't stock the grocery shelves? Once you realize there's no food, it's too late. Stock up now while you can. Today I hope you'll enjoy these ideas on how to fight the price of gas and still have an enjoyable vacation. What are you doing to make 2008 great? Joyce P.S. The e-package I was telling you about last time is still available - How to Accomplish More in One Day than Most People Accomplish in a Week! The lady who wrote this package is truly the most dynamic yet unstressed person I have ever met. Six kids and several businesses. She's amazing! Check it out at http://emerson98.pwgroup.hop.clickbank.net
Gas prices keeping you at home? Summer Vacation - Where vs.
How According to the Travel Industry Association, Americans will be spending their stimulus check on an overnight stay or day trip. With the prices of gas, a “day” trip is about all it will cover unless you're traveling alone. Six of ten, or 59% of Americans won’t change their travel plans this summer, even with the price of gas skyrocketing. Here is a list of a few things that the remaining 41% might do to keep from having no vacation at all. This information comes from www.tia.org
So what can you do to break the monotony of summer without breaking the bank?
I recently had a great overnight vacation by sleeping in my daughter’s camper with her and the kids. Our business allows us to keep the camper in the parking lot, so all we had to do was show up and sleep there. We all ate dinner together before going into the camper, but once inside, we played a board game, then snuggled and watched a movie. It’s the best way to get away from the things in the house that keep you from actually spending time together. Last year on our Disney vacation with our daughter and grandkids, we spent two full days walking around Walt Disney World until we were ready to drop from heat exhaustion. The next day, we took the day off and went to the campground swimming pool. When I asked my grandson what his favorite thing about the vacation had been, he said, “Going swimming.” I told my son-in-law he could have saved a lot of money by just taking the kids to the neighborhood pool at home! I love to travel and see new places, but I’m always ready to come back home. Most kids get their information from what they see on tv, but all they're seeing is the best part of what that attraction has to offer. Some parents seem to judge their parenting success on whether or not they can take their kids to a Disney theme park. They either sacrifice all year to make the trip, or more likely, go into major debt to make it happen. In the end, the adults are uptight because they know they can't afford to be there. The kids are cranky because of the travel involved to get there. Maybe it’s time to sit down as a family and discuss, realistically, what your family wants to do this year. If your kids are old enough, tell them to come to the meeting with ideas for what to do or where to go. Be sure to ask questions and understand why they want to go to Florida. Do they want to go to Walt Disney World, or want to be at the beach. If they just want water, would they be just as happy with a day at a water park? If they want to ride roller coasters, how about an entire day at the local amusement park? With the internet, it’s easy enough to look up activities and prices and make a budget. Decide what your budget can afford and go from there. Working together and being honest about your vacation budget can end up being a good experience for all of you. After all, it's about how you spend your time together as a family. Not necessarily where you do it. Copyright 2008 by Joyce Moseley Pierce. Joyce is a published author whose stories have been included in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She’s the owner of Emerson Publications and her specialty is helping others be prepared. Visit http://www.prepareandsucceed.com if you're looking for a way to supplement or replace your current income.
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