Trafalgar - rediscover the romance of travel

If you are looking for some travel ideas, this is a great place to start.  Their catalog and website have a pretty amazing list of vacation ideas that start at about one week in duration and can go up from there.  I have not personally participated in any of their packages, but most of the lodging and food and travel appear to be included.  There are some meals and optional activities that may not be included.

If you do not like to "micro"-plan your vacations, then just buy one of their packages.  If you want to have full control over your itinerary and pace, then you pay want to see what their schedule is like and try to reproduce it.  Of course, you need to balance this with the possible increase in cost to your trip. 






I had previously posted on a similar service that Disney offers called "Adventures by Disney" which you can read by clicking here.

Related websites:

• Adventures by Disney
• Trafalgar

I see some itineraries that look very interesting.  Just need the time and resources to go.

To see how you can support me, click here.

Stop upgrading everything...

Just watched this video on Yahoo! Finance which talked about the Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.  Mike Daisey visited the Foxconn manufacturing plant where a lot of our electronics are built.  He says that the United States exported jobs, but not values.

One way to "revolt" against the poor working conditions is to fight back the internal feeling of the need to upgrade everything you have as soon as something new is released.


For more information, click here to view the video.

To read about Foxconn on Wikipedia, click here.


To see how you can support me, click here.

Doh! Boba Tea House was closed

I lost count of how many times I have received my 10 percent discount for wearing my Boba Tea House T-shirt.  We were going to treat the kids today, but it appears that they closed early.

Yeah.  We have saved a whole bunch, and some of it may have been money we would not have spent, but it is an occasional treat, so it is all good.

We will have to take a rain check on this one.  I usually post pictures on my photoblog, but here is one for you:

To view pictures on my photoblog, click here: http://leftyphotoblog.blogspot.com/

To see how you can support me, click here.

Money Magazine's 2012 Retirement Guide

Yeah, I must be going through a Money Magazine issue (still receiving for free).

They start living well on less with six recommendations:

1. Fine-tune your budget
2. Turn time into money
3. Live smaller
4. Move to a lower-cost area
5. Work part-time
6. Become debt-free

They also have articles on the following:

• How to draw the max - safely
• The right portfolio now
• Five great low-cost towns
• Medicare: What no one is telling you

To read what to do or for further details, click on the link on how to support me and purchase a subscription through Barnes and Nobles.com

To see how you can support me, click here.

You can also read more details on Money Magazine's website.

Money Magazine - Three Reasons to Love the Slowdown

In a recent Money Magazine issue (still receiving this one for free), there was a feature in their "Economy Watch" section titled Three Reasons to Love the Slowdown.

The reasons are:

1. Stocks are more attractively priced
2. Interest rates will remain low for a while
3. Investment properties are a deal

To read what to do or for further details, click on the link on how to support me and purchase a subscription through Barnes and Nobles.com

To see how you can support me, click here.

Visit? Get sailing

In a recent Sunset Magazine, they mentioned that the 2013 34th America's Cup will be held off the coast of San Francisco.  They have a feature that goes through some of the basics of what to expect as well

In the following link, they have listings on where to sail.  Their favorite charter companies include:

• Aloha Yacht Charters, San Diego
• Marina Sailing, Long Beach and Newport Beach
• Sail Channel Islands, Oxnard
• Sail San Diego, San Diego

Click here to go to Sunset. com to read more about how to get started sailing as well as find places in Seattle, northern and southern California to sail.


To see how you can support me, click here.

Visit? Sunset Magazine - Secret Park Escapes

Some of these will be quite a drive from southern California, but can be included if you are willing to drive further.

In a recent Sunset Magazine article (still receiving for free) they talked about how to find Secret Park Escapes.  They outlined their three strategies to "outsmart" the crowds.  They include:

1. Finding the gems
2. Using the backdoor to the big guns
3. Explore north of the border (Canada)

Their top pics include:

• Capitol Reef, UT (Golden Throne Trail, Hickman Bridge Trail)
• North Cascades, WA (Sourdough Mountain Trail)
• Great Basin, NV (Lexington Arch Trail)
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO (North Vista Trail)
• Crater Lake, OR (West Rim Trail)
• Last-minute campsite in Yosemite (Camp 4 or Tamarack Flat)
• Yellowstone (Grant Village)
• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (Kolob Canyons and Timber Creek Overlook Trail)
• Kootenay, southeast British Columbia (Kootenay's STanley Glacier Trail)

To see how you can support me, click here.

Sunset Magazine - Think Inside the Box

Yeah.  I am way behind in blogging here.  Have been busy with pictures on my Photoblog.

In a recent Sunset magazine (still receiving for free), there was an article about thinking "Inside the box" where a firm called HyBrid Architecture, designed a 192-square-foot container to be converted into a small home.

The company website has designs for larger homes as well as commercial buildings made out of containers.

To view more information, click on the following related websites:

• HyBrid Architecture:  cargotecture.com
• c192 Nomad 2011 Sunset Magazine Idea House

To see how you can support me, click here.

Visit? Set your sights on Point Loma

If you have been following this blog, you know that I receive some magazines for free.  One of them is Sunset Magazine.  In the September 2011 issue's "Weekend escape" section, there was a feature on visiting Point Loma for the weekend.

Here are their "six reasons" to visit Point Loma

1. Take in the city.  At J World San Diego on Facebook, a sailing school
2. The meal you've been waiting for. They recommend a restaurant called Sessions Public
3. Hook a Halibut.  You can rent a pole a fish for halibut at Sharkey's at Shelter Island Pier.  You can also rent kayaks there too, but their website did not describe this.
4. Concerts on the water.  The Humphreys Concerts by the Bay has concerts all year-round.  You can check their schedule at-a-glance here. 
5. A Jewel of a Hotel.  There are only 23 rooms at the Pearl Hotel.  This hotel is only one block away from the bay.
6. Your Screensaver Views.   You can see the San Diego skyline from the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in Cabrillo National Monument or grab a window seat at the Bali Hai Restaurant.

To read more, click below:

• Set your sights on Point Loma on Sunset.com

Bamboo Bicycles in California?

Ooh.  It has been a awhile since I posted here, hasn't it?

If you have been following my blog, you will know that I am receiving some magazines for free.  One of them is the Smithsonian Magazine.

I found an interesting article about Lars Jacobsen who is a co-founder of Stalk Bicycles in Oakland, California.  It is interesting that he makes bicycle frames out of bamboo.

To read more, click below:

• Turning Bamboo into a Bicycle on SmithsonianMag.com

You can support me by subscribing to Smithsonian Magazine with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles or enter the following address in your web browser: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/smithsonian

Deal Alert at Staples: Reams of paper for only 50 cents

Not quite as good as 25 cents which that deal was a couple of weeks ago.  You can get 2 reams of Staples brand paper for 50 cents each after rebates.

Related websites:

• Previous blog post about the 25 cents for each ream
• Staples.com and Current circular

AARP: When the Sun Makes You Sick

As summer is well under way, here is an interesting read about how the sun can make you sick.  

Make sure that you and the kids wear some sort of sunblock whenever they are out in the sun.  I know there is some debate between titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and Helioplex, but something is better than nothing.

The feature lists a large number of medications that can cause reactions when you are in the sun.  For the complete list, read it one their site.

Related websites at AARP.org:

• Part 1: When the Sun Makes You Sick
• Part 2: How to Protect Yourself

LATimes.com: Google+ plans to add social games capability

I read that Google+ has added millions of users in the first couple of weeks.  The plan is to add "social games" to try and get additional users.  Currently Facebook collects about 30 percent from current vendors who sell "virtual" things on Facebook.  There is a complaint to the United States Federal Trade Commission that Facebook is creating their own currency.  This action may place further pressure on Facebook, but this is good competition that should drive forces towards market prices.

Related websites:

• LATimes.com article
• Yahoo! News article about Antitrust complaint against Facebook

Deal alert: Borders stores closing

Sad to see such a large store closing its doors.  Whether it is management style and decisions, failure to adapt to new trends, extinction by technology, its impact is huge.

It looks like Borders.com is still selling things and the physical stores are selling items for up to 40 percent off.

Remember that just because it is on sale, does not mean you should go buy something.  You may end up buying something you did not need in the first place.  Also, you need to navigate all the potential crowds.

For more information, check out the following websites:

• Borders.com
• Store locator on Borders.com

Forbes.com - Rovio - Audacious (Angry) Birds

I am still receiving Forbes Magazine for free.

I am going through the recent Forbes magazine issue and came a cross an article on Rovio Mobile and how tey are trying to "seek global domination."  There have been 250 million downloads and the report that on some days, players spend up to 200 million minutes playing the game.  They also report that Angry Bird merchandise is the third-most knocked-off brand  in China.

It is funny that Angry Bird diagrams are also being used in school physics tests too.

Related websites:

• Click here to go to the article on Forbes.com 
• Official company website: http://www.telikin.com/

You can support me by subscribing to Forbes with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles or enter the following address in your web browser: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/forbes

Deal Alert at Staples: Reams of paper for only 25 cents

The local Staples flyer has some deals, of which the following caught my eye.

A ream of Staples brand multipurpose paper with a brightness of 96 and a weight of 20 pounds of regularly priced for $5.99 each.  There is an "easy rebate" of $5.74 for each ream and a limit of 2 reams per household.  This ends up costing you $0.25 for each ream plus any sales tax on the original $5.99 price.

Click here to view the current week's circular.  The above deal is on the first page.

If you buy from Staples.com, remember to support me by first clicking on my Upromise link, then selecting Staples.com or other e-tailers.

Telikin computers made for Seniors?

Hmmm.... I guess I would have to play with one of these to be convinced.

Here is a device that is featured in a recent Inc. Magazine issue (that I have been receiving for free), but some of the information is out of date.  It was a brief blurb about a computer made by a company called Telikin that makes a touchscreen computer with customized software that runs most of the internet/communication functions that is supposed to be easier for "seniors" to use.

Not endorsing this product, but just saying that it is available.  One of my concerns is always backing up data.  The company offers a $9.95 per month option.  It is not clear what it covers.

It states that they have sold computers on Newegg and SkyMall, but I do not find them being currently sold there.  They are listed on Amazon where I used to be able to link to products, but because of the recent State of California legislation requiring Amazon to collect sales tax, Amazon has terminated any commissions.

Related websites:

• Click here to go to the blurb on Inc. Magazine's website
• Official company website: http://www.telikin.com/

You can support me by subscribing to Inc. Magazine with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles and search of Inc Magazine or copy and paste this address:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/inc-magazine?store=ALLPRODUCTS&keyword=inc+magazine

Forbes.com - Going, Going, Gone

Just going through a recent issue of Forbes magazine (which I am still getting for free).

Here is another article on helping get rid of (a lot) of stuff.  The examples they give include "downsizing, helping a parent move or handling an estate..."

The key points include the following:

• Accept that downsizing is tough
• Do your homework
• Call in an appraiser
• Be wary of family lore
• Don't junk that Buck Rogers patch
• Call in an auction house
• Donate and deduct
• Pass down some heirlooms as gifts
• Consider capital gains
• Reduce paperwork for your heirs

Read here for more details:

• Click here to read the article on Forbes.com

You can support me by subscribing to Forbes with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles or enter the following address in your web browser: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/forbes

Forbes.com - 10 Steps to Make Your Kid A Millionaire

I am going through a recent of Forbes Magazine.  Here is another article that covers 10 steps to "ensure that your family's next generation is an affluent one."

Here are 10 steps:

• Don't Overeducate
• Find a Cheap B.A.
• Fund a Roth
• Shun Card Debt
• Shop for a 529
• Give Away Grandpa's IRA
• Start them Young (budgeting)
• Give Stock
• Put Your Kids In A House (gift of downpayment)
• Hire Your Offspring (if you own a business)

For more details click here to be taken to Forbes.com 

You can support me by subscribing to Forbes with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles or enter the following address in your web browser: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/forbes

Forbes.com - TiVo Off The Mat

Here is an interesting short read.  If you have been following me on this blog, you will know that I am receiving Forbes Magazine for free.

Here is a quick blurb about how TiVo's Chief Executive Officer bought 10,000 of the company's shares.  This is the first time in eight years that one of the executives have purchased shares in the open market.

Tom Rogers, the Chief Executive, feels that they are undervalued.  The article discusses the following factors:

• Increased spending on research and development to handle both internet media and cable/broadcast content. 
• Increased value by decreasing DVR prices but also increasing monthly fees
• Likely settlements from AT&T and Verizon
• Possible expansion with large media providers (such as Time Warner).

Read here for more details:

• TiVo Off The Mat on Forbes.com

You can support me by subscribing to Forbes with the following simple steps:

• Click on this link to be taken to Upromise
• Click on the See Deals and Shop button
• In the next window, you can either click on Barnes and Nobles or enter the following address in your web browser: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/forbes

Boba Tea House Menu and Prices - Updated

I posted a couple of years ago pictures of the local Boba Tea House Menus. (You can view that post here)

It looks like the local Boba Tea House shop updated their menus and prices.  Here are pictures of the current fare.  These were taken with my phone and not my point-and-shoot.  I guess I was not prepared.

Click here to see how you can support me.

Click here to see how you can support me.

Apple is skimping this year!

Oooh.  Apple is skimping this year!  In previous years they would run a promotion of something like "Buy a Mac and get an iPod free" where you would be reimbursed for about $199 for the purchase of an iPod.

I guess this year they are giving you an "app" store credit in the amount of $100.  For them, it isn't a big deal because there is virtually no overhead for this variable cost.

Bummer.

Click here to be taken to Apple's website for more information.

Deal alert: Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter for only $79.99

Seen in the Sunday newspaper advertisement:  A Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter that is regularly $199.99 is $120 off for only $79.99. It says it is available from June 12 to June 18, 2011.

The cartridges are $33.99 down from the regular price of $89.99.

If you are going to buy online, click here to give me credit.  After clicking, search for Joann to be taken to their online store.

Or to buy from Amazon, click below:

Businessweek: Elop's Fable

Here is another interesting read about Nokia and a little (or a lot) about the partnership between that company and Microsoft.  Before reading this, I was not aware that Stephen Elop was previously with Microsoft.  He oversaw the Microsoft Office operations.

Click here to read it on the Businessweek site.

To subscribe, click below:

LATimes.com: In touch too much?

Here is an interesting read.  It is about how electronics including wireless phones and the internet and allowing children to stay in touch with their parents after high school.  This was previously the time where the children would be "shipped" off to college and would normally only be available by phone call or mail.

To view more details, click here to go to the website.

Money: Stay Cool When News Gets Scary

If you have been following this blog, you will know that I have been getting Money Magazine for free.  Here is reminder of how to stay cool when you get bad news.

The key points are:

• Know your history
• Know your portfolio
• Put it in writing
• Have a relief valve
• Put your core portfolio on autopilot

To view further details on Money Magazine's website, click here.

To subscribe, click below:

National Park Free Days

In the most recent Sunset Magazine, it reminds us that every national park offers free admission on the following days:

• June 21 (first day ofsummer)
• National Public Lands Day (September 24)
• Veterans Day weekend (November 11 through 13)

To subscribe to Sunset magazine:

Westways: Here Comes the Sun

Oh no...another interesting read.  This one is about protecting your skin this summer.

This one covers 10 things to know about UV protection:

• Skin Cancer is More Prevalent Than Ever
• Sunscreen Can Give You the Illusion of Protection
• You Don't Use Enough Sunscreen
• You Don't Apply Sunscreen Early or Often Enough
• You Have Too Much Faith in SPF
• You Needs UVB and UVA Protection
• You Can't Relay on your Cotton T-Shirt
• Sun Damage is Cumulative
• Suntan = Damaged Skin
• Lips, Eyes, and Scalp Need Protection

Click here to go to the Westways website for further details about the above key points.

Westways: Time to Re-Tire?

Wow, this recent issue of Westways has a lot of potentially interesting items of interest.

This is not an article about not having to work as much as you used to, but about whether it is time to replace the tires on your vehicle.

In the June 2011 issue of Westways, it mentions the steps to choosing tires for your vehicle, budget, and driving style.  They include:

• Get the right size and speed rating 
• Understand tire types and trade-offs
• Compare prices
• Read the warranty
• Check the "freshness date"  (do not buy a tire more than one year old)

Click here for further details on their website.

Visit? Palomar Observatory

Here is a potential place to visit if you are ever in the southern California area.

It was built in 1948 and weighs 530 tons.  The observatory is open daily except on December 24 and 25.  The hours of operation are from 9 AM to 3 PM while on Standard Time and from 9 AM to 4 PM while on Daylight Savings Time. They do not offer tours every day.  Check their website for more details.  They have a 10 minute podcast that you can download and listen to.

Check out their website below.  It also offers recommendations on places to stay and eat.

Related websites:

• Caltech's Palomar Observatory home page

Westways: Gas-saving tips

In the June 2011 Westways issue, they have a list of gas-saving tips. They are:

• Slow down
• Don't rev up the engine, and avoid "jackrabbit starts"
• Maintain your vehicle
• Anticipate traffic lights and stopped traffic
• Don't warm up your car
• Consolidate trips and errands
• Don't haul extra weight around

Click here for further details (you will need to scroll down a bit).

New Car Seat Advice for California

On the recent Westways June 2011 Issue it refers to new recommendations as follows:

• Children should be in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2 years
• Children should sit in a booster seat with a seat belt until they are 4-feet and 9-inches tall and up to the age of 12 years

Currently, Westways says that California law currently requires children to stay in a booster seat until they are 6 years of age or weight at least 60 pounds.

Click here to view further details on their website (you will need to scroll down a bit).

AAA Westways: Don't Leave a Child in a Hot Vehicle

In the June 2011 issue of Westways there is a reminder to not leave a child in a hot vehicle.

Kaitlyn's Law makes it illegal to leave children 6 years of age or younger in your vehicle without being attended to. Make sure you do not leave pets there either.

Click here to read further details on their website (you will need to scroll down a little bit).

Ken Burns: Favorite Civil War Sites

The current USA Weekend issue features Ken Burns' favorite Civil War Sites.  I think everyone should be fascinated with the significance of this war and how it tore our country apart.

It would be great to visit some of these sites but logistics would be huge to try and take a "tour" of these sites since they are pretty spread apart and we are on the West Coast.

The sites include:

• Fort Sumter, South Carolina
• First Battle of Bull Run, Manassas, Virginia
• Shiloh, Tennessee
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
• Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Petersburg, Virginia
• Appomattox Court House, Virginia

Click here to go to USA Weekend

Protect yourselves

Last week Blogger was down for a while.  I ran across this brief feature on Yahoo! Finance that was posted by Consumer Reports that covers "How to Protect Yourself."

Here is an outline of topics it briefly covers.  Click on the link at the bottom for more details.

At Home

• Making a break-in too easy
• Leaving your garage door open
• Obscuring your house
• Leaving valuables in sight
• Advertising a vacation
• Being carefree with keys
• Tossing prescription bottles
• Thinking a gun is your best defense

With Your Electronics

• Using lazy passwords
• Falling for phishing
• Running outdated software

For Your Personal Finances

• Banking from a public computer
• Using unfamiliar ATMs
• Dropping your guard at gas pumps
• Ignoring your credit or debit cards
• Abandoning your receipts
• Trashing your bills

6 Ways to Stay Safer

• Watch out for imposters
• Learn to parallel park
• Hide the stuff in your car
• Change your PIN
• Keep a financial inventory
• Change your Wi-Fi password

Click here for the article and more details
Click here to go to ConsumerReports. org

The Art of the Handoff - When to delegate?

Okay.  It has been forever since my last post.  I have been submerged and coming up for a breath before going down again.  Well....we'll see...

I am still getting Inc. Magazine for free (except for my time, etc).  In it is an article by Jason Fried that is titled "The Art of the Handoff" where he talks about the decision to get an assistant for him.

Click here to view the article.

Adventure Cycling Association for maps

In this a previous post (http://2raising4.blogspot.com/2009/07/pbs-show-walking-great-divide-and.html) I described a PBS show that showed how you can walk the continental divide.

In a recent Men's Health Issue, which I am receiving free (disclaimer), there was a short blurb about how you can ride your bike on part of the trail.  You can get maps here:  http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/index.cfm.  For the section from Butte to Jackson Hole, it required two maps for $15 each.

Visit? Saddleback Butte State Park

In looking for things to do in the higher desert, I found a possible hike in Lancaster.  It is at the Saddleback Butte State Park.  They list a short 2.5 to 3 mile hike to the peak, and at the top you have a 360-degree view over the Lancaster valley as well as the Mojave desert. 

For the state park website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=618

Visit? Orange County Great Park

Here's another tip from Sunset Magazine.  There will be 1,347 acres of lakes, gardens, trails, museums, and an amphitheater.

They say that there are free balloon and carousel rides Thursday through Sunday.  For more information: www.ocgp.org

To subscribe to Sunset Magazine for 1 year, click below:

Visit? Limestone Canyon

I posted Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park on this earlier post.

There is another website that has lists activites related to the Irvine Ranch Open Space: http://www.irlandmarks.org/activities/

I also got this tip from Sunset Magazine which you can get a 1-year subscription here:

American Express really wants business!

Wow! I actually have to think about not taking this offer.  I am trying to read the fine print...

Apply (and of course be approved) for an American Express Premier Rewards card and spend $500 in the first 3 months and I get a $400 Home Depot Gift Card plus, they waive the annual fee of $175 for the first year.

Hmmmmm.....  I can still remember the person not choosing my pictures for Travel and Leisure magazine...

Invest in Real Estate via a REIT?

Here are a couple of additional reads if you are interested in investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).  The benefits of investing in a REIT are diversification and liquidity.  Be sure to review the tax implications of this type of investment.

There are two articles that can be found on Forbes.com that cover the:

• Largest commercial property trusts
• The biggest REITs

For more information on wikipedia on REITs, click here

To subscribe to Forbes magazine, click below:

What kind of customer are you?

If you have been following me, you will know that I have been receiving Forbes magazine for free (at least until December 2011 based on the current label).

In a recent issue, there was coverage of ELoyalty, which was founded by Kelly Conway which has developed software to decode a caller's personality.  Based on the personality type, the call center can then focus their approach to what that caller may desire.  The six kinds of customers are as follows:

• Emotions-Driven (30%): forge relationships with agents before directly into the problem
• Thoughts-Driven (25%): want facts and analysis
• Reactions-Driven (20%): either love or hate something
• Opinions-Driven (10%): language is full of imperatives and minds are resolute
• Reflections-Driven (10%): prefer silence to banter
• Actions-Driven (5%): craves movement and progress

To read more about this, click here to be taken to the article.

So subscribe to Forbes Magazine, click below:

Use recycled toilets and tubs that are turned into tile?

This is nice.  This company, Fireclay Tile, was featured in the March 2011 Sunset Magazine as an example of extreme recycling.  They recycle toilets and tubs to create tile.

If you are in the market for a tile job, look at their website: http://www.fireclaytile.com/

To subscribe to Sunset Magazine, click below:

Visit? Sunset: Chasing Spring: a guide for 2011

I guess this is a sneak peak at the March 2011 Sunset Magazine issue of things to do in Spring.  On their website it still shows February as their "current" issue at the time of this post.

They list 20 things that can be done. They include the following:

• Shell Creek Road in Santa Margarita (San Luis Obispo)
• Anza-Borrego State Park with 3 and 6-mile hikes 
• Multnomah Falls (Portland)
• Superstition Mountains (Phoenix)
• Grand Falls (Flagstaff)
• Chambers Creek Park (Tacoma)
• Bites by Bike tour (Portland)
• Feather Falls (Sacramento)
• Bright Angel Bicycles (Grand Canyon)
• Superstition Farm (Mesa, AZ)
• Agritopia (Gilbert near Phoenix)
• Queen Creek (near Phoenix)
• Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction)
• Campovida (Hopland)
• Capay Valley 
• Cherry Blossom Festival at Descanso Gardens (Pasadena)
• Poppy Reserve (see my previous post from April 2010)
• SOMA Get Fit (Santa Barbara)
• Living Desert (search both of my blogs by searching for "Living Desert")
• Baron Ranch Trail (near Santa Barbara)

Although I have been trying to concentrate on places to "visit" near southern California, there are multiple opportunities in the above list.  

Click here to go to Sunset.com's current issue.  This list was from the March 2011.

Click here to subscribe to Sunset Magazine

BankRate: Home Upgrades With Appeal for Retirees

This BankRate.com article was posted to Yahoo! Finance.  It outlines some things to consider if you are thinking about doing remodeling in your home.

A lot of it makes sense.  I like especially the following:

• No step transitions between rooms
• Single lever sink faucets
• Comfort height toilets

For the other recommendations and thought, read the article by clicking here.

Money: Value Vacations for Multi-Generational Family Vacations

If you have been following my blog, you know that I am receiving Money Magazine for free.  That is my disclaimer.

In a recent issue, they have a brief feature on how to get more value for your dollars when planning a multi-generational vacation.  You can read about it more by clicking here.

To subscribe to Money Magazine, click here:

Money: Four-Season Home DIY Guide

In the recent Money Magazine, there was coverage of what you need to do during each season to protect the value of your home.

They have it features on-line as well.  You can find it with the following links for more details:

• Winter
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn

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5 Things to Do in the New Year (or at least think about it)

Woohoo!  It looks like I will be receiving Money Magazine for another year.  If you have been reading my blog, you will know that my previous issue had Dec10 on it which usually means that my subscription will expire, but the most recent one has Dec11 on it.

One of the articles lists five things to do in the New Year.  They are as follows:

• Shop for a no-fee checking account
• Save your raise
• Go for a checkup
• Score a better rewards card
• Use your vacation days

For more details, click here to read: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/pf/1101/gallery.Things_to_do_in_2011.moneymag/index.html

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Kids are just messy. They are not hoarders.

I ran across this article in a recent Los Angeles Times paper called "They're messy, not hoarders" which can also be found on their website (link is below). It is written by Alexandra Abramian-Mott and has some interesting points.

With four kids, it seems like we do have a lot of stuff (read toys) for the kids, and it seems like there are things out all the time.  We keep on telling ourselves to decrease bringing things into the house, but things sneak in one way or another.

Click here for the article:  http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-kid-hoard-20110129,0,1785505.story

Visit? Snow Play in the San Bernardino Mountains

We went to the Big Bear Snow Play earlier this month.  It looks like there are at least three that are in the San Bernardino Mountains.  You can view pictures from our trip by clicking here.

• Big Bear Snow Play. $25 for the day. Bring cash. http://www.bigbearsnowplay.com/
• Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. $25 for the day.  Bring cash.  http://www.alpineslidebigbear.com/
• Snowdrift Park.  $12 per hour.  This looks like you need to walk up to the top.  http://www.snowdrift.net/index.html

Visit? Santa Rosa Plateau

This looks like a nice place to visit for a walk and relax.  It is located in the Murrieta area and consists of 8,300 acres of mixed-use terrain.

To get more information, click here: http://www.riversidecountyparks.org/locations/nature-historic-centers/santa-rosa-plateau/

Download David Bach's "Debt-Free For Life" only today

I guess there are several websites where you can download David Bach's book for free. It is listed for a retail price of $9.99 but can be downloaded for free.

One of them is called WalletPop.com where David posted a blog entry on December 27, 2010.  Click here to go to that website: http://www.walletpop.com/david-bach

Be sure to come back and shop through my Amazon or Upromise links to do any online purchasing.   The following is the book that you can download only for 24 hours on January 5, 2011.

















To View All results with David Bach on Amazon.com click here: Search Amazon.com for David Bach

Fortune Magazine - Bruce Berkowitz - The Megamind of Miami

I am receiving Fortune at no cost (except my time to read it) and there was an article about Bruce Berkowitz, The Megamind of Miami.  It was a little long, but interesting.

I like the picture of him home office.  LPs, books, older-type of stereo equipment on the bookcases.

Click here to read it. 

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Gift Cards - The Perfect Present?

This last season, while contemplating what to get for relatives who live out-of-state, we settled on some gift cards.  It seemed convenient at the time and we wondered whether we should have been doing this sooner and maybe more often in the future.  Specifically for presents during the holiday season, it was inconvenient and actually quite costly to wrap, pack, and ship presents.

It is interesting that the December 6, 2010 Fortune Magazine has a feature on Gift Cards and what all the costs are.  They estimate that the total value of cards to be about $73 billion with 10 percent of that coming from kiosks at non-related stores.  Six percent of the cards go unused which is more than $4 billion.

Click here for the post on Gift Cards on Fortune.CNN.com and details as to Where the money goes and where the cards are used.

Amazon.com is throwing around an idea that may even make the Gift Card obsolete.  If you purchased a gift item (not a gift card), they would contact the recipient (presumably via e-mail) and notify them that someone purchased that item for them.  Amazon.com would then give the receiver an option to accept the present or exchange it (store credit) for something else that Amazon.com sells.  The article says that it is a patented process.

Click here for the Associated Press article that explains more about their idea.

Pros and Cons (off the the top of my head) of giving gift cards include:

• The time a giver spends looking for, buying, wrapping, and shipping presents is saved
• Amounts are disclosed and pre-determined
• Gift cards are easy to ship/mail and gift because of compact size
• Decreases environmental waste that occurs with packing, wrapping and shipping presents
• Items in the mail can get lost unless you spend extra cost it takes to send via Certified mail and/or Insure the items
• Limited to the specific store (I would not get a Visa or MasterCard gift card because of the huge fees)
• Fairly liquid market on eBay but usually do not get 100 percent value
• Receivers can take advantage of holiday sales to "stretch" their dollar
• Multiple gift cards from the same retailer can be lumped together to buy an item of larger value
• The receiver shifts their time from waiting in the return line, to picking out their item 
• Recipients may have been contemplating what they want anyway

Click here to subscribe to Fortune Magazine:

Forbes - Investment Guide for 2011

I just recently posted a guide from Money Magazine and to be fair, I am now posting the Investment Guide from Forbes Magazine.  This is another magazine that I am currently receiving for free.  Here are the key components:

• Rethinking Your Risk:  Career (potentially your biggest investment), Dollar, Real estate, and Spending
• Estate Planning On the Cheap: Use software or hire someone?
• Being a Smart Client of a Financial advisor: Trust them (or take a hike), Take the long view, Let the pros decide, and It's a business
• Tracking Vital Signs: Quicken Health Expense, Microsoft HealthVault, and Google Health.  All of which have limitations which you will need to read about. 
• Global Attraction
• Get Naked for Income: Sell calls and puts to gain an additional 1.5% per month?
• Tax-Smart Energy Investing:  for good or bad, the tax rate roll-backs were delayed for another two years.  This portion discusses the use of Master Limited Partnerships
• The Secret Housing Boom:  How to invest in apartment REITs
• High Fliers: Investing in aerospace stocks
• Cashing in on the Comeuppance of Hedge Funds: Why the heydey of hedge funds is over.
• Staying On Target.  How to make target-date funds work for you
• Dividend Stocks for Bond Investors: with interest rates and inflation rising, shift from bonds (which face values go down when rates go up) to stocks with a good dividend yield
• Crash Course: tips for buying car insurance such as raise your deductibles, get uninsured motorist coverage, carry an umbrella, look for obscure discounts, don't buy your teen their own car, avoid limited tort insurance, and insure for a total wreck.
• How to give like Mark Zuckerberg:  like public stock, private equity, liquidation fund, collectibles, and real estate, but look out for the IRS.
• Protection Racket:  look out for indexed annuities
• Florida Fire Sale: how to evaluate buying housing in Florida
• Folk Hero: use your money to fulfill your dreams (and hopefully make money too)

There's a lot of reading (and maybe some skimming), but the information is dense and useful if you want to simply get an overview.

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Welcome to Zombieland - A foreclosure reminder

Here is another article in the December Money Magazine that covers specifically Ladera Ranch in Orange County, California.

Just another reminder that housing should remain a "need" and not a "want."  Make sure you can easily afford it based on monthly cash flow.

Click here for the article.

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Money Magazine - Make Money in 2011

Yes, I am still trying to catch up for 2010.  If you have been reading my posts, you will know that I am getting Money Magazine for free.  If I read the label correctly, the December 2010 issue will be my last (unless they renew for me).

They had a couple of quick blurbs that comprised "Make Money in 2011."  They have each individual piece online that you can find by clicking on the following links:

• Your Savings: Spread amounts over short terms from savings to five-year CDs, Increase your credit score to 750 or higher, and Don't settle for low interest rates on savings accounts
• Your Investments: Tilt towards stocks, Go big (dividend yields), Venture overseas, Stay Short (as far as bond terms), and Take a calculated risk.
• Your Home:  If buying, don't try to time the market perfectly and if selling, hang on a few more years until the market recovers (or try to unload fast).  If you already own, refinance if you are able.  If you are an investor and want to buy, wait until foreclosure numbers ramp up again.
• Your Job: Angle for that promotion, Toot your own horn, Raise your visibility in-house, and Nurture your network.
• The Economy  

For more details click on each link above.  To subscribe to Money Magazine, click the link below: