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).