What I am against is using debt to fund acquisition of additional overhead.

What does that mean?

Look at what happens when a river of outside investment or other forms of “other people’s money” comes into a business:

• Fancy equipment
• Fancier offices
• Influx of payroll to create mini empires
• “Brand” heavy advertising

IE. they load up on liabilities that put nothing, or very little, into the bottom line.

This happens with people too. What happens when people win the lottery? Most seem to burn through their cash fast. They are left with very little to show for it.

Then look at what a well-managed bootstrapped company looks like:

• Managed overhead
• Direct “profit” oriented advertising
• Restricted hiring

I’m not saying this happens in all instances, but I have seen enough to know which path I prefer.

Acquisition via Assets

What I am suggesting is if you want something, think about bringing in new additional income to cover it. In the above mentioned article I talked about using a product launch to pay for conference trips, and a planned launch that would pay for a new truck.

A couple of people scoffed that a product launch would pay for a truck, but here is how you could realistically do it, and it will help make my point about not being anti-debt.

1. Find the truck/widget/product you want to buy
2. Discover what your audience would like to buy or needs help with
3. Work out the monthly payments on the finance
4. Divide the monthly finance payment amount (eg. $400) by 30 ($400/30 = 13.3)
5. You now have the daily amount your new product needs to generate ($15 or so)

Providing you can make one sale per day then you will cover the loan for your new acquisition. Sell more or increase the price and you are into profit.

(Click here to see my system for quickly and easily creating new profit-producing assets)

It doesn’t have to be a product launch, that is just my go-to strategy. You don’t have to buy toys and gizmos either, it’s actually very cool to buy an asset that will pay for itself. Perhaps an income-producing website or a non-internet investment.

The best part? Once the loan is paid off your new asset can continue bringing in income or you can re-invest, and that is when you get the real benefit.

My point is, rather than these new acquisitions being a drain on your resources, think about it the right way, and even with debt, they make you wealthier!

Check financial records and update address for W2′s:

Once the new year begins we will be headed into tax season, so if you have not already done so be sure to update any of your records with current or former employers so that you will not miss important end of the year paperwork including those W2′s that you will need in order to file your income tax and other important documents during the coming tax season.

Also, do not just assume that if you did not move during this past year that your records are necessarily correct with the personnel office. Database moves or account updates can sometimes result in some one entering your information in incorrectly and even a small typo on your address could mean that your tax forms get lost or misdirected. So take a moment to double check all of your account information with your employers, banks, etc. to insure that the information that they have on file is indeed up to date and error free.

This is also a good time to review your financial records to see how your accounts were performing over the last year and what adjustments you may need to make in the coming year. You can double check to see if you have any savings bonds or cd’s that may be maturing in the coming year or reevaluate your current investments or retirement plans to see if they need to be adjusted for the new year.

Weatherize Your Home:

Before the harsh winter takes full force be sure to weatherize your home by sealing gaps and drafts, repairing faulty thermostats, replacing broken or single paned windows, etc. Having your home properly weatherized will keep you family toasty in the cold weather months and save you money on heating costs.

Change fire extinguishers and smoke alarms:

Nothing is more important than your safety and that of your family. Having properly installed and functioning fire extinguishers and smoke alarms is an essential part of home safety and there is no better time to take inventory of these fire safety items than now. It is also a good idea to check for loose wiring or to take care of escape routes such as fire ladders for upstairs windows or to check for properly functioning fire escapes.

Make annual check-up appointments:

If you are long over due for your yearly check-up appointment with your health care provider now is the time to take care of it and get caught up so you can face the new year knowing that you are either in great shape or that you are on top of any potential problem. This can also help in setting some of those personal goals for the coming year. For example, if your blood pressure is a bit too high then you might want to set weight loss goal or find ways of reducing stress. If your cholesterol numbers are not where you would them to be then one of your goals for the coming year might be to change your diet to avoid unhealthy, high cholesterol foods and to get more healthy, anti-oxidant and low fat foods to improve not only your cholesterol levels but your over all health as well.

Have car serviced:

Just as it is important to keep yourself in good running order, so do you need to keep an eye on your car. This is a good time to make sure that you are up to date on all of your needed maintenance for your automobile such having your spark plugs checked and getting an oil change if you are over due.

In addition to regular standard maintenance you will also want to take this time to make sure that your car or truck is properly weatherized and will not be a safety hazard for you and your family in the coming winter months. Check your tires for good tread or get snow tires if you live in an area where you expect to be driving in snowy winter conditions. Purchase chains, check the anti-freeze levels, and make sure that you have an auto first aid kit for winter. Your auto first aid kit should not only include your standard first aid supplies such as bandages, etc. but should also include safety reflectors, jumper cables, and thermal blankets to help keep you and those traveling with you warm should you become stranded in the cold weather.

Take a home inventory and update your insurance.

Another task to undertake each year is to update your home inventory and check on your current insurance coverage. It is a good idea to keep an eye on your insurance from time to time to make sure that your premiums are up to date, that you have the latest paperwork that you will need should you ever have to file a claim, and to make sure that the coverage your are getting is adequate for your needs. If you previously had a larger policy based on out standing debts that have been paid or property that you have since given away or sold then you may be paying for more coverage than you actually need and likewise if you have replaced old, out dated equipment or required new items your current coverage may not be adequate so take a moment to review your current insurance policies not only for your property and automobiles but any health or life insurance policies that you may have as well.

Take a health inventory and create goals for the new year.

Weight loss and health related goals rank among the most common of New Year’s Resolutions. If improving your health is one of your top priorities this coming year, then start by taking a self inventory of your health and life style. Look at your diet, the amount of exercise that you get, and any recommendations or insights that you may have gotten from your health care provider during your yearly physical and decide what is work for you to have a healthy lifestyle and what is not. Then you can set some obtainable goals for the the new year to help you be healthier and feel better. And do not forget to include mental health areas as well including an evaluation of your stress levels.

Set a yearly budget.

Before you begin to make merry and ring in the new year, be sure that you know exactly where you will be financially in the coming year so take a brief moment to review your current budget and to see if you need to make any changes in the coming year. And for a great way to help boaster your savings, if you have received a raise for the new year, maintain your old budget as if you were not making any extra money and then put that extra cash flow into your savings so that you can be prepared for an emergency or unexpected cost that could arise.

Update your address book.

While you are sending out those holiday greetings you have a great excuse to update your contacts. Double check not only the addresses but you may want to make sure that you have current phone numbers and email addresses for any friends and relatives who may have moved or changed jobs recently resulting in a change of their contact information.

Have an emergency planning meeting with your family.

An important part of safety for your family is emergency planning. Does everyone in your family know where to meet in case of an emergency of natural disaster? Is there an easily accessible list of the current medications that you are taking or health concerns that your family can use to communicate with a doctor should you need emergency care?

Sit down with your family and discuss an emergency preparedness plan, evacuation routes, and other important safety information. You might even want to hold a few fire drills or other such emergency response practice to help everyone in your family know where to go and what to do should the need arise.

Though your to-do list may seem rather large at the moment, completing these tasks each year is an important way to make sure that your home is protected, that your family is safe, your finances are on track, and that you are doing all you can for your health so that you can indeed have a happy new year.

Start With a Plan of Attack:

Too many people seem to wander aimlessly through the department stores and malls of endless possibilities with out any real sense of direction and lack an actual plan before they go shopping which means they spend twice as long trying to find what they need, end up settling for something less than ideal, while spending twice as much money as they might have otherwise.

So, before you even head out to begin any of your shopping, get out a pen and paper and start some planning. To design your plan you will need two lists, one for the people that you want to really go all out for like your spouse, your children, best friend, parents, etc. The second list are for those friends and distant relatives that you want to pick up a single item for.

Under each name, jot down 3-5 words or phrases that come to mind whenever you think of that specific person. This can include hobbies they have or special interests that they may have mentioned, their favorite colors or musical interests, etc. Is your sister an artist? Does your brother love jazz? Maybe your spouse has been eying the latest “gotta have it” gadget or your daughter is way over due for a new jacket. Make a couple of simple little reminder notes next to their names so that you can make a plan of attack and know which recipients that you will be able to take care of quickly and which will require a bit of creative thinking to find the right gift for.

Get a Wish List:

Have your family and friends take some of the leg work out of shopping for you by making out a wish list of items that they have been wanting. This can be useful because it gives you ideas for things that you know the person will actually want and enjoy yet gives you enough things to choose from that the present can still be a surprise since the object of your holiday gift giving will not know which item(s) on the list you actually purchased.

Many online shops from large retailers like Amazon.com to specialty stores such as ThinkGeek now have an easy to use wishlist feature that will allow users to create a wish list of their favorite items and share the list with friends and family. Create one for yourself and encourage everyone on your list to do the same to dramatically reduce your shopping time and help you avoid the over crowded stores. This is also a great way to insure that you get the right sizes when buying clothing, jewelry or other size specific items.

Assemble a Custom Made Gift Basket:

If you are having trouble finding that perfect big item gift for someone, or several someones, on your list you might want to opt for a custom made gift basket full of several smaller items instead. These are great for those hard to shop for friends and family. If you know what that special person on your list is really into you can make a themed basket that is tailor made just for them with simple items that will not have you running all over town. Here are a few great examples:

• Have an artist on your list? Make an art supply gift basket full of brushes, paints, sketch pads, pencils, or other supplies for their medium of choice. You can also get creative with the
  “basket” itself by using a unique container that you decorate yourself or even by arranging all of the supplies in a handy art box that can also become part of the gift.
• Luxury Bath Gift Baskets are perfect for those overworked moms or stressed out college students on your list who would appreciate some relaxing time for themselves. Fill your basket with wonderfully scented bubble baths, luxury soaps, moisturizers, candles, and relaxing CD’s to help them create a wonderful spa like escape right in their own bathtub.
• What about the cook on your list? You can make a great gift basket with exotic spices, recipe books, or the latest cooking gadgets and a custom apron assembled in a handy carry all to give your favorite cook some useful and thoughtful items under their tree this year.
• Gift baskets just for bookworms- Sometimes the bookworm can be one of the most difficult people to shop for because while you may know that they are really in to books, if you do not know what genre they are interested in or which books they may already have you could end up buying a duplicate book or one that they simply do not find appealing. So, if you are not sure which book is on your bookworm’s wishlist this holiday season throw together a great gift basket designed just for them with bookmarks, a book light, a reading lap desk, and even a gift certificate to your local bookstore.
• Gifts for Geeks: If you have a computer addicted friend or self proclaimed geek on your gift list this year you may be at a loss as to what to get them if you can not afford the latest high tech gadget of the year, but fear not, there are still a lot of great items that you can use assemble a gift basket made just for geeks! You can assemble a gift basket full of flash drives, unique pencil sharpeners, and quirky t-shirts that any member of geekdom would love to have.
• Unusual Gift Basket Ideas: Is there a vampire lover on your list or someone with more of a dark gothie side? Get creative and you can come up with some great and unique gift basket ideas for those who walk on the darker side. Make a gift basket filled with gothic purple and black (or red and black) candles, stylish gothic jewelry, or even a unique bottle of vampire wine.
• Need a gift for the health and fitness buff that is near and dear to your heart this holiday season? Throw together a gift basket filled with a pedometer, dumbbell weights, a great pair of tennis shoes, an assortment of health food snacks, a yoga mat, jump rope, inflatable gym ball, or other great health and fitness gear that that special person will enjoy while getting rid of those extra holiday pounds.

Think Outside of the Box…or the Planet:

There are several unique and novelty gifts that you can give for a fun and non-traditional sort of surprise to make this holiday season more interesting such as naming a star for your loved one or buying a tiny little spot of land in Scotland for your beloved who can then hold the title of Lady or Lord. These novelty sort of gifts can be a fun and interesting way to let someone know that you were thinking about them for the holidays and give them a great conversational piece for years to come.

Plan for the Holidays for Next Year:

Once all of your regular holiday shopping is over, do not forget to return afterwards for all of the post holiday clearance sales which can be a great way for you to stock up on holiday decorations, wrapping paper, Christmas lights, etc. that you will need for next year. By buying them during the clearance season you will not only save yourself quite a bit of money but you will also be a step ahead for next year and have all of those odds and ends out of the way before the holiday rush starts.

Regardless of what you choose for your holiday gift giving, remember to start early and have a plan before you start shopping. Be creative and let the personality of the person you are buying for lead the way on your gift giving scavenger hunt and you can get holiday shopping done in no time.

EXPERIENCE:

The longer one has been working at their profession, the better positioned they should be to put that knowledge to work the right way the first time. When interviewing a Financial Planner ask for their bio. Obviously you want to know how long they have been working specifically as a planner. But if that experience is limited, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

They may have been working within the Financial Services industry for many years in a different role such as a money manager, in client services, leading underwriting teams or writing mortgages. Perhaps they focused in areas of estate planning as an attorney or accountant. All of these realms interact with financial planning and a background in any of them should not be discounted.

If your planner is straight out of college and learning the ropes, make sure their degree was in finance, that they are pursuing professional designations within the planning field and that they are affiliated with a firm that has a good longstanding tradition in the area with experienced mentors working jointly with newcomers.

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

Often times the alphabet soup following a planner’s name can look impressive, but knowing what they stand for can clarify their level of training.

RANGE OF SERVICES:

Life Insurance Agents can all sell the same products from the same companies. And Registered Representatives can sell most of the same mutual fund and annuity products not considered proprietary to big broker firms. What sets them apart is their ability to offer a range of products and tools within their planning practice.

This means they should be licensed to sell life insurance, disability insurance, long term care insurance, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, stocks, bonds and CD’s. They should be able to coordinate the installation of a retirement plan, interpret a business valuation, and implement Buy Sell Agreements for small businesses. They should be able to recommend accountants, attorneys, Medicaid planners, mortgage brokers and Third Party Administrators for retirement plans.

And they should carry licenses in more than just your resident state. This shows a commitment to their clients, willing to ensure they will be able to be a long-standing coordinator of your financial plan regardless of where you move or retire.

FIND THEIR SPECIALTY:

Regardless of their broad range of products and services, a planner will have a specialty or niche that you should inquire about. Some are experts in family owned businesses, others know everything there is to know about college savings plans. They may focus their practice on insurance, or investments might be their strong suit. Knowing that they can help you in whatever your specific needs are is important.

Learning what they specialize in can make their services more or less valuable to you.

MEET THEIR STAFF:

The reason your planner is effective is because they have the time to do what they do best – learn, educate and implement. The reason your planner has this time is because they have support staff focused on proposals, research, paperwork, underwriting, licensing coordination and customer service.

Since you are the customer, you should know who you will be talking to regularly when you have questions or concerns about your accounts and policies. The quality of the people rather than the number of staff employed is what is important to you as a client. Constant turnover in staff can be a red flag – if the planner can’t keep a consistent staff in place, their time is spent interviewing, hiring and training rather than working on your financial goals.

If their staff seems incompetent or unreliable, how can you put your faith in their employer to know how to manage your money?

MATCH THEIR PERSONALITY:

A first impression can go a long way into knowing how you feel about your planner. Your planner may have met your experience and professional qualification standards, but if their personality leaves you frustrated, intimidated, uncomfortable or wary then it may not be the best match for you. Some prefer an incredibly outgoing and personable planner, chatting as much about personal tastes and hobbies as they do your portfolio. It makes for a nice relationship and trust builder. Others might take that as unprofessional and wasteful of time, preferring instead an all business approach.

Whatever your preference, listen to your gut – the slightest bit of concern or discomfort with a person can plant a seed of distrust throughout the relationship – with or without merit, it can undermine the goal of a solid financial plan.

KNOW THEIR APPROACH:

If you find your planner through a seminar, chances are they spend a lot of time running them. This may mean that they are out to sell a particular concept or product rather than taking time to discover your specific needs, or it may mean that it is a very effective use of their time in meeting potential clients who best fit their area of expertise.

Ask your planner during the first meeting what their process is for helping you to determine your needs and implement your goals. They may offer fee based planning where they evaluate your current tax returns, investments, policies, debts and income and present an in-depth report with recommendations you should implement in order to reach your current and future needs. It is then up to you to decide with whom you wish to buy the products from. Or they may work specifically off of sales where they provide the same type of needs-based analysis and help you decide which product, rider or account type to purchase, at which time they receive a commission.

Either way, your initial meeting should be without cost.

AGREE ON EXPECTATIONS:

If you expect to hear from your planner whenever the market drops, and your planner’s standard practice is to provide reviews annually, you will be disappointed in the lack of communication and all the while your planner will think they are being proactive by calling you for a meeting each spring. Ask your planner how they communicate with their clients and the frequency. If the answers don’t match your preference, let your planner know about it.

Their standards may be flexible and if nothing else, they should be willing to find an acceptable compromise. They may offer to teach you how to read your quarterly statements and give you a tutorial on how to view your policy or account information online as well as agree to touch base by phone in between live reviews to monitor a specific fund or value level. A financial plan is not rigid and set in stone. It should be flexible dependent upon life events.

When something changes in your life, your planner needs to know about it and you should feel confident that you can call upon your planner as important changes occur, regardless of the formal review schedule in place.

PERFORMANCE:

A list of referrals from your planner gives you a way to talk to people happy with how your planner’s methods have performed for them. But word of mouth is a better, more honest gauge. Having a friend, neighbor or co-worker speak glowingly of their planner is an unsolicited vote of confidence and a good way to begin your search. Looking their name up on FINRA is an even better way to determine if any complaints have been formally filed against them.

Once you have started work with your planner, hold them accountable for reaching your goals. If you are unhappy with the direction things are going, let them know about it. Listen to their explanations. Are they sticking with your agreed upon long-term vision or are they reactionary? Their job is to devise a plan and help you stick to it. Their job is to monitor the options available and recommend a change in product if something better comes along. Your job is to give them information and input.

In the end, it is your money. You can do what you want with it. But if you use the above lessons in your search for a planner, you are more likely to find a planner you trust to keep your financial future secure and less stressful than it probably feels right about now.

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SXC.HU

We’ve compiled just a few top suggestions on how students can save money this fall.

Beverages

Don’t buy overpriced coffee at an expensive chain coffee shop. Look around for places on or near campus that have cheap, bottomless cups if you like coffee that much. You could save $50 or more a month avoiding the pricier, trendy places. Bottled water is usually more expensive by the gallon than gasoline; add up the monthly costs and see if you can find a cheaper alternative. Is tap water really that awful?

Clothes

Clothes can be incredibly cheap and last a long time, but not if you shop at expensive boutiques. Designer brands are not a necessity. If you want to be hip and trendy, shop at the Salvation Army or Purple Heart or whatever the local recycler shops are. Vintage is in, so use clothing can be a fashion goldmine. If you love to shop for clothes and can’t resist temptation, don’t go out shopping with friends that have deep pockets or you’ll end up spending more than you can afford.

Credit

Don’t sell your soul to the credit card companies. Credit cards can be very useful if you have an emergency and need cash right away — as long as it’s for something important. Before you sign up for a card, shop around for the best percentage rate and terms you can find. Credit companies love college students because they usually spend frivolously and ignore interest, paying the minimum every month. Look up “compound interest” to see how your debt can overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Use the credit card for necessities and emergencies; don’t use it to get a new video game or liquor.

Utilities

Unless your rent specifically includes electricity, gas and water, be conservative. Turn off the air conditioning and computer when you’re not home. Wear more clothing in the winter so you can keep the heat lower. Even though it might feel great, luxuriating in a hot shower for 20 minutes a day can add up. It’s also more friendly to the environment if you care about that sort of thing.

Alcohol

Experimenting and overindulging in alcohol is a common part of campus life, but don’t let it control you. It’s all right to relax Friday night after working hard all week, but alcohol can be pretty costly — especially if you end up failing classes because you party too hard to keep it together the rest of the week. If you don’t graduate, you’ll have a hard time paying off those student loans as a professional Beer Pong player.

Entertainment

Instead of dropping $30 for two movie tickets and some popcorn, watch a DVD and pop your own, or go to on-campus movies. Instead of paying $50 a seat for a play downtown, go see an on-campus play. There are lots of clubs and social activities going on at your school all the time, often for very cheap or free. Many businesses also have student discounts; ask around.

Vacation

If you have to go somewhere for Spring Break, look around for something interesting close by school. You’ll save money, have smaller crowds to contend with, and you can feel a little smug about not being one of the sheep. If you have to go somewhere out of town, see if you can ride with someone else and chip in for gas.

Food

Food can be one of the biggest expenses for a student without culinary skills. Going out to restaurants all the time will eat up your budget fast. Tipping is not optional at a real restaurant, so calculate that in along with the alcohol whenever you think about going out. When you go grocery shopping, don’t go when you’re hungry; you’ll buy everything you feel like eating right then, no matter what the price. Cut coupons and buy in bulk when there’s a good sale. There’s no shame in being smart about food. The meal plan at school cafeterias can be expensive, but if you’re going to eat yourself into debt, it might be a good investment. If you want to treat yourself once in a while, try to go out for lunch instead of dinner.

Textbooks

When you get your book lists for your classes, check with your professors to see if they’ll actually be used in the courses. Frequently, the book list is decided by committee and the teacher will completely or partly ignore it. For the books you do need, check the prices on used texts at your campus store and then check online; include shipping in your comparisons. Don’t forget to sell them back, either locally or online, when you’re done with them.

Apartments

Again, shop around for a place to live. Check out the neighborhood at night and during the day. Find out what utilities are included in the rent, and how much internet access costs. Try to find an apartment close enough to school to walk, and you’ll save a lot of money on a car and gas and all the upkeep on the car. A slightly more expensive apartment on or very close to campus can be an overall win over an apartment across town.

Job

Some college students are putting themselves through school while working full time. If you have the luxury of just needing some pocket money, there are a lot of places on or near campus where you can work part-time. You can work at the library or school newspaper, babysit or tutor if you’re really good at something. (No, beer pong does not count as “something.”) The fastest way to save money is to make it.

Toys

If you think being online or otherwise constantly entertained is an absolute requirement, make sure you shop around for your electronics before you buy. E-bay can be a great way to find used gear in excellent shape; just make sure the person or business you’re buying from has an impeccable reputation. Be careful; there are always people looking to take advantage of the naïve, and electronics is a high-profit arena that attracts a lot of scammers.

Scholarships

If you don’t have a scholarship at all, there are many free resources for applying. Don’t just stop at one, either; apply to as many as you qualify for. Are you a minority? Are you a woman? Do you have exceptional test scores from your SAT or ACT? Are your grades solid? There are a lot of scams that want you to pay a fee to get information on scholarships, but that information is freely available. Your school or local library should have a lot of information to get you started.

Budget

If you keep track of what you’re spending every month and compare it to how much money you have available, the difference will tell you whether you’re in the red or the black. You always want to have a reserve in case of emergencies, so try not to steer too close to the red. You may be tempted to buy another round of drinks or get another console game, but then you lose one of your textbooks or get let go from your part time job. Always try to keep a cushion to fall back on.

For more great tips, advice, and information check out College Crunch.

What are the Benefits of a Family Business Meeting?
Making the time for regular family business meetings can have several benefits for you and your family by helping you to:

• Control finances and stay on budget
• Reduce waste and save money
• Plan for major events such as vacations, college, or a new home purchase
• Catch potential problems before they become a major crisis
• Stimulates communication between family members
• Avoid scheduling conflicts
• Keep an eye on potential credit problems
• Insures that legal details are taken care off
• Keep you on track for personal and family goals
• Gives you a chance to discuss issues that might not otherwise arise
• Helps your organize your home life
• Keeps your priorities in line
• Can teach kids about being a part of a team

What Sort of Topics Do You Need to Include in a Family Business Meeting?
The various topics that you will need to cover at your family meeting will vary to some degree based on the size of your family and your current goals but there will be some basic areas that you need to touch upon at every meeting that are very similar to traditional business meetings such as finances, goal development, and long term planning.
Budget and Finances:

This is the area that you should cover in every single meeting that you have. Setting a budget is very important; however, if you do not make a point of going back and reviewing your finances throughout the month how can you be sure if you are actually keeping to that budget? This is particularly important for couples who may be spending out of the same account and it is also useful if you have multiple accounts that you are trying to juggle.

By having a regular review of your budget and other financial matters you can be sure that you are sticking to your budget. This is also extremely important for managing your credit as well because it helps you to keep track of due dates and spot any problems early on. Imagine if you had a fraudulent charge on your account but you did not bother to balance your accounts until several weeks later. That one charge could wreck havoc with your financial situation, cause massive overdraft fees, returned checks, and negatively impact your credit. However, caught early you have a chance to deal with it immediately before it affects other funds and to alert your bank or credit card companies early enough to stop any future transactions.

How often have you failed to pay a bill because you thought that your spouse had already taken care of it? Simple over sights like this happen more often than you might think and can end up making your payments late. But by simply coming together for a regular business meeting you can see what has been paid and what is due next to insure that your bills are always paid on time.

Do not get caught unaware or endanger your credit because you were not bothering to have a regular meeting with your partner on this important issue.

Scheduling:
Keeping an eye on your schedule when you are single is a lot easier than juggling the schedules of other people. Taking a brief moment to compare schedules and make a note of what is going on with the kids, events that you need to attend, or simply scheduling that all important quality time together can keep you from getting to that point where you want to pull your hair out when things get too crazy. This is also a great way to make sure that you never miss an anniversary or birthday.

Meal Planning:
Families that plan out their meals before they go shopping can often save money while eating healthier as well because it cuts down on impulse buys or random shopping that may not end up making healthy meals. Plan your week and make a list of what you will need, then vow to buy only what is on the list. This can also help you save time during the week if you already know what is for dinner and have those ingredients lined up.

Goal Planning:
It is also important for you to look at your goals and to periodically evaluate the progress that you are making on those goals to insure that you are making progress towards fulfilling them. This is true for both long range and short term goals. Some of the goals you may have as a family involve saving for a vacation, building a home, or even fun projects such as building a nursery or creating a family tree that requires a lot of research. Whatever your goal, visit it periodically and discuss your progress as a family.

Open Discussions:
During your family business meeting it is very important to allow time for open discussions for everyone in your family. Whether it is a camp that your child is interested in going to or taking suggestions for next year’s family vacation destination you need to make this a time for any questions or issues to arise. This not only helps you handle things in an orderly manner and make life much less hectic but it makes everyone in the family feel like they have a role and that what they have to say really matters to you. Remember after all, that the heart of the family business meeting is the family. Use this meeting as a time to connect with one another and to communicate as a family instead of just a few chaotic people living at the same address.

Quarterly or Yearly Reviews:
In addition to the regular issues that you will consider during a family business meeting there are also a few things that you should put on the agenda for quarterly or yearly review.

Taxes:
If you own a business or perform any contract work through the year and have to pay income tax you will want to review this information to see where you stand and consider paying those taxes quarterly to make it easier on you and your budget.

Insurance:
Your insurance rates and policy benefits should be reviewed on occasion to make sure that you have the best policies that work for you and that you have updated any essential information. Changes such as address, number of cars being insured, installing a security system, etc. can all affect your policy needs. You may need to decrease or increase your coverage or may qualify for additional discounts. For example, some auto insurance companies offer discounts if you have a security device on your car of if it is housed in a secure facility instead of being parked on the street. So it is a good idea to glance over your insurance policy from time to time and evaluate whether your current policies are meeting your needs or not.

Long Range and Emergency Planning:
Certain topics may not come up at the dinner table but still need to be dealt with such as end of life decisions, wills, funeral arrangements, etc. While they may not be the most pleasant topics, dealing with them now when they are not an issue will be a lot easier for everyone than waiting until tragedy hits.

You also need to review emergency planning information as a family so that everyone knows the plan and will know what to do in an emergency. Where will you meet if there is a natural disaster? What are your feelings about being kept on life support? Would you prefer to be cremated or buried? Do you have a burial plot already? What about a will? Do you have a stocked first aid kit? Where are your emergency numbers? These are all important issues you need to discuss and review on a periodic basis. Having a family fire drill to kick off these meetings is also a good idea.

Repairs and Maintenance:
Take a quick moment to discuss any house hold repairs or up keep that you may need to take care of such as painting or calling an exterminator so that you do not wait until the last minute and end up paying for more costly repairs.

Whether you hold weekly or biweekly family business meetings, this will give you a great opportunity to work together as a family unit and to take charge of your life instead of letting the chaos take over until you are stressed out and your family gets trapped in a rat race of confusion. Just remember that every family is different and what you need in your family meeting may not work for someone else and that is ok; tailor it for a custom fit to your family and remember that above all, connecting and communicating with one another is essential and the most rewarding part of having a family business meeting.

1. The Library:

Your local library is a treasure trove of information. Of course you can peruse the Travel section or even your Local History shelves to garner more information about a specific destination or get ideas. You can even plot your course if it is a journey to get there by using the Reference Desk. But what people may not know, or forget about, is that libraries often have free passes for local museums, historic sites, children’s attractions and parks. All you have to do is reserve them to use them. The passes provide free or discounted admission and can expose you to new places. 

2. Subscribe to Online Newspaper Sites:

Most newspapers have online sites or blogs with an Entertainment section that highlights happenings around town and broadcasts special events on the scene. You can usually subscribe to receive e-mail notifications for these specials. If you are planning a trip to a region, subscribe to their alerts or newsletters to get a taste of the types of things they promote and even find special offers for the time you plan to be there. And you certainly can subscribe to your local area’s notices to learn about upcoming festivals, fairs, concerts, tours and activities with potential discounts, exclusive invites or things to do for free.

3. Use Google Alerts:

If you open a free Google account one of the features is Google Alerts. Generally people use alerts to track when their name, product or site appears on the web to monitor what the world is saying about them. But you can set it up to be alerted of the appearance of any key words that you like. So for example, if you wanted to know whenever something was published online about Free Boston Events or Boston Attraction Discounts you would just type those keywords in a new Alert and receive an e-mail whenever those words appear.

Let the good stuff come to you rather than searching around on your own.

4. Board of Tourism:

Visit your local or destination’s Tourism Board, online or in person, to get a slew of options for places to see, events coming up, or special tours to introduce you to the area. You can order or view free guidebooks, brochures, and look through calendars for upcoming events. Sign up for newsletters or e-mail notices. See if they offer State or City Passes which allow for discounted access to multiple venues for a flat rate. You don’t have to be a tourist to benefit from all of this. In fact, State or City Passes are perfect for locals who are more likely to have the time to eventually get to all the sites covered within the pass than tourists just passing through for a few days.

5. Entertainment Book:

For about $35 you can purchase an Entertainment Book for most U.S. and Canadian regions which provides coupons and discounted passes for attractions, restaurants, shopping, travel and events valid for an entire year. You also have access to additional coupons for online purchases with the membership your book purchase provides. These books are valuable for vacations to a specific destination or for using in and around your own hometown.

Pitch in with friends, family or neighbors to share a book if you are wary of the balance between the cost and your actual usage level.

6. Craigslist:

It is not difficult to find free or discounted museum passes, park memberships, attraction tickets or even Entertainment Books through Craigslist. People often end up buying a membership they find they no longer need, or end up with extra amusement park tickets, parking passes or even public transportation cards that they would like to sell for a partial return on their investment. Good deals can be found if you think to look for them.

7. AAA:

You do have a AAA Card don’t you? In addition to providing you a discount on your auto insurance and providing roadside assistance, it gives you discounts on everything from hotel rooms to attractions close to home or on the road. They’ll put together a TripTik for your road trips, provide online guides and even offer travel packages and promotions.

Sign up for their e-mails to receive special offers and ideas for things to do and places to go.

8. Visit The Website:

If you happen to know exactly where you want to go or what you want to visit, go to their website first. Sometimes you can purchase tickets in advance to save time, and they may even be cheaper online. Be careful though, just as often they charge you extra for online purchases. The website will tell you about upcoming or current promotions or sales, give you links to coupons and tell you when certain memberships provide discounts (like AAA, Veteran, Student or AARP) and if any of their hours allow for free admission windows. For example, in my area of the world in Boston, I learned by going online that:

• I can print a $0.50 off admission coupon for the Orchard House (home to Louisa May Alcott)
• The Museum of Fine Arts does not charge for admission on Wednesday evenings after 4PM
• The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is free on your birthday, free forever if your name is Isabella, and $2 off if you are wearing Red Sox paraphernalia

9. Ask About Affiliations:

Sometimes attractions band together to offer discounted rates via cross promotion. It always pays to ask before purchasing tickets at a site or museum if they have any special packages with other affiliates – locally or across other regions. Not only may you discover another place of interest to visit, but you can see both for less than the cost of full admission.

Memberships can provide similar benefits and if you live in the area or plan to be visiting often, the cost can end up being a savings in the long run.

10. Ask A Local:

Whenever we plan a trip somewhere we try to consider if we know anyone in the area or someone with roots there. We ask them for their favorite places, hidden gems and sentimental spots. Every now and then we get lucky enough to know a local with the time to give us a personal tour of the area, showing us places we never would have known to look or down roads tourists would never find to travel. A personal touch without the ticket charge is hard to beat.

If we don’t know anyone personally, we ask the hotel staff what their favorites are. And we ask the people we meet along the way. Befriending that person next to you on the bar stool or on the subway or working in the boutique will result in wonderful referrals to restaurants, beaches, shops, strolls, events and tips to making your visit unique and outside the pages of the standard guidebook which means the prices are probably not inflated for tourists either.

And for when you are home, unless you were the founder of your community, chances are there is someone that has lived there longer than you. Or someone a lot more active in the region than you are able to be who has explored and discovered all kinds of interesting places. Ask at your children’s schools, your place of worship, your office, while commuting to work or even in your favorite coffee shop.

Do you have any tips for discovering new sites and finding deals to visit them? Share them in the Comments below. Happy travels!