Tag Archives: family

PHILADELPHIA – A GREAT PLACE FOR AN ADVENTURE

Philadelphia – the perfect dream trip

Philadelphia is a great place to visit. From the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall to eating a Philadelphia Cheese Steak. There is something for everyone.   ABC predicts the new travel trend for 2017 is not going on a vacation, but an adventure.   A time when you can explore the many great places that is a part of history. Each time the Presidency changes hands, we accumulate more history. Why not get out there an experience an adventure. Turn into a great educational trips for your kids.

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The trips are wholesale pre-set itineraries that leaves little for you to have to plan but extra time to explore. With the great discounted costs, you can take two to three for the cost of one retail trip.  And the greatest part is you will receive points back to vacation more!

Come back often.  We will be highlighting our next great adventure to California.

 

 

 

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Skills or Common Sense – Do you show it or blow it?

 

  After working in the Federal sector for over 35 years I can honestly say it’s a thin line between ‘Who you know’ and ‘What you know’. Many articles emphasize that Who you Know gets you further and having been in many situations it was that But I perservered and realized that no matter who I know, I still needed to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to do the job. Fortunately I always had to apply, interview, and convince a panel that I would be their best choice. Without those KSAs I would not have made it through interviews with highly skilled Managers who could spot a fake.

So why am I making a big deal of this? I just read “The Billion Dollar Woman” by Janelle Harris.  She interviewed Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman to build a billion-dollar business, Act-1 Group, a business solutions enterprise.  Janice elaborated on how she succeeded and made very interesting points.

     First, she attributes her faith in God and the love from a large family as what inspired her.  I can relate to that.  She launched her business in 1978 with only $1,500. That took a lot of faith, self-belief and KSAs.  Janice did not wait for someone to ‘hand it to her’.  I launched my business for less than $350 with no overhead. 

     Second, she marveled at how business owners, employees, contractors or even creative people miss out on investing in people, understanding what the people need; understanding what is behind the ‘ask’, and once that need is identified, one can deliver a service or a product that really grows. Learning from her I deliver a great product that sells itself. Everybody is either doing it or want it.

     Third, Janice stepped up, not back, when the ‘economy was staggering out of a recession’. She felt people wanted to ‘jump in’ when business was good and going well; however her thoughts was that people should put it all out there when there is adversity. It makes you work harder, stronger, and that’s the time businesses grow.

     Fourth, Janice, graduating from North Caroline A&T State University, said her greatest challenge is “unapologetic about the gifts that got her here”. Previously, she shrank from her power.  Now she embraces it and use it to help others.

     Fifth, Janice was uncomfortable with the idea she was smart.  She felt it was crucial to hide her knowledge.  I never thought I would actually read about someone who was uncomfortable with their brains.  It’s sad when people are ignorant enough to judge a person because they are smart. Don’t ever let anyone criticize you or judge you for that reason. Those are people who don’t have sense enough to look at your contribution to others. Take it in for what it really is, jealousy and a negative way to hold you back. After one of Janice’s business presentations, and as she was being escorted to the door someone said “’If more of your people were like you, your whole race would be a lot further ahead.’” Instead of allowing that negativity to affect her, Janice made a commitment that the first $1 million she earned, from that contract would go to scholarships for ‘people like her’. WOW. That’s how you show negative people, don’t get even, be successful. People are watching and waiting for you to either fail or be successful. Make a decision: to fail is easy; to succeed is hard but so rewarding and it helps so many other people. I recently attended a Women’s Conference in Teaneck, New Jersey, where one of the speakers, Lillie Ennis, made a very good point by saying “Ladies, when you crack that glass ceiling, send the elevator back down”. That was huge and an eye opener. There is enough for everyone but don’t forget to reach down and help another. That’s how your blessings multiply. This industry I have been so blessed to be a part of has no glass ceiling and I’m on that elevator.

     I’ve seen what people need, realized it’s already out there as an $8 Trillion dollar industry and simply provide the avenue for everyone to reach it. Simply put, I will be the door that opens for my family and friends. I will create that Generational Wealth. I will lead and develop leaders because now I know, after retiring, this trillion dollar industry has no ‘Glass Ceiling’. And I’m sharing this with everyone I know so you will understand that if I can do it, so can you. There are no education requirements, just a desire to help others.

 

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Traveling on any Budget – Planning your Vacation

You Should Be Here!!!

Toronto, Canada

Traveling on any Budget

Schools are closing for the year and if you have not planned in advance what/where your vacation will be, now’s the time.  Many articles suggest trips, but I’ve not seen any sized or categorized by the size of your wallet or budget.  Here are a few suggestions that may help.

If your budget is under $100 then make it count. Don’t think you can’t go on vacation. You can visit places within your own State and it can turn out to be very rewarding.   Pack up the family, or go it alone, and do day trips.  Check out the local State and County parks where there are grills, picnic tables, bathrooms, all FREE.  Take your own equipment to fly kites, play volley ball, walking the trails, etc.   With day trips the dog can even come along saving dog-sitting money.  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  You can do all of this for under $100 by simply packing a picnic basket.  It’s not what you’re eating; it’s being together that will make the fun.  You can also pitch a tent in your back yard and camp out for a few days, but you must restrain yourself from going in the house, except for the bathroom.  Local beaches are promising also.  You only need bathing suits and blankets; chips and water and the fun is there.  

I have yet to visit all the monuments and museums in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC.  I’ve driven pass those sites many times, but never took the time to finish seeing all of them.  So you know what’s on my Bucket List.  And while we’re talking about my bucket list: however about catching a hot air balloon ride in West Virginia; or a helicopter ride over Ground Zero in New York.  My list is deep but I’m halfway through it.

$300 or less will take you a little further and allow you to spend at least 1-2 nights. There are booking engines that will give highly discounted prices with rebates back to continue traveling.  Find a good beach or a walking tour of the city.  This can be very educational for the kids and you may find it’s something you’ve never seen either.  Have you actually toured the city you live in?  That’s something to consider.

With $500 you can afford a 3-5 night trip, whether you fly or drive. Plan it right and there’s so much fun to simply get away. You could afford a 3-5 day cruise, a long weekend, or a short trip to a fun city like Las Vegas or Philadelphia. Taking a short cruise leaving local to your area with a short drive can be so much more rewarding. There are short Bahama Cruises that leave from many popular cities for under $300. I believe a cruise is the ‘ultimate vacation’ where you don’t clean, cook, make your bed; just show up and have fun and eat and eat and eat.  This booking engine will help you find just the right fun.  

$800-$1000 per person means you saved your money in advance.  With this your options are greater.  5-Star hotels are out if you’re going for more than 3 days.  However, if you stay within a country, like the United States who has a lower cost-of-living, your money will stretch further.  There are various lodging plans that are less expensive which accommodate low budgets. Keep your buying to a minimum; but enjoy the free taste-testing and tours. You can fly to South Africa for under $800 and stay in a Backpackers Hostel; depending on whether you want to see Africa or your focus is on the amenities.

There are luxury resorts in Mexico and California and Florida that will accommodate you in style with that budget.  Make sure you know where you want to go and especially what you want to do when you get there.

$1,500 per person can get you an escape to Bangkok, Thailand with a flight costing approximately $1000 and a comfortable stay at a Bed n Breakfast for $100/night.   A more luxurious hotel would cost closer to $150/night for 3 nights and you would stay within your budget.

     Or you could venture to a beachfront resort for a 5-night vacation in Aruba at Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort that is all inclusive. Or fly to Costa Rica and explore the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort for 4 days.

     With $2,000 per person, you can go much further and stay longer. The Canary Islands in Africa would be a great destination.  Housing is cheaper and there are a lot of tourism.

     If you prefer vacationing closer to the U.S., then the Caribbean or Central South America would get you first-class accommodations and possibly make several other stops.  Even in California you can take a Hot-Air Balloon ride over Wine Country. 

     You could also fly to Grenada and stay for 6 nights and stay in an oceanfront villa and would only cost about $1,300. I have always wanted to drive thru Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Taking my time, getting a feel for the areas, stopping when I wanted to; shopping, the culture, the restaurants and staying at local B&Bs.  Two B&Bs come to mind are The Inn at English meadows in Maine and Simsbury 1820 House in Connecticut.   They are on my list for this Fall.

No matter where you chose to go, always travel smart. You can get creative in conserving your money.  There are roommates available to lessen your expenses, however you must be safe.  Spending a little extra cash to go it alone might be wiser. Most airlines are charging extra fees per bag, so pack light. Consider taking a backpack on the plane to reduce cost. Most hotels have laundry service to wash your clothes and wear again. Lots of light-weight clothes and plan your wardrobe so you can wear 1 pair of shoes comfortably. Off-season vacations/trips are less expensive like in the Fall when school opens again but before Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years.  All-inclusive hotels are the best way to save money on your meals or visit happy hours where you can dine cheaper.  You can find local deals through groupon.com for various locations via the zip code you’re visiting.  When available, Uber is a great source of transportation charging much less than local cabs.  Download the Uber app prior to traveling for convenience.

You can also watch airlines who accidentally post fares cheaper than intended.  If you are lucky enough to grab those errors, airlines will still have to honor them.  Of course, you have to be looking at just the right time or you can join a Travel Club who guarantees if you book with them and find the same trip within 7 days, apples for apples, they will send you on that trip FREE and refund your money.  Can’t beat that.

There are lifestyle memberships that can be so rewarding, offering you highly wholesale discounts and give you rebates to use for future travel.        

 

 

 

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