Ellis Island, New York

I went to Ellis Island when I was 13 on my first and only trip to New York City. It was part of a pretty unbelievable experience that included standing atop the World Trade Center that fell just four months later. With more than a million immigrants passing through between 1892 and 1934, it’s not hard to see why Ellis Island is a perfect attraction for history aficionados. Show your curious-minded little ones around the place that kick-started the American dream for so many people, some of which might be in your family tree!

Grand Canyon, Arizona

I love, love, LOVE the Grand Canyon. Of all the places I’ve seen and natural wonders I’ve experienced, it’s the one place that made me really put things into perspective. I’m truly racking my brain wondering how to explain the grandeur, splay of colors, and vastness of it all, but I really can’t. It’ll blow you away and make you realize life is preeeeeeeetty awesome. Just don’t fall in!

Redwood National Park, California

Since I’m all about seeing places that make me feel really small (like the Grand Canyon), visiting Redwood National Park is vying for a top spot on my list of places to see in the U.S. Take a scenic drive through the mammoth redwoods, then visit the Klamath River Overlook to try and spot migrating gray whales!

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Parents, know this: There’s at least a 90% chance your kid has seen the Space Camp flyers making a regular appearance in your mailbox, and trust me, they’re dying to go. If Space Camp is a wee bit too pricey, why not grab some tickets and experience Cape Canaveral instead? They’ll get to see the launch and landing facilities, stand next to massive rockets, and even have a little fun on a simulator! Another great place for a science lesson or two!

Niagara Falls, New York

If your family stays clear of Splash Mountain at Disney World for fear of soggy shoes and – my biggest worry – hair that resembles a stray dog in a rainstorm, this might not be for you. But if you’re up for getting soaked and wearing the single most fashionable blue rain poncho on this planet, take a ride on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. The sheer volume of water will fascinate your kids, and it’s a perfect place for a little science lesson on glaciers.

Shedd Aquarium, Illinois

Chicago’s chock full of culture, historical landmarks, and museums, but it’s the Shedd Aquarium that’s packing in fun to the gills with over 25,000 fish! With just about every species of swimmers under the deep blue sea, it’s a great place to take the tots for a day of fun! Since a place like Shedd Aquarium will really get your kids’ curiosity flowing, you might want to be armed in advance with an answer as to how a whale got through the front door. Pretty mind-boggling if you ask me.  

The Everglades, Florida

Come on, what kid isn’t fascinated by alligators? I’m pretty averse to anything that slithers and makes its home in mud, but there’s just something intriguing about those creepy-eyed creatures. Grab the family and hop on an airboat for a spin through the swampy wetlands, just keep the kids’ hands inside and away from the sharp sets of chompers lurking below! 

While this list is AWESOME and I advise you to keep it in mind as summer break kicks off, it’s just a tiny fraction of all the mind-blowingly beautiful and educational locales across the U.S. that your kids will enjoy. Get planning and brace yourself for a fun-filled summer!

Yet, the financial impact on those who sought medical attention due to influenza outbreaks this past winter has given penny pinchers a case of mysophobia as they attempt to avoid expensive medical bills.

Reports from Frugal Dad state businesses lose an average of $16.3 billion annually due to flu related illnesses compared to the average American’s $92 loss per year.

The reported $87.1 billion taken out of the U.S. economy every year due to influenza is enough to supply every American with vaccinations for eight years!

While you may not be a germaphobe, the cost you may incur if you or a loved one becomes infected may persuade you to wear rubber gloves until you get your finances in order – or at least a reliable health insurance plan.

Here is a cool infographic from our friends at Frugal Dad illustrating the true cost of catching the flu.

Source: FrugalDad.com

The truth is this topic is a dark cloud over parents’ peace of mind as their children approach college age. Many families simply don’t have the money to cover their child’s tuition in full. Should parents take financial responsibility for their children’s continued education, or leave the kids on their own? Should you put your retirement at risk, or let your kids graduate tens of thousands of dollars in debt? Are student loans worth it?

I was shocked to read about the sky-high debt some students amass just to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. One student interviewed by the New York Times will be graduating with $120,000 in student debt. Her mother, who co-signed on the loans, took out a life-insurance policy on her daughter to protect herself against her daughter’s debt if something should happen.

For most people, starting out in the red is just not a good idea. On paper, $120,000 is a horrifying amount. I can’t grasp how I would even begin paying all of that back. So how much debt is too much? Wouldn’t you take one look at the hefty cost of tuition and think it’s not affordable?

Well, not exactly. The price of college isn’t as straightforward as one might think. You have to maneuver a maze of financial aid, grants, loans, scholarships, and who knows what else, just to figure out the actual price for tuition. Financial aid offices don’t make the process easy. Students are encouraged to imagine scholarships and grants that might be awarded, but in reality aren’t produced.

In addition, students aren’t educated about the risks of debt. College loan counseling usually consists of a brief online course, while debt counseling is virtually non-existent. I personally had to take out federal loans to cover the tuition costs of my bachelor’s degree, and received little advice. Getting the money was easy enough; I just had to sign a few forms and complete a 15-minute debt-counseling course. What did I learn from the course? Absolutely nothing.

So, how can you avoid large amounts of debt? In a culture where college degrees are highly valued, is skipping college a realistic option? It’s important to look at the type of college, the cost, and the eventual payoff. Does a private or for-profit college have much more to offer than a public institution? Does your student really need to go to an expensive out-of-state school when there is a comparable in-state one? Is a private liberal arts degree really going to get them that much further ahead?

Also, consider what your student will realistically be able to earn with their degree. Many schools, especially for-profit ones, over-promise with their degrees. Often these institutions exaggerate student job prospects and are misleading about cost. College decisions are being prompted by salesmen who use an arsenal of football teams, extra-curricular organizations, pricey dorms, and an array of degrees that may not be worth very much. Will your student be making enough at graduation to justify the debt?

Be sure to make an educated, reasonable decision about where to get your degree. It’s always important to live within your means, and college really shouldn’t be an exception. If you’re a student paying for school yourself, it might be best to consider an in-state public college over an out-of-state or private one. Ultimately, education will have a huge impact on your future finances, and educating yourself is essential to making the best possible decision.

If you haven’t, you’re missing out on some valuable information. I should make you go back and read my previous posts to figure it out, but I’ll be nice this time and inform you that I love summer.

The warm weather alone easily places summer at the top of my list of favorite seasons. I also enjoy taking advantage of every opportunity I get to head to Comerica Park to watch the Tigers, along with hanging out at the beach. Summer is also great because I love returning home after a day at the golf course to a house full of bugs trying to escape the heat.

Oh wait. That last part should be counted as one of the reasons I don’t like summer (although I think that’s the only part of summer I dislike). I hate bugs. I’m that guy everyone makes fun of for nearly having a heart attack when I come in close contact with a spider or any other creepy crawler.

If you dread bugs as much as me, follow these simple steps to ensure you don’t come into contact with them in the comfort of your own home.

Don’t be inviting

Stop them before they have a chance to come in. Do you lock your doors to prevent intruders? If so, use that same mindset to keep bugs out. While locking your doors obviously won’t keep bugs out, keeping all doors and windows shut is a step in the right direction. Using caulk around window frames and vents is another good idea. You can also:

• Use mesh screens in windows
• Install door sweeps
• Plug gaps in siding

Be clean!

Don’t leave food out. Spoiled food also attracts bugs, so be sure to rid your pantry of anything past its prime. After cooking, wipe down counters and store any leftovers in tightly sealed containers. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink for any long period of time. Also, be sure to take out the trash on a regular basis. The further away it is from the house, the less likely you’ll have bugs making your home their home.

Bug repellent

This can include natural or chemical based repellents. Natural repellents include:

• Mint and rosemary
• Attract animals around your home that eat insects such as songbirds, sparrows and cardinals

You can purchase chemical repellents at local stores that will kill insects already inside your home as well as help keep incoming insects to a minimum.

Reduce moisture

Insects love to make their homes in cool, wet, damp places. To avoid creating these types of surroundings, repair any major leaks in your gutter system. If possible, keep plants at a distance from your house. Use a dehumidifier in your basement to keep spiders from forming cobwebs. Check under sinks to ensure all pipes are sealed. If they aren’t, seal them with steel wool or sheet metal.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of already playing host to insects, there are a few steps you can take to return to an insect-free life. If chemical bug repellent doesn’t work, you can use a vacuum to dispose of bugs and any habitat they may have created.

If the bug repellent and vacuum methods don’t work, it’s probably time to bite the bullet and call a professional. To avoid taking this route, follow the four steps to prevent insects from entering your home and you’ll be on your way to living an insect-free life!

Have any other useful tips to help keep bugs away? Let me know!

How about turning a $500,000 investment into $1.7 billion over a 10-year span?

In case you didn’t hear, Facebook hit the stock market today, and let’s just say a lot of people just got Scrooge McDuck-type money.

You all remember Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales, right? He was the old duck that would swim around in pools full of gold coins, spitting coins out of his mouth like a water fountain?

Well, according to CNNMoney, there are at least a half-dozen new billionaires who could do that if they wanted to.

Leading the pack is Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns 534 million shares worth $20.3 billion. Don’t worry – if you think that’s too much money, he’s going to be selling off 30 million shares to raise $1.1 billion for Facebook to sit on.

Hey Mark – feel free to send around 30 million shares my way if you’d like. Let’s be honest, you would still have 474 million shares even after selling off the 30 million of your own. I’m a nice guy. What do you say?

To check out the rest of Facebook’s new billionaires, click here to view the slide show.

What’s Up on Wall Street?

All of the U.S. markets closed in the red yesterday before rebounding this morning amid news of Facebook’s IPO. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 156 points (-1.24 percent). Also, the Nasdaq Composite closed down -60.35 points (-2.10 percent). Finally, the S&P 500 closed down 19.94 points (-1.51 percent).

Yet, when you pair those competitive spirits with the $1 million in prize money up for grabs in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the competition level is raised exponentially.

Since the first all-star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1985, the annual stock car race has awarded nine $1 million payouts.

Ryan Newman’s ’02 all-star victory was the last award fewer than seven figures, as he took home $750,000 after collecting the checkered flag in the 135-mile race.

That triumph, and his win from the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon last July, fulfilled his eligibility requirements to participate in this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

The additional drivers who will participate in the all-star race Saturday qualified by satisfying one of the following:

• Won a race this season
• Won a race the previous season
• Finished first or second in the Sprint Cup Showdown
• Won the fan vote

Through 10 starts in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Ryan has three top-five finishes and six top-tens (aside from his ’02 win).

Ryan will race Chassis No. 39-686 for the fifth time this season (second time at Charlotte Motor Speedway) in the non-points-paying Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte. 

The All-Star race is divided into four 20-lap segments, a mandatory pit stop, and a final 10 lap run to the checkered flag.

The winners of the first four 20-lap segments will move to the front of the field coming into the mandatory pit stop. Wherever the drivers are positioned as they come off pit road after that pit stop is where they will line up to start the final 10 laps of the competition.

In the ’02 all-star race (The Winston), Newman took the lead after two laps of the final segment and kept the pack in his rearview mirror until he collected the checkered flag.

Saturday, Ryan will attempt to channel that same focus that helped him maneuver his way through the pack at the all-star race and into victory lane his rookie season.  Only this time, Ryan is set to pocket over $1 million if he collects the checkered flag in Charlotte.

To find out if Ryan Newman or Tony Stewart wins the seven-figure prize this year, check out our race recap section and tune into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET on SPEED TV!

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re moving. There’s a lot to keep track of, there’s a lot to sort through. Now imagine how compounded that must feel when you’re relocating with your company across the state or across the country. Not only do you have the typical stresses of moving, packing, and sorting, but you have to put a lot of trust into the movers and relocation professionals you’re working with.

If you’re either going to be relocating or helping someone with an upcoming relocation, Mobility magazine has some great tips to help improve the relocation process, making it easy and stress-free.

For both relocation professionals and homebuyers, the first – and most important – thing to remember is that planning is everything. Those who take the time to prepare are more likely to enjoy a successful move.

For homeowners who are relocating, relocation professionals and professional movers suggest the following tips:

• Take an active role in the process, starting with the pre-move survey. Make sure you account for everything that needs to be packed and moved.
• Do not include precious or valuable items in your pre-move survey. Items like jewelry, currency, important documents and photos should be something you keep with you during the move. Most valuation policies will not cover things like cash, jewelry or collectables.
• Assess the value of your items before the move. Take video or pictures of everything you’re moving, then list the items in a spreadsheet with an approximate replacement value.
• If you have expensive items, it would be a good idea to get a professional assessment of their value before the move.
• Avoid moving plants. Many moving companies will not move live plants and some states have laws prohibiting moving them across state lines.
• Be “present and engaged” on move day. Be available to answer the movers questions without distraction. Which leads to…
• If you have young children, arrange for off-site babysitting services. Moving day is extremely hectic, and if your attention is pulled between the kids and the movers, it will make it much more stressful for everyone involved.

On the days leading up to move day:

• Leave the clothes you plan to wear, along with toiletries, medications and other important items together in one location so that they do not accidently get packed by the movers.
• Make sure to leave out special toys and clothes for your kids.
• Take extra time to carefully identify where boxes are going, what’s in the box, etc. This will significantly help both you and the movers when you reach your new location.
• Empty and defrost refrigerators and freezers at least one week before moving.
• Remember to schedule your pets vet exams and get all vaccination and medication information.
• Back up your computer to an external hard drive and transport the backed up files yourself.
• Label all plugs, cables and wires so that when you’re unpacking you aren’t left with a mess of 8 different bundles of wires and no idea if they’re for the tv or the playstation.
• Empty the gas and oil from all machinery that you’re transporting. Things like lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc.
• Make a list of your contact information and other pertinent information that you would like your move coordinator and moving company to have.

Well, not all the time. According to a list by Forbes Magazine, there are certain items that you should avoid buying at a store like Costco or Sam’s Club. Here’s how you can maximize your bulk-buying power and save money if a stop at your local warehouse club is on your weekly to-do list.

Don’t Buy:

Soda and Chips. Grocery stores frequently offer sales on a rotating basis for name-brand soda and chips. Check local ads for deals, and when the price is right, stock up! Use store cards for better deals. Kroger cards offer points for purchases that can be redeemed for things like money off gas purchases.

Dryer Sheets. Stores like Target and Wal-Mart often have better deals on these than Sam’s Club.

Paper Products. Forbes offers a great general rule for buying these: items used on a daily basis are most likely to be sold at a deep discount everywhere, including your local supermarket. Using coupons at the supermarket can often get you a cheaper price than warehouse clubs.

Produce. For in-season produce, supermarkets always have at least one door buster-priced item. Buy in season. Some produce items freeze well, so keep that in mind when you find a good deal.

Do Buy:

Alcohol. Most alcohol at warehouse clubs is offered at an amazing discount. Costco sells relatively good-quality wines that would be marked up anywhere else.

Eyeglasses. For a relatively cheap price, a licensed Costco optometrist will perform a vision and eye health exam in-store. The prices for lenses are good, as well as customer ratings for overall satisfaction.

Laptops. A two-year warranty policy, 90-day return policy, and Costco Concierge services are free to members. These same services are offered on many other electronics as well including televisions, cameras, and even carpet cleaners.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is roughly half the cost of more well-known brands. It tastes the same, if not better.

Keep in mind that ultimately, comparison shopping is going to save you more money than anything else. Here are a few more rules to live by:

Come Prepared – Bulk stores depend on impulse shoppers to drag in the profits. Make a list in advance and stick to it.

Watch the Perishables – It may not be wise to buy perishable items such as produce, bread, and dairy, if they go bad before you can use them.

Break Down and Store – Once you get everything home and unpack, divide large combo-packs into smaller packages for easier storage. Freeze things such as meat, bread, and produce.

Know What You’re Paying For – Read the store brochure so you are aware of all the benefits that come with membership – such as discounts on carpet cleaning, automotive services, and more.

Every family is different, so the benefits of a warehouse club depend largely on your personal lifestyle. Do your homework to maximize your money-saving potential!

What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also known as total bankruptcy. It’s a wipeout of many (or all) of your debts. Also, it might force you to sell, or liquidate, some of your property in order to pay back some of the debt. Chapter 7 is also called “straight” or “liquidation” bankruptcy. Basically, this is the one that straight-up forgives your debts (with some exceptions, of course).

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is more like a repayment plan and less like a total wipeout. With Chapter 13, you file a plan with the bankruptcy court detailing how you will repay your creditors. Some debts will be paid in full, some will be paid partially or not at all, depending on what you can afford. Chapter 7 = wipeout. Chapter 13 = plan.

How does Chapter 7 bankruptcy affect my existing mortgage?

When you file Chapter 7, your existing property will either be deemed exempt or nonexempt. Exempt means you will be able to keep the property throughout the bankruptcy process. Nonexempt means you will either be required to surrender the property or pay its value in cash as a part of the bankruptcy. In some cases, people are allowed to keep nonexempt properties. It all depends on the bankruptcy trustee and how they choose to handle the property.

To understand how chapter 7 impacts your existing mortgage, you must first understand the difference between a loan and a lien.

When you get a mortgage, your mortgage company gives you a loan. They let you borrow money in order to buy a property. When they do that, they have a lien on the property. A lien is a right or interest in the property that the mortgage company has until the debt (or loan) is paid in full.

When you file Chapter 7, you are no longer legally obligated to repay the loan. “Legally obligated” are the key words here because Chapter 7 does not get rid of the lien on the property. Your lender still has a right to the property if the debt is not paid. So basically, you don’t have to pay your mortgage. But if you don’t you will lose your property because your lender will likely enforce the lien they have. If you are able to keep your home as part of Chapter 7, it’s probably a good idea to do everything in your power to keep paying your mortgage.

How long do I have to wait after Chapter 7 to get a new mortgage?

Most reputable lenders, including Quicken Loans, will not consider you for financing until two years after the Chapter 7 bankruptcy has been discharged. If you find a lender who will consider you prior to two years, make sure you are fully aware of all the terms and conditions included in your mortgage. Really scrutinize the details and look at all the costs to ensure you’re not being scammed.

Ok, what about Chapter 13? What happens with my existing mortgage?

With a chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will not lose your property. You will include details on how you plan on paying your mortgage in your repayment plan. In most cases, an automatic stay is issued once Chapter 13 is filed. An automatic stay means that creditors must stop collection efforts. It was designed to temporarily halt foreclosure and stop repossession of homes regardless of the stage of the foreclosure proceedings.

How long do I have to wait after Chapter 13 to get a new mortgage?

Most reputable lenders, including Quicken Loans, will not consider you for financing until at least one year after the Chapter 13 bankruptcy has been discharged. Some exceptions are made for US veterans. If you find a lender who will consider you prior to one year, make sure you are fully aware of all the terms and conditions included in your mortgage.

Filing for bankruptcy is a big decision that has a lot of implications for your current and future financing. Make sure you discuss your options with a lawyer or your financial advisor before you stop making payments or file for bankruptcy.