Author: Kelly Kennedy
Source: articleage.com

So you’re just married, and you think that after your honeymoon, that’s it for luxurious vacations right? As a married couple you’ve now got your mortgage to think about, car payments, utilities, saving for children if you plan to have them, insurance, credit card debt and then there’s everyday expenses like food. With all those expenses how could you ever think about a vacation again as a married couple, well you can!
Timeshares. Timeshares are great places to spend your time as a married couple. Some find that they get several weeks on their ownership program each year while others may not be able to use them at all. However that doesn’t mean you can’t rent them out to others and make a slight profit.
Most timeshare owners pay on average $250 for a week. As some marriage advice and financial advice find friends or family who are willing to split the fee and share the space. Or if you just want to stay the week you can pay the fee and enjoy your time there.
Before you head to your time share destination check on these things first: Make sure you agree on the price before taking over someone’s timeshare, and ask the other party about other expenses such as cleaning fees, and maintenance charges. Know what’s around you, you may think the time share comes with a full kitchen but find out there isn’t so you’ll want to know what you have access to and surrounding locations.
Marriage advice- The more the merrier for the just married
Take a vacation with your friends or another married couple. It can be fun, and less expensive because you can split some of the costs. Say you want to go to the mountains to do some skiing. An average price for a weeklong cabin rental with three bedrooms costs around $900. You can easily split that between other friends and save a ton while being located in an ideal spot. If you prefer to be outdoors, then take a camping trip. Your cost for the campsite will be nothing!
Before you go make sure to set some ground rules such as still making time for family, not just friends, or alone time with your other half especially if you’re just married. If you have kids, perhaps one night, one other couple or the friends you are with can watch them and then you can switch roles. Or you can choose to do your own things during the day and then get together during the night for dinner.
Swap Homes. Do you live in an attractive place where tourists always venture to. If so, consider doing a house exchange. Most house exchanges cost $30-$110 per year. You may feel skeptical about turning your house over to a stranger but it’s completely safe. Most home exchangers are prosperous, mature, and well educated professionals so they are not likely to destroy your home. Or you can choose to do a house swap with a family with children if you have children so you are going from one child friendly home to the next.
Before you do a house swap make sure to leave any necessary instructions the swapper may need, and check with your insurance company to make sure the new family is covered.
Volunteer your way. If you happen to work at a local campground this would be an ideal situation. Work for the week and get your campsite free. So basically you would put in your time but then have a vacation spot to enjoy. Not all campgrounds will offer this trade off but it could be something to look into if interested. Taking children that are slightly older are better to take along because some work will be required.
If you budget is limited its still important to spend time with family and loved ones so here are some alternatives for days trips that can seem like mini vacations.
Hit the Beach. The beach is a great place to spend the day, enjoy the water, and beach activities, but after a day worth of sun, everyone’s worn out and ready to head home so it makes an ideal day trip.
Send flowers. Flowers are always a pleasant surprise for those just married or for those that have been together for years. Or take your lunch break to surprise your loved one.
Presents.Give unexpected small gifts every now and then. Just the thought of them knowing that you took extra time out of your day to get something will be meaningful.
Go for a long walk. Go for a long walk with your loved one or kids and hold hands. It will be meaningful and fun.
Carriage Ride. Take a carriage ride through the city or a park for the first time as a married couple.
Zoo. Take a trip to your local zoo.
Museum. A museum leads more to a relaxing and educational day but still a day away from home.
Amusement park. Any amusement park can be enough excitement for one day.
Hiking. Go for a hike through the woods, pack a picnic and enjoy the peace as a married couple.
Day trips can be just as exciting as taking a vacation after being just married and you can do plenty more day trips then what you could do in one spot. So when planning your next vacation as a married couple keep this marriage advice in mind.
For more information relating to marriage financial resources please visit http://www.marriedfinances.com.
Kelly Kennedy is the Communications Specialist for MindComet Corporation, a full service marketing agency for Fortune 500 companies and international conglomerates. Kelly specializes in public relations strategies focused on personal finance. Kelly has been author to hundreds of articles focusing on finance. She also acts as a contributing author for a wide variety of websites and newsletters. Kelly holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

Author: Gabriele Gottschlag
Source: download

Dog insurance is the last thing you want to think about when in the joyful process of adding a furry new member to the family; but it is something you may want to strongly consider. It is a good idea when you consider the costs that can incur in caring for a dog during his/her lifetime. Unfortunately dogs do get sick and into accidents where injury may occur and Vet costs can be expensive; particularly where surgery might be necessary. If it is an after hour emergency, drop-in clinics can charge up to $100.00 just to walk in the door, this tells you what kind of prices they charge.
This information is not to scare you but to impart realistic advise. Even with the best care and intentions, emergencies can and will occur and getting dog insurance for your dog can be a saving grace in times that will already be fraught with stress. In old age, trips to the Vet will become more frequent. As with people, dogs are living longer due to better quality of life. Ailments due to the aging process increase and therefore so does expense.
Many pet insurance companies have a very reasonable rate and it is worth the expense. Some companies also include added benefits like expenses for locating a lost pet. Different companies have different age requirements and usually have restrictions as to the number of visits to the vet prior to qualifying for insurance. Therefore it is a good idea to give dog insurance consideration before you get your puppy or very soon afterwards. In regards to getting an older dog you will have to check the companies for age restrictions. Quite often veterinarians provide information on various pet insurance companies that offer a variety of dog insurance policies; the Internet is also a good source.
Gabriele’s website http://www.1st-greyhound-dog-care.com was created for the appreciation of this unique breed. Having been an owner for fifteen years has given her first hand knowledge and a special love for the sensitive and beautiful Greyhound dog. Gabriele is also a great fan of all types of dogs and hopes that the reader of any breed owner finds the information from her articles helpful.

Author: Jim Christian
Source: isnare.com

The home office is fairly commonplace these days as more people choose to work from home, either telecommuting or starting their own businesses.

Several things need to be considered when setting up a home office, not the least being how to insure it. If you are working at home under a telecommuting arrangement with your employer, the risk will be borne either wholly or partially by them. You will need to clarify exactly who is responsible for what before entering into the arrangement.

If starting a business from home, you are responsible for ensuring that the insurance coverage is adequate. Some different types of insurance for the home-based business operator to consider are:

? Office equipment

? Inventory (if stock kept on the premises):

? Public Liability

? Professional Indemnity

? Workers’ Compensation

? Personal Accident/Income Protection

Many small or “micro” business operators may feel they need little, if any, additional insurance. Picture this?

Your home is struck by lightning during a major storm and all of your electrical equipment is “fried”. Your Home Contents Policy will cover replacement of household electrical appliances destroyed as a result of the lightning strike but does not cover equipment used in the operation of a business. Some companies do offer limited cover for home office equipment?yours doesn’t.

Do you ever consult with clients at your home office? If a client trips on one of your children’s toys and is injured, don’t expect to be indemnified by the public liability section of your household policy. Any liability arising out of your business activities will be borne by you.

Think about this for a minute. Medical expenses, loss of income due to incapacity, not to mention legal expenses if the matter goes to court plus any judgement that may be awarded. Without Public Liability insurance for your business, one claim is all it would take to ruin you financially.

If you keep inventory on the premises, remember that it is not covered under your household policy. A separate policy to insure your stock will be required.

Perhaps you don’t handle stock. Your product may be your expertise and talent such as a business consultant or financial advisor. What if your advice is proven to be wrong? A financial advisor whose clients lose a lot of money because of his advice may well sue him for that loss. Without Professional Indemnity insurance, another small business folds.

Another question to ask yourself is this: What effect would losing my home-based business income have on my current lifestyle? If the answer is anywhere from “hardly any” to “catastrophic”, some form of Income Protection or Personal Accident insurance is recommended.

Then there’s Workers’ Compensation. “Workers’ Compensation?” I hear you incredulously ask. “But I don’t employ anyone!”

Consider this ?

You’re a graphic designer and very, very busy. Demand for your services has grown so much that you occasionally subcontract out some of the work.

On one particular occasion, you contact another designer with whom you’ve worked before. He meets you at your favourite coffee “haunt” and you go over the job specifications with him. The meeting ends well and you look forward to receiving his part of the project in due time. He can’t wait to get started (or to receive your cheque).

On the way home from his meeting with you, the other designer is involved in a car accident and seriously injured. He will be unable to work for at least eight weeks and has no Personal Accident insurance.

His was the only vehicle involved so there’s no recourse there either. His only alternative to keep life in some kind of order is to claim Workers’ Compensation?from you. Since the accident occurred on his way home from his meeting with you – someone who has offered payment for a service provided – it would be difficult to successfully dispute his claim.

Regardless of what type of business is being operated from your home, it is imperative that the correct insurance type and level of cover is obtained. As is illustrated by the examples given, it only takes one incident, giving rise to one claim that can ruin, not only a business, but also lives.

And it is not just the business operators who suffer. The injured parties who are themselves unable to earn a living, through no fault of their own, also suffer – as do their families. Even if a judgement is awarded in favour of an injured party, the now bankrupt home-based business operator involved would have no means by which to pay it.

Bottom line? Talk to an insurance broker today!

Author: Michael Challiner -
Source: articledashboard.com

Is your pet overweight? Four out of every ten pets are obese says one of the UK ‘s largest pet insurers.

Owners are overfeeding their dogs and cats with massive portions and fatty foods as well lots of treats from the table. This had led to a huge increase in the number of pet insurance claims for health problems brought on by obesity.

Petplan has revealed that during the last five years it has seen a 60% increase in obesity related claims amongst the 800,000 pets it covers. As a result there are reports that some pet insurers are looking at cutting payouts if your pet is obese.

Obesity in pets causes many of the same problems it does in humans. An overweight pet is prone to many weight related conditions including: joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart problems and diabetes. Obese cats can also contract skin disorders from not being able to groom themselves thoroughly. The overall impact of obesity on your pets’ comfort and longevity could be catastrophic.

But perhaps there’s good news. It’s easier for you to trim down your pets weight than it is for you to fight the battle of the bulge. After all, your pet can’t grab the car keys for a trip to the chippy or phone out for a Chinese. They can’t even open the refrigerator door on their own! Your pet eats what you give it – so you’re in control. So if it’s fat, that’s your responsibility. Equally, the remedy is in your hands. Although exercise might not be your bag, your pet will always be up for a walk or a game with a toy on a string, or most popular of all doggy games, fetch the stick.

So how do you know if your pet is overweight? A healthy pet will always have some padding on them – but a little is quite enough! Start off by gently rubbing your hands over their ribs. You should be able to feel their ribs and the skin should move easily back and forth. Then step back and look at your pet from the side – if your pet looks pregnant and it shouldn’t be, it’s overweight! Your pet should also have a obvious waist at the base of the rib cage, a small tuck-in around the stomach area. Now look at your pet from above – it’s equally bad news if you can see a bump out from its middle into an apple shape. Birds too can be obese. Examine polly for rolls of fat or a thicker breast.

Certain breeds and species of pet are more likely to develop weight problems. In dogs, labradors and spaniels are especially liable to fatten up, as do beagles, corgis and retrievers. In cats the less-active breeds such as Persians are far more likely to gain weight than the go-go breeds such as Abyssinians and Siamese. And in birds, Amazon parrots are special contenders to expand into perch potatoes.

Please be aware that crash diets aren’t a good idea for pets. Be especially careful with cats who can develop a fatal liver problem if they’re forced to lose weight too quickly. Pets don’t get obese overnight and it should not be forced to slim down too quickly. Only feed at set meal times and be sure to cut out those tip bits. Then introduce more exercise. Your vet should also advise you on a regime of special diet foods. Be sure to do all of this gradually but please, be committed – your pet’s life may depend on it.

Author: Susan Dunn, MA
Source: articleage.com

Vacation 101 – It’s about having fun, peace of mind, not
working and not worrying. If you do these things. you’ll
increase the chances of those things happening! And remember
that the watchword today is not that it changes, but how fast it
changes.

1.Pack those “small” things.

You haven’t had a vacation for a while, so you’re forgetting
what a hang nail, an itchy mosquito bite and a heel blister are
like.

Those “small” things get really “large” on a trip.”

The nail clippers, bandaids, hair bands, suntan lotion, and
Neosporin will not only cost you 5 times as much on your trip,
they will cost you precious pleasure TIME while you hunt them
down.

2.Check your medical insurance and car rental insurance two
weeks before you leave.

Policies are different and you need to know WHAT will be covered
on your trip and WHERE. Some policies cover accidents, injuries,
and illness abroad and some do not. You also need to know what
your car insurance covers and where. Call your insurance
companies to make sure, get names, etc. and take this with you
in writing.

3. Then fill in the gaps with travel insurance.

Pay for peace of mind. Consider the health insurance that
includes air evac back to the US unless you relish emergency
gall bladder surgery in El Disastro, Peru when you don’t
understand Spanish. Bring proof of your coverage in writing.

3.If you buy special travel insurance, for instance, cruise
travel insurance, read the fine print to see what’s covered.

It may give you another cruise if you have an accident for
instance, that interrupts your vacation.

4.Adopt the mental attitude that you’ve never flown, cruised or
gone by train before. Why? Because it’s changed since 9-11 and
keeps on changing. New security measures, restrictions, and
time-consuming safety procedures are being added all the time.
On my latest cruise I heard people saying, “They don’t do it
this way on cruise line X.” Little did they know!

5.Call ahead for important information but, sigh, don’t rely on
it.

Go ahead and bring the hair dryer, converter, travel iron and
toiletries and anything important to you, and be pleasantly
surprised if they’re there. Do not trust the person on the
phone, or your friend who has just returned. It changes.
Realistically, it’s impossible to keep up with.

6.Keep documentation papers.

On my last cruise a couple’s luggage got really torn up. I
listened to them argue it out with the purser. The cruise line
claimed it says in their papers they aren’t responsible; it’s
the baggage handlers on the dock ? or maybe the airline. At any
rate, at some time the couple is going to have to prove what the
luggage cost. Photographs are also helpful.

7.Which brings up a practical point: your luggage and common
sense.

The above-mentioned couple was claiming, She – that she’d paid
$300 for her fabric-type roll-on luggage. He – that his
“custom-made all leather carryon” was not replaceable. Use your
own judgment, but seems to me the best practical measure these
days is to buy the sturdiest least expensive luggage you can
find. I think it unrealistic to imagine your luggage won’t be at
least nicked, scratched or slightly torn, and you can save
yourself some emotional turmoil by preparing for that fact,
i.e., don’t give a toddler a crystal goblet and then be
“surprised” it gets broken.

8.Hot tubs and bathing suits.

Some hot tubs contain enough bromine (via health regulations) to
not only bleach out your bathing suit, but loosen elastic,
leaving you with a bleached bag. This information is posted near
the hot tub, but won’t help you if you don’t know beforehand. Be
practical. Bring an old suit, or bring an inexpensive one and
treat it like a Bic pen: disposable.

9.If you’re traveling abroad, alert your credit card company
ahead of time.

10. Take your Emotional Intelligence with you.

Traveling is a microcosm of life because it’s full of new
things, and often no learning curve. EQ competencies such as
quick reality testing, and interpersonal relationship skills are
extremely helpful. Brush up!

Also observe others in the ever-occurring stressful situations
and you’ll see what works and what doesn’t.