Getting The Most Out Of Family Vacation Planning

•Are We There Yet Study Examines The Family Vacation From Hell
Are We There Yet? Study Examines The Family Vacation From Hell  by: News Canada (NC)—You've done your research, made your reservations, and packed your bags. You're going to have a wonderful family vacation, right? Think again. Canadian society has created this concept of holidays as the opportunity to build family memories and family togetherness, says Susan Shaw, a sociologist at the University of Waterloo. People believe in the ideal family vacation. And this belief may set them up for...

•Exploring Uncharted Territory Your Family Vacation
 by: News Canada (NC)—Picture it – your minivan is stopped at a rest area. Your partner sits at the wheel while you are buried under a mess of unfolded maps. You feel tense as you debate over directions while your jumpy kids in the back seat are spreading chocolate over each other. Aah, the joys of a family vacation. Don't despair, not every trip has to be like that. By making plans in advance, you can help ease tensions on the trip and turn it into a family adventure filled with wonderful...

•Personal Financial Planning How To Find The Right Estate Planner For You
 by: News Canada Five must-ask questions (NC)-Beware of estate planners charging little or nothing to draft your estate plan. They are likely earning a commission on the investment products they recommend - which could compromise the objectivity of their advice. And note that competent estate planners should offer a holistic approach to estate planning. That is, an objective and skillful adviser provides more than investment strategies or financial planning advice. When looking for the...

•Financial Planning Dismal Family Business Survival Stats Worrisome Finds Study
 by: News Canada Five steps to start a solid succession plan (NC)-The statistics are worrisome. About 70 per cent of family businesses never make it to the second generation, found a recent Grant Thornton research study. A stunning 90 per cent of family companies go bust before a third generation can take over the management of the firm. Poor succession planning appears to be the primary culprit for these dismal statistics, according to the study Finding the Right Balance. Key concerns...

•You Don t Need To Fear Montezuma
 by: News Canada By: Dr. Suni Boraston, Vancouver, Travel Medicine Specialist (NC)—Emporiatic enteritis, Rangoon runs, Maladie de la Mer Rouge, Aden gut, Aztec two-step, Montezuma's revenge…I learned the definition of all of these terms when I was on vacation in Mexico. As a doctor, I am always very careful with what I eat and drink while travelling. I took all of the necessary precautions — drank bottled water, did not eat from street vendors and peeled my own fruit — but it got me anyway...

•Hot Summer Safety Tips
 by: News Canada (NC)-Summer's here and with it comes beach days, relaxation, family trips and special safety concerns. According to Susan Brunt, a Toronto based family physician, safety starts in your home, which may play host to many types of illness-causing germs and odor-producing bacteria. Most people don't realize that germs don't go on vacation during the summer months. If anything, people need to be even more vigilant about maintaining a clean, healthy home and taking basic summer...

•Vacationers Did you know
?  by: News Canada (NC)—The long-awaited vacations of 1.3 million Canadians may be ruined every year by Travellers' Diarrhea, also referred to as Montezuma's Revenge. While rarely life threatening, Travellers' Diarrhea has a way of disrupting a perfectly planned vacation by keeping you running to the bathroom or even stuck in bed. To make sure your vacation is as wonderful as can be, travellers to Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and most parts of Asia should...

•Risk Free Investing With Term Investments
 by: News Canada (NC)—Are you a risk-averse investor? Do you fear losing any of your initial investment? Do you rely on your investments as a source of fixed-income? Do you want an investment that provides the flexibility to redeem it should the need arise? If you answered yes to any of these questions, term investments would make an excellent addition to your portfolio. Term investments, such as Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) and term deposits, fully guarantee your initial...

•The Estate Planning Process
 by: News Canada (NC) - How do I begin? Start by making a list of those you wish to remember in your Will. You will want to provide for your dependants first, but here is your chance to be creative. You can give a meaningful item to a favourite relative, honour a friend or arrange gifts to organizations and charities that you believe in and support. Prepare a list of the names and addresses of all the people that you'd like to include in your Will. File this list in your Important Document...

•Your Will A Personal Reflection Of Your Life
 by: News Canada (NC)-Every person is unique, however, people have common needs - air, water, food, shelter, love, a sense of accomplishment. Beyond these, we are also concerned about our current financial needs, our futures and our family's well-being. Our day to day living is stressful enough and preparing a Will is not a subject most people talk about easily. The topic is usually ignored. Unfortunately, that is what almost half of Canadians do. Even among people who have already made...