Camping at one of the big festivals this summer?

Follow our survival guide to have a top festival experience.

1. Once you get to the festival site, take a few minutes with your mates and locate essential spots. Most big festivals now provide basic maps detailing things like the nearest toilets, first aid stations, food areas, security or police stands.
2. Camp on high ground – essential if it rains! If you have to camp somewhere lower, keep an eye out for dips and ditches that will quickly fill up, and camp as far away from them as possible.
3. Make a note of the name of the field you’re camping in, as well as memorising other landmarks – much easier when trying to find your tent at 4am.
4. Tie a balloon, flag or something else bright and noticeable to your tent that you’ll be able to see from a distance away.
5. Pick a point where you can meet up with your mates if one of you goes astray during the festival. Knowing you’ll be meeting up again at the bar at 2pm saves you having to walk around for hours looking for your group. Don’t rely on mobile reception at all times.
6. Travel light. Bring extra clothes and shoes and warm clothes for night, but don’t bring anything you don’t want to lose. Avoid bringing credit cards.
7. Unpack your rucksack inside your tent as soon as possible, and spread your stuff around. If someone does go in to try and steal something, it won’t be as easy as lifting your packed bag.
8. Bring a tripod seat so you’ll have somewhere to sit if the ground ends up as a sea of mud.
9. Buy a spare battery for your phone if you need to stay charged. Most festivals now have charging stations, but there’s usually a queue.
10. Bring a smaller bag along with your main rucksack to use during the day, and put in everything you might need for the whole day. You don’t want to be trailing all the way back to your tent for sunscreen once the sun comes out.
11. Bring a torch, and extra batteries, or two torches. You can get keyring size torches at pound shops – keep one in your day bag in case you’re coming back to the tent after dark.
12. If you only have a cheap sleeping bag bring a bed roll for underneath, or a blanket for the top – it gets chilly at night unless you have a properly insulated bag.
13. Sleep with your wallet, phone and any other valuables at the bottom of your sleeping bag.
14. Stay hydrated – buy plenty of water and drink it throughout the day. Also use sunscreen and get time in the shade to avoid sunstroke.
15. If you’re travelling to the festival by car, pack a spare set of clothes and pair of shoes in the boot – you’ll be glad of them if there’s a downpour and everything you have gets soaked.

And finally – enjoy the festival!

If you are heading to a festival in the UK take a look at Pitchup.com to find the nearest and top rated camping pitches.

You are a romantic and you love to wine and dine her. However, you are on a budget. How can you impress your loved one without dropping a lot of money on a fancy dinner and a night out on the town? If you did that, you could easily spend a few hundred dollars in a matter of just a few hours. On the other hand, you could look for a few more creative ways to be romantic without spending a lot of money at all.

The following are five ways you can be romantic on a budget. Have you tried these yet?

1. Take advantage of the water. Are you near a beach or lake? Pack a simple picnic lunch and spend the day at the water. Try to plan your evening so that you can see the sun go down, together. Bring along a blanket, a bottle of wine and some dessert to round the night out. She will love the attention you give her.
   
   
2. Go on a trip to nowhere. Plan a weekend of it. Just get in the car and drive. Stop wherever you want to along the route. You can stop to see attractions, as they seem to interest you. Since you will be alone, you will have plenty of opportunity to interact with each other and talk about goals and thoughts without any pressure of deadlines or costs. Stop when you are hungry. Take advantage of the “what if” situations that will arise.
   
   
3. Make it a night in, but make it a romantic night in. Rent an old, romantic movie. Then, make dinner for your loved one. The key is make sure the food speaks for you. Choose foods that are luxurious and foods you both love. Start a fire. Relax by the television. Watch a movie and keep all the lights off. You can easily just relax together and not think of anything too busy or overwhelming.
   
   
4. Call after dinner, perhaps a few hours prior to bed. Ask to meet for a midnight snack at a local all night diner. There does not have to be a reason, nor any benefit to the meeting. All you need to do is make it spontaneous for it to be fun and romantic all at the same time.
   
   
5. Create a secret date. Avoid talking about the date but rather be mysterious. Leave a note in her briefcase or send him a note in his lunch. Tell him to meet you someplace, but give just the address, not the name of the location. It could be just a park, or even a special spot you both enjoy visiting. Be there, or leave another clue for another location, dropping a rose at each one.

These are just a few great ways to do something creative and romantic without spending a lot of money in the process. Romance does not need to be highly expensive, but it should be something you love to do together.

George Gallagher is a finance blogger.  He is currently helping students find private student loans with cuStudentLoans.

Let’s face it – vacations can be pretty pricey. In the summer of 2010, the average American tourist spent $1,000 per person on vacation. It’s not like anyone expects to go on vacation for free… but isn’t a $1,000 a bit much? There are plenty of ways to save money on your summer vacation without sacrificing fun and comfort.

• The key is to plan ahead. Doing things at the spur of the moment tends to cost more money as you don’t have the time and flexibility to look for the best deal. That’s why you should try planning your summer vacations weeks, if not months, ahead of time. For example, if you start planning early, if a particular airline is having a special sale, you can cash in on that. Scout out some discount websites that specialize in finding amazing airline deals and make sure you’re on their mailing lists so you can be notified when tickets go on sale.
  
  
• It also wouldn’t hurt to be flexible regarding your destination. You may have your heart set on going to Paris or London, but those are very popular tourist destinations, which means you’ll be paying more for airline tickets, car rentals and hotel rooms. If you pick a less popular destination, you’ll pay less. And if you happen to find a fantastic deal online but it’s not the destination you want… well, if you book early enough you’ll have some time to persuade yourself otherwise. When coming up with a tourist destination, it can sometimes pay to go abroad to another country where the dollar is strong.
  
  
• If you do Internet comparison shopping properly, you may be able to find some fantastic travel packages and deals. Always check to see which online booking site is offering the best deal on hotels, but don’t rely solely on the Internet – call the actual hotel to see if they might be offering a better rate. Keep in mind that each time you call, you might get a different price quoted to you – oftentimes hotels are not consistent in their rates. If you don’t like the first rate, call again – maybe it will be a better one. Take the time to check out all the different accommodations available – a hotel isn’t your only choice. You can look into house swapping, university dorms, hostels and motels as well.
  
  
• Plan you meals ahead of time. When you are on vacation, do not make a habit of popping into restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can save loads of money if you actually cook your own meals or buy items at the grocery store. You can buy a disposable grill at the grocery store, or bring along a sandwich maker or camping burner to make lunch. It may be possible to get a refrigerator or microwave in your hotel room, and you can purchase a little cooler so you can bring things like cheese or cold cuts on day trips.

This was compiled by the team from Car Rental Express.

Family photos are an important part of family life. Snapshots from the digital camera are great, but it’s still nice to get portraits done once in a while. Whether you want portraits for Christmas cards or just to have a nice photo to hang in the family room, there are lots of ways to save on family photos, which can normally cost a fortune!

Here are just five tips for saving on family pictures.

1. Look for Deals Online

Lots of group coupon websites will run deals on photography. You may just have to wait around for a while to get to them! You can also look at specific photography studio’s websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds for deals. Lots of times they’ll run coupons that take money off a sitting or a certain photo package.

The best thing you can do here is try to save on sitting fees, which can be pretty steep. If you’re going with a professional place like a department store photography shop, you may also want to look for deals on packages of actual photos. This is what can cost hundreds of dollars, so a deal here could save you big.

2. Get a Digital Package

Getting a digital photo package where you get the actual rights to your photos can be a little more expensive up front, but it can save you lots in the long run. The key here is to make sure you’re actually going to print enough photos to justify what you’re paying for the rights to the photos. If you just want one or two good portraits, this is probably not a great idea.

However, for things like weddings and annual family photos that you find yourself needing copies of photos from again and again, a digital package can be a good idea. Lots of professional photographers offer this type of package. You just get to pick a certain number of photos, and the photographer will put them on a disc for you. From there, you can get them printed just about everywhere. Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens have pretty good quality, as do many places online where you can upload photos and have prints delivered to your home.

3. Find a Photographer Who is Just Starting

This can be one of the best ways to save big. Lots of times photographers who are just starting out will charge next to nothing for sitting fees and printing. They’re also more likely to offer great deals on digital packages that give you the rights to your photos. They just need to make sure they’re building a portfolio, and you can help them with that.

Sometimes, you can find local beginning photographers on Craigslist. You can also check out local art and photography schools to see if they’ll give out the names of students. Often times, these newer photographers bring a fresh eye to photography and have some very unique ideas. You may end up being more pleased with your photos than ever, without having to pay full price for a professional.

4. Shop Around

If you’re determined to go with a professional photographer or photo company, at least shop around. While most photographers are fairly pricey, you may be surprised at what fluctuations there are in prices in your area. When you’re shopping, also ask about different types of packages. How much would studio portraits cost? How much would it cost you to have the photographer meet you at an outdoor location for photos?

Asking the right questions can get you far with this. Don’t just ask how much the sitting fee is, but know exactly what you want, and ask about that. Photographers may give you widely different answers, so you’ll know who has the best prices. Also, though, make sure to look at the photographers’ collections so you can make sure you like what you’re paying for!

5. Look at Package Deals

Sometimes photographers will offer great package deals for several sittings and printings at one much-lower price. These are really popular for new baby photos. The standard is to get newborn, three month, six month, nine month, and twelve month photos. Some families also want maternity pictures of mom with her big belly. You can often get a first-year package price on these photos from local photographers. It’s certainly something worth asking about.

You can also ask if photographers with their own small businesses are willing to make their own packages for you. Sometimes you might be able to get family pictures and senior pictures done around the same time, for instance. You’re promising to give them more business, and they’re giving you a discount. It never hurts to bring up the possibility!

Photo Credit: Family Portrait by Billaday

Abigail Hall is a writer at CreditDonkey, where you can find cash back credit cards for your next camera purchase.  She’s also a SLR photography enthusiast.

Stress can come from anywhere.  Work and school, of course, are the main sources of stress for adults, although anything from relationships to taxes could also induce stress.  But work is the most common venue for stress.  Luckily, there are plenty of ways to deal with unpleasant situations and return to a calm state of mind.

Here are some ideas:

1. Exercise. This is a proven way to release stress, but it isn’t always as easy to do.  Some people’s schedules allow them to take a jog at lunch or go to the gym in the morning.  Of course, if you don’t have shower facilities at work, a lunchtime run is not an ideal way to exercise.  However, even walking during your lunch break can be a good way to build an overall sense of calm.  Even a ten minute stroll during a coffee break can be worthwhile.
   
   
2. Breath deeply. Breathing is a powerful tool that people almost always take for granted.  People who meditate often do so by concentrating on their breath and blocking out all other thoughts.  Though you don’t necessarily have to meditate, breathing deeply (so that your rib cage and stomach expand) while focusing on your breath is a great way to take a mental break from your current situation.
   
   
3. Inject some nature into your work-space. This could be in the form of a plant or perhaps even a small fish tank.  There are hardy plants that can survive with a minimal amount of sunlight and watering (so they can be left in your office over the weekend).  Or you can take your plant home with you every day.  There are small, shelf-sized fish tanks that can house hardy fish (such as goldfish, betas and minnows).  Looking at these reminders of nature can be a major stress reducer.
   
   
4. Music can be a stress release, but it can also promote stress.  Soft, soothing music that does not contain quick beats, though it might seem boring, is better for bringing about a calm state of mind than pop or rock music.  Choose something that works best for you: jazz, new age electronic music, instrumental music like classical guitars, or classical music.  Just remember that this music is to aid in stress reduction, not to get your groove on.
   
   
5. Find a hobby that doesn’t take much time.  Whether it is solving crossword puzzles, reading or playing solitaire, choose something that you can do during a brief break from work that can act as an “escape” from those things that cause you stress.
   
   
6. Avoid stress-inducing foods.  Sugar and coffee are both good for short term bursts of energy and a good way to satisfy cravings and relieve hunger.  However, they are also stimulants that naturally increase your heart rate and make you more prone to symptoms of stress.  Opting for healthier snacks and trying to at least cut back on your caffeine intake can lead to a more calm feeling overall and make it easier for you to deal with stress when it arises.
   
   
7. Keep a dedicated work room or office at home. If you have to do any work or studying while at home, only do it in this area.  This will allow you to reserve the remaining parts of your living space for relaxation and general day-to-day activities that are not related to stress-inducing work.
   
   
8. Confront your stress. What things are making you stressed out?  Seriously ask yourself if it is worth being stressed out about these things.  For many people, the natural reaction to unforeseen events is discomfort.  Though it may take some practice, it is possible to develop a more detached attitude towards events at work.  If you can look at them objectively, you may be able to see that most stress triggers are not really worth getting stressed over.
   
   

Nick Maddux has been blogging for 3 years; he currently contributes to an insurance blog and helps people relieve stress by managing their budgets.

Editor’s Note: Who knew this was coming? Nobody! Enjoy and hope this will help out some financial issues for the first time parents.

First time parents worry about a lot – and money is only one of many worries that tend to make the list.

Fortunately, there are some great ways to save money while providing for a baby, too.

1. Don’t buy a lot of baby clothes. Think about how fast babies grow. This goes particularly for newborns. Baby clothes are sized in months for good reason – babies grow out of them just that quickly. The ones is that a baby wears at one month old won’t even come close to fitting at three months. Any time that it can be helped, don’t buy baby clothes new. Ask friends and family for baby clothes to use. Also look around consignment stores, thrift shops, and yard sales. Baby clothes in these places tend to sell for just a few cents and are practically new, anyway.
   
   
2. Avoid new baby books. Of course it is wise to build a collection of books for a baby to use as he or she grows and enjoys being read to. However, these don’t have to be bought brand new, especially when they go for $5-$10 or more a pop. Go to library book sales and used book stores to find extremely inexpensive items. The same goes for books on baby care.
   
   
3. Consider nursing. Breastfeeding will save new parents at least $100 per month. Newborns don’t need anything except breast milk for the first six months and many mothers keep this going for a year before introducing solids – a healthy baby doesn’t need solids or cereal added to the milk before that time. This can save thousands of dollars each year. When the baby gets old enough for solids, cook up fresh ingredients, mash them, and freeze in ice cube trays for individual servings. This is healthier and less expensive than the jarred variety.
   
   
4. Be prudent about furniture. If planning to co-sleep, a crib isn’t needed at all. For furniture that is required, family and friends may be able to provide that, as well. Think about how much a piece of furniture will be needed, though. Don’t buy things like baby swings and high chairs before trying them. Many babies can’t stand being put down in these, and there is a high chance they won’t get much use if the baby screams when set down in them.
   
   
5. Invest in cloth diapers. If both parents can handle it, use cloth diapers. By using cloth, parents can save thousands of dollars a year – not to mention save landfills the extra piles. These can be tossed into the washing machine at home or handled through a diaper service for far less money than disposables.
   
   
6. Baby Items and Accessories. Wait until after having a baby shower before purchasing the lion’s share of a baby’s paraphernalia. People tend to be extremely generous when it comes to a baby, particularly a first baby. A list of needs could be cut down significantly by shower guest gifts.
   
   
7. Rethink decorating the nursery. Most parents find decorating a lavish nursery for a new baby a sort of rite of passage. However, hundreds of dollars can be spent on a baby’s room, only for parents to redecorate in five years for a child who wants a less babyish bedroom. When decorating, paint the walls a gender-neutral color and use modest, non-permanent decorations. For wall art, beautiful, reusable wall decals can be bought for just a couple of dollars and removed when a child grows out of the style.
   
   
8. Keep away from Baby jams. How many parents get to the verge of meltdown after one too many repeats of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Cure or avoid this altogether by resisting the temptation to buy baby music CD’s. Much of the music included in parents’ collections can suffice and the more complicated sounds can even be better for brain development. If children’s songs are specifically requested, it will be of more benefit to hear Mommy or Daddy sing the songs in person.

 

Allison Snowden recently graduated with a degree in journalism and is currently writing regularly about finance. Allison has also written about online shopping and personal finance tips. Some of her online shopping tips were featured on the site Savoo.co.uk, a discount code site & blog.

Editors Note: I’m going to be a rebel because this type of topic I don’t usually have on my site, but why not? As long it help others. let me know what you guys think. Alright? Happy Skydiving!! – RR

Skydiving is one of the most popular extreme sports of today, and many young people participate in the thrilling sport every year. Many people find that there is nothing more exhilarating than the wind whipping through their hair, the blue sky above them, and the ground far below them but coming up fast. It may be terrifying the first time you go skydiving, but here are 10 tips to help you for your first jump.

1. You must be 18 years old or older and weigh less than 250 pounds to go skydiving. Regardless of whether or not your parents are in agreement with your skydiving, minors are not allowed to jump. If you weight too much, your parachute may not slow your descent enough and you could get seriously hurt, hence the weight limit.
2. Most skydiving instructors will not let your jump alone for your first try, as you simply have not had enough experience to handle it alone. While some skydiving instructors may allow you to do so, those are few and far between. Expect to jump in tandem with an instructor the first time that you jump.
3. You will need to receive training in order to be allowed up in the plane to skydive, and you should expect to spend at least a couple of hours on the ground learning about skydiving before you even think about going up into the air.
4. Skydiving can be terrifying, and people with weak hearts and nearly any kind of sickness are usually not allowed to jump. You need to be in good health if you want to be allowed up on the plane for your jump.
5. There are a number of risks and hazards involved in skydiving, and you should be well informed of these before you go jumping. There is always the chance that you will land wrong and injure yourself, and you need to be able to think quickly. There is usually no more than a minute between the jump and the landing, and you need to react quickly.
6. Always wear the proper clothing: clothes that are not too loose but not so tight as to restrict your movement. Also, make sure that you wear running shoes or shoes that you can tie tightly. You don’t want your shoes flying off while you are in the air, and you will need shoes to absorb some of the impact of your landing.
7. Remember that you will only fall for about a minute, though that could be more or less according to the height you jumped from. It feels wonderful to fall freely through the air, but you need to keep focused so you can deploy your parachute in time.
8. Find a good school to learn about skydiving, as that can help you prepare for your first skydiving experience.
9. Be sure that you really desire to skydive, and are not just doing it because of peer pressure or some other reason. It is a dangerous sport, and only those with the desire to do it should.
10. Have fun and enjoy yourself, for that is what skydiving is all about.

Learn to skydive in Houston, Texas! Skydive Spaceland uses the most state of the art equipment and aircraft for skydiving and tandem skydiving.

Skydive Spaceland
16111 FM 521 Rd, Rosharon, Texas 77583
(281) 595-3772

Editor’s Note: This article is written by Aline Hanle. Aline is a “Quantum Catalyst”. She has the ability to feel and define the obstacles that lie within her client preventing him/her to experience his/her greatness. Her Energy-Empath gift is one part of her uniqueness along with her highly positive attitude about life and her rare respect for humankind. You can find more information at her website and twitter.

If you would like to start writing here, you can find more details and sign-up info over this page.

For the past 10 years, Life coaching has opened the world of personal development by giving new tools & new processes to open the mind to better understand itself.

The latest path has led many to realize the amazing power that lies in inviting the mind to play in order to learn.

Here are 6 great games worth playing experiencing and sharing…

The Cosmic Compass Oracle Game

The Cosmic Compass Game is an innovative tool that helps you get clarity about your Life. The game answers any questions that you have. Whether you are wondering about a personal or a professional situation, The Compass provides you with a map that takes you from your question to your answer in an amazing journey to self-discovery! Fun and revelations guarantee!

Create an extraordinary Life, Unveil your Life Purpose, Re-design your path, Unleash your potential, Discover your greatness, Develop your Intuition, Reveal your Genius, Uncover your power & more in one box!!

[Link to the Game]

The Success and Me Game

The Success and Me Game™ is a lively and down-to-earth experience that helps participants get clear on what “success” looks like, on their own terms. The game engages participants in a deeply self-reflective yet playful facilitated group process that guides them to discover their personal success vision: one that illuminates, focuses and inspires their endeavors and enables them to live lives of purpose and fulfillment.

[Link to the Game]

The Triplium Game

The Triplium cards will not necessary give you answers, although sometimes they will confirm strongly your own vision, but one thing is sure is that they will provide you with great dynamic clues that will bring you to discover your own truth.

[Link to the Game]

The Khi Game

The KHI is a small book that gives you insight and lets you listen to the sound echoing from your soul. The KHI brings you in contact with the other dimension instantly. HORO SCOPE opening up the scope of your inner vision, not a prediction but a source of inspiration and inner truth.

[Link to the Game]

The Transformation Game

Just as life is filled with this rich variety of experience, so is the Transformation Game®, a fun and complex board game which offers a playful yet substantial way of understanding and transforming key issues in your life. It can be played at varying levels of intensity, from a light-hearted way of gaining insight into yourself, to a tool to help solve problems, clarify important personal issues, or creatively enhance relationships.

[Link to the Game]

The Sark’s Creative Dream game

We all have creative dreams. But life often gets in the pathways of those dreams. The Creative Dream Game is a FUN and insightful way to release those dreams* and clear the pathways to understanding.

Played with a group of friends or individually, the random effects of chance are enhanced through card play with subjects like “Time,” “Permission,” and “Gifts.”

Open up the windows of discovery with friends, family, or on your own…and experience the power of Creative Dreams.

[Link to the Game]

*Use responsibly. Side effects may include vents beyond your wildest dreams, grand illusions, and a joyous perspective on life.

The first declaration

In English

"Today Bangladesh is a sovereign and independent country. On Thursday night West Pakistani armed forces suddenly attacked the police barracks at Razarbagh and the EPR headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka. Many innocent and unarmed have been killed in Dhaka city and other places of Bangladesh. Violent clashes between EPR and Police on the one hand and the armed forces of Pindi on the other, are going on. The Bengalis are fighting the enemy with great courage for an independent Bangladesh. May God aid us in our fight for freedom. Joy Bangla."

Zia's declaration

Excerpted from The History of the Liberation Movement in Bangladesh, Author J. S. Gupta

[The historic Kalurghat radio station]

At 7:45 pm on 26th March 1971, Major Zia broadcast the message which became historic in the struggle for independence.

"This is Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the direction of Bango Bondhu Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People's Republic of Bangladesh has been established. At his direction, I have taken command as the temporary head of the republic. In the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I call upon all Bengalis to rise against the attck by the west Pakistani Army. WE shall fight to the last to free our motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla."

Listen to the audio

http://www.library.shuchinta.com/germanRadio.mp3

The Kalurghat Radio Station's transmission capability was limited. The message was picked up by a Japanese ship in Bay of Bengal. It was then re-transmitted by Radio Australia and later by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

March 26, 1971, is considered the official Independence Day of Bangladesh and according to all Bangladeshi sources, the name Bangladesh was in effect henceforth. Even the Indian PM, Indira Gandhi openly referred to it as Bangladesh. Certain sources, especially of Indian and Pakistani origin, continued to use the name "East Pakistan" until the following 16 December.

Footnote: We need more young encouraged peoples to bring our country up to a different level. So many people sacrificed their lives on 1971 just to make us what we are today. Yet we should start learning to think about everything as a global representation of the country. 

Usually after Chinese New years celebrations some of my colleagues will bring a collection of Fortune Cookies . Fortune Cookies are simple biscuits with a piece of paper inside describing your fortune. Well it's a kind of fun to read your own fortune isn't it?