Summer Plans ? Kids, Money, Time and Bills

               How many families realistically expect to go away for a summer vacation? Understanding what your life is about makes you the only person who knows if you can really afford a summer vacation. In a way, It's like Christmas.  You spend so much money on going away and come home to bills and then say, what did I do. Sure you gave your kids a good time, but now you're stuck with credit card bills.
       There are many ways you can show your kids a good time in an inexpensive way at home. But don't break your  financial plan, mess up to pay it all back and next thing you know Christmas is here. Also let your children know summer vacation really means that their job which is school is not in session and that alone is summer vacation time, no getting up at a certain time, no eating at a certain time, no schedules if mom and dad don't want to, unless of course you work and have to bring kids to a sitter.

America Needs To...Answers

    Come to terms that we are not doing better. Like a blender we are a nation of immigrants but that shouldn't mean we allow people amnesty for ten years who came here illegally, so do what's needed and close the borders. But I know if that does happen the business of immigration will be so much less and the DEA will not need as many security guards and drug dogs, all equaling money.
    Farmers in California want the immigrants because of low pay. Here's my answer to that. We had or have civil service when young men and women wanted to go overseas to help in impoverished countries. So why not do that here, but in another way.
   High School and college students in their last years of programs should have to do internships in community services, but get paid the same as the Immigrants were/are being paid. If it starts in high school the purpose it serves is an OMG, if I don't do better this is my life. Maybe start that in the third year of high school.
   DRUGS-Those who are picked up for drug trafficking will serve time in the fields. They will receive credit for time served depending on how well they perform the duties of picking fruits and vegetables. If they don't show, they go to a local jail/reform program and then are taken to the fields.
   Drug Addicts-okay we don't want them puking on the crops, so the first thirty-ninety days in jail or a program and then field time, or work in food banks, or missions, cleaning streets, toilets etc. to show them where their life is going.
   Pimps-First timers. One year in jail.
   Prostitutes- six months in jail and six months working in fields.
This same type of work can work across the criminal board.
  Make the crime work. Kids also need criminal punishment. Lets start with having them work in the school they are in as part of a work/giving back program. They can also receive a certain amount of credit when they do extra well.
     We're not doing better. Too many are still on family generational welfare, food stamps, medical. Yes, I know many need it, but when I see a single young man or woman, without children or responsibilities other than self support leaning on the government, when they could be working two jobs, they too need some field jobs. If they tell a caseworker, but I can't find a job, That caseworker should say, well we have a cleaning job for you...and of course the client answer will be, oh no I can't do that. The caseworker answer should be a one time, no second chances, oh honey I understand and as she watches the smile come across the clients face, simply tell them, case closed.

Hire Kids, Help Kids, Happy Kids

      Just wanted to add an opinion about hiring kids. So many are good workers, love to help and be needed and want to earn money just as adults do. I know if money is tight you probably can't hire anyone, but if you have a little extra here are some things kids can do:

•      Take out weekly trash
•      Wash trashcans
•      Clean up the yard
•      Clean up/sweep sidewalks
•      Wash you car
•       Run errands
•       Clean your fridge
•       Clean all of the things under, under the sofa, behind the fridge etc.
•       Walk your dog
•       Scrub a floor
•      Grocery assistant, ask parents to take along a child to help carry groceries which also gives them a lesson in budgeting
•      Organizing a bookcase/craft shelves and give some to the child helping you clean out
•       yard sales/home or Garage sales, let them help organize and "mind the store" while you take a nearby break.

Make sure to be precise with instructions and get written parent permission if you decide to allow a child in your home. With that in mind have an open door policy so mom and dad can come in and check. Kids who are active in a positive atmosphere are happier kids, so do yourself a favor, your community and hire a kid !