Family reunions are a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones we often haven't seen for months or years. This special festivity is a time of remembrance, memory making, and family bonding. While most people love to attend family reunions, few people enjoy planning the event.

A family reunion does not have to be a stressful or expensive endeavor if it is well planned. Party planners should consider the following points to ensure a memorable experience - for the right reasons!

1. Decide a time of the year that works for busy schedules, weather, and offers the maximum opportunity for activity.
Depending on your geographical location, it is best to consider a time of year when there will be less of a chance of inclement weather like snowstorms or heavy rains, or even excessive heat. During the winter, travel plans can be easily thwarted with an impending blizzard. Conversely, outdoor reunions can fizzle in sweltering heat. 

2. Create invitations that have all the information needed.
It is important that invitations list every detail so that people know what is expected of them. First include all of the basic information - what family is the reunion celebrating? location? date and time? RSVP required? Additionally, cost to attend, driving directions, hotel information, items requested to bring, and other information may be a factor when creating an invitation. If there are numerous people coming from out of town, including travel information about the area in the invitation is a nice touch.

3. Consider free or minimal cost locations.
For an inexpensive family reunion, planning the party at a family house, park, church, or community center is a frugal way to keep the cost down. Also, reserving a room at a restaurant may not require a location fee as long as food is purchased on location.

4. Accommodate out of town guests.
Out of town guests have to make extra arrangements to attend the reunion, so it is best to provide any information or guidance that will help them feel comfortable during their stay. Providing hotel information or even making arrangements with a hotel to block off a group of rooms, will help guests with their travel arrangements. Also, if there are many traveling guests coming to the reunion, having a potluck might not be the best type of reunion since it could be difficult for these guests to contribute.

5. Potluck or catered in?
Asking families to provide a covered dish or their own meat for a barbecue is perfectly acceptable as long as it is decided ahead of time and people are able to do so. Potlucks are the most frugal approach in party planning and takes the financial burden off the planner. Organizers can also consider having the event catered in and charging each person or family based upon the overall costs of the catering service.

6. A singular event or a weekend of activity?
Are you looking for an afternoon barbecue or a weekend of festivities? Depending on the number of people attending, their location, and financial commitment, some family reunions can stretch over several days with multiple activities planned - a boat trip, golf, amusement park outing, etc. Making these additional events an option will allow families to choose what they are interested in attending and paying for individually.

7.  Who's who?
Sometimes it is difficult to track every family member down! Consider asking immediate family to help find relatives' addresses and phone numbers. Even setting up an event in Facebook, is a great way to help connect loved ones to the big day. In addition, there is nothing like walking around a family reunion not knowing half the people! Consider asking guests to wear name tags or encourage individual families to come with their own special tee-shirts with their names or family logo.

8. Plan slideshow, collage, or other memorial of passed loved ones.
Remembering loved ones long passed is an important part of bonding with generations of family members. Prior to the event, ask family members to send copies of pictures and create a slideshow or collage of those special memories.

9. Entertainment considerations.
Planning activities that will stimulate conversation and keep people entertained is important. Having various games available like family trivia, poker, or even a water balloon toss will create laughs. For indoor events, setting up a dance floor with music will keep people staying longer and enjoying themselves long into the night.

10. Planning the next reunion.
After a fun and frugal family reunion, the organizer should give the reins to another family member. It makes the process far more enjoyable if the responsibility can be shared over the years. With a new party planner, comes new ideas and families will always have fresh new experiences.

Resources:

http://family-reunion.com/

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. While it is a great tool for keeping up with friends and family, it is also the big black hole that sucks up all of my precious free time. Sure, it is really MY fault that I spend the time on Facebook and it really isn't the website's fault at all. Put together the status updates, photos to look at, people to "friend", and groups to join, it is a very busy place.

While all Facebook groups are born out of shared interests of organizations, stores, sports, political affiiation, religous views, and hobbies, there are other groups that seem to serve very little purpose. These off-the-wall groups are typically stemmed from an observation, habit, thought or emotion that is usually not talked about. Until Facebook came along, many people didn't sit around and discuss the oddities of life. But now, the big black hole has an avenue of these deep thoughts, too. 

Here are some of my favorites:

I don't feel like folding my laundry so I just restart the dryer.

I Don't Care How Old I Am! I Still Like To Color In A Coloring Book.

If you ask me to hold your drink, I will drink it.

When someone says "Stop" my brain says "Collaborate and Listen!"

I am wearing headphones. Do not talk to me

I hate when i'm wearing socks than step on something wet

No matter what I get on the computer for, I always end up on Face-book..

Want to join a Facebook group that will help you save money at your favorite retailers? Join the Tjoos Facebook group - a group that is well worth your time!

Do you have a little artist living in your home? Do you catch your kiddos doodling on their notebooks or <ahem> some other unauthorized place like the wall or table? Now you can help your child put those drawing talents to good use with the Lands' End "Every Tee Tells a Story" contest!

In celebration of back to school season, children ages 4 to 11 can submit original artwork based on the contest theme, "Arctic Exploration". With this "chilly" theme, the creative juices can flow with pictures of polar bears, penguins, or other arctic images. Entries will be accepted starting July 28th through September 7th. Each entry must be submitted on an official entry form that can be found here and postmarked by September 7th.

Two winners will be selected to feature their drawings on the Lands' End Graphic Tee collection that will be available to purchase! Winners will receive a $500 Lands' End Gift Card and in addition, Lands' End will make a $1,000 donation to the contest winners' school art programs. On September 15th, the winners will be notified.

So, if you are struggling to keep your kids busy this summer, this is the perfect art project. Who knows? Maybe your child's picture will be worn by other kids all over the world!

When I was in high school and college, finding a job meant scouring the newspaper and stopping by places to talk to the manager about what positions were available. In college, jobs were really hard to come by where I went to school so that meant getting to school way before the semester began to secure the perfect job. There is now an easier way to apply for hundreds of jobs without going from place to place or even website to website.

Job-Applications.com offers job applications for over 1,000 companies across the United States. First time and entry level job seekers can search for companies hiring right now and access their job application online without searching for each individual company website.

In addition, job seekers can learn tips from others who have applied or currently work for specific companies including hiring practices and how to interview effectively.

Retailers such as Walmart, Wendy's, Target, Home Depot, and many more are available on Job-Applications.com. Now it is easier than ever to find the local retailers and service establishments hiring in your area. For those looking for a job in a specific industry, there are categories listed for a quick search. Choose from company categories such as airline, grocery store, security, hair salon, and many more.

Every night I let my dog out to lay on our backyard deck. She likes the cool of the evening and will sprawl out and fall fast asleep. I stay up pretty late working, so she stays out there until it is time for me to go to bed. I have to keep the backyard light on or else I would forget she was out there since she is so quiet.

The problem is that every night I go to let her in, she won't budge. I call her name and she opens her eyes, but won't move. I have tried whistling, clapping my hands, sternly saying her name, everything. Once I started counting down from 5 like I do with my daughters when I suddenly realized that it probably wouldn't work very well on a dog since she doesn't know about numbers.

Finally out of exasperation, I blurt out, "Do you want a TREAT?" Suddenly that 9-year-old dog has sprang up like a puppy and happily wags her tail as she strolls inside. I am then forced to fetch a dog biscuit.

This late night snack probably isn't good for her waistline, but she doesn't care. She has me trained pretty well.

Do you need pet supplies? We have coupons and deals from PetsMart, PETCO, and many more!

There are two things I love - wine and Frank Sinatra.

My Dad was a big fan of the blue eyed crooner, so I just get that honestly. When I hear "The Way You Look Tonight" or "Luck Be a Lady" it warms my heart. 

Where do I get my love of wine? My husband and I went to Napa Valley for our honeymoon and we both fell in love with this beautiful part of our country. Spending the day attending winery after winery, learning about what made each sample special was an enjoyable time for us. We came back to our Midwestern home and declared that one day we will live there. (We haven't moved just yet.)

Recently, I came across a special event coming up next month on the Napa Valley Wine Train. On August 21st, 2010, guests can board the vintage train for a themed tour with everything a wine loving Sinatra fan could ask for! Guests will listen to Sinatra music while enjoying Sinatra Family Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and other wines paired with a superb menu. The daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, will be on board as well as several wine experts - Danielle Price, director of wine at Wynn Resorts and John Schwartz, owner of Amuse Bouche. This will be a night of wine enthusiasts, timeless music, a beautiful setting, and good wine.

I couldn't imagine a better time. Is anyone available to babysit?

When a loved one passes, there are many difficult decisions that need to be made in regard to their funeral, affairs, and relational matters. Planning a funeral involves many components making it an overwhelming process, but none are as big as the large price tag that can come with funeral home fees, burial costs, and other expenses.

Planning a funeral does not have to be an expensive endeavour if families remember they have more options than they may think. Many people believe there are certain processes that are required, but often grief-stricken families are caught in confusion believing they must do certain things without looking at the price tag that is involved with each item.

It is important that consumers know their rights when it comes to funeral planning. After all, the funeral industry is as much as a business as any other service and it is important that families learn how to find the right funeral home that will not only accommodate their needs, but offer them a fair price for the services they truly want.

In 1984, the Federal Trade Commission passed the "Funeral Rule" which allows customers to only pay for the services of their choosing as opposed to the "packaged" prices funeral homes charged prior to this law. Under this rule, customers are required to receive a General Price List (GPL) that lists every service with price the funeral home offers.

With this information, families can review each service and decide what is important for them and what they can skip. It is important for families to shop around at several funeral homes to compare prices and services before making a decision. Doing so could save several thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenses.

Embalming is an expense that may not be necessary if burial occurs within 24-48 hours. It is typically not a legal requirement unless in select states where the body needs to be transported across state lines. While many funeral directors will not allow a public viewing without embalming, if there is only going to be a private viewing, then embalming can be skipped. Also, embalming is not necessary for cremation.

Having a sealed casket is not necessarily better. Sealed caskets can add on several hundred dollars to the overall cost and they do not offer any additional protection to the remains than a standard casket. Choosing a modest casket, between $400-$600, is perfectly acceptable. While many people will purchase a casket directly from the funeral home, it is okay to shop elsewhere for this burial need. In addition, it is important to note that funeral homes may not charge a "handling fee" on a casket purchased from another retailer according to the "Funeral Rule".     

Using a funeral home is not a requirement. Families can consider having a service at a church, family home, or other location. Using a familiar location may help make the service more personal and memorable.

For more information, families can consult the Funeral Consumers Alliance - volunteer societies throughout the United States that offer consumers price surveys to compare costs of funeral homes around the area.

Planning a funeral does not have to be an overwhelming process if customers consider their options. By learning the facts and shopping around, the financial burden can be eased and families can focus solely on remembering their loved one.

Resources

"10 facts funeral directors don't want you to know." Bankrate.com.

"How to Read a Funeral Home Price List." Funeral Consumers Alliance.

"Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services." Federal Trade Commission.

Are you tired of going from bar to bar looking for the right one? Have you joined every special interest club or cruised every produce department in your area hoping that your special someone is waiting for you? Every night you think, "There has GOT to be a better way!"

How about having your mom create a webpage fully dedicated to getting rid of you helping you find your soul mate?

Geri Brin, mother of 31-year-old Colby Brin, has launched a webpage on faboverfifty.com dedicated to helping her son and others find love. Fab Over Fifty members simply add their "kid" to the directory and the matchmaking begins! Other members can search through the directory of available singles looking for love. Members have already signed up over 200 of their grandkids, kids, nieces or nephews on the site. Now you don't have to do a thing, your mom will handpick your next flame and you just have to show up!

So, next time you drop off your laundry at Mom's, don't forget to pick up your Saturday night date's address - verified and Mom-screened!

If you like e-dating, but want to handle the details yourself, why not try eHarmony or Match.com?

I don't mean to frighten you, but did you know the Holiday season is 5 months away? Only 5 months away! It seems we are happily coasting along through the summer going to the pool, enjoying the sunshine when suddenly retailers remind us that now is the time to start making our list and checking it twice or we will be in serious trouble come December.

Christmas in July sales are quite popular from many major retailers and offer serious discounts on items for the entire family. Stores such as Toys"R"Us are offering deals on merchandise and shipping way before the first snowflake has fallen. Even stores like KMart and Sears are not only offering discounts, but many locations have Christmas products for sale right now. Eager early shoppers are scouring the stores, hunting for online deals, and plan on taking it easy during the holidays. This sounds great in theory and something that I say that I will do every stinkin' year after the holidays. Do I actually follow through? Umm...no, but maybe this is the year! Maybe I can have all of my shopping done by Thanksgiving and can just happily bake Christmas cookies, look at twinkling lights, and attend festive parties.

Maybe, but right now I am heading to the pool.

Tjoos.com wants to thank our fellow bargain lovers, sale sleuths, and cost-conscious shoppers for being part of the hugely successful Earth Hour 2010. We are excited to report that traffic for the site decreased 17% on March 27, 8:30pm local time. Earth Hour was created to raise awareness about climate change and while normally we might not go around touting a lower number of shoppers, this seems like the perfect time to celebrate exactly that: we are proud to call our shoppers Internet-savvy and Earth-conscious! Fewer users during Earth Hour equal less power consumption and that’s Earth Hour’s goal… now get back to shopping (you can always use your rechargeable laptop battery)!  

So to keep up the momentum (and with the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day quickly approaching on April 22), Tjoos.com has decided to unveil a new “Earth Day” section on the site so shoppers can support companies that also value the environment and sustainability. Earth Hour and Earth Day are all about working together to create change—and online shoppers can make a big impact on the global economy by committing to support environmentally-conscious businesses. So how about it?  We’ll set it up and all you have to do is click (we’ll let you decide whether to keep the lights on or off).

Also, we’d like to know how you participated in Earth Hour. Share your story with us and let’s continue the conversation.