I’m officially back from my *real* vacation. Yeah, it’s true. I actually take vacation once in awhile. And my husband and I have purposefully chosen a spot where there is plenty to do for the kiddos – and no internet connection (gulp).
So, thanks to all of my readers who filled in for me while I was gone. I loved reading your guest posts and it’s clear from the comments that all of you did, too.
This week, we’re back to normal (as it were) – and back to school. Look for my back to school tax series and giveaways in between my dancing a little jig: school is starting!
I’m a big fan of parks and green spaces. Maybe this is because I grew up in the country. But while I love the amenities that the City has to offer, there’s something ultimately satisfying about taking a walk along a tree lined alley, clamoring over boulders to see what’s on the other side and yes, occasionally stepping over a venomous snake of death (okay, it was really a nonpoisonous Northern water snake but it felt like a venomous snake of death).
We’re lucky in the US to have a fairly significant system of local, state and national parks. They come in all shapes and sizes. And they’re largely funded with taxpayer dollars.
I try to patronize as many as I can. In fact, we’re traipsing up to go camping in one of our state parks this weekend… I figure, since we have them, why not use them?
The Department of the Interior realizes that taxpayers may be feeling the crunch this summer and might skip national parks as a vacation site. In an effort to stimulate travel, all 147 National Park Service sites that charge entry fees will waive them for three weekends this summer.
The fee free weekends are:
Mark your calendars for fee-free weekends this summer:
- June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend – hint, hint)
- July 18-19, 2009
- August 15-16, 2009
Some parks have gone even further and are offering additional savings throughout the summer.
Originally created in 1916, the NPS now comprises 390 areas covering more than 84 million acres in 49 States (sorry, Delaware!), the District of Columbia and a number of US territories.
In 2007, the NPS had a budget of $2.289 billion dollars, with revenues of just over $300 million. However, the NPS is estimated to bring more than $10 billion dollars to local economies each year. With a nod to those numbers, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the NPS promotion by saying, “National parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities, and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area.”
In a year when many small businesses are struggling, consider paying a visit to your local park – and buy an ice cream or bird book from a local merchant. Think of it as your own stimulus package.
Here at b5 media, we wouldn’t think of it! There are lots of ways to incorporate work and play into your life and what better time to think about it than now, when the weather has turned nice here in the northern hemisphere? So, in honor of the nice weather, today our Business Channel bloggers are offering their thoughts on incorporating work and play into your life.
First up, is it time for a break? What are the signs that you’re working too hard? Jonathan weighs in on the signs in his post, Are You Working Smart or Dangerously Hard? over at Leadership Turn.
In a rut? Finding it hard to get your groove on? Maybe you need to consider altering your routine. Steve at StartUp Spark offers some insight on the importance of finding your morning routine at What Is Your Morning Routine?
Or maybe you’ve just forgotten how to enjoy your job… Mary Emma Allen, at Home Biz Notes, suggests we Enjoy the Journey of Your Home Business and relates how she discovered this.
Similarly, Maricel of Property Crossroads discusses the idea that Real Estate is one of the few businesses that allows you to work and have plenty of time to play.
Sean at FranchisePick reminds us that sometimes it can be all fun and games. He encourages us to think outside the box when marketing, even sometimes while poking fun at yourself a la Denny Crane in It’s Fun Being Me: The Marketing Secrets of Denny Crane – one of the most clever marketing articles I’ve read in awhile!
Scott at LinkedIntelligence offers 5 Ways to Have Fun with LinkedIn in your personal life (who knew?). I totally agree about using LinkedIn as a way to reconnect with old friends and school chums!
Kevin also chimes in about the value of social networking sites – how to work and play online – at Buzz Networker.
And clearly I’m not the only one intrigued by Second Life (though I still haven’t figured it out). Des offers some interesting commentary about Virtual Worlds and Business: Play or Work? on Business and Blogging.
And don’t feel left out simply because you’re not in the job market. Darlene offers some positive tips over at Tough Questions? Great Answers about finding employment in Unemployed? Congratulations! You’re Hired.
Rico at Contract Worker reminds us that work makes it possible to play. His post What You Should Know About Work and Play offers some valuable info about working – and playing – within your means and the importance of developing a long-term work/play strategy.
And don’t forget that geeks just want to have fun! Tris at Pimp Your Work doesn’t want tech geeks getting bored – and offers an insightful lesson about problem solving in Getting More Out of Work With Play.
Maybe it’s just time to take a break. It could be a mini-break or an actual vacation. Kris offers some Techniques to Help You Blend Work and Play over at Workboxers. His tips allow you to sneak in some quality play time and still remain efficient at work.
And, of course, when it comes to tax, you can absolutely mix work and play. You can take a working vacation and make it count at tax time, so long as you follow certain rules and keep pretty decent receipts.
Deductible business expenses for business trips and the infamous business conventions pretty much involve the use of common sense. Expenses that are clearly personal or involve lavish travel will not be deductible. For tax purposes, deductible travel expenses are defined as “the ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job.” That’s right – ordinary and necessary.
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