Back to School: Food and Obesity

Back to school ads are in all the local newspapers.  The grocery store ads have individually wrapped junk food at special prices, and frozen dinners as 2fers.  These are the items that bring shoppers in the doors.   As we head into the season known as ‘back to school’, let’s talk food.

Why are we an obese country?

A Health Economist article’s reasons for obesity:

• Decreased real cost of food-few go without food because of funds.
• Women in the work force leading to fewer meals cooked in the home-fast food here we come.
• Decreased activity-no more playing outside with video games, and a TV in every kid’s room.

The researchers suggested that one way to combat the problem of obesity would be to tax junk food.  But I agree with the author of the article:  who would decide what counted for junk food?  Little Debbie?

FAST FOOD: photo by Chrisian Cable

So we’ve recognized for a number of years that obesity in the developed world, the US in particular, is a major problem.  It is well known that obesity and an increasing body mass index contributes to the risks of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Our Kids and Obesity: What to do?

The Government and private industry preventing obesity proposals:

• Washington is requiring body mass index or BMI included in all patient records by 2014-in other words, they want to know how fat we are
• Let’s not forget the folks who want to take the toy out of McDonald’s Happy Meals.
• Retail grocers have developed a nutritional scoring system that ranks thousands of foods on a scale of 1 to 100.  This number will be placed on the shelf label letting consumers know how their choices rank.
• Some food chains are hiring nutritionists to roam the aisles and for a fee offer personalized recommendations on selecting healthier foods according to this article in the Wall Street Journal.

What are you and I going to do about obesity in our own families?

• Buy fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally, they are usually cheaper, more nutritious and taste better.
• If you must buy foods such as potato chips, at least buy the cheapest per ounce.  Stay away from those little packages of individually wrapped portions, just bag them yourself.
• Say no to chips, etc.  Buy an apple to pack in that lunch box.
• If you are going to buy sugary cereal, at least buy the cheapest and go heavy on the low fat milk in the bowl. Pour it up and insist on an empty bowl afterward, with no milk left behind-we don’t get enough calcium on most days.
• Plan.  Plan.  Then plan some more so you don’t find yourself in the drive thru line at a fa(s)t food joint.  Life can be hectic.  Life with a family-brutally hectic.  You have to decide what that means for you, but it’s worth some thought.  On those horrid mid week nights when you can’t face meal prep, drag out the hotdogs and frozen French fries.  Sure, choose the low fat, low nitrite varieties, but have your version of a throw down meal in your freezer at all times.  Make it a party.  You will have saved money, time and you should even give yourself a pat on the back for staying the course.
• Part of that planning mentioned above also involves knowing what you need from the grocer before you get there.  Make a menu for the week ahead.
• Have your own ‘pantry’ list of things you know your family will eat and never run out of those things.

Use these ideas to make your own WAR on obesity!

Reader Questions:

What are you doing to help your family eat more healthily?

What are the ways you do this and be frugal at the same time?

FDL

FDL blogs about organization and home management-FAST at  Fast Declutter Your Home.

Most of you have figured out by now, that I am an easy going, live and let live guy.

I am hard to get ruffled.  I am called easy-going,  implacable, and probably boring….

However, reading an article in the Wall Street Journal, entitled, “Will Buffett-Gates Pledge Really Help the Poor”,  increased my blood pressure.  Those around me were probably worried I might have an  MI when my brow wrinkled, and I had a barely perceptible frown.

Why giving Billions is Bad….

Robert Frank in his WSJ article, discusses the concerns of Pablo Eisenberg, that this giving of billions by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will  increase the disparity between the haves and the have-nots.  That it will actually hurt the poor for Bill and Warren to give such huge amounts of money away.

Now, Mr Frank is an accomplished writer and author.  And, having written a line or two, I know a hook when I see one.  But this one worked.  I had to finish the article.  And to Mr Franks credit, I even had to go to the original by Mr Eisenberg, linked in his story.  The quoted original story was written in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.  (In south Georgia, we would probably call it the “Charity Times-Union” or something similarly rednecky…)

Now I am sure that Mr Eisenberg is a nice man, ” a gentleman” as the little ole ladies around here call ‘em.  But, I couldn’t help but think, “This is crazy!”  “What is this world coming to?” And even, “I can’t believe this is not an article written by Andy Breitbart, just to get himself on Fox News again.”

Now before I get accused of mis-quoting, or taking this out of context, here is a copied and pasted bullet point from the article published in the July 21-2010, “Journal of Philanthropy“.  It is the third bullet point in his reasoning behind the idea that giving away billions will lead to the poor getting poorer, and the rich getting richer.  Please go read the whole article by Mr Eisenberg, so you get this in the proper “frame” of his mind.

And I quote Mr Eisenberg’s article:

• “What steps will be taken to ensure public accountability? Will the funds that are steered into new or existing foundations follow the Gateses’ approach, namely grant-making institutions governed by a very few family members that, in a real sense, are not really publicly accountable? Do we want an explosion of these tax-exempt oligarchic entities with huge assets that can help set public priorities without public discussion or a political process? Would this be a healthy development for democracy? If not, what can be done to mitigate the potential undemocratic nature of these new mega-foundations?”

Now why does this bother me:  To quote Shakespeare, let me count the ways….

1. The obvious effort to continue to judge what is an “acceptable” charity and what is not.
2. The idea that a public entity needs to be developed to decide where a private charity gives away their money.
3. The ludicrous notion that money given to a hospital, university, or museum, is money that can’t help the poor.

Forgive me for thinking that educating a poor person, so they can better feed their families, and get a higher paid job that will result in a huge boom in self-esteem-can be better than just throwing money towards poverty.  I thought we all learned after welfare reform that the “Great Society” was a failed experiment at social engineering.  All the social workers I know, believe the work, training, and education incentives being used now, are a much needed improvement over just sending a check to a  drop-out mom of three.

Forgive me for thinking  money that allows kids from the poor public schools to go to the art museum,  that then inspires one child to become the next Picasso-is not a blessing.

Forgive me for thinking money given to a research hospital, that discovers the vaccine for AIDS, won’t help poor people all over the world.

And forgive me for thinking that in this country, when I decide to give away my hard-earned money, that I can give it to anyone I damn well please.

The Charity Czar

And finally, Forgive me for thinking that in a democracy, we don’t need a “Charity Czar” to decide what is a good charity  and what is an unacceptable one.  I can see it now, when a Democrat is in office, Acorn, Planned Parenthood, and any number of left-leaning 501 c 3′s have the Gov’ment Seal of Approval.

Then when a Republican gets elected, the new “Charity Czar” publishes their list in the official organ of approved charities: The NRA, the Right to Life, and the Baptist Foundation for Good Works, all have their hand out.

And it will be fun to watch, when the Metropolitan Museum, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins, not to mention the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association change their director every 4-8 years, depending on who wins the White House…..”I am sorry John, I know you have raised 4 billion dollars in the last four years, but we have a conservative in the White House now,  so you’ve got to go!”

(Now before the two people that actually go to the link and read the original article say, “Mr Eisenberg didn’t mention Charity Czar!” please understand, that is my description of  what the “public entity” might be, that he felt needed to opine on what is an acceptable charity.)

Forgive me for this rant, but something about this just got under my skin.  And I feel a lot better for getting it off my chest.

What do you think?

Do we need a political approval of where our philanthropic efforts are directed? ( Now I know, just having a process for getting registered as a charity adds a degree of politics to the matter, but for the most part, the process has not been “politicized”.)

Let me know your thoughts, and thanks to Mr Robert Frank  at the WSJ for getting my blood pressure up today.  At least my staff knew I was still breathing….

An elderly patient was talking away-she apologized almost immediately for her chattering.  “I am home alone most days, and a little nervous about being here for THIS.”

I prefer talk over dead-quite during an exam, so I was not bothered.

As she was scooting down the table (guys you will have to ask the girl in your life why they scoot down),  she said, “This wouldn’t be so hard if you weren’t so young and good looking!”

Now, my assistant, who has been with me for years, and is my same age, couldn’t silence her snickering.  I shot her a dirty look and reminded her about her paycheck- unsigned on my desk.

She, of course laughed and ignored me, as usual.  No, nurses, I don’t have the great doctor syndrome- my lovely, nurse wife beat that out of me years ago.

My point is, (yes I do have one), is that perspective changes your view of the world. And no, I am not talking about the perspective of someone in stirrups.  But, in this case,  the perspective of an 85+ year old lady who lived alone.

Any guy that was under 75 and didn’t look like a mass murderer, was young and good looking to her.  She would have talked to anyone that stopped and showed her a little courtesy.

Now you might think, listening to little old ladies would get old after 25 plus years of practicing medicine.  That I am disparaging her comments.

Just the opposite.  She was a delight, (and not JUST because she thought I was young and handsome…) and profound in her pronouncements.

And believe me, folks who live past 85 and are still graced with a sharp mind, usually have a sharp wit, and an opinion to go with it.  And in her case, spiced with a little blue language, I am sure she learned from her late husband!

Folks her age, don’t care much what other people think- about their speaking their minds.  They feel they have earned the right.  Earned it by getting up and getting dressed everyday for many decades.  Keeping a house, paying taxes, raising kids, and burying a husband.

Sometime during the exam,  she began waxing philosophically about war. Her late husband had fought in combat in World War II, and was sometimes “difficult” when he had too much to drink-that means abusive, in little old lady speak-but she still loved him and missed him.

She said, when she was younger, and her husband to be,  was in uniform, war seemed glorious, and the patriotic thing.  Now, she had many grandsons, and great grandsons, and she didn’t think war was ever a good thing.  Every time she heard on the news about another casualty in the middle-east-she saw those kids.

And she thought we needed to quit fighting and bring the boys (and girls, I reminded her) home.

Now I am considered conservative, and am always supportive of the men and women who serve in the military.   My father also served in the Pacific during World War II,  and I know he fought a few demons during the remainder of his life.

And I am too far away from what is going on in Afghanistan to know the details-the intelligence, and complex issue that is terrorism.  But this proud lady was quite certain she was right.

And I can’t, with certainty, say she is wrong.

Don’t ask me what this has to do with personal finance, I can’t say.  But this lady moved my heart, with her concern about nameless and faceless  young men losing their lives, and I just felt I needed to share.

So let’s get started.

Personal Finance:

Mrs Frugal at “Cool to be Frugal” writes on ways to improve your savings-great tips-especially the one on naming the savings account with its goal.

Foreigner’s Finances, Austin writes on the pro’s and con’s on online banking/vs brick and mortar banks.

Len Penzo, let’s the big-spenders with small man parts have it-read it and laugh-I did!

Red, at “The Girl With the Red Balloon, has true confession about why she is in debt, and what she woulda, coulda done different!  Please read this if you are borrowing money for college.

The Ultimate Money Blog, has the Yakezie personal finance bloggers carnival this week-check it out!

Home Management/Lifestyle Hacks

The Saved Quarter has written about de-cluttering the hall closet.  Simplify/simplify/simplify does make life calmer!

Speaking of Clutter, The Fast Declutter Blog, has tips on organizing-to keep from forgetting-uhhh, what was I saying???

Mighty Bargain Hunter writes about tipping! As the father of a former server-hear-hear!

Blogging Info:

Kikolani has this post about the new Digg-I was just getting a handle on the old Digg.  I have been added to the beta testing group-known as Digg alpha v4 (wuwt)-so let me know if you are also in the new-Digg-so we can Digg each other….

Kristi also has an article about “comment luv” and other marketing strategies at Famous Bloggers-great info to help with your blog.

And check out this post of 100 writing tips from top bloggers.

Enjoy the reads, and have a great week!

About the only subject that has been researched more by psychologists than the money/happiness question, might be the genes versus environment question.

There are two more research reports out, according to Laura Rowley, writing for Yahoo Finance.  We can add those to the big pile of studies that already exist.

Let’s don’t blame the researchers-they have to publish or perish.  We probably paid for the studies with part of the 700 billion in federal stimulus money. Does that make you Happy?

Now I wonder who did the first study, of money versus happiness?

Stone Age Happiness:

“Honey, are you happy?”   “I will be when I finish cleaning this mastodon, shut up and hand me that sharp stone over there.”  I wonder if “happy” was a consideration, when you were worried about eating, or being eaten?

Happiness in the Roman Empire:

Do you think the gladiator, facing the lion worried a lot about happiness, or was he just hoping the lion was happy, cause of yesterday’s two-legged meal.

Happiness in the Dark Ages:

The peasant, hauling peat for the fire, trying to smoke enough herring so his kids wouldn’t starve during the long winters off the North Sea-did he have a lot of time to contemplate happiness while his stomach growled?

Happiness in Modern Times:

Only when we have leisure time, do we spend a lot of our life contemplating happiness.  We can have endless arguments.  We can publish piles of studies, after talking with the Rich, the Super Rich, or the homeless.  We fight over whether the study was biased, the questions were misleading, or the results met statistical significance.

But I think most research such as the article above confirms:

Higher income/wealth, can help  you  to be satisfied-re your life station, your successes, your reaching a certain status in your family, your neighborhood, your co-workers and your community.

Having Money doesn’t correlate so well with whether we “enjoyed” the day yesterday.  Did we laugh with our family, enjoy the interaction of our co-workers, make someone else smile.

What I can guarantee you is, that working hard for your money, but then squandering it, will make you extremely unhappy.

Who can be Happy, when they wonder where they will find the money to pay their bills?

Who can be Happy, when they are not answering the phone, because they know it is a collector, trying to make their boss happy?

Who can be Happy, when all you do is fight with your spouse about money?

Who can be Happy, when you think of all the bad choices you made with your money decisions?

My advice, while you are reading all the research, to decide if you are happy:

At least take care of the dollars you work so hard for.  The more money you have left over at the end of the month, is money that can make you happy, if you will let it..

That happiness might be from:

• giving food to the less fortunate, going on a mission trip, or funding a scholarship!
• being able to travel to a relatives funeral, help your child go to college, or buy a new home.
• eating caviar while sipping Dom Perignon, Veuve Cliquot, or Cristal!

That is what managing your money properly gives you, CHOICES.  Having Choices can (not will) make you HAPPY!

Reader Questions:

What are your thoughts about money and happiness, (or genes vs environment if you want to start a fuss?)

Do you think having more money will make you happy?

Do want to do one more study, regarding nurses and happiness????

Things I have been reading:

The Mighty Bargain Hunter has an interesting post about Gold Jewelry!

Kristi, at Kikolani, has Friday posts that are probably worth thousands in value-but I need more than a weekend to absorb it all!

If you haven’t been to her site, with info on social networking and blogging,  you need to go today!  She is also doing a website review if you sign up for her free newsletter!

For those of you on the MOVE, Little House, has an article about comparing prices for homes nationwide, at Wisebread!  Great info, if a transfer is in your future.  Or if you are a savvy real estate investor with a lot of cash to burn-check it out!

And at Budgets are the New Black, Jolyn has me fired up about the fireworks!

And Stanford, a fellow Third Triber (see logo link, bottom right) ,  has written a Lady Gaga post about what it takes to be a successful blogger! Highly motivating!

For you folks new or frustrated by Twitter, check out this article at We Blog Better, about two great twitter programs-I have been using TweetDeck and it is great, and a time saver!

And finally, Len Penzo, has his Coffee-Black on Fridays-I have mine black every day.  Len is always good for a laugh, if you like smart-ass, hard-nosed, snarky writing-if not, don’t go!

Carnivals and Links for which I am grateful to be a part of this week!

Bucksome Boomer’s Fourth of July roundup!  She has a different take on buying new homes-we will have a throw down over the topic soon, I am sure!

Joe Taxpayer has his list of favorites.  Love the name “Joe Taxpayer.”  Do you have Jill Taxpayer domain name purchased for your next blog?

Flexo at Consumerism Commentary, has his Independence Weekend Reading List.

Let me know if I missed any!

Have  a Great 4th of July, and please stop and think about those serving in uniform, at hospitals, and other first responders, who don’t have the day off today!

Nurse John , a new grad, is, of course, assigned the night shift in the ER.  He has just finished his second week on the job.  He is talking to his friend over a beer, right after work.

“I am not sure about this job.  I love the “rush” when the ambulance backs in.  The controlled chaos, the life and death of it all.  But, when I told my co-worker she was using the “old” CPR protocol, she jumped all over me.  I felt I was a 5 year old again-I am a grown man, nobody should be treated that way!!!”

Is being heard a right.  Is your “voice” or your opinion at work lost in the cacophony of noise, that is the modern hospital environment.

Do you feel like a lonely soul, the only one who still cares, and “gets it” when it comes to taking care of your patients and doing the right thing?

Do you feel that the only thing that matters in your facility is saving money, even if that means cutting corners with patient care?

Do you feel that even in 2010 the Docs at your shop, still regard nurses with disdain, and as bedpan queens or kings, rather than valuable team members?

Do you feel you have a “right” to be heard.  Rights are valuable.  Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Luther King have all written about the importance of certain in-alienable rights.  But I don’t think the right to your “opinion” was included.  You may think the First Amendment amendment covers you.

Try freedom of speech the next time you want to complain about the  way the charge-nurse staffs the floor, or you complain that Dr Grumpy doesn’t say good morning-can you say unemployment line?

So how do you get heard, really heard, in a meaningful way?

Seth Godin has this list of 10 ways to EARN the right to be heard.  The list in Bold is from Mr Godin.  My comments beside the list are my own, with apologies to Mr Godin!

1. Be Informed-How often are you busy, busting your butt, while one of your co-workers complains about a change in protocol.  They haven’t bothered to read the memo that went out about the 10 deaths at another facility because of a safety issue with the drug or product.
2. Be Rational- We all think we are worth more money, and you want a raise.  But the hospital does have a budget, and times are tough.  Are your desires realistic.  Do you have potential savings you can offer, in efficiency, that might offset the salary bump. Have you been a “Linchpin”.
3. Pay Your Dues-Don’t you love to hear the new grads go off on how “Stupid” something is, when they don’t even know where the crash cart is, or the names of their co-workers.
4. Have a platform where a lot of people can hear you-Nurse Kim, a long time nurse blogger at Emergiblog, has recently written a rant about the controversy of having a National Health Nurse post developed.  Many others have commented on her stance.  She earned the right to be heard, by having developed a platform of well-written thought out posts on nursing over many years.  You don’t have to have a blog, to do this.  But you do have to earn the respect and ears of your peers.
5. Be an impacted constituent, not a gadfly-Is it really helpful for housekeeping to complain about the blood on the floor after an emergency procedure.
6. Represent a tribe of people with similar concerns-if your concerns resonate with your co-workers, and you have leadership skills, your opinion will carry much more weight than a lone voice.
7. You have been right before-We all know the story of “crying wolf”  too often.  There is a reason we know that tale, because it’s true!!!  If each of your comments or complaints has been found to be dumb, in-accurate, or just inappropriate, why should anyone care what you think.  And of course, if your comments are always on target, and helpful, then….
8. You are not anonymous-Anonymous complaints are rightfully ignored.  If you don’t feel your stance justifies others knowing who you are, then you must not think it is very important!
9. You have a previous relationship, and permission to interrupt-I automatically listen to someone I know- who has been there, done that, and has been in the trenches with me.  But even then, always ask them, “Is this a good time to discuss something important with you?”
10. Listening to you earns something of value-If you have a proven track record, then you will automatically get respect.  If you have assisted someone with your knowledge, or helped even in some small way-your opinion will carry a lot more weight.

The next two, are my own.

1. You have passion-If you feel strongly about a subject, everyone will know it, by your intensity, and emotion. They will give you a little more lee-way in listening to your thoughts. (Emotion doesn’t mean, crocodile tears!)
2. You have a broad knowledge base-I am much more likely to listen to those who are not a one subject know-it-all.  Unless I need someone for a problem in just that area.  There is a reason we use the term “Renaissance Man or Woman”, with reverence.  Those who have a width, depth, and breadth to their knowledge base, will always get my attention- over a one horse wonder.

Reader Comments and Questions:

• Have you had any problems getting heard?
• Do you feel as if you listen, as well as you speak?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a physician with a lot of experience (years and years of work), is getting to know your patients. Not just a “take two aspirins and call me in the morning”  type patients, but, real knowledge and attachment to those who trust you with their  inner-most thoughts, secrets, dreams, and of course, problems.

You have an inside view to people’s lives-their ups and downs.  And it is a hell-uv-a responsibility, and privilege.

Caring at Work!

One of my patients recently told me about a recent event at her job.

She is a para-professional at an in-patient mental institution. She is one of those people who love their work, and it shows when she talks about her profession and her clients/patients. (Just for clarification, medical professionals have patients, mental health and social-worker types have clients.)

She was tearfully recounting the death of one of her long-term clients. This was a guy who was known as her “second-husband” to the other patients. (Obviously not in any in-appropriate way.)  They just teased and laughed, and it helps the clients and the staff make lemonade out of lemons.

She was apologetically explaining to me how emotionally involved that she got with her charges, and was wondering whether that was a good thing or not.

I, of course, reassured her that in her line of work, how could you not be emotionally involved.  Yes, I know there are cold, callous people out there.  Just working to earn a paycheck.  Some can be abusive of patients and co-workers alike.

But those who make the lives of the unfortunate, better, in even a small way, deserve our gratitude and support.

Who would you rather have caring for your relative, if they were in such a facility?  Someone who made your love one’s lives more enjoyable- by a big smile every day, a flirty grin, a joke, or a cold-hearted automaton-doing the least they could  to get by  and not get fired- just passing the time away?

Eight Hours is Eight Hours

Putting your heart and emotions into your work can be done in the same  amount of time, as just punching the clock and twiddling your thumbs.  8 hours is 8 hours, (or in the nursing field 12 hours is 12 hours….)  But what a difference your attitude can make in the lives of others-during those same 8 hours.

And if you can’t put your heart into your job, maybe you are in the wrong job.  Maybe you need to look hard at your current situation and try to find where your brain, or sub-conscious, thinks your body should be.

Being a Linchpin

I couldn’t help but think of Seth Godin’s newest book, Linchpin. I have written a review of  Linchpin here-check it out!

In summary, the book emphasizes the need for all of us to be “emotionally” involved in our work.  To make ourselves a linchpin, or such an important part of our work environment, that we are  irreplaceable.  And, why are we discussing this here at The Millionaire Nurse Blog? Because, being  irreplaceable, makes you more valuable.  Being more valuable, means maybe a raise, or a promotion…..

Have you made such a difference in your work, lately?

If not, why not?

What do you need to do to get that feeling- the feeling that you are making a difference every day?

Think about it!

Reader Questions:

Do you leave a part of yourself at work every day?  Do you think you are a ” Linchpin”?  If not, do you think it is necessary or a good thing?
Let me know your thoughts.

This is part two of my series on cruises-the Good, the Bad…..

Please check out part one if you missed it here, Cruises: 7 Reasons They Make a Great Vacation.

Now to the BAD!

Cruises:  9 REASONS THEY Will SINK YOUR SPENDING PLAN:

1. The teaser rates are difficult to get, and if you do, the cheaper rates are usually a small cabin, deep in the bowels of the ship!
2. The all-inclusive doesn’t include alcohol, and frequently even soft drinks and snacks by the pool!
3. The all-inclusive doesn’t include all the pictures they take-and market so well!
4. The all-inclusive doesn’t include excursions, which are one of the cruise lines profit centers!
5. The all-inclusive doesn’t include the Advanced Yoga, Pilates, or other spa activities!
6. Norwalk Virus!
7. Sea-Sickness
8. Internet is extra-I would probably throw a John McEnroe over that!  I have a Blog to write!
9. Forced socialization-the cruises  sometime make it difficult to eat at a table by yourself.

So now you have it.  The reasons for and against cruising.  Your job, is to look at your needs and see whether cruising would be good for you.

One of the nurses at my hospital cruises every year.  Doesn’t drink, may put a nickle or two in a slot machine, doesn’t take the excursions, and loves the shows-bingo and all.

She get’s her money’s worth and loves to go.

As always, planning your spending and self control is the key.  And the cruise lines make a profit on making that difficult for you-but that is the American way-self determination and all that!

It’s vacation season-so we will start with a popular way to get-away: Cruises!

This is a two part series on cruises-the Good and the Bad, (I wanted to throw in “and the ugly” but most of you are too young to “get” it.  What the hell-check out the video!!

Theme song from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly starring a young Clint Eastwood!

Today-The Good: 7 reasons Cruises are a great vacation:

1. Price: Because of the economy, many cruises are on sale.  I googled “best priced cruises”-cruises.com has a 3 night Bahama cruise-starting at $159. (I didn’t link to it, as I know nothing about the site-buyer beware.)
2. All-inclusive-You get food, entertainment, a place to sleep, a pool, and sundeck -all for one price.
3. Stress free-Only decisions are the 3-W‘s- when to eat, where to eat, and what to eat-the itinerary is set.
4. See the world-It is difficult to see several different countries on a vacation, but with cruising-the ship moves while you sleep.  Go to bed leaving Belize, wake up in Mexico, or Bahamas.
5. Adventure-want to learn to snorkel, surf, sail, or scuba-without buying equipment and then hating the sport-this is a good way to check it out!
6. Meeting people-if you are a social butterfly, and like to meet, talk, and have fun with new friends, cruising is the way to go.
7. Bingo-I just had to throw that in.

Cruising-Other Bloggers’ thoughts:

Bucksome Boomer’s  5 Ways to Save While Cruising.

Money Ning has these tips on Cruising.

This is one  opinion on Top Ten Cruise Blogs.

Ten Other Reasons to Take a Cruise.

And the Forbes Company Site-has an investment cruise, not for the broke or debt-laden of the world-I had to email for the  price.   A couple can go for a measly ~$6,000……And that is the cheapest fare-probably a lower floor berth without a window or balcony.  The top room was 15+grand/couple.  Maybe part of the fee is tax deductible.  (No you will not see me there.  But, Steve,  if you need a guest speaker-I can be bought!!!)

Let me know your cruise stories.  Did you think it was a good deal?  Did you get your money’s worth?  Share your thoughts for others thinking about a cruise for their vacation.