Your home should be your safe haven. It’s the place of family dinners, TV show marathons, and where your kids have sleepovers. It’s where you celebrate events and holidays, take a dip in your pool and tend a garden. If any of these things were in jeopardy, your home is no long a place of enjoyment and relaxation.

To provide protection for the things you hold dear, tangible and intangible, should be of the utmost importance. That is where a home security system comes into play. Here are 4 advantages to owning a security system for your home: …

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cooper Tires for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you in need of new tires? If you are in the market for a new set of tires and want to save money, be sure to take advantage of the savings on select Cooper Tires during the Cooper Tire Spring Savings Event that is running NOW through June 20, 2013.

Consumers are eligible to receive up to an $80 Visa® prepaid card when purchasing a new set of four qualifying Cooper tires through participating dealers in the U.S., Canada, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. If you happen to need to buy tires, this might be a great way to get that $80 prepaid card to use to spoil yourself!

The Cooper Tires Spring Savings Event eligible products include:

• CS4 Touring
• Discoverer CTS
• Cooper Zeon RS3-S and RS3-A
• Discoverer H/T
• Discoverer HTP (Available only at select U.S. retailers.)
• Discoverer LSX and LSX Plus (Available only at select U.S. retailers.)

For those needing tires, this is a great way to get something back for buying something you already need!

 

Guest Article Feature

Backpackers were once seen as free spirits who could happily bum around the world for a year as they contemplated their next steps. However modern backpackers are trading in the traditional gap years for “snap gaps” lasting an average of just 54 days. But you needn’t slash your stay if you employ these clever budgeting tips.

Consider an Unusual Destination

Image Via Flickr by David Shankbone

The most popular backpacking destinations are generally the most expensive to visit. However, you can often enjoy discount airline tickets and more affordable hostel rooms off the beaten track. The 2013 World Backpacker Index suggests the cheapest place to visit is Pokhara in Nepal. We hadn’t heard of it either, but for just $14.75 US you can enjoy a dorm room, three meals, three beers, two rides on public transport, and a paid cultural attraction each day. Asia claims the top eight spots on the annual list, despite 40 percent of backpackers choosing Europe for their snap gaps instead.

Travel During the Off Season

Traveling during the shoulder season is one of the best ways to save money on your flights and accommodation. Airlines and hostel owners would rather earn some money than have empty seats and beds. To fill those vacancies, they’ll slash costs by 50 percent or even more.

The weather conditions might not be perfect during the off season, but the lack of crowds often makes up for any climate concerns. The lines at popular attractions are shorter, and you won’t need to fight your way through a sea of tourists once you’re inside.

Do your research, as the off-peak period will depend on your destination. For example, most people avoid visiting Europe during the chilly months between October and April. However these months are peak times for the continent’s ski resorts. They’re also popular months for visiting Southern Hemisphere nations like Australia and New Zealand where the seasons are reversed.

Book Accommodation with Extras

Many hostels offer perks that can save their visitors serious cash. Seeking out establishments with free breakfasts, complimentary city tours, free laundry service, or courtesy Wi-Fi can help slash your vacation budget. Just make sure the extras are the kinds of things you’d spend money on anyway. Otherwise you’ll be paying a premium for nothing.

Spend Less on Alcohol with a Good Night In

Enjoying a few drinks goes hand in hand with the backpacking experience, but if you’re doing it at the pubs and clubs it can leave a big hole in your pocket. A pint of beer at a Prague restaurant will cost you $1.90, but you can get the same thing from a supermarket for around 70 cents. Munich’s beer gardens sell massive mugs for $9, but you can buy a liter of ale for around a dollar at a local store. If you’re enjoying a few drinks, the savings will quickly add up. Spend the entire night in, or do a little pre-loading and drink less at the premium prices once you hit the bars.

Some hostels have alcohol bans though, so make sure you know the rules before you break out the booze.

Backpacking may be an affordable way to travel, but with a little knowhow you can spend even less on your budget getaway.

Earlier this year I mentioned that I was taking some classes at my local college. I wanted to take a few classes that could improve my skills for designing websites. I figured if I took classes I was interested in, I would actually go and maybe get good grades too!

It has been a LONG time since I had taken any classes, I am guessing about 10 years but I rocked the three classes I took this semester.  Below is a screenshot of my unofficial transcript for the Spring 2013 semester.

It was fun going back to school and I am enrolled full time for the Fall 2013 semester! I will be taking more computer classes, a photography class and even a cooking class so I can learn how to make some fancy desserts.

When was the last time you took a class?