Is it too late to schedule and take an affordable summer vacation this year? Not if you do a little planning! Here are a few tips to help you take a dream (or close enough) vacation this year:

• Decide where you want to go and what you want to do, then see if a cheaper substitute will do. Paris might be wonderful, but what about Montreal? Think about the features you’re looking for—a beach maybe, or a foreign culture. Determine if there is a more affordable alternative. 
• Explore discount websites like Scott’s Cheap Flights. Just be sure to check recent reviews of any similar websites to verify that they are reputable.
• Estimate all potential costs before you ever leave home; flights, rental car costs, event tickets, gas, parking, ALL food (snack calories may not count when you’re on vacation, but the cost of those snacks count!), tips, etc. Look for events happening during your travel dates. You may find free festivals that could take the place of a more expensive event.
• Explore ways to budget and “find” extra money. Compare your insurance costs. Can you save significantly? Do you have any subscriptions you could cancel? Look for ways to trim your monthly bills and put that money aside for your vacation fund.

A fun and affordable summer vacation can be in your near future. All it takes is a little time and a little planning.

Does it seem like the younger generation is harder to shop for than we were? It’s an age-old problem— how do we find the "perfect" gift for today's graduates?

Whether they’re graduating from high school or college, Generation Z, as they're called, is the first generation to have grown up online. They tend to be on social media and spend a lot of time on their cell phones. They would probably appreciate gaming gifts and wearable technologies.

Every graduate would be amenable to memorabilia from their alma mater— and luckily many schools have online stores where you can purchase shirts, gym bags, travel mugs, or even pennants. If your graduate attended an online university, look into creating a personalized sweatshirt online.

The best gifts are those that are personal, so try to find out about your graduate's hobbies or plans for the future. Maybe they would like a present related to their job search, like a new interview outfit or some things for their new apartment. Cookbooks and kitchen equipment are great gifts for those who are just starting out.

Try to personalize your gift by sending a video message to your recipient, congratulating them on their accomplishment or perhaps passing along a little advice. Think about how much you would have appreciated something similar from one of your family members.

Times change and so do our youth, but we all like it when someone is thoughtful and remembers us when we've reached a major milestone. It’s a gift that never goes out of style.

Have you ever wondered why Memorial Day is in May? There’s actually a very practical reason for it. Originally called Decoration Day, this day was chosen to honor those who had died in the Civil War. Flowers or small flags were placed on graves. Since flowers would be in bloom all over the country by the end of May, this day made the most sense.

Red poppies became the official national emblem of remembrance in 1920. While technically classified as weeds, these flowers are resilient and make a wonderful addition to a cemetery if you’re allowed to plant there.

You'll notice that many flower arrangements and floral wreathes feature red, white and blue flowers. Roses, lilies and gladioli come in red and white, and irises, hydrangea and forget-me-nots come in blue. There are also many flowers that can be dyed any color, such as chrysanthemums and carnations. 

If you’re into choosing your flowers according to the meaning, peonies represent healing, and are usually looking their best at this time of the year. Pink carnations symbolize remembrance. Bright yellow tulips and daffodils are a symbol of renewal and fresh starts. The humble daisy signifies hope.

If you’re paying tribute to a family member who died while serving in the military, take a few minutes to research the meaning of the flowers you are choosing. You might find that your choice says a lot.

One of the first things you need to figure out before beginning an exercise regimen is WHY you’re exercising. Do you have a weight loss goal? Are you striving to lower your stress? Do you just want to be in better overall health? Once you know why you're exercising, not only will you be able to build a personal program for yourself, but you'll have a good idea how often you will need to exercise to achieve your goals.

A daily 30-minute walk is recommended by most experts to improve your overall health. If you’re just starting out, it may take some time to work up to a half hour walk, but once you do, you'll find that you will start burning calories, lower your blood sugar levels and improve your mood and energy levels.

Exercising for weight loss is all about burning more calories than you consume. This means that in order to lose 1 1/2 pounds a week, you’ll need to reduce your daily calories by 500-750. While it's possible to lose weight by diet alone, you'll also lose muscle mass and bone density, so it's important to add aerobic and strength training to your weight loss program. Strength training exercises should be done at least twice per week, making sure you’re working all the major muscle groups. 

Is your physical health and well-being worth 30 minutes a day? Absolutely! Start slow, remember to warm up and stretch. As you get stronger and more fit, you'll be surprised to find you’re looking forward to your workout.

You can probably find an article or a medical or science study to support any kind of diet or fitness regimen. Some will tell you to fast before a workout; others to fast after a workout. Some say to load up on carbs or protein. Depending on the source, it’s lots of fruits and vegetables or no fruits or vegetables. It can be very confusing. Your own body is usually the best guide when it comes to what to eat before and after you exercise.

The perfect workout shouldn't leave you feeling dizzy or bloated. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Keeping hydrated should keep you from feeling lightheaded. The American Council on Exercise suggests drinking 17-20 ounces of water 2 hours before the start of your workout, then 7-10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise. Overall, for the day, you should be consuming 90-150 ounces of liquids, including water.

As far as food goes, make sure whatever you eat around workout time is easily digestible. This is not the time for broccoli— which will leave you feeling bloated and gassy. Choose healthy carb-rich foods like whole grains or fat-free yogurt. An apple or banana is an excellent quick snack fix 5-10 minutes before your workout.

Post workout is a great time to add proteins, which help repair your muscles. A protein shake or yogurt with fruit both make an excellent choice. 

Your body is smarter than you give it credit for. Listen to it when it comes to eating before and after a workout.

“Our mothers always remain the strangest, craziest people we’ve ever met.”

—Marguerite Duras

It’s Mother’s Day, which means it’s time to find the perfect gift for Mom. Every child knows by heart the many things our mothers have taught us, and in particular, the words she used to express herself. Rather than the run-of-the-mill candy or flowers or yet another gift card, why not choose gifts related to the phrases Mom most often used on us?

"Don't make me turn this car around!" Obviously, Mom would appreciate a back-up camera for the vehicle. 

"Pick that up before someone trips on it and breaks their neck!" LEGO makes a floral bouquet building kit. Mom would love it!

"Do you think money grows on trees?" This one is more normally associated with Dad, but plenty of moms have uttered these words too. What to get? Well, a money tree, of course.

"Don't make that face! It's going to freeze like that!" Facial masks are the answer here.

"Someday you’ll thank me for this!" How about a gratitude journal?

"This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you." What is Mom trying to say? Maybe she would like any kind of hair removal kit that promises that it's pain-free.

"You should have that phone surgically implanted in your ear." This is an easy one: anything for the ear— earrings, ear buds or a year's supply of Q-tips.

"You will ALWAYS be my baby." Face it, you can't top that one. Just hug her and promise you'll always clean your plate and your room, and you'll never flick things at her head in the car again.

Happy Mother’s Day!