July 24, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 15 Business Enjoy summer fun without breaking the bank Summer is here and that means picnics, fireworks and, if you’re like a lot of Americans, a vacation. A survey by American Express shows the average vacation in 2013 will cost $1,145 per person. Whether you are heading to the beach, the mountains, or abroad, you will want to find the best bang for your vacation buck. Vacations create fun, lasting memories for families, but they can also be a significant expenditure. Individuals are encouraged to plan ahead, shop around, and budget care- fully so they will be ready to relax and enjoy the trip. Try these tips: Create a budget. Decide how much will be spent on air- fare, hotel, food, rental car, gas, and souvenirs. Those who need extra time to save for a dream vacation will want to create a savings plan and determine how much money must be set aside each month to comfortably afford the trip. If it’s a quick weekend getaway, there might be enough money available to go now, but a European extravaganza will likely require more time to save. Start the research. The planning and anticipation of a trip is sometimes as much fun as the trip itself. Get started in the planning process as early as possible. Research the area and attractions and develop a rough itinerary. Then start looking for bargains and deals. Compare. This portion of the vacation research may take the most time. Review multiple websites and com- pare offers. There may be a package deal for airfare and a hotel through an airline. There may be a tour package that includes hotel, food, and admission to tourist sites, but not airfare. It’s important to read the fine print and be sure what is included when considering prices. Those who are on the fence as to flying versus driving may want to visit AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator to compare driving costs against the price of an airline ticket. Be flexible. Major tourist attractions will be the most expensive and crowded during the summer. Those who are able to travel in the shoulder season, October through May, may find great bargains on everything from airfare to accommodations. The same may apply to traveling on weekdays versus weekends. Eat economically. Food expenses can add up quickly. Look for hotels that include breakfast in the price of the room. Many hotels also have microwave ovens and refrig- erators or even small kitchens. Preparing meals part of the time can help stretch a budget. Remember to carry snacks and water to avoid overpriced tourist-location food. Be a coupon clipper. Look for coupons and special offers and ask about discounts through the hotel. Membership in many associations, such as AAA or AARP, includes dis- counts on everything from hotels and meals to rental cars. Look for freebies. Hotels that cater to families frequently offer stay- and eat-free programs for kids. The same applies to restaurants, which may have special kids-eat-free deals with the purchase of an adult entrée. Understand the fee frenzy. While some airlines let lug- gage on for free, most charge a fee. It may also be more expensive to check a bag at the gate versus paying online before leaving home, so check in online before heading to Shotmeyer Brothers (continued from page 13) Summit held in Orlando, Florida. The company’s focused commitment to safety, imple- mentation of risk management best practices, and will- ingness to learn and apply new safety techniques enabled Shotmeyer Brothers to set a future standard of excellence among industry peers. In addition, last month, Shotmeyer Brothers received recognition from the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, who presented the company with the Green Building Design Award for its solar panel program. Shotmeyer Brothers is a northern New Jersey based energy company, known to many by their slogan “The Energy Experts.” For three generations and over 88 years, the company has provided home heating oil sales and ser- vice to residential and commercial customers. Shotmeyer Brothers also has expertise in sales and services of gas heat and air conditioning equipment. the airport. Escalating baggage fees are a good incentive to pack light. Rack up points. If a company offers travel reward points, sign up for its program and redeem those points, which may be good for future travel, gift cards, merchan- dise, and more. Stick to the budget. That way, there won’t be a large credit card bill coming after the trip. Those who don’t have the time or money to travel this year can enjoy a “staycation.” Create a small budget and visit some local attractions you rarely take time to visit. Keep in mind that some of the best trips are the least expensive. For additional advice on saving for a vacation or devel- oping a personal financial plan, contact your CPA. To find a CPA, visit findacpa.org, the NJSCPA’s free service. Administrator (continued from page 7) nonpartisan in that it does not have any party affiliations and candidates do not run for municipal election under the banner of any political party. Under the mayor-council plan of the Faulkner Act, the township is required to have a department of administra- tion headed by a township administrator. The administrator position was posted on the New Jersey League of Municipalities website on July 8. Laforet advised that, according to state law, he will appoint the new administrator with the consent of the township council. The classified advertisement states that applicants must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and supervi- sory skills along with excellent oral and written commu- nication skills. They must have knowledge and experience with grants management, labor relations, contract nego- tiations, risk management, financial management, capital planning, collective bargaining, purchasing, and human resources. The successful candidate must also have knowledge of and experience with the Edmunds Financial system, have a BA degree, and must have experience and knowledge in all financial operations of municipal government including, but not limited to, budgeting, payroll, and pension plans. Computer proficiency is required, and the salary for the position will be commensurate with the applicant’s expe- rience. All resumes with cover letters, salary history, and salary requirements must be submitted no later than July 30 to Marianne Poland, the mayor’s executive secretary, via e-mail at mpoland@mahwahtwp.org.