Secure Your Home Before Going Away

Every 14.6 seconds, a house in the United States is broken into, according to a study done by the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock. Securing your home before leaving for a vacation involves much more than simply locking your doors and windows. Leaving your home for an extended period of time can be risky, but taking the proper precautions to secure your house will help ensure that everything will be there when you return.

Pack for a Family Beach Vacation
Taking a family beach vacation is a fun and exciting time. Use your time at the beach to relax and play instead of wasting time at the store buying items left at home. Packing for a beach vacation does not have to be complicated.

Plan a Summer Vacation in Chicago
Chicago has so much to offer visitors year round; but summer makes the city especially welcoming. The John Hancock Observatory and the Sears Tower Skydeck offer breathtaking views over a thousand feet above the city. At the Navy Pier, you can delight in the Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze, whether you're with children or not. After you've enjoyed the maze, head over to Time Escape, the 3-D motion simulation experience that will propel you back through the history of the Windy City. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

be Money Smart on a European Vacation
Let's face it-traveling can be expensive, and Europe is definitely one of the most costly continents to explore. Here are some easy ways to get the most for your money while traveling through cities and countryside alike.

Create an Instant Reply Email in Google Email
Gmail allows you to set up instant email replies, known as vacation responders or autoresponders. Autoresponders are useful for notifying senders that you are on sick leave or vacation so that a recipient knows to expect a longer response time than normal. Every person who emails you during the time period you set will receive your automatic reply. If you want to send automatic replies only to certain people or messages, you can use the Gmail Labs feature called Canned Responses.