Kids Just Wanna have FUN!

During recent “schools out session” for holidays. I was reminded how much kids crave entertainment. No matter what time of year “Kids Just Wanna Have Fun.” And who could blame them? I don’t think there are many of us who haven’t longed for carefree, playful days of our youth. I have four of these carefree fun hungry kids. Keeping them entertained on a tight budget is always a challenge.

I have discovered over years that more money doesn’t necessarily mean more fun. In fact, some of simplest, age old activities, seem to feed their fun hungry souls best. Remember, in “old days” that is “very old days”. Family gatherings provided a great source of entertainment. Its hard to believe that in today’s fast paced, high tech, world that children still enjoy this kind of interaction.

I have found that for some reason, maybe because it validates their own behaviors, kids love to hear stories of when we were young. No, not kind that remind them of how good they have it today. I’m talking about our childhood antics, times when we misbehaved, did something wrong, and consequences .

Most of us have funny moments in our life that just stick with us. Sometimes they weren’t so funny at time at least from our prospective, then. My kids love to hear stories of my childhood antics, when I broke rules, how I felt about it , and what punishment I had to endure because of it. They especially like punishment part. Some sort of satisfaction knowing that I had to endure cruelties of punishment also!

Of course it doesn’t sound amusing to talk about times when you got in trouble. But, those memories are funny to us now that we look back at our childhood. Sure we can laugh now……… We’re a lot smarter and see innocence of our ways.

This is a great way to also remind ourselves that we were once kids also. And not so different than our own kids. With much same innocence, gullibility, and scheming potential. Ahhhh… a great tool for reminding us that at least some of behaviors we frown on in our kids is just normal age old process of growing up! A very reassuring thought when you’re ready to pull your hair out.

In some ways this ritual of reminiscing shows our children that we love them unconditionally. That we understand. Why, because we’ve been there, done that. And we acted in many ways , and felt in many ways , same way they do today. Its true that some things never change. I have a shorter list of tales to tell being one of three siblings. My husband on other hand is one of eleven children, and he can keep them in belly busting laughter for hours, leaving them begging for more. Telling not only his own antics but those of his brothers and sisters.

So, if you ever find everyone sitting around looking bored to gills, start up a casual conversation and work in some of your funny moments in life. You’ll have them begging for more and more tales. “Tell some more, tell some more!” And best part ….. It’s Free Entertainment!

With a little research….what was that?……..research? If you’ve been to visit http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com you know this is one of my pet peeves….. If you don’t know what’s out there or if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re doomed to spend too much of your hard earned money!

There no disputing fact that an “ Informed Consumer = More Savings! “ There! I said it again. Boy did that feel good. Well now that I got that off my chest let me share some ideas on this FUN thing.

Only your family, friends, governments and fools ignore basic funding guidelines. These costs have evolved over time because they reflect cost of helping foolish find foolish.

To raise money, you need a short, enticing executive summary and a credible business plan. A professionally written business plan usually costs between US$7,000 and US$15,000. Unless you are a business writer, cutting costs by doing it yourself is usually a mistake. Professionals will do a better job of organizing and present your vision. You should define your target market before you prepare any business plan. Investors, lenders and governments are motivated by different goals and thus your business plan must show them that funding your company will allow them to reach their goal. If you are seeking funding for more than one of these three groups, your business plan should be written differently for each potential funding group.

Lenders expect you to have collateral (assets) that ensures repayment of business loan principal and some source of assured income to repay debt. In theory, if you default on your business loan, lenders recover their principal by selling pledged collateral. The lenders' goal is to have little to no downside risk in loan. If you can't show a credible means of repaying business loan, you won't get loan. Lenders don't make money on defaulted loans. At best, they recover their risk capital from sale of collateral.

Most governments' mantra is to create local jobs to ensure political stability. While requirements as to terms and industries vary, governments are seeking multinational firms with markets outside government's borders for goods produced by their local workers. If your business plan reflects this strategy, most governments will offer you half needed funding in grants or about 75% of needed funding as low interest loans. Your company can also expect a multi-year tax holiday, etc.

If you are a private U.S. Startup Company, seeking funding from an American Venture Capital Firm, your odds of success are about one-in-ten thousand. You can expect from them up to US$1 million in risk capital. Often, they will increase funding, once they have made their initial investment in your company. Your business plan should show near-term positive cashflow with high profit margins and an experienced and credible management team. The VC Firm will want at least 50% equity in your company. If you are a private non-U.S. Startup Company, seeking funding from an American Venture Capital Firm, your odds of success are about one-in-twenty-five thousand.

Your odds somewhat improve seeking private company funding from American Angel (Accredited) Investors. However, finding them is difficult without using financial brokers. You can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars seeking investors for your private company before you realize that odds are strongly against your success. For many private startup companies hunt for money is fruitless. The costs are excessive.