For the Month of June 2010 --- Vol. 5, Issue 6

Make your money go further this summer! The US economy appears to be slowly recovering, but there's still a lot of work to do and Americans across the country are still looking for ways to help their money go a little further. This edition features three articles that will not only help you save, but also help you understand how the ups and downs of the US and global markets impact you.

If you're planning a camping trip this summer - whether it's down the road or across state lines - take a few moments now to plan the trip and reserve your campsite. There are a number of online resources for specific campgrounds and state parks, but you can also reserve spots at campsites across the country by visiting http://www.recreation.gov/ or http://www.reserveamerica.com/.

These websites allow you to search for the perfect spot-whether you're looking to camp in a tent, an RV, or a lodge. You can even search for campgrounds near a specific park or one that you can bring your boat to. So, if you're planning a trip across country, you can map out your route and reserve your campsites along the way! And, if you're planning on getting away more than once, you may want to consider joining a camping club for additional information and discounts, such as http://www.campclubusa.com/.

When picking the perfect spot for your camper or tent, consider the following tips:

Water and restrooms-Chances are, you'll be walking to the water faucet and restrooms throughout the day (and sometimes in the middle of the night). So make sure you know where they're located and try to situate your campsite so that you have a short, easy walk to them. Nothing's worse than walking all the way across the campground or across rough, difficult terrain multiple times a day.

High and dry-Make sure you know where the low-spots are...and avoid them when setting up your equipment. Otherwise, you may wake up to water in your tent or a large puddle surrounding your camper when it rains. You'll also be more comfortable if you find a relatively flat spot, so you can avoid the awful "sleeping-bag slide" towards the bottom of your tent or camper.

Cooking and cleaning-Don't just setup and settle in...make a layout plan for your campsite. Where will you cook...is it far enough away from dry leaves and twigs so your fire won't get out of control? Where will you eat...is it close to the campfire/stove? Where will you hang clothes to dry...is it out of the way enough so that people won't accidently walk into the clothesline at dusk? Thinking through the "workflow" of your campsite before you set up can help alleviate stress and frustration later on.

Fun in the...shade-All too often we associate camping fun with the sun. But there may come a time when you just want to relax in the shade. In addition, you may want to keep your tent or camper cool. So look for a spot with a few shade trees...and try to determine where the shade will fall at key times-like noon and early evening-so you know where to set up your chairs and other equipment.

Garbage detail-A clean campsite is a happy campsite. After all, you don't want to find yourself overrun with insects and small critters simply because you didn't dispose of last night's supper. So bring plenty of garbage bags, keep them sealed after use, and haul them to the garbage can at regular times throughout the day.

To make sure you-and your campground neighbors-enjoy your outdoor adventures, follow these final thoughts on campground etiquette: