| Let's face it!!! Our children are judged based on their | | | | expensive." Under normal circumstances and full |
| grade point average and their performance on | | | | prices, travel can be extremely expensive. However, |
| standardized test such as ACT/ SAT. Our children's | | | | prices drop substantially September 7 through |
| high school and college admissions are based on | | | | November 20 as this time period is considered the |
| those credentials. As parents, we invest money in | | | | travel slow season. Other lesser known slow seasons |
| sophisticated desktop/ laptop computers to give | | | | are December 1 through December 20, January 3 |
| them access to the worldwide web. We establish | | | | through February 1 and 2 weeks after Passover |
| home offices, libraries and structured areas to | | | | Easter through May 20.Combine slow season |
| encourage daily homework and studying. We believe | | | | discounts with internet discounts, a family can |
| constant studying and attention to homework will | | | | experience the world at the fraction of cost of your |
| groom our children to brilliant status and give them | | | | holiday (Christmas, Hanukah, and Ramadan) gift fund. |
| impeccable credentials. To a certain extent, we are | | | | "I spent $1500 dollars for a 3 day vacation in Nassau, |
| correct. Homework and study skills lay the basic | | | | Bahamas. That cost included air travel to Miami for 3 |
| foundation for school success as high grade point | | | | people and a cruise to Bahamas. Since food was |
| averages flow from high test scores.Memory skills | | | | include, the trip was relatively inexpensive," states |
| and repetition is the key to high grade point | | | | Ida Byrd-Hill, a parent of 7th grade twins, Kevin and |
| averages; however, they are not the key to brilliance | | | | Karen Hill who attend Duke Ellington Conservatory of |
| on standardized test. Standardized test, such as | | | | Music and Art (a Detroit Public School). "My children |
| California Achievement Test (CAT), Scholastic | | | | learned about world colonization, but better yet they |
| Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), | | | | learned about opportunities as they met the |
| assumes students are exposed to different cultures, | | | | Bahamian Governess, a woman of African descent. I |
| climates, countries and experiences at least 10 times | | | | am glad I was able to find that trip at as Karen |
| before reaching 10th grade. Students who perform | | | | scored 96 percentile on the Social Studies portion of |
| the best on standardized test have exposure to | | | | the California Achievement Test and Kevin scored 87 |
| diverse experiences. What better way to gain this | | | | percentile on the Science portion of the California |
| exposure than a vacation to another city, state, | | | | Achievement Test " states Byrd-Hill.Great deals can |
| country or continent!!!!!Wealthy families have always | | | | be found on the internet by booking at least 14 days |
| known that trips, getaways and vacations are the | | | | or even 21 days in advance. There are also websites |
| secret to grooming brilliant students. Family vacations | | | | that specialize in last minute travel. Often these trips |
| are an opportunity for students to apply all their | | | | (air/ hotel combos) are for a weekend departing the |
| classroom knowledge quickly. The average vacation is | | | | same week you book the vacation or the next |
| three to seven days. Some wealthy families are | | | | weekend. Since there are so many travel websites |
| known to vacation up to 45 days on multiple | | | | on the internet it pays to spend some time price |
| continents. Nevertheless, most families are on a | | | | comparing. There are websites, like that allow |
| limited timeframe requiring them to make quick | | | | individuals to surf many of the top websites and not |
| decisions regarding currency exchange, climate | | | | so well known sites to compare vacation pricing.If |
| differences, navigation of city, etc.These decisions | | | | you want to groom your children into brilliant |
| while extremely practical require the use of | | | | students, improve their grades and performance on |
| mathematics, science, geography, social studies and | | | | standardized test, implement the secret wealthy |
| reading. Unconsciously, students are immersed into | | | | families have known for generations - Take a Family |
| lessons fueled by sheer excitement and | | | | Vacation.Good Trip!!! Bon Voyage!!! Viaje Bueno!!! |
| curiosity.Imagine how productive the lesson would | | | | Arrivaderci!!! Viaggio Buono!!! Gut Tschus!!!Ida B. |
| become if a family vacation evolves around a | | | | Byrd-Hill is the President of Uplift Inc.and She was the |
| classroom lesson. Children learn lessons at a faster | | | | President of The Harvard Group Wealth Management |
| pace. For example, a train trip to an Indian | | | | L.L.C. for 10 years. She created investment portfolios, |
| Reservation in Arizona/ New Mexico really solidifies a | | | | insurance plans and residential/ commercial financing. |
| lesson on Native American History. For a list of | | | | She has served as guest columnist for the Michigan |
| classroom vacation ideas, visit and click on the link, | | | | Front Page for 2 years and a speaker for the Better |
| School Lesson Vacations.I know you are thinking "I | | | | Investing television show hosted by David Chilton, |
| don't have the money for vacation as travel is too | | | | author of The Wealthy Barber. |