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1. The single most important tip we can offer is to check that the entertainer is CRB checked, and that they can prove that it’s up to date. Although a CRB check is not currently a compulsory requirement for any self-employed entertainer, most local authorities and schools now insist that all entertainers they hire must supply the relevant documentation beforehand.2. Do they have public liability insurance? Accidents can happen at anytime, and a room full of excited children bouncing around can be one of the biggest accidents waiting to happen. Regardless of whether you are holding a party in a hall, outdoors or in your home, you should check if the children entertainer holds public liability insurance.3. Check if the entertainer is a member of any magic societies or Equity. (Equity is the Union of Performers and Artists) Being a member of a society does not mean that you are guaranteed a high quality performance, but it may prove their dedication to their job, and it means you can book the entertainer with peace of mind.4. What games do you play? All children want to be involved as much as possible with the entertainment, check if the games played require children to remain out for a long time, you want to avoid bored or upset children stood watching whilst others still compete.5. How varied is the entertainment? If you’re planning on booking someone who is predominantly a magician, then a full hour’s performance is quite hard to keep a small child’s attention. However, if the entertainer breaks it up with use of balloon modelling, some party music or some puppets then even a two-hour show will fly by for the kids.6. Speak to the entertainer, don’t just rely on emails. If you speak to them first, you’ll be able to judge their communication skills and they should install confidence in you that their performance will be great.
If the entertainer sounds hesitant on the phone, imagine what they’ll be like in front of a room of children.7. Find out if they have a website. If they do, then you should find plenty of photos online, hopefully with the children entertainer looking well presented and fun, and even some actual photos from some other kids parties they have performed at.8. How much do they cost? Don’t focus on price too much, you get what you pay for in this world, and a saving of a few quid may end up to be the worst decision you make. Professional children entertainers have costs to pay, insurance and high quality equipment doesn’t come cheap, so shop around and get a good idea of what people are charging.9. Ask for recommendations. A professional children entertainer will have acquired a thank you letter or two if they have been working for a while, testimonials can say an awful lot about the quality of performance.10. Pay a deposit and ask for a booking confirmation, always check with the children entertainers what would happen if they are taken ill. Maybe they have a few friends in the industry who could stand in for them at short notice.

Here we lay out the average person’s best investment strategy for 2013, keeping both the investment strategy and investment options simple. For most folks the best investment options are mutual funds. So, here we highlight the best funds and funds to be wary of for 2013 and beyond.Due to the risk of interest rates rising in 2013 or 2014 and the heavy investment losses that this could cause, money market funds are your best investment strategy and best funds in the safety department. They earn interest and pay dividends that increase when rates go up, and their share price does not fluctuate in value (pegged at $1). Every major fund family offers these funds, and your best strategy is to go with tax-free funds ONLY if you are in a higher tax bracket. Otherwise, the best funds here for you are the traditional, taxable money market variety.Bond funds are the next investment options to consider in putting together your best investment strategy, and this is where you must be careful. Bond funds should be a part of virtually everyone’s investment portfolio; and have been good solid performers year after year for a long time (basically, for 30 years). However, the best funds in the bond arena of yesterday could be the worst funds in 2013 and beyond. Bond funds are relatively safe and are some of the best investment options for average investors ONLY when interest rates are high and/or are falling. Since interest rates fell to record lows in the summer of 2012, there is not much room for them to fall much further.Your best investment strategy in terms of bond funds: go with short or intermediate term bond funds. Don’t reach for the higher dividends offered by long-term bond funds, because if interest rates head north significantly, your fund’s value will head south big time. That’s one of the worst investment options for the average investor. Don’t go with the highest quality bond funds; and don’t go with tax-free funds unless you are in a higher tax bracket. Both of these investment options will only serve to lower your dividend income in this period of record low interest rates.The average person also needs to include stock (equity) funds as a part of their investment strategy for 2013. The best funds in the diversified equity funds category will be those that hold large-cap, high quality stocks that pay higher than average dividends. These are your best investment options because they offer: diversification, good dividend income, and less volatility (price fluctuation risk).There are times when the best investment strategy is aggressive in nature; but with financial problems in Europe, and a floundering economy in the USA this is not one of them. Keep all 3 mutual fund types in your investment portfolio to keep your portfolio balanced. But cut your risk in both your bond funds and stock funds by going with the mutual fund investment options suggested above.It’s tough to find good interest income and dividend income these days without taking significant risk in long-term bond funds. To increase your dividend income I suggest you also consider specialty stock funds that specialize in a specific industry. Real estate equity funds could be one of the best investment options to increase your dividend income, and could offer good returns (growth) as the real estate industry gains strength.When considering your best investment strategy for 2013 and beyond you’ve got to take today’s HIGHLY UNUSUAL interest rate environment into consideration. Our Federal Reserve has openly stated that they INTEND to hold rates down or lower them even further through 2013 and possibly 2014. They want to stimulate our lackluster economy. Meanwhile, the USA goes further and further into debt. National debt: $16 TRILLION. Even at today’s ridiculously low interest rates, the economy is not responding.Maybe the Federal Reserve will successfully take interest rates even lower; and maybe this will stimulate our economy. In putting together your best investment strategy for 2013 or 2014, I wouldn’t count on it. Sooner or later the party will be over for people who assume that their longer-term bond funds will continue to be one of the best investment options out there.Your best investment strategy in times of high uncertainty should focus on both caution and balance. Here I have offered my opinions on the best funds, best investment options for the average investor for 2013 and beyond.

“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go…” Many of us will travel this holiday season, for a holiday meal, a few days’ stay with family or friends, or a week’s vacation to celebrate with loved ones. Staying organized with your holiday travel will ensure smooth sailing.Before you goPlan your trip. Where will you go? How will you get there? Where will you stay? What will you do while you’re there? Make any necessary arrangements and reservations as early as you can. Though there can be occasional “last minute” bargains based on space availability, most often, around the heavily traveled holiday times, the best deals are offered to those who book in advance.Pack thoughtfully. Make a list. It can be tempting to just open up your suitcase the night before you leave and toss some stuff in, but don’t skip the list step for stress-free travel. Brainstorm a list a week before you go. Do all of your laundry a couple of days before you need to pack so that everything you want to take is clean and ready. Check the long-range weather forecast (weather.com) for your destination so you’ll know what the typical temperatures and conditions will be like. Think through what you’ll be doing while on your trip. Will you attend a party, engage in an activity that requires special clothing or equipment, exchange gifts? Include appropriate items on your list so that you’ll be prepared.Don’t forget items such as your camera, batteries, chargers, swim suit, toiletries, medications, “every day” clothes, special occasion clothes, accessories, gifts, pajamas, shoes, and anything else you plan on wearing or using. If you’ll fly, visit your airline’s Web site and tsa.com to become familiar with current regulations, restrictions and charges associated with checked and carry-on baggage. Are you expecting to shop or receive a lot of gifts while on your trip? Consider packing an empty duffle bag, or smaller suitcase inside of a larger one to use on the return trip to hold extra items. Making a thorough list and then checking or crossing things off as you pack them will ease your mind that you’re remembering everything you wanted to take.Prepare things at home for your absence. Have your mail held at the post office and your newspaper delivery suspended while you will be gone, or have a neighbor come by and pick up daily. Leave some interior lights on or set specific lamps on timers so it appears as if someone is home. Make arrangements for your pets’ care or plant watering while you’re away. Alert a trusted neighbor (and your alarm company, if you use one) of your travel plans and contact information so that they can reach you in case of an emergency. Leave a few minutes after you pack to put away things you decided not to take and tidy up a bit. It’s always nice to return to a clean home.Travel dayKnow what to expect. Map out your travel route. If you’re traveling by car make sure you have directions to your destination (mapquest.com) and if you’re traveling by plane, understand your options for ground transportation to and from the airport, both at home and at your destination.Leave a cushion and plan for the unexpected. Most of travel stress comes from time crunches and delays. Leave plenty of extra time to allow for traffic, long lines and anything else that may come up. Even if this means you’ll have time to wait at your gate at the airport, or arrive early to your destination, you’ll have time to relax with a cup of coffee, a good book, or just people watch – all better than the alternative.Be prepared. Bring healthy snacks, reading material and anything else you may need to make your travels, or your waiting time, more comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re traveling with children, help them pack their own activity bag, perhaps including one or two new small items, books or activities, to hold their attention.Home, sweet home: your returnIf possible, block off a full day at the end of your travels before returning to school or work. Use this time to unpack, wash clothes, catch up on mail, email and phone calls received while you were away, restock the refrigerator, and ease back into “real life”. You’ll be so glad you did.Enjoy your (organized!) travels, and happy holidays!