Everyone is looking for a deal, something that allows consumers to experience the illusion of savings when still spending money. From my many years of experience, if you are looking to attract more business, it is paramount that every restaurant have specialty food and beverage offerings. This can be done on a weekly or monthly basis with rotating items, but at the very least should be done for all major holidays. These offers resonate well with customers and help attract more guests, both new and old.

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25. Lawmakers however are working to change that – pushing for a wage increase to $12. In some states, minimum wage has already increased – with Seattle increasing its minimum wage to $11 last month, with plans to increase to $15 by 2021. In California, minimum wage is currently $9, with plans to increase to $10 in 2016, but lawmakers are pushing to raise that to upwards of $15 over the next few years.

This is great news for everyone that will be seeing a raise. Business owners on the other hand need to figure out how they are going to manage these increased labor costs.

For most small businesses, coming up with your innovative business idea is only half the battle – the real work comes when figuring out how to finance your dream. With the advent of the internet, this hurdle is becoming easier for entrepreneurs to jump, which can lead to unforeseen consequences. Along with more options and consequences comes more responsibility to research which will be best for you and your business. Banks will lend you money, but only when you don't need it. So what about when you do need money? Below are options to explore that will get you the funding you need when you need it.

Restaurants are one of the hardest businesses to start - saving a struggling one is even harder. With all problems, it’s about the evaluation, developing a comprehensive plan and then working through the plan.

With the restaurants that I deal with, often times the self-evaluation is not objective enough. You don’t have to go down with your ship. Use these tips and suggestions coming from my years of experience to plug the holes and get back to smooth sailing.

There is nothing like breaking away from the monotony of daily life and exploring what the world has to offer. If everyone’s bank account and boss would allow it, most would be out at the drop of a hat, laying on a beach in Mexico, tasting chocolate in Switzerland or exploring the streets of China. The time to travel is now, and if money is the only thing holding you back, it’s time we tackle that hurdle. 

The U.S. Travel Association reports that the cost to travel has been on the rise since 2010 and is projected to continue that steady climb through 2016. Travel spending in 2014 alone totaled 927.9 billion dollars. The biggest expenditures being foodservices at 220 billion, lodging at 181 billion and public and auto transportation combining for a whopping 337 billion.

The spending isn’t going to slow down, and neither will the number of travelers. Join the masses and start planning your next vacation using these thrifty, trendy, money saving travel tips!