When summer rolls around, the excitement builds as children await the beginning of Christian summer camp. The summer camp experience is something very unique and special. It brings a child closer to God and his marvelous wonders.

It is not uncommon for children to leave a Christian summer camp feeling quite spiritual. However, this feeling does not seem to last forever. For those days of summer camp experience, all energy is focused on exploring God’s creation, worshiping him, and listening to His word. The experience can open a person’s eyes to God’s majesty, but it can be difficult to return to a humdrum lifestyle when it is over. God is all around. He is present in the wilderness and the fellowship between Christians, but seems to lag in schools, on television, or during an afternoon with friends.

It is hard to confront a closeness with God at Christian summer camp and return to this feeling of nothing when it is all over. Missionaries that return from the field, feel this all the time. It is caused by doubt in faith. There are ways to find consolation in the Scriptures. Spiritual life is a journey filled with mountains and valleys. A person does not have an absolute connection to God until Heaven. In this life, it is likely to feel close to Him during certain times and further away at others.

Obviously, the natural response is to try to get the spiritual excitement back. Not being able to sustain the peace and joy that comforted so many at camp can lead to a bit of depression. The healthiest response that children can have is to learn how to accept things that can not be changed. God allows them to feel his presence completely at a summer christian camp. It is an experience that not many will have. It is something to be thankful for and to hold onto, even during times of doubt. If there is a parent who is trying to confront this in their children, the camp may not be able to be recreated, but the children can be reminded that it takes place each year.

I am often asked by South African holiday home owners and those perhaps seeking to purchase a holiday house or apartment in South Africa, if this is firstly a good investment and secondly if they will be able to at least partially off set the costs by renting this to paying tenants or guests.

Prior to me qualifying this statement, the answer is without doubt, yes to both, there is however a “but”. Let me also add that whilst I and the team have many successful years of experience in the holiday rental and property business, it is always wise to consult with your personal financial advisor, remember however that they and also any real estate agent have a different motive, to earn an immediate and perhaps on going commission on the sale recommended by them.

An estate agent would regard rental issues as secondary to their immediate concerns, just as one must be wary when a financial advisor (weren’t they called Insurance Salesmen a few years ago) promoting endowment policies tells you property is a poor investment, or vice versa, you are advised to do your own research or discuss decisions with persons who do not enjoy immediate financial benefit from your decision.

One should however go to an advisor with a comprehensive plan and if he disagrees, let him prove it and convince you. My last tip on personal investment in general is to take control of your own investments, read and study the subject, listen to what advisors and experts have to say but above all else, make your own decisions.

Before you purchase a holiday house, or any property for that matter, whether it is for your own holiday accommodation or for holiday rentals, one needs to consider some basic investment fundamentals prior to taking this leap. I will try and give a brief overview, our view on this important first step from a general investment viewpoint and I will cover the decision from a lifestyle viewpoint in my next article.

There are quite a few issues to consider, let’s first look at the purchase or ownership itself. It has often been shown by investment experts that over a period of time, usually in excess of five years, property investments prove to be a sound, low risk investment. Obviously one would like to purchase when prices are at the lower end of the cycle, this is always difficult to predict with many a buyer getting it wrong. The longer one holds the property, the less the importance of timing.

Right now, let’s call this period the 2008/09 recession, there are many low priced opportunities, don’t rush, there is still left, in my personal opinion however things are bottoming out and I predict a slow recovery into 2010. In short, provided your personal financial fundamentals are secure, now is a good time to buy.

Property investments in general usually offer a good hedge against inflation at worst and excellent capital growth during times if economic growth. Normal caution applies however, irrespective of some bargains in the market, seek out and researching the area to ensure you purchase in the correct location, a critical issue, and at a fair, market related price. These are two essential considerations. Only then, repeat only then, do you look at your personal and family heeds, a jetty or Marina if you own a boat, distance to a golf club or game reserve if these are your passions.

So, what now, you like the location, see a positive future for the area and believe the home offers good value and also satisfies your personal purchase criteria. Now check the maths, provided you can afford the repayments without negatively affecting your normal lifestyle needs, essential and otherwise, you have a winner. Would I recommend the purchase, yes, make the call and go for it. Finance options are not covered here but the first choice is quite probably a second bond on your primary residence and if this is not sufficient, perhaps a bond on the second residence, your bank manager is a good person to talk to on this subject, as we write, interest rates appear to be softening, do not however count on further reductions and leave yourself a little lee-way.

Regarding rental income, be wary. Do not assume a rental income stream on your holiday home along the coast that might be promised by the estate agent when presenting the property for purchase, commission on the sale remains their primary motive, rental issues are secondary to their immediate concerns.

Holiday rental income should be treated as unexpected income. Whilst it is probable that you will earn good rental returns that should cover your annual holding and maintenance costs including rates, this will mean sacrificing some of your own peak time occupation. Holiday home rental demand peaks from mid December to early January each year, if you choose to occupy your own home during this period, it will substantially reduce the potential for additional income. Do not plan for this to be sufficient to pay a mortgage, it is unlikely this will be the case.

On the more positive side, if your family is able to make the holiday accommodation available during these peak periods, that the home is situated in an area that suits international visitors, it is quite likely that a home worth say R4,5m at current values could reasonably earn a gross rental income of between R80 and R200 000 per annum, the gap between these being determined by location and standard of the furniture and fittings.

In summary, if you are able to afford the purchase of a holiday home along the coast of South Africa, you are firstly very fortunate, and secondly, you have an opportunity to grab right in front of you. South Africa remains the best kept holiday secret in the world, I am personally convinced that over the next tem to twenty years our property values will go up astronomically.

After that, you are supposed to make a financial plan and work out on the costs of each and every thing in their entirety, as well as the traveling fares, the meals, the hotel rent, the tour guides and various other things. You should always put aside a fixed amount of money for expenses in emergency situations and also for souvenirs. Staying at a hotel that is nearby a tourist place that you wish to visit during your trip is a pretty good idea, as by doing so you will be able to reduce the traveling expenses to a great deal.

A lot of people from all over the world dream about traveling around the implausible Hawaiian Islands and because of which this particular island has turn out to be a very admired tourist and holiday destination. Traveling to the Hawaiian Islands is not at all an economical thing to do, but all the funds spent will without a doubt be worth spending, as you will have the chance to witness one of the most attractive places that are present in the world at this point in time.

Economical holiday packages are the perfect way to secure a Hawaiian trip and you will get your lodging, airfare, and car rental included. Therefore, you can get assistance from high-quality discounts for securing all your holiday’s gears from the same traveling agent and your get away will be certainly an low-priced tour. It is obviously suggested to book your holiday in advance, as this is simply the way by which you will be able to secure the finest prices for your journey to Hawaiian islands. You can also consult the online traveling agents if you want to compare the rates from different travelers.