Articles written by Jeff Burke

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Jeff Burke

I'm a freelance writer and entrepreneur.

I have been married for 25 years. My wife is a social worker with the disabled. We have four children. Three are young adults. Our fourth child is newly adopted from China.

I enjoy writing, public speaking, financial

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Personal Finance > Managing Debt How to manage your debt: 1 of 33
When everything goes wrong, how do you survive from day to day when you are working on getting your income back up to even be able to form a new budget? You can't make a new plan or make promises to creditors until you get your job situation and income back on track. To be in a place mentally and emotionally where you can se... More..
Health & Fitness > Emotional Health & Wellbeing How to be an optimist: 1 of 12
We live in a negative world full of anger, hurt feelings, and grudges. Anyone with a positive attitude comes across odd, if not unbalanced. Negativity, if left unchecked, will rob you of every good thing in your life - relationships, personal well-being, and opportunity. How do we become positive people in a negative world? ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Pulitzer Center What is the responsibility of American companies and consumers for unsafe working conditions in Chinese factories?: 13 of 97
Unlike many of your armchair commentators, I have actually visited some Chinese factories. The ones I visited had a very relaxed atmosphere and some workers actually brought small children to work with them. China, like all expanding economies, is having and will have growing pains. Unlike some U.S. workers, the Chinese work... More..
Travel > Accommodation Tips & Advice Transform your hotel room into a home: 4 of 27
I don't know about you, but I've had some real disasters with choosing hotel rooms. My experiences have shaped my personal policies and habits in how I obtain lodging and what I do with it when I get it. You can make your hotel room a home away from home by following some simple guidelines that I have developed over the year... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Reflections: The surge in rising gas prices: 3 of 20
Oil as the primary fuel for transportation has become impractical for modern civilization. It is expensive, dirty, and in the mid-east has become the major financial strength of terrorist organizations. We're running out of good reasons to continue to use gasoline. Like most issues, the general public doesn't get motivated u... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Tips to take the stress out of traveling: 11 of 66
My wife and I both had dads who were endurance drivers. On long trips they would push the envelope on potty breaks, meals, and sleep. A trip was a thing to conquer, not a thing to be enjoyed. We both agreed early in our marriage to make every family trip an adventure. We have four kids (three raised and a three year old) and... More..
Education > College Life Spring break alternatives: Finding low-cost, top-rate fun: 3 of 15
Spring break doesn't have to cost a small fortune to be fun. The number one destination for spring breakers is the beach. Waterfront hotels can be quite costly during peak periods. Something I've noticed in every beach town I've ever visited is the modestly priced lodging just across the street from the waterfront. For the s... More..
Travel > United States Travel destinations: Gatlinburg, Tennessee: 5 of 24
When my wife and I discuss vacation destinations, we seldom agree. She likes shopping, shows, and restaurants. I like outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, picnics and barbecues. We both love Gatlinburg because it offers such a wide variety of activities. Perched on the edge of Great Smoky Mountain National Park which boa... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Special Needs Tips for parenting a child with disabilities: 1 of 4
When asked if they want a boy or a girl, I have heard expecting couples remark, "As long as it's healthy." No one wishes for a child that is less than perfect. In some sense they are all less than perfect. In our case we had identical twins with Down Syndrome twenty four years ago. After walking around like zombies for two w... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Travel budget: How to save money on vacation: 13 of 39
A traditional way that families have saved money on vacations is to visit relatives. The downside of that is that your host may take the initiative to plan your vacation schedule for you. The next thing you know they're mad at you because you rebelled against the schedule. Then there are tensions and you don't send Christmas... More..