One of my favorite things about my job here at SB is our vacation policy. It’s pretty rare to find such a generous vacation plan in Sacramento, but it is really important to take full advantage of it. When you don’t use your vacation at companies that you accrue vacation time at, you get paid out if you leave the company. Here if you don’t use it, you lose it. So make sure to use it!

One of the biggest excuses I hear from friends is that taking vacations are too expensive, but in my experience, you can cut some big corners with these tactics:

1. Find a cheap flight. Flight prices are getting cheaper and cheaper. It’s a wonderful time to be alive! I’ve gotten multiple non-stop flights to Europe for less than $400! (Check out Norwegian Air). You can use Google Flights to keep an eye on prices too if you set up notifications they will let you know when prices start to change.
2. Pick a less common place to go. Yes, we all want to go to Paris, Hawaii, or Bali but if you go somewhere a bit less common you’ll save so much money! Most of my first-hand experience is in Europe. I’d recommend Eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia are beautiful places full of history that cost so much less!
3. Don’t stay in hotels! Food and accommodation are often the most expensive aspects of a trip. Instead, stay in a hostel or Airbnb and cook at least one of your own meals a day. Hostels are always the cheapest and usually have a communal kitchen. Their biggest benefit is that you meet other travelers which can make a trip much more fun!

So go forth and see the world, even if it is a quick trip that isn’t too far. You’ll be happier and better company to your loved ones, friends, and coworkers.

Did you know that prior to Valentine’s day, there’s a week full of special days? Starting with Rose Day on February 7, each day is dedicated to one special thing to celebrate love. Today is celebrated as Promise Day. 

Let's make some time today to think how important 'Self Love' is and to make promises to ourselves. Life is not all rainbows and butterflies. It can be tough sometimes. And we’ve worked hard to get this far, so the best option is to really make it count by moving forward from where we are. We should free ourselves from the world’s negativity, from the sources of ignorance telling us what we can and cannot do – by promising to look ahead, to live ahead, and to get ahead. In other words, start making positive promises to yourself!

Promise to fight back, to fight harder and slap adversity back into its seat whenever it dares to stand against you.

Promise to forget the pains of the past but remember their lessons.

Promise to learn to live in the moment.

Promises have no ends. 

A promise to never break any promise in life. Let us keep all our said and unsaid promises to lead a more happier life. 

Make your own promises on this Promise Day and keep them forever.

Last week I watched the movie “Patch Adams” featuring Robin Williams. While it was a heart-wrenching story and chalk full of humor, it also taught me a valuable life lesson!

“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome.” -Patch Adams

Maybe it just hit close to home for me because I’m studying nursing, but, I really loved how the focus was on making people’s lives better, not simply curing a disease. The Guest Service focus at SlideBelts is also on creating a happy guest, it goes along the same lines. When we help a person, not a problem our actions have a longer-lasting effect. This same concept can apply to relationships and many other areas of life. Never miss out on an opportunity to connect with people, our brains are hardwired to appreciate that, it goes a long way! :)