Issues: June 2009 Archives

Most people know to suspend the newspaper delivery, ask a neighbor to bring in the mail and take other precautions to secure their home while they're away.

But what many apparently don't think about is taking care with what they tweet while they're gone. As social media has extended its reach, more people than ever are posting status updates and tweets about their day on the beach, the mountain lion they happened upon, the fantastic exhibit they caught.

And they give nary a thought to who might be looking at this information.

Check out this story from USA Today about what could happen.

Do you have any tips for how to handle status updates or tweets while you're away? I mean, you want to share your awesome experiences, but you don't want to put yourself or your home in harm's way.

Finally, after a year of record-high gas prices, airline add-on fees, a bad economy and swine flu, there is some good news on the travel front.

Listen to this podcast by Wall Street Journal travel columnist Scott McCarthy by NPR. He explains why it may be easier and cheaper to fly this summer than last, and why more people may want to consider taking a trip. He also clues you into some bargain destinations such as Mexico, which is trying to get tourists to return after the swine flu scare.

What are your summer travel plans? Will you be flying anywhere? Driving? Sticking close to home?