Leaving Money for Children is NOT A Priority for Boomers (Target)

A survey released Tuesday shows that 49% of wealthy parents say it’s important to leave money to their children when they die. Instead, many people plan to use their savings for travel and to focus on personal relationships.

The study brings to end the old notion of parents carefully tending their financial estates to be passed down at the reading of their wills. It also uncovered a distinct generational mindset that reflects changing view about what retirement means and an evolving sense of what one generation owes the next.

The survey polled 467 people nationwide with $3 million or more in investable assets.

Hotels Implementing Mobile Concierges (Travel)

It’s no secret that the introduction of iPads into the market, just over a year ago, has resulted in the reshaping of how just about every industry imaginable does business. iPads are now being used as personal portable concierges.

InterContinental’s new Concierge Insider Guides app features more than 120 destinations around the world—all in which one of the hotel chain’s properties can be found, of course. The app opens to a rotatable map of the world, with every destination plotted. Once you’ve selected your destination, you’re welcome by a five minute video tour of the city. There’s also a write-up of the perfect day, as seen by the hotel’s concierge, along with suggestions for places to eat, shop, and visit, plus a series of insider tips to make sure you show up prepared.

Surprise Vacation Planning (Travel)

When certain people go on vacation, the last thing they want to do is take the time to plan their day. Some just like to go with the flow and avoid the time researching. Half the fun in traveling to a destination is the excitement that comes from the unexpected.

American Express has developed a new booking service called Nextpedition. Primarily targeting twentysomethings, Nextpedition creates trips based on your travel profile. But here’s the catch: you won’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing until the last minute.

You find out your “travel sign” via a short survey of some 15 multiple-choice questions. Once that’s complete, three of the top travel signs that suit you are revealed, with descriptions, and you choose which one applies most to you. You’re then asked to request a consultation. Once you speak to a specialist, they will plan your trip, not telling you a thing about where you’re going or what you’re doing. Just before your travel dates, you’ll receive a package with all the documents you need, plus a digital handheld travel console, which reveals your itinerary. (But don’t think you’ll be able to see your entire schedule; the trip details are rolled out slowly, to keep the next step a surprise.)

Luggage That Moves You (Travel)

Injured, pregnant, and over-packers everywhere will soon be praising Samsonite for their new invention. The old luggage company and Mico Mobility, a European scooter specialist company, have developed a carry-on bag with built-in mobility known as the Samsonite Micro Suitcase Scooter.

The luggage is a hardback that holds 26 liters of stuff. It has 3 separate compartments that include a padded laptop bag. If you’re not in the mood to scoot away, the bag function as a roll-away. The bag fits overhead on most jetliners and is security checkpoint compliant, so you can rise all the way to your gate (it supports up to 220lbs).

This new item could function as a bag carrier if you have multiple suitcases or a way to entertain the kids. That’s one less thing you have to worry about at the airport and makes travel just that much easier.

Incredible Volunteer Project Destinations (Travel)

Trying to fight the winter blues? Check out these do-good volunteer destinations through the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI). The CCI is a non-profit international educational exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness, and world peace. Below are a list of our favorites:

1. Volunteer Conservation Projects in Australia
This 4 week volunteer program gives travelers 3-4 different projects in unique locations during their stay and enjoy the camaraderie of participants from around the world. Home to the Great Barrier Reef, red rocks of the Outback, rainforests, and highlands, Australia offers multiple opportunities for conservation and animal rescue projects year round.

2. Animal Research Projects in the Brazilian Pantanal
This unique opportunity grants volunteers intimate access to one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions, the pantanal wetlands. Assist professional researchers collect data on wild animal populations and learn how they are being affected by local cattle ranching methods and deforestation.

3. Costa Rica’s Eco-Reserve and Animal Rescue Center
This program site acts as a home for rescued wild animals and a center for ongoing conservation and community development projects. While living with a host family for the 2-4 week stay, you will be immersed in the culture that truly understands the Pura Vida.

4. Cultural Art Education Volunteer Projects In Ghana
This is a great opportunity to learn about Ghanaian culture and make a positive impact on local children striving for a better future. Help local children make handmade crafts from recycled paper and other materials that are then sold for a small income that will support their education.

Will NFC trump QR Codes? (QR Codes)

Google has dropped QR codes from its Places business listing service, joining the NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association working to standardize Near Field Communications. Members that hold seats on the Board of Directors are leading players in key industries around the world such as MasterCard Worldwide, Microsoft, NEC, Nokia, Samsung, Song, Visa, etc. Many are now beginning to wonder if the powerful backers behind NFC technology will bring the end of QR codes.

NFC technology makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch. Instead of scanning a code, specially printed tags could be stuck to windows and read by waving a phone a few inches away from the glass. The advantages of NFC are that you can get more data transferred, it can be secure, and as long as the hardware is built into the phone it’s easier.

It’s going to take time to put the NFC into the majority of mobile phones. In the meantime, QR codes have the chance to educate their potential users considering the fact that the average user doesn’t know much about QR codes and the ones that do seem to think they are just about getting discount coupons.

Aquariums Ad Requires Water (Misc/Fun)

An ad for the Sea Life aquarium in Scheveningen, Holland appears on the sidewalk only when it rains. Through the Rain Campaign, people on the streets are in a surprising way drawn to the wonderful world of Sea Life. When the streets dry up the octopus disappears again. These striking and environmentally friendly messages remain visible for up to 6-8 weeks.

Fresh Green Ads, the media agency behind this new phenomenon, creates ads that are 100% eco friendly. They use water, sand, crops, etc. to get their message across.