Quinceanera and Mom Bond When Planning Her Celebration

As a mom planning your daughter's Quinceanera Celebration do you feel over whelmed and stressed at times?

A mom called me the other day. Her younger kids were crying in the background and her daughter was leaving all the final planning work for her celebration up to her.

After some discussion it sounded like she and her daughter had gotten into some arguments and weren't talking. The celebration was in one month. The mom was just about crying on the phone. She asked me what could she do? I told her to take a few deep breaths and write a note to her daughter and ask to sit down and talk with her.

I asked if she had signed up for me free newsletter so she could receive my gift of 17 page eplanner. She said no. I advised her to sign up immediately and print out the pages from the Quinceanera ePlanner. Then she should review what has to be completed for her daughter's celebration and ask her daughter for her help.

I read to her the following Seven Ways to Make a Difference In Your Daughters Life. She took notes over the phone. She thanked me. But better yet...she phoned me back the next week, too let me know she followed my advice. She and her daughter had a beautiful bonding experience. She is happy. She said her daughter was much happier also. They were both excited about working together putting the final plans together for her daughter's dream Quinceanera celebration.

I want to share a section from my book - Quinceanera Connection :Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. - 'Parent Talk' with you.

'Seven Ways To make a Difference in Your Daughter's Life'

• Speak from your heart.
• Be her parent, not her friend. Be friends when she is an adult.
• Listen with love and understanding.
• Praise your daughter for her achievements...big or small.
• Listen to her problems and discuss solutions.
• The support and love given at home make a life-long difference.
• Accept her for the special person she is.
  

Wishing you and your daughter all the best,
Priscilla
P.S. If you would like the whole story order my book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget - Order Now and receive your bonus gift of 70 page Quinceanera e planner.

Quinceanera Celebrations - family decisions

First... if you linked to this page from my newsletter. Please scroll down for the five articles about the 'secrets for saving money' - when planning your Quinceanera celebration.

Next: I wanted to share one of my Bloggers Ilene for Quinceanera Connect.com is having her Quinceanera Celebration today. Therefore, I am leaving for the church now and then to the party. However, the family had to deal with a decision regarding today.

Ilene's grandmother had been very ill. So, the family decided to either postpone or cancel Ilene's rite of passage celebration. However, her grandmother asked the family if anything happened to her, she wanted Ilene to have her Quince Celebration anyway.

Sadly, her grandmother did pass away a few weeks ago. The family got together and decided to fulfill her wishes. They modified some parts of the mass and the party. But, Ilene's grandmother will be there in spirit.

I will report back to you in my next post.

Wishing you all the best,

Priscilla

Quinceanera's #5 Secret For Saving Money

Teresa phoned me and asked me to share the fifth secret with her, since she had an appointment with a reception hall manager. She and her daughter thought they liked this hall the best, but the price was a little to high for her budget. She said she was afraid to ask for a lower price, because the manager wasn't a friendly type of person. Teresa said she felt nervous about going to the meeting.

I was happy Teresa had phoned me, since I knew I would be able to help her feel confident about herself for the meeting with the reception hall manager.

First - I asked Teresa to please take the phone and sit in a comfortable chair. The next thing we were going to do was to help her get rid of her fears. The fear and worry she had regarding her appointment with the reception hall manager. I recommend you follow the same process anytime you feel afraid to do something or you are overwhelmed with fear. I had Teresa follow the following steps:

• Take a deep breath and exhale - repeat this process at least 3 times.

• On your third exhale... smile ;-).

• Take another deep breath and smile again ;-).

• Now think of the meeting with the manager or anyone else - see that person smiling ;-) back at you and thanking you for everything. Feel the positive outcome and both of you are happy.
  

• Take another deep breath and as you exhale smile ;-) again. Focus on the good feeling inside of you ...that the meeting went well and you are very happy with the outcome.
  

• Life is what we make it. When you feel confident with yourself the other person will see your inner strength and not try and take advantage of you.
  

• If your negative feeling returns... repeat the same process. (You can modify the process if necessary - your deep breathing and exhaling combined with a smile changes how your brain works. The process changes the messages sent to your brain from negative to positive. And you will feel relaxed. That's how you can change your attitude of inner peace and with inner self-confidence). The more often you practice this power of positive - inner confidence the happier and healthier you will be. ;-).
  

Now... for your meeting with the reception hall manager or anyone else you have an appointment with.

• Tell the manager you and your family really liked the facilities or services and you would like to have your daughter's Quinceanera party at the reception hall, but you and your family feel the price is too high for what you had budgeted for,

• You will probably be asked what can you afford? THIS IS WHERE YOU ANSWER WITH ANOTHER QUESTION...

• Ask...WHAT IS YOUR MOST COMPETITIVE PACKAGE???

• Don't say anything...LET THE MANAGER TALK!!!

• Sit quiet and let the manager talk...the more the manager gets into the salesperson's mode the more money will be knocked off the price. A price as low as they can and still afford to get your business.
  

• Remember the manager wants your business as much as you want to have your daughter's Quinceanera fiesta there.
  

• Keep your positive attitude and listen. Don't say anything until you think the manager has given you the lowest price possible.
  

• Another insider secret: "Walking power"* - If you aren't still happy with the price you were given.
  

• Get up and start to walk out ...with a smile... let the manager know you were hoping for a lower price than what you were given. Let the manager know you are going to your second choice on your list.
  

• The manager will probably ask you what price you had in mind? You can then share the price you would be happy with and see it they will give it to you.
  

• Always be friendly and upbeat. Managers want to work with people who are easy to work with not complainers.
  

Good luck and things to remember:

1. Have a positive confident attitude.
2. Don't share your price or budget early on.
3. Let the manager know the price quoted was too high.
4. Answer the manager's question with a question ..."what is your most competitive package?"
5. Be quiet let the manager do all the talking...until you are given the final price.
6. Then use your = "Walking Power"*.

You can make it happen...getting your best deal.

Wishing you all the best,

Priscilla
P.S. For your own complete Quinceanera guide book for having - Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. Filled with tips that will save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
GO TO: download the first two chapters as my gift to you. For a limited time you will receive - gift/bonus with your book purchase: 70 page - Quinceanera eplanner.

Quinceanera's #4 Secret For Saving Money

Diana phoned me after reading my last post and she had some questions. She asked how she should move ahead with making a final decision in choosing the venue.

Diana said, she and her daughter had chosen a reception hall they both liked, but the amount they were going to be charged was more than what they had planned on spending.

Diana said some her daughter's friends from school had used the reception hall and spent less than what she was quoted.

I recommended she needed to revisit with the manager and go over a list of final questions covering all of the areas of service she was quoted. I shared with her - to discuss with the manager the areas that could be cut or eliminated in order for her to get a lower price.

I shared with Diana - in todays economy, unless she was planning to have her daughter's Quinceanera celebration at Christmas time or June she should be able to get a lower room charge and other service charges should be negotiable.

I recommended that she should follow the guide lines listed here, plus ask any other questions she felt would help her in getting a lower price. I explained the manager wanted her business as much as she wanted her daughter's Quinceanera to be held at their reception hall.

• Get an itemized list of exactly what is included in the fee?
• Ask, does the fee include a kitchen clean up fee? - can this be waived?
• Can you bring your own alcohol? If so. Is there a corkage fee? A charge for every bottle opened. If so can the fee be cut or eliminated?
  
• Is there a fee for cutting the cake? If so. Can this fee be waived?
• Is there a fee for the dance floor? Or any other items such as: table cloths, tables and chairs, fancy china plates, etc. -this might be an area for cost cutting.
• Many hotels and reception halls include a coat room charge. This is an area of service that you can decline to have. Make sure this service isn't included.
  
• Are they charging you extra for insurance? If so, you can probably obtain your own insurance for the event for a lower cost.
  

If you still feel the price they want to charge you is still too high. Revisit your second choice and review the same questions with them. Tomorrow I will explain: 'how to get your best deal'.

All the best,
Priscilla
P.S. If you would like a complete guide on how to have your dream celebration on any budget-
Go to: www.Quinceaneraconnect.com for a complimentary download of the first two chapters of my book. If you order the book you will receive a bonus/gift of a 70page Quinceanera eplanner.

Quinceanera's #3 Secret For Saving Money

When Rosemary called the other day and said, she was confused about choosing a place to have her daughter's Quinceanera celebration. I recommended she sit with her daughter and discuss what was most important to both of them.

I said safety should be considered. Most of us never think about our safety when going to public places until we hear about a tragedy. Then it's too late.

So, if you and your daughter have checked out at least three venues and found at least two that are with in your budget. The next step is to go back and get two recommendations for each venue. It's best to get recommendations from someone who had a Quinceanera celebration within the last six months.

Not only are you going to find out whether the venue delivered everything they promised. You should ask if they would share information of what they would have done differently if they were going to plan their Quinceanera over again.

Phone the referrals as soon as possible. Most people love to share their stories - both good and bad. A few of the questions to ask are the following:

• Would you choose the same venue again to have your Quinceanera celebration?
• If they answer yes...ask what are the three things they liked best about the venue?
  
• If they answer no...ask what did they find wrong with the venue?
  
• More than likely a manager of a banquet hall wouldn't give you the name of an unhappy customer. But you never know!
• Find out if there were any extra charges they weren't told about before hand, and if they were surprised at the end?
• Ask - what they would have done differently - if they could do it all over again?

It's a good idea to write down the answers to your questions. Often we are caught up in the emotion of the conversation and forget things someone tells us. This information is important. We can learn from other people, so we don't make the same mistake. Or better yet, we can learn from other people's recommendations and ideas.

...congratulations!!! when you have completed your phone calls.

You are ready for my #4 secret. Check tomorrow. Book mark this site.

All the best,
Priscilla
P.S. If you would like the entire story and best guide for planning a Quinceanera celebration Check out: www.quinceaneraconnect.com for my book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. You will receive a gift/bonus of 70 page Quinceanera eplanner.

Quinceaneras' #2 Secret For Saving Money

Yesterday here in California we had a mild earthquake. It was scary to feel the earth moving and not having any control. As the earth was still moving, I disconnected the power cord from my lap top computer and ran with my computer in hand. I felt helpless. However, when the earth stopped moving I sighed of relief and got back to work.

The unsettling feeling of not feeling in control when planning your daughter's Quinceanera can also make you feel uncomfortable...unless you know all the secrets I'm sharing with you.

With these secret tips I'm sharing - You can be in total control. Knowledge is power! If you like the secrets I'm sharing with you. Check them our in greater detail in my book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. It's available on my website: www.Quinceaneraconnect.com or on Amazon.

Secret #2

• The reception will be at least 50% of your total budget, so it's very important to do your home work in this area before making your decision and signing any contracts.

• After you have checked out at least three venues. (Reception hall, hotels, home party and others on your list) and figured out approximately how much each one would cost you...your next step is to...

• Discuss with your family and rate the venues. Which one is your first choice, second choice and so on.

• The first set of questions to consider are the following:

1. Which venue's costs best fit your budget?
2. Which venue is most convenient for your family and guests?
3. Which venue appears to be the easiest to work with?
4. Can the venue hold the number of guests you are planning on attending easily?
5. Would there be other parties going on at the same time? If so would there be a sound problem?
   
6. Which venue does your daughter and you like the best?

Once you have the answers to these questions you are ready for tomorrows secrets...

Until then.

All the best,
Priscilla
P.S. If you want the entire guide for planning a Quinceanera on Any Budget
Go to: www.quinceaneraconnect.com - for a limited time you will receive a gift/bonus of a 70 page Quinceanera eplanner when you purchase my book - Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget.

Quinceanera's Celebration #1 Secret for Saving Money

Isabel called me the other day. She said she wanted to have her daughter's Quinceanera celebration at the local hall in her neighborhood. She was upset, because the banquet hall wanted to charge her a rental fee of $700 for the room, plus security, plus...lots of other extra charges.

When she added up all the charges... they came to $1,500. That was before she added in the cost of renting tables and chairs, food and all the other costs for the reception.

She wanted to know what she could do. I first congratulated Isabel for not signing any agreement. And going home and adding up all the charges before making any decision. I told too many people don't do what she did. They say OK to what ever costs they are given. Then they go home add up the costs. Then they worry about where can they will get the money to pay for their daughters Quince celebration.

• #1 Tip is to sit down and figure out how much you have to spend on your daughter's celebration.
  
• Usually about one half (50%) is spent on the fiesta.
  
• Once you know how much you have to spend you can start checking out different places to hold your fiesta.
• Make an appointment with the banquet manager in order to find out the costs.
  
• Make sure they have the date you want available.
• Don't tell them the amount of money you are planning on spending for your daughter's Quince celebration.
  
• Thank the banquet manager and let them know you are checking out other places.
• Take the hand-out materials home with you.
• Figure out how much the costs would be for the number of people you expect to attend your fiesta.
• Check out at least three other places and follow the same procedure for each one.

Watch for the next secret re: how to get the best deal and what to do before you sign any contract.

If you can't wait for all the secrets to listed be on the blog. I recommend you order my book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. You will receive a bonus/gift of a 70 page Quinceanera eplanner with your purchase of the book