December 22, 2024

Prospective College Students Looking for Value in Education Find Plenty of Top-Notch Options

According the US News, the average incoming college student will take cost into consideration when school shopping. While some may believe that a higher price means a better education, that simply isn’t always the case. The following highly respected schools have all been placed on the 2014 Best Value Schools list for offering excellent academics along with consumer friendliness.

California Institute of Technology

Just outside of Los Angeles, Caltech was founded in 1891 and boasts alumni such as Nobel laureates Vernon Smith and Douglas D. Osheroff along with Intel founder Gordon Moore and Former US Senator and Astronaut Harrison Schmitt. 52% of students here receive needs-based grants meaning the average 4-year tuition is approximately $21,500.

Cornell University

Attracting scholars from 122 countries, Cornell University is considered one of America’s premiere Ivy League Research Centers. And with an average degree costing just over $21,000 after grants and scholarships are accounted for, it’s one of the most affordable schools in the nation for those who can keep up with the curriculum. [Read more…]

For Digital News Industry, Short-Term Traffic May Not Yield Long-Term Results

onlinetrafficDigital news sites are primarily focused on web traffic, but owners and editors must be wary of trading in quantity for quality.

Created by Kevin Ryan and Henry Blodget, Business Insider is one of the most popular entries in the digital publishing market. Its successes and setbacks have served as a living and breathing case study for other digital publications. Business Insider is an U.S.-based technology and business news website that analyzes the latest trends while aggregating many of the day’s top stories.

Along with BuzzFeed, Gawker, Forbes and The Huffington Post, the site has been an industry trailblazer by offering a blend of aggregation, free syndication and contributions, as well as original commentary and reporting. In late 2013, Business Insider was rumored to have put itself on the market to the tune of $100 million, but failed to attract any offers. The lack of new investors and buyers may lead industry experts to believe that the new publishing model faces growing uncertainty. [Read more…]

Winter Influences Business Downturn

3-14-14-EconomyBusiness owners throughout the United States are feeling the effects of harsh winter weather. According to a Biz2Credit report studying 20,000 American businesses, revenues have fallen over the first two months of 2014. Biz2Credit connects business borrowers with lenders nationwide – more than 1,200 in 2013. The company compared data from the same time period in 2013.

Examining businesses in the Midwest and Northeast, Biz2Credit found that revenue for retail stores dropped 13 percent from last year. The warehousing and transportation industries are down nearly 11 percent. Construction also experienced a large drop: 9 percent.

Feeling the effects of the winter chill, retail stores are struggling to maintain their past fortunes. Macy’s has laid off 2,500 employees and close five stores throughout the United States. Target is trimmed nearly 500 jobs. In their latest store report, Kohls cited smaller levels of clearance merchandise and lower traffic. [Read more…]

U.S. Educational Trends for 2014 Include On-the-Job Training, Online Coursework

OnlineIn 2013, several education trends took center stage, including an increase in online courses and new evaluation processes for colleges, universities and educators.

The White House, foundation funders and state governments, have all begun pressuring colleges to reduce the time required for students to graduate. The most prominent strategies in the past year: offering students class credit for work experience, and advancing students based on achievement.

In the first scenario, students may receive college credit for military and on-the job training, as well as volunteer experience. Credit is generally granted through portfolio assessment and placement tests, though the American Council on Education can also make these recommendations. Some colleges and employers have developed partnerships that exchange workplace training for college training. One example: Starbucks. [Read more…]

Tips for Effective Time Management

InterviewingExperts - Time mgmtTime is relative. An hour in the dentist chair can seem like an eternity, but turn around and in an instant your toddler is graduating college. All time passes equally, so why does it seem at times so different? The answer to that question is perhaps the reason it is so difficult to manage time. Time flies when you are doing something you enjoy and it drags when you’re doing something you dislike.

If you don’t have enough time for the truly important things in life, maybe it’s because you haven’t taken the time to prioritize your time. If you think you’re too busy to do that, you are probably too busy not to. If you have problems prioritizing or if you tend to procrastinate, the standard time management suggestions may not work for you. Time management is really self-management, so if typical time management seminars and systems haven’t worked for you, maybe it’s time to try something different.
 
You could start by doing things you dislike first. When you dread something, you spend more time thinking about it and procrastinating than if you simply went ahead and completed the detested chore. You will find you are more productive if you get those items out of the way first and then move on with your day. [Read more…]

Selecting the Right Location for Your New Home (City/Suburb/Country)

Internal blog 2There are several factors to consider when looking for a new home, but the most important is location.

To determine location, first decide if the new home will be in the city, suburb, or country. Each has pros and cons, so it is a matter of personal wants and needs.

Suburbs or subdivisions are the most popular choices in all areas of the country with 56 percent of buyers preferring that lifestyle. It is the preferred location for people with children. The property is generally less expensive, usually newer and offers more house for the money. The downside is more commute time into the city. Plus, amenities and entertainment options offered by cities are not readily available to suburbanites.
[Read more…]

What to Consider When Moving Cross-country

10.10.13 - movingFor those moving across the country, there are many important considerations, like whether to take the picturesque route or hire an auto shipping company to get their vehicle to the desired location. Below are factors that should be considered before making a decision on either.

1. Miles, time and stress

While a road trip may appear like a fun idea, stop and think about the added burden of traveling hundreds (or thousands) of miles with your children or pets. Not only will you be under stress trying to get to your new home, you are likely to have to deal with fussing children or restless pets. Also, consider hotel, fuel and food costs, as the well as potential wear and tear on your car.

2. Moving the car

There are several ways to move your car from location A to location B. You could drive yourself, rent a moving truck and tow the car, or fly and use a car transportation company to move the vehicle for you. It is crucial that you assess the moving distance, insurance requirements, and the time it will take to get the vehicle to the desired destination.

3. Hazards and insurance

Hauling a vehicle from state to state can be risky. When renting a moving truck or other towing equipment, you will be asked to sign a release form that won’t allow you to sue the company for any damages your car may sustain during transportation. Be sure you have adequate insurance to reimburse you for any damages.

4. Research and Compare

Many people realize that having their car shipped by a vehicle transportation company is convenient and beneficial for several reasons. Auto transportation companies can save you stress, money and longs hours of driving. However, make sure the company is fully licensed and meets all federal and state regulations for vehicle transporting. Learn about the cost, insurance coverage, and the time it will take to transport your vehicle. Make sure to get everything in writing. Only after thorough research will you be able to make the right decision for your cross-country move.

Learning a Musical Instrument at Any Age

learning-a-musical-instrument-at-any-ageLearning to play an instrument at any age comes with set of challenges.  Whether it’s the piano, banjo, or autoharp, mastering a musical instrument is like learning a new language.  To adults who have never played before, learning to play can feel like learning to speak Chinese and program computers – at the same time.  But, it’s not impossible for adults, just a little more difficult.

When children begin learning to play instruments, their brains are still growing new brain cells and some of those new cells become devoted to playing.  In the adult brain, learning an instrument requires that new connections are created, as cell growth in the brain is done.  This leads to challenges for adults who are picking up an instrument for the first time, but it isn’t insurmountable.

In order for adults to be successful, they must accept that (1) they will not become virtuosos, (2) it will be difficult, and (3) it is a little scary at first.  Getting over those psychological barriers goes a long way to learning to play.  Finding a great teacher is also key.  Rather than looking for the best musician in town, consider a teacher who understands how adults learn.  Teachers who understand adults will offer constructive criticism that will aid in getting the most out of practice sessions and future lessons.

When deciding whether or not to pick up that guitar that’s been sitting in attic, untouched until “someday,” think about the benefits that can result from learning.  The practice and concentration that go into learning to play are good for the brain.  Playing requires the use of so many parts of the brain, often at the same time, the brain will experience a tremendous workout.  Playing an instrument can also help ward off depression, boredom, and loneliness in old age.  And, there is no better feeling than that of accomplishment, even if it comes in the form of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

 

 

Tips for Using a Home Equity Loan

9Property and structural improvements are on the top of the list why home owners apply for a home equity loan. After maintaining a good credit score by making several years’ worth of mortgage payments, most people prefer to acquire a loan to make some remodeling or payments for some kind of repairs. Some home projects that home equity can pay for are room additions, basement refurbishing, and plumbing. Making these changes will increase the value of your property, which really is a form of investment.

However, home equity loans can be used for so much more than repairs and refurbishing. High college costs turned a number of parents towards borrowing money to fund their child’s educational expenses. With college tuition fees soaring, it is no wonder that many parents will not be able to cover the entire cost of college with their savings. Even though scholarships and government assistance are available in some cases, moms and dads still find themselves needing the extra funds to cover expenses.

Still, there are some folks who use the cash from home equity loans to fly on a vacation, purchase a new car, or pay off business expenses. These may seem like ridiculous uses for a home equity loan but they are legitimate. Provided one qualifies, no one can prevent borrowers from spending the money in any way they desire.

So, if a major expense is in the future, you may consider applying for a home equity loan now. Whatever a homeowner’s individual circumstance, finding a lender who is committed to working one-on-one with each person is essential when applying for a loan. Besides, in a market where many homeowners aren’t able to upgrade to a new home, home equity loans are a great alternative.

Home equity loans require a good credit rating and history, in addition to requiring that the value of the home is in good proportion to the value of the loan. Currently, there are some favorable rates on these loans, so this could be a great time to take care of those renovation projects you have planned.

 

 

Pop Warner Football Safer than Organized Soccer

interviewexpertsPop Warner is the nation’s largest and oldest youth football and youth cheerleading organization with over 425,000 participants in 44 states and several countries.  The program helps kids ages 5-15 learn teamwork and competitive drive. Pop Warner football was founded in 1929 by Joseph J. Tomlin in Philadelphia. Since then, membership has been increasing steadily. In 2010, more than 250,000 kids were involved in Pop Warner football programs, and the number is continually growing.

Pop Warner has established a leadership role in youth football and cheerleading by requiring all head coaches to pass a coaching education course. The coaches teach football basics—how to line up correctly, how to tackle safely and effectively, how to read an offense, and so on. Kids can only compete with kids of similar age and size since Pop Warner enforces a strict weight and age format in order to reduce the risk of injuries.

According to a recent statistic, Pop Warner football is safer than soccer, with 12 percent fewer injuries than organized soccer in the same age range.

Pop Warner only recognizes the team’s athletic accomplishments, not the individual’s. They don’t keep track of personal achievements. Pop Warner doesn’t count blocked kicks, sacks, or touchdowns. Teamwork is always applauded. Pop Warner doesn’t build stars, nor do they want to boost a young ego. Whether the young players have good days or bad, they are still an important part of the team.

One of the great things about Pop Warner is that it isn’t just about sports. The program recognizes that kids need to achieve in the classroom just as much as the playing field. Pop Warner also awards annual scholarships to deserving top scholar athletes. With the support of national partners, Pop Warner has been able to award over $1 million in 20 years.