Teachers' Grants: A Hail to Modern Day Heroes

If there is one thing so special about being an educator, it is that the more you work in the profession, the more you have to spend for it. For some anomalous logic, the rule of hard work and profit seems not to apply when you teach. You will profit less if you want to provide better quality education for your students, that is, digging from your own pockets to buy the necessary school supplies for your teaching.

It is no small feat to see people who earned a bachelor's degree to work in a not-so financially rewarding profession, all for the humanitarian mission of enlightening the minds of the youth. And that is exactly why the educators deserve an earnest support from both government and private sectors. They are molding the future of the nation, in their hands depend a great portion of what a country will become. Like it or not, the knowledge, the character, and the culture of the next generation will depend on every lesson of these almost flat-broke paladins.

If you're a teacher, maybe you're starting to look for solutions to augment your classroom needs, and lucky you, we are bringing good news here: many are willing to endow funding assistance for deserving educators like you. The only thing you need is to write a proposal, convince the funder of your strong and urgent needs, and inspire them to be a stalwart of your silent advocacy.

All you have to do is to believe in the importance of what you're doing, and you're good to go, learn to dream for your students, write a detailed goal for your class and for the first time, think of all the material things your classroom lack without minding how to budget it from your own salary.

Now if you're done with the listings, there are two things you have to find: first is a compatible funder who is willing to support your causes, the second is a powerful teacher's grant writer who can compose a compelling and convincing proposal about your school and your goals for the classroom. Anyway, the latter is optional, however, if you want to assure that your proposal will be as persuading and as free from technical glitches as it can be, it is advised that you seek help from an expert.

Then be careful in choosing a funder, make sure that what they are willing to provide is exactly what you're asking for. Because some give school supplies and financial aid for educators, but some award non-material endowments like scholarship for students who want to teach in needy areas of the country. Be specific and straight forward. Ensure that the person or organization reading the proposal and you are on the same page.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7344257

Insights Into Credit Management

Credit Management is the management of one of the business' most valuable assets - its receivables - this starts from the assessment stage right through to collection.

Effective Credit Management yields a substantial pay back in reduced borrowing, interest saved and improved liquidity. It is not simply a "debt chasing" exercise as it is often referred to.

Credit Management depends on the creation and implementation of a credit policy which establishes systems and procedures for opening accounts; defining the credit worth of the customer; establishing the terms on which goods or services will be supplied; and collecting payment when it is due.

Let us now look at three (3) areas in the Credit Management process:

· Credit assessment;

· Monitoring and controlling amounts outstanding on the sales/account receivables ledger;

· Ensuring the supplier is paid for the goods and services rendered

Credit Assessment

This is the stage at which the credit granting decision is made. It is a decision-making process and the decision is crucial, for it is at this stage that offers an opportunity to minimize the risk of bad debt.

The potential creditor needs to gather and then needs to evaluate the information in order to make a decision as to whether it is prudent to grant credit. There are many sources of credit information with varying levels of value. However, establishing credit worth is like doing a jig-saw puzzle and these sources are merely parts of the puzzle. It is only when they are put together that a picture emerges.

The objective of credit assessment is to establish the identity of the customer and that customer's ability to pay. Establishing the correct identity i.e. the correct legal status of the customer is the essential prerequisite to grating credit. The potential customer may be a Public Limited Company; Private Limited Company; Sole Trader; Partnership; Government or Local Government Body; Club; Church, or an Individual.

Account Monitoring - credit limit

After the evaluation of the potential customer, some suppliers normally apply a credit limit. It is not easy to determine absolute credit limits for customers. The answer can only be an estimate because of the many unknown factors, not least the change in the customer's liquidity since the last set of accounts if the customer is a business.

Having credit limits gives suppliers the opportunity to reassess customers on a regular basis. If there was no limit no brake will be placed upon the account at any stage. When credit limits become inadequate they should be updated.

Cash Collection

The granting of credit means taking a risk. There is no guarantee that goods and services received on credit terms will be paid for or paid on time. All suppliers must therefore have procedures which encourages the customer to repay as agreed, hence a cash policy.

A developed cash policy is essential if sales are to be turned into cash at a rate which enabled current liabilities to be met promptly. Preparing a collection policy must include recognition of needs for;

· Flexibility to cope with varying sales levels in varying economic climates e.g. during a recession.

· Priorities which will support the central objective of maximizing debtors for the shortest possible time e.g. key customers, special terms, marginal sales, cash only.

· Adequate in-house liaison particularly with production, sales, computer and dispatch departments. Essential where credit limit observance is required and marginal business is necessary.

There you have it in a nutshell - insights into Credit Management.

Nigel St. Hill is a life and money management coach helping people to unlock their doors to abundance, so that they could live the life of their dreams. He worked with Cable & Wireless (now LIME) as their Credit Manager and was the first person in the Caribbean to be qualified in Credit Management. He has been a contributing columnist, having written numerous articles in the local newspapers and magazines and the "In the Zone Magazine," and "Caribbean Success University" both based in the U.S.A. He is the author of the book, Money Management Caribbean Style and several ebooks including The Easy Cash Flow System and How to Keep Your Doors Open in a Recession.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7346154

Choose a Place to Live Well on a Modest Income

Glossy magazines often feature superb homes in America's richest neighborhoods - sprawling homes in various architectural styles, fashionably done up interiors, amazing kitchens and bathrooms, and what have you. And of course, many of these come with million dollar price tags.

But, the warm, soft truth is that most average Americans can live pretty well in a nice home in a nice neighborhood - without breaking the bank or dishing out a million bucks. Locally, cities like Weston and Coral Springs in Florida got high marks for affordability and quality life in a CNN Money survey.

And, personally, I ask myself - if I had a billion dollars would I like to live in a sprawling mansion in Miami Beach or Palm Beach... and my honest answer to myself is NO! See, a big house seems great and all--- but to me. warmth, knowing my neighbors, being able to go for an evening walk to a nearby coffee shop to meet locals - the warm social aspects of life matter a lot more.

Then there's the cost equation - a lot of expensive neighborhoods have higher property taxes, expensive grocery stores, higher gas prices, higher utility bills - and if I had this huge wealth (I'm Talking centimillions, here), I'd still want to minimize my energy footprint and care for my environment. And guess what, all that I just said actually held true for Steve Jobs who lived in a modest house in Palo Alto, California - despite his billions.

The great thing about our country, which I know for sure and many of my real-estate investor listeners know too, is that every single state of ours has several hidden gems - lovely cities with very high standards of living at very affordable prices.

So how can you give yourself a high quality life on a modest income? Well, here are a few things to consider...

First off, make sure your monthly mortgage payment does not exceed 25% to 30% of your annual income. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about making your mortgage payments or reducing expenses elsewhere. See, at all times, I want you to feel ZERO financial stress - so you can live a happy, healthy, productive life.

Next, understand your household needs. If you're single, your housing priorities will differ to some extent than if you're married with children. If you're retired, then again your priorities will be different from say a 30-year old. So understand your needs. Make a list of things that are most important to your household... things like

- The quality of neighborhood public schools

- Easy access to hospitals, doctors, pediatricians or day care

- Neighborhood safety - issues such as whether you could comfortably walk around by day or night, or whether your kids could walk to and from school without worrying about gangs or liquor stores

- The demographic profile of your ideal neighborhood - for example, if you have young children, you'd be better off picking a neighborhood that has younger children so they can easily have play dates or go trick-or-treating together

- Community values - that really come into play over time. For example, residents in Berkeley, California, have molded city laws that are very liberal and which may or may not agree with your own core philosophies.

- The availability of city services and facilities such as parks, recreation centers, teen centers, senior centers, soccer fields...

- Access to convenient shopping for day-to-day needs - food, clothes, household goods, easy parking...

- Entertainment options - which will vary based on your personality or what you all like to do as a family - malls, restaurants, museums, parks, beaches, hiking trails and so on.

- Access to public transport - freeways, trains, airports, ports...

- Your commute to and from work, your spouse's or partner's commute to and from work

Some say long commutes would be a definite deal breaker. Others say they need space to sprawl out and don't mind the commute as much. Before your buy, drive to and from your new potential address during morning and evening peak commute times to get a better idea of what you'd be facing on a daily basis.

Seek out crime statistics in the area from city and police websites. Talk to your future neighbors. Drive around at night to see what goes on. Do whatever you can to learn more about your potential home and neighborhood before you buy.

Distinguished schools and highly involved PTAs can shape your child's future. When researching schools, look at local community feedback and the school's academic performance in standardized state tests. Exposure and access to great museums, parks and libraries help cultivate young minds - so look at what's available.

Then make a list of things you are willing to forego or live with. For example, you may be willing to take on a 45-minute commute so your kids can walk to school or so your spouse or partner has a short commute and gets home early. Or, you may choose to sacrifice a big house for a smaller one in a great neighborhood that suits your lifestyle preferences.

Other things you should look at include

- The financial health of the city you want to buy in (and I say this because more and more, we're seeing cities go bankrupt which really messes up people's lives)

- Property taxes

- Zoning laws and whether there are factories, processing plants, landfills, trailer parks, etc. - the usual red flags

- The general look and feel of neighborhoods, the upkeep of streets and street lights, the quality of roads, how well parks are maintained, the use of fences and grill-doors and windows in neighborhoods - signs of the city's financial health and safety

- The quality of jobs in the area. Some cities, like Cupertino California or Redmond Washington or Washington DC thrive on large corporations, vibrant commerce or a big government presence, or perhaps an Army Base... but as we all know, jobs typically don't last forever so ideally pick a place that gives you ample employment opportunities should you need to find another job. On the flip side, many small towns thrive on a single company or a single government entity and offer very affordable housing and great neighborhoods - so if you're the type that can stay at one job, a smaller city would be a great way to go.

I also feel most people are comfortable living in neighborhoods that have similar levels of income - so you don't feel economic pressure with your neighbors doing better or worse than you by a wide margin.

The bottom line - you can spend as little as $50,000 to buy a great house in a good, solid neighborhood. Be open to looking off the beaten path. Check out web resources, trends in home prices, trends in population increases and decreases, changing demographics... and buy a house that you can afford for a happy healthy life.

Steve Pomeranz is a Managing Director for United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, "United Capital", and owner of On The Money. On The Money is not affiliated with United Capital.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7351095

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Currency has been defined as a circulating medium of exchange, used as an intermediary in trade, so to avoid the use of a barter system. The benefits and usefulness of currencies include; being a unit of account, or standard measurement of value. Other key factors include; durability, divisibility, ease of transportation and being fungible, or capable of mutual substitution.

True Money however, is defined as having all the attributes above, however with one major difference. Money is also a store of true value. Paper currency is actually designed to lose value while true money is designed both to hold and store value. Gold and silver meet these special requirements and have been true money for over 5,000 years, thus they will forever be in demand.

Fiat currency is not true or real money; it only has value because of government regulation or law. The word fiat is actually derived from the Latin word meaning 'let it be done'. Thus fiat money is actually established by government decrees. In America, no fiat currency has ever survived more that 40 years, since its start in America, during the days of the Continental Congress, before the Revolutionary War. America's current fiat system is the dollar system which started in 1971. It has now in-place over 41 years thus; now it's already overdue for failure.

Debasement of currencies is accomplished by nations. Through which, additional fiat money is created then added into the existing nation's money supply. Currency debasement is just another fancy word for money expansion. The end result of this expansion, through central bank efforts to debase currencies, always ends up with inflation. The more the paper currency is debased, the greater inflation upon the society becomes. This further drives up the real costs of goods and services, while lowering the purchasing power of the nation's currency in real-time.

How can an investor protect oneself from further monetary debasement and inflation? The answer is actually thousands of year's old, own gold and silver. Both these monetary metals protect your assets from currency de-basement and because they are real stores of value. They can also protect you from the collapse of currency regardless if it comes from inflation, deflation or the destruction of the paper currency itself, through hyperinflation.

Holding these two precious metals in physical form outside the banking systems of the world, allows you ultimate freedom and complete control. These precious metals also become the best possible insurance for asset protection or hedging that money could ever buy. The biggest reason is due to the unique characteristics these precious metals hold. Always allowing for them to consistently seek their true value, regardless of any economic conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7352035

Obama Vs Romney - Round II

This is the second of my two-part series aimed at helping you make a decision on whom you'll likely vote for in the upcoming presidential election.

As I'd said last week, over the long run, the choices we make - through the Presidents we elect - significantly shape America's domestic, economic and foreign policies and impact our lives very directly - with decisions on taxes, budgets, spending on military and defense, healthcare, immigration, foreign policy, the environment, freedom of choice, appointment of Supreme Court judges, and so on... a President's policy decision have a profound economic impact on our lives, the markets and the stocks we own.

Last time, I spoke to you about each candidate's view on major economic topics such as:

- Tax cuts (Obama wants to increase them for the rich, Romney wants to lower them, and data shows that the rich already pay a disproportionately higher % of all taxes)

- Corporate taxes (Obama wants them lowered for manufacturing, Romney wants them lowered across the board because, he argues, if it's good for manufacturing, it's good for every other sector. I also told my viewers that US corporations currently are the most-heavily taxed in the world)

- Stimulus spending (Obama wants to spend more, Romney hasn't clearly spoken out on this one)

Today, I'm going to speak about some of the other hot-button topics such as healthcare, environmental policy, foreign policy, etc.

Let's start with healthcare. As many of you know, in 2010, Obama signed what's now called ObamaCare -sweeping legislation that protects patients by allowing healthcare coverage even if someone has a pre-existing condition. ObamaCare also prevents insurance companies from canceling policies when patients get sick - another dubious practice that brought out some really heart-wrenching stories of insurance giving common working Americans the runaround. And, ObamaCare mandates that all Americans buy insurance or pay a fine.

Now, interestingly, Romney created pretty similar healthcare legislation when he was the governor of Massachusetts but, perhaps because he's playing to conservative Republicans, he now says it's not appropriate for all of America... and, frankly, I find that to be a little confusing. Romney plans to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with individuals privately buying their own health insurance, much as they buy car insurance today.

On Immigration - a pretty hot topic here in Florida - Obama supports the legalization of illegal immigrants who are already here provided they learn English and pay requisite fines for having entered our country illegally. Obama also wants to toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants because he'd much rather see citizens employed then see their jobs done by illegal workers from across the border. Obama, as some of you may recall, was also in favor of setting-up a fence along the U.S. Mexico border. However, he also issued executive orders to not deport undocumented immigrants.

Romney isn't as lenient on illegal immigrants. He wants to make English the official language of the U.S. and curtail certain - what he calls - magnets such as subsidized tuition rates that attract people illegally to our country and avail of its various benefits even though our legal, tax-paying public bears the burden.

On Iraq, Obama was always opposed to our invasion of that country. He also opposed troop increases and ended military operations in Iraq as president. Romney, on the other hand, thinks that we should continue to have our troops in Iraq to minimize casualties and ensure that the country continues to remain a democracy and does not slip into the hands of terrorists and fundamentalists like the Taliban.

Iran is another country that's been in the news of late - partly because of the United Nations summit in New York that criticized Iran's nuclear program and partly because an Iranian journalist now wants to defect to the U.S. - much to the embarrassment of the Iranian government. Obama wants to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran, tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation and keep all military options on the table. Romney also wants to keep all military options on the table and has not clearly specified his other viewers on handling Iran's nuclear program. (Though in the VP debate, Ryan seemed to suggest a harsher approach to Iran). Of course, it's hard to separate fact from hyperbole.

On the environment and global warming, Obama believes global warming is real, wants to reduce carbon emissions through a mandatory cap-and-trade system, and policy-wise has pushed back decision-making on developing America's own energy infrastructure due to environmental concerns.

Now, just as Romney plays to his Republican conservatives, on this one Obama is likely playing to his liberal democratic base of voters. Environmentalists are typically democrats.

Romney opposes cap and trade legislation because he believes it's going to hurt the global competitiveness of America's businesses against our trade nations that often care little about environmental regulations. Romney also supports steps that will make the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil. Romney also plans to spend $20 billion for energy research and new car technology.

So there you have it - the candidates' positions on economic and non-economic issues, and I help this helps you pick one if you're undecided. And like I said before, your vote counts so please make sure you register and take time out to vote on Election Day. It's one of those things where if you do it once, you're more involved and become a more committed citizen.

Steve Pomeranz is a Managing Director for United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, "United Capital", and owner of On The Money. On The Money is not affiliated with United Capital.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7340041

Debt Relief Tips That Really Work

Did you know that not all people entering into debt relief programs get out of debt permanently? Sad but true.

That does not mean debt relief is not effective. In fact, the success stories will prove that these debt solutions really work. But if you are asking why some people are not successful, it is because of how they approached their debt problems.

If you want a debt relief option to work for you, make sure you choose one that is right for you. For instance, if you cannot afford to pay for the minimum of all your debts, then credit counseling is not the right option for you. You need either a debt settlement or debt management program for that. Or if you do not have a permanent source of income, going for a debt consolidation loan will only put your further in debt.

When you decide to work on your debts, you need to liken it to exercising and getting your ideal weight. The principles are the same.

Before you begin, you need to come up with a plan. For instance, if you want to go on a diet, you cannot decide not to eat immediately. If you are involved in a highly physical working environment, you need the sustenance to help you get through each working day. The same is true for the debt program you will enter into. Make sure your finances are in good enough shape to help you survive whatever the program will demand from you.

Assuming you know the right path to take and you have decided to pursue it, you need to stick to your plan. If you continue to eat a lot or use your credit cards, you will not reach your ideal weight or keep up with your debt payments. You need to keep yourself from incurring new debts.

When you have finally reached your goals (ideal weight or debt free life), you need to work even further to keep that. Just like you need to exercise and continue eating healthy food, you have to continue curbing your excessive spending habits. That is the only way you can maintain a debt free life. Here are some helpful tips to do that.

First is to keep your spending within what you can afford. There is great temptation to use your credit cards again - especially since they have a low balance. One great rule is to keep your credit cards at home and spend only using your cash. Or if you have to use your card, make sure you can pay the full amount on your bill before the grace period expires.

Another tip is to try to increase your income. If you have things lying around that you no longer need, sell them on eBay. You can also start doing freelance work online or set up a passive income. Instead of wasting time watching shows, you can utilize a couple of hours earning more so you have something extra to spend.

Lastly, live a simple life. Of course, this depends on your personality but usually, people living a simple life tend to be more successful in managing their finances. Live only with what you really need - at least until you have successfully paid off all of your debts. One of the best ways to have a lasting financial freedom is to learn how to be frugal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7336953

What Are Stock Market Linked Bonds?

These bonds are offered by insurance companies, banks, building societies and other investment firms. Stock Market linked bonds often provide the investor with a capital guarantee at the end of a fixed term and the return is linked to a stock market index (such as the FTSE or DOW). They have a variety of names such as Protected Bonds, Guaranteed Equity Bonds and Structured Products. As an investor you commit your money for say 5 years. Typically, the provider offers your capital back at the end, plus all the increase in say, the FTSE 100 index over the 5 years. These returns, however, usually have a maximum - typically around 65%. So if the index doubles, you will not benefit beyond the 65 per cent level. However, arguably in today's market, a return of over 10% per annum with capital protection is an attractive offer. The downside to this type of investment is that you can usually only invest for growth and not income. So you have to wait until the end of the term to receive your capital and interest. The provider does not actually buy shares but instead uses the money to buy a mixture of interest bearing securities and derivatives which rise in value if the FTSE 100 rises.

With the offer that you will get back at least your original lump sum these instruments provide a relatively safe way of benefiting should the stock market index rise significantly. However, bear in mind that your return is only linked to the stock market index. This is not the same as receiving the returns by holding say, the top 100 shares. First you are missing out on an important element of return, the dividend income. Second, you usually only receive a proportion of the capital gain over the 5 years, not the full gain. Furthermore, there are stock market linked bonds that don't provide complete protection on downside. Some providers offer the investor your full capital back after a stated term IF for the example the FTSE 100 does not fall to below 50% of its initial value at the start of the plan. If the market does fall below 50% then this is where the danger lies, and if it fails to recover to the initial value at the start of the term then the capital is at risk.

The other risk to these types of investment is counterparty risk. Basically the capital guarantee or rather capital protection (investment companies don't like using the word "guarantee") is only as reliable as the company that is providing the capital protection. If the company were to go into liquidation then the capital protection is at risk. In some cases, companies have been bought have got into trouble and been bought by another company and the capital protection has remained, in others it hasn't. Of course, if you like the idea of stock market linked bonds then this should only form part of your portfolio and it's important to spread your capital across a wide diversification of asset classes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7312874