Pros and cons of secured student credit cards

Many college, and even high school, students have a need for carrying a credit card. Often, however, these students are not yet financially responsible for themselves and still rely on their parents to help take care of their financial responsibilities. Therefore, secured student credit cards may be a great option for parents with children who are still in school. Nonetheless, the pros and cons of secured student credit cards need to weighed in order to determine if they are the right choice for you.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Allow You to Monitor Spending

Secured credit cards are different from traditional credit cards in that you put funds on the credit card ahead of time. Therefore, the only money that is spent with the card is the money that is put on to it. In other words, a line of credit is not extended. Therefore, you don't have to worry about your child creating a humongous debt that you have to pay for.

In addition to preventing your child from going into debt, a secured student credit card also allows you to set your child up with an allowance. You can determine how much money you want to give your child to spend each month and you deposit the money onto the card. Depositing money onto these cards is easy. You can set it up so that a portion of your check is deposited onto the credit card each payday. Or, you can send money to the credit card company or deposit the money at select locations. This makes it much easier to get money to your child quickly if needed.

Con: Secured Student Credit Cards have a Number of Associated Fees

Although secured student credit cards allow you to monitor your child's spending habits, there are a number of fees associated with these guards. Generally, there is a fee to set the account up in the first place. Often, there are also annual fees and even monthly fees. In addition, each time you deposit money onto the card, you are usually assessed a small fee. All of these fees add up and can make the student credit card quite costly. Of course, these costs are still less then paying late fees or paying a large debt incurred with a line of credit.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Provide Freedom and Flexibility

One of the best pros of credit cards for college students or high school students is that they allow your child to have the freedom and flexibility that is part of being a credit card holder. These cards do not look any different from traditional credit cards and are accepted at all of the same places. Therefore, your child can use the secured student credit card to purchases necessary items without having to ask you for it or making you have to go out and buy the item.

This is particularly helpful for college students when it comes to purchasing books and other school supplies, as the college may be located pretty far away from home. This makes it highly impractical for you to come to the school to make purchases for your child. Similarly, sending checks can take too long and can make your college student late in purchasing items he or she needs for school.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Teach your Child Financial Responsibility

One of the best perks of a secured student credit card is that it starts your child down the road of financial responsibility. When you deposit money onto the card, your child has to learn how to responsibly use the money provided. In addition, most secured student credit cards report to credit bureaus, and the report will be in your child's name. This helps to build a credit history for your child, which will make it easier for him or her to acquire loans or other credit cards in the future. Before applying for a card, however, make sure it does report to these bureaus in order to receive this added benefit.

Buying appropriate golf apparel

Like your clubs, the clothes that you wear on the golf course can both benefit or adversely affect your game. A good golfer wears clothes that not only fit with a golf club’s dress code, but also allow him to play comfortably. Keep reading for some tips on golf apparel basics as well as critical gear for rain and windy conditions.

The Basics

1. Golf Shirt

At a minimum, your golf shirt should have a collar and be clean and pressed. Choose a fabric that breathes easily, like cotton, and a fit that allows you to comfortably move through a full swing. Don't wear a shirt that is so tight it restricts your mobility.

2. Trousers or Shorts

Trousers should have belt loops and be belted. Shorts are acceptable on the golf course, but choose shorts that are an appropriate length. Also, always test your swing in a new pair of golf pants. You want to have a full range of comfortable motion.

How you dress on the course reflects on you and your attitude toward other players. Never wear jeans, cut-off shorts, sandals or old t-shirts on the course. These will be view as disrespectful of the game and your fellow players.

3. Hat

A hat is invaluable on the course. It keeps the sun out of your eyes, prevents sunburn and helps to keep your head cool. Any clean hat, free from inappropriate slogans will be acceptable on the golf course.

3. Golf Shoes

Most courses will only allow golfers with proper golf shoes on their course. Pick a golf shoe that fits comfortably. To ward off blisters, try breaking them in at home first before you venture off on a long game; and don’t forget to pack a pair of street shoes to wear after your golf round. Some players like waterproof, Gore-tex shoes, which are great for wet climates.

For more inclement weather golf-wear tips, keep reading.

4. Light Jacket

Most golfers like to carry a lightweight jacket in case the weather turns chilly. Choose a compact, portable jacket (usually hip length) that will keep you warm if the sun clouds over or a little bit of drizzle starts.

For a fully waterproof jacket, opt for Gore-Tex. For something that’s water resistant, but a little lighter, choose a Teflon-treated fabric.

5. Heavier Rain Gear

First, you should never golf in a major storm, particularly if there’s thunder and lightning. Your gear and clubs can act like a lightning rod and pose a serious danger. However, if you find yourself in a light rain storm and want to play through, there are gear options available, such as full pant and jacket suits.

The most common material used in these suits is Gore-tex, which ideally should keep you dry and allow your skin to breathe naturally. A vinyl fishermen’s coat won’t do this.

Finally, always opt for clothing that’s clean and in good shape. Golf is traditionally considered a “gentleman’s sport.” It may seem old-fashioned, but how you dress during your round of gold is a reflection of how you view the sport, the course and your fellow players.

San jose schools alternative education program saves troubled students

A Different Kind of Education

San Jose Schools face the same problem that all school districts around the country face, losing at risk students. The San Jose School District has found a solution to this problem while still including these students as a part of the traditional school population. San Jose Schools alternative school program allows for individual attention to the students’ needs while having them participate in activities at the regular campuses.

For some students the traditional school format doesn’t work. Students can become apathetic and risk not graduating. In the San Jose School District’s alternative education program students can play sports, participate in extracurricular activities and be included in the graduation ceremonies of a regular school. At risk students can have English language proficiency issues, difficulty in motivation, simply moving to a new school or many other seemingly small but crucial reasons. San Jose Schools are successfully meeting the needs of these students.

Helping Students to Learn

The alternative education program of San Jose School District could become a model for the rest of the country. Classes in these programs tend to be much smaller and focus on the needs of the individual student. The San Jose School District has approximately thirty-two thousand students, so has to find a way to manage the needs of all thee students while dealing with the concerns of budget and resource allocation.

San Jose Unified School District has created smaller alternative specialty campuses inside six of its high schools. Each of these campuses has about fifty students being instructed by two teachers and an on-site counselor. The students involved in the program are generally juniors or seniors who are in peril of actually graduating from high school. The aim of the program is to help these students catch up in the academic credits needed to graduate. The students spend about half the day in intensive classes and the rest of the day taking classes at a community college or a vocational training facility.

The principal of San Jose School District’s alternative program, Linda Ferdig-Riley, uses information provided by the high schools to choose the students who are in need of assistance and will be included in the program. The program provides a distinctive and exclusive curriculum for each student. These specialized plans include monthly reporting of grades, personalized counseling sessions, and career guidance that is specifically designed of the different students.

How San Jose School District’s Alternative Program Compares

This program appears to be working; San Jose School District has around a seven percent dropout rate as compared to the California state average which is double that rate. The amount of students in the program is smaller than that in other district yet the results seem to be better. The number of students considered for the program is far more than the number of available spaces.

Other alternative educational programs in the state keep the students from actively feeling that they are a part of the school population. San Jose School District’s alternative program relieves the fears that could keep students from taking advantage of this opportunity. This program allows students to attend school functions at their old high school which helps to keep them as a part of the school population and alleviates the stresses the students feel when changing to the alternate campus. When trying to keep students in school these types of pressures might be key in keeping them in school.

More couples saying i do to historic locations

The best place for a couple to start their new life together may be a place that's rich in history.

Historic locations are becoming increasingly popular wedding locations because of their charm, their character and the wealth of attractions for the wedding party to enjoy.

When you pick an historic area, it's easy to coordinate an impressive wedding site, picturesque accommodations and first-class dining.

For example, an increasingly popular wedding location is Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where the Convention and Visitors Bureau offers free planning services for social events such as weddings and family reunions, as well as meetings and conventions.

Besides being rich in national history, the area offers a wealth of beautiful and dramatic locations to be married in, whether you desire a military-themed wedding, a patriotic, Fourth of July wedding or just love the rich heritage found in such locations.

One of the most stunning locations for a wedding is the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park. The chapel commemorates George Washington's life and the nation's history with rich, decorative elements, including statues, carvings and soaring stained glass windows.

The National Patriot's Bell Tower features the Justice Bell, cast to support women's suffrage.

Another beautiful location is the Arcadia University Grey Towers Castle, an impressive mansion on the National Historic Register. The building's vast, elegant rooms contain sweeping grand entrance staircases, walnut paneling and mirrored walls.

Also a sought-after location for ceremonies is The Highlands Mansion and Gardens, a 44-acre historic site with late 18th century Georgian mansion and two-acre formal gardens.

If an outdoor wedding is your dream come true, consider The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The romantic 92-acre Victorian garden displays rare trees, a rose garden, a swan pond, Japanese rock gardens, colorful flower gardens and also an 1898 fernery.

The William Penn Inn, established in 1714, offers an elegant location for a wedding, with guest suites available for overnights. There are also many top-rate conference centers and hotels that cater to events.

Student credit cards why they really are necessary

With more and more reports on student debt increasing to an extent that means graduates are still repaying their debts ten years or more after graduating, you would be forgiven for thinking that you should avoid student credit cards. This, however, doesn’t have to be the case. There are a number of reasons why you may need a credit card and used wisely and carefully, student credit cards can prove to be invaluable assets.

Using A Student Credit Card For Safe Shopping

It’s a fact that more and more people are partaking in Internet shopping of one variety or another. There is a very real chance that you will want to make a purchase over the Internet, whether you are buying your weekly grocery shopping or a birthday present for someone back home. The Internet offers excellent opportunity to purchase items at reduced prices that you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to. A student credit card enables you to shop safely and securely online. Credit cards in general offer a method of secure shopping and many offer insurance against purchases made online.

Building A Future Credit History

Building a credit history is not a simple task for many people but student credit cards enable you to do just that. When the time arrives to buy a house or make a major purchase of a car or other item, you will struggle to find any lender willing to offer you credit unless you have borrowed money before. By using credit cards for college students and ensuring that you make the necessary repayments by the date they are due you will be diligently building a credit history that will benefit you greatly in the future.

Joint Ownership

Credit cards for college students come in various different guises. Possibly the safest option is a student credit card that offers joint ownership between student and parent. This allows parents to repay some or a majority of the credit borrowed but also gives the student the opportunity to repay some of the balance as well. By deciding on a course of action, a budget and spending limits before the card arrives, you can have access to funds when you need them but still be forced to operate sensibly and within your own financial confines.

Limitations And Incentives

As with many cards, credit cards for college students have a set credit limit. Usually these limits are fairly low because students have no or little income to repay the amount borrowed. Again, this can help to manage spending and budgeting effectively. Another feature common to many cards is the incentive program. Credit cards for college students also tend to offer rewards or incentives, although they are usually based around student life and the sensible use of a credit card.

Student life can be a financially difficult time for students and for their parents. A student credit card gives access to money in the case of emergencies or for necessary purchases. Emergency use is the one time when most students and families will see real value in a credit card. By choosing a card that offers joint ownership between parent and child, the spending limit is curbed to some extent and sensible spending and sensible repayment is encouraged.

Blogs-why do people blog

Blogs are becoming very popular. The rate at which the numbers are increasing is mind-boggling. Why is this happening? Why every body wants to create a blog? Who else will read that blog? If everyone is busy writing his/her blog why and when will they get time to search for other blogs and read them? Because of this over population and density, will blogging become another failure? Is it a fad, which will pass away? Let us examine?

Why do people blog? Most of the people write blogs to express themselves. They are sure that on their blog they will get what they want printed. If they write articles or columns for newspapers they may or may not get printed. Writing a blog gives the power to each of us to get printed immediately. I personally write my blog to express myself freely and feel good to see that what I wrote got printed immediately.

Another reason of writing in a blog and website is freedom of design, layout and structure. Blogging gives this freedom. It does not need navigation architecture designs of a website nor a structured menu. You write and get printed - as simple as that. This has a flip side also. In a website one can lay out the information in an easy to access and read format. You can lead your reader to a particular page in a website. You cannot do that on your blog.

Do blogs get read? How does one popularize one's blog? These are difficult questions to answer. For most of us, it is difficult to find time and submit our blog in the increasing number of directories. It is also difficult to make sure that our blog will get one of top rankings in a search. Only the search engines know the secret of that and others only speculate. If we try to read the articles written on this subject, not only the quantity but the difference of opinions will leave most of us tired, frustrated and undecided. One more issue - before you decide that you would want to popularize your blog, please think - whether you search for blogs and read them? A lot many of us are so busy writing our own blogs, that we find no time looking for others. Why should this not apply to our potential readers?

Whatever the pros and cons of blogging, one outcome is certain. Blogs give us the opportunity of writing what we want and get it printed.

Ebay and the advent of cybercash

Gone are the days when only cash (or cattle in some cases) was the only accepted mode of payment for trades. As the concept of trading evolves, so does the means of paying for items.

Today’s electronic world pushes the envelop further. With the advent of online trading systems such as eBay, many new forms of payment have flourished.

First of all, on eBay, the mode of payment depends on the agreement of the buyer and the seller. Most often, the seller will specify his or her desired payment method. In these cases, the seller often has primacy in the decisions regarding payment modes. However, the buyer may still communicate with the seller regarding a viable alternative if it suits both parties.

The following is a list of common eBay payment modes.

Cash On Delivery

Cash is, after all, still cash. This payment method can be done through a third party courier system or by the buyer and seller meeting each other at an agreed place. The advantage of such is that the exchange of item for payment is done in the presence of the buyer and the seller (or the seller’s representative). However, some people will qualm over the risk present when two strangers meet.

Personal Check

One popular method of payment is personal check. Writing checks is easy and safe. However, many sellers do not like accepting check because they are easy to cancel.

PayPal

PayPal is the payment of choice on eBay. In fact, eBay owns PayPal.

Using PayPal is easy, convenient, and relatively safe. PayPal acts as like an internet ‘wire transfer.’

After signing up for PayPal, one may send cash over to anyone with an email address using the PayPal system. PayPal also has security features that safeguards against fraud in case there is dispute between the seller and the buyer. This system is best for transactions up to $1000.

Escrow. com

Escrow. com is the payment of choice for purchases over $500. Escrow. com holds the buyer’s money from the seller until the seller delivers the item. Only then will the funds be released to the seller. This system makes for a very safe, although highly procedural transaction.

Wire Transfer

This is the payment of choice for countries that do not carry the PayPal service. Wire transfers are risky because the buyer usually has to wire over the funds before the seller sends the items. The chance for non-delivery of items is high.

Other Payment Systems

The number of third party payment services is steadily on the rise. Their systems for payment vary. However, to be successful they must be convenient to use and safe as well.