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Since our oldest child recently graduated from high school and will be heading off to college soon we've had a full year of learning about how to navigate the financial aid system.
While it is a very intimidating process my husband has a good understanding of how it all works. Plus our local high schools offer financial aid workshops for parents and students. We attended our first workshop when our son was in his junior year. Then we went to another one when he was a senior.
We all know that obtaining a higher education is costly. Over the past couple of years we've learned that our home state, Pennsylvania, is one of top states where the cost of tuition for a public 4-year institution of higher education is the most expensive. What a frightening statistic! We do not want our children to be burdened with thousands upon thousands of dollars of student loan debt hanging over their heads for 20+ years beyond college!
So we--mostly my husband--hunkered down over the past year or so and went to work to figure out the financial aid process. Here's a very informational graphic provided by snhu.edu that will help guide you through the process:
Brought to You by SNHU.EDU Online College Programs
This is a very large graphic but if you take some time to look it over I'm sure you'll find it helpful. The financial aid process can cause worry, but if you take your time and research the process then it isn't quite as bad as you might think!
Okay, more sharing to come soon...until then,
I've posted about No More Rack in the past but I am writing about this fun and fabulous website once again. Every day right before noon I get emails that feature their daily deals. I have to say that my heart skips a beat when I see those emails come through. I love to shop, but nomorerack.com makes my shopping experience even more enjoyable because of their rock bottom prices. I tend to be frugal and with three teenagers who constantly have their hands outstretched wanting more cash my pocket book ends up looking pretty thin. The low prices they offer grab my attention easily. And just recently they've begun hosting 'Evening Events' which include even more deals starting at 6:00 PM. So the shopping fun continues as the day wears on.
Previously I wrote about their 'insanity deals' which have included super hot items such as an iPod touch, a Playstation 3, an HDTV and more at incredibly low prices. They use the term 'insanity' for a reason. It's unbelievable how low their prices are. But with that being said you have to understand that those items are really hard to come by. But the good outweighs the bad as far as I'm concerned and I'm still pleased with the other wonderful items they offer.
From toys to clothing to jewelry to sports memorabilia to kitchen gadgets and so much more their selection is growing by leaps and bounds. I am a purse fanatic and I also love to buy jewelry, especially bracelets. These items are offered on a regular basis and after lots of daily drooling I finally bit the bullet and bought a purse from No More Rack. I love it! It's covered in sequins and bright colors all on a black background. It's right up my alley and I was very happy when I received my purchase. With that being said I realized another fabulous benefit of No More Rack...their super low ship fee. They only charge a $2.00 flat shipping fee per item. That's just about unheard of!
Take a few minutes to stop by their website and sign up for their emails. I'm confident you'll find something of interest and, if you are careful when it comes to spending money you'll be pleased with their prices!
Okay, gotta run now...more fun on the way...until then,
Bankruptcy. It's an intimidating word. I get a knot in my stomach just typing it. Thankfully my husband and I haven't had to deal with bankruptcy, but being self employed I have to admit that the subject creeps into the back of my mind every so often and I get nervous...very nervous. As the saying goes, "No one knows what the future holds", and with a high anxiety personality like mine I've contemplated the subject and how we would handle it if it were to become a reality for our family.
Though not an issue for us we have a family friend who has had to live through bankruptcy. And we have another friend who could be headed down this same path if he can't work out his debt issues. In talking with these friends over the past few years I've learned a little bit about the different types of bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy can completely wipe out credit card debt, medical bills and utility bills, but the bankruptcy court could order you to sell some of your property so you can repay your creditors. However, this practice varies from state to state.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to work out a repayment plan in bankruptcy court regarding your mortgage and auto loans. And if you have credit card debt or medical bills you may be able to reduce or eliminate those bills as well.
Although I shouldn't generalize I blame the bad economy for one friend choosing to file for bankruptcy. He and his wife were self employed as mortgage brokers and they basically lost everything in the drastic economic tumble from a few years ago. But many people have gotten in over their heads financially through a variety of means and many times it can only be blamed on reckless financial decision making. No matter the reason bankruptcy occurs more often now than ever before and it doesn't seem to have the stigma attached to it as it did in the past. Just about everyone I know has had to deal with looming debt of some sort. Many friends have made great changes in the way they handle their money and worked very hard to get their financial lives back on track. Others feel they have no other option but to consider bankruptcy. Since there is no 'one-size-fits-all' answer everyone has to choose the path that works best for them.
Bankruptcy laws were created to help you get out of debt. If you are feeling completely overwhelmed and nervous and need some guidance you can find relief. Contact an Omaha Bankruptcy Attorney for advice on the subject. They have the expertise and experience in helping people figure out a solution to their debt issues.
Bankruptcy can be an intimidating subject, but there is help out there so don't be afraid or too embarrassed to ask. You certainly are not alone.
Okay...more discussions to come...until then,
Okay...this is just TOO WEIRD...TOO FREAKY..
...OR...
is it plain and simple...synchronicity???
Just last night I blogged about how 'Change is Possible'. In this post I discussed how I need to change the way I think or at least, in a sense, pump up the volume and start setting my benchmarks for financial success higher.
Then this morning I was trying to catch up on my reading. I clicked open my Daily Guru email from earlier this week and this is what it said:
“ ...what I focus on in life is what I get. And if I concentrate on how bad I am or how wrong I am or how inadequate I am, if I concentrate on what I can’t do and how there’s not enough time in which to do it, isn’t that what I get every time? And when I think about how powerful I am, and when I think about what I have left to contribute, and when I think about the difference I can make on this planet, then that’s what I get. You see, I recognize that it’s not what happens to you; it’s what you do about it.” -- W. Mitchell
What are your thoughts??? I say it's synchronicity. I believe it's the universe telling me, "Yes, Jane. You're on the right track. Keep going in this direction." I believe it's a nudge from my many spiritual advisers.
Yeah...I'm sure many of you think I'm a bit 'out there'. But this is exactly how I've grown my business. From the very beginning...from the word go...I listened to my instincts....I've listened to my inner voice. I always paid attention to what the universe was showing me and I sincerely believe that's why I've had such success.
Okay...have a busy morning ahead and lots of running around. But I'll be back with more soon. Until then,
...one of my favorite financial experts, Suze Orman.
Top 10 Money Tips for Women
Found the article on Yahoo this morning. I believe it offers solid advice that every woman...and man...needs to hear!
Love to listen to her or read any bit of information that she shares!
More on the way...until then,
I recently learned of a website called Daily Worth. Subscribe and you'll get "...free daily personal finance emails that include practical tips, empowering ideas and an occasional kink in the pants!"
The emails I most appreciate are the ones that include inspirational quotes and advice...this quote is at the beginning of every email:
"Damn right, you are. Don't underestimate your own value. Financially, professionally, creatively. In every sense of the word. Know your worth, appreciate it, make it clear, and the world will recognize it. Undervalue who you are, and the world will undervalue what you do." -Suze Orman
I always loved Suze Orman. The first time I ever saw her on TV was in August of 1998 when I was in the hospital after having my youngest son. He had to stay at the hospital for a few days which left me with a lot of time on my hands. Since the selection of channels on the hospital TV is minimal I surfed a bit. Thankfully I stumbled upon Suze's series of shows on PBS. From the first moment I watched her I simply 'GOT' her point. To this day I love to watch her show and take in her advice.
As I get more of the inspirational quotes for Daily Worth I'll happily share them with you...until then, 
