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3 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Sending Your Kid to College

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The day that your son or daughter is accepted to the university of their dreams is a proud day for you as a parent. Unfortunately, though, it is also the start of the stressful process of trying to find the funding required to send your kid to college. From rising tuition costs to room and board, there are so many things that contribute to the overall cost of attending a four-year university these days.

While at first glance, you might be wondering how you are going to afford to help your child earn their college degree, there are certainly plenty of options out there that can help reduce these costs. Here are three ways that you might be able to cut down the expenses associated with college.

1. Scholarships

Scholarships are probably the most popular route to take when it comes to finding funding for further education. There are a lot of different scholarships out there that range in the amount you can receive to cover part of your college funding or even the full cost of tuition. The key is to find the right scholarships for the university your child hopes to attend, and then apply to as many as possible.

For instance, if your child wishes to go to college in Ohio, you need to find scholarships in Ohio specifically. You can visit CampusReel to find out more about this. Some federal scholarships might be applicable to universities all over the country, while others will only be available for use locally. No matter which scholarships your child wants to apply for, make sure that they start applying early so that they can increase their chances of receiving as much additional funding as possible.

2. Shop Around

Some students dream of attending a particular university and are not willing to compromise that dream. While there is nothing wrong with this concept in general, it is important to highlight to your child that some universities are far more affordable than others.

Take into account the difference between attending college in your home state instead of going out of state. There is a significant difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition. If your child is willing to attend a university closer to home, then you could stand to save a significant amount if they continue to live at home.

Furthermore, the cost of attending a private university is far greater than that of a state school. While private schools can be more prestigious, an education from a state university can be just as valuable for a fraction of the cost.

3. Start Small

While attending a four-year university is the goal of most students, you and your child might consider the option of taking a year or two at a community college first and then transferring to a major university. There are core classes that all college students must complete in the pursuit of a degree. Often, these classes can be taken at a community college for a considerably lower cost compared to the tuition at a large university, and then those credits can transfer over to a university.

SIX UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FOR HER BIRTHDAY

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Experiencing love is the most beautiful feeling in the world. Some people spend lifetimes searching for their soul mate, while others have her right before their eyes and lose them in a heartbeat. A handful of these lucky lovers get to have their emotions reciprocated from the other end. Those who do, share that they feel like they’ve conquered the world and to lose their better half would be like having their soul ripped apart from the body. But let’s not go over the subject of losing love, shall we?

Guys who get to know the true meaning and pure essence of love can value their partners deservingly. They adore everything quirky and witty about their girl’s personality. Technically speaking, it isn’t too hard for them to find innocence in her tantrums, see the love behind her anger, and notice an odd touch of elegance in her blatant mannerisms. In a nutshell, they are head over heels for the love of their life, and there’s no curing them. At times, you can easily misunderstand the motives behind their over-protective attitude and the desire to look out for you. But even that doesn’t stop them from picking the thorns out of your flowers. And honestly, no girl deserves anything less from the guy of their dreams.

Unfortunately, you can’t take out the mundane elements from relationships that are well seated in people’s minds. Gifts, surprises, and presents are all as necessary for a healthy relationship as love itself. If it isn’t the girl that wants displays of affection in the form of expensive items and settings, then the guys do it from their end to exhibit how much they love them. As a result of it, birthdays become even more special than they already were. Whatever the reasons may be, the case rests with the outcome that people like to show how much their love means to them. And to achieve it, they go out of their way to find the most unique and distinctive gifts for their birthdays. But there are only so many options from which you get to choose.

However, here are six unique gift ideas that might help you decide what to get for her birthday.

1. JEWELRY

The go-to idea of a birthday gift for any guy to get her girl is of jewelry. It offers a diverse variety of options, it hardly goes out of fashion, and it suits every girl. Besides, the best part about getting jewelry items is that you can adjust the costs according to your budget. Gold is more coveted, but you can easily find equally beautiful silver earrings or necklaces by searching online. Put them together with a bunch of flowers and chocolates, and there you have it, a perfect gift for your girl.

2. TIME CAPSULES AND DATE JARS

The most attractive parts of a relationship are the many adventures and wild experiences that you get to have. They can be from your dates, parties, or just some random family functions where you invite your love to join you. An incredible gift idea for your girl would be time-capsules of lively incidents at these functions that you both can cherish when you are old.

Or, you can give her a date jar with all kinds of dates that you want to have with her. She gets to choose one every year on her birthday until you are out of years to live.

3. CARRY-ON COSMETIC KIT

The lady of your life might not be too conscious of how she looks, but it falls onto you to never let a makeup malfunction spoil her night. A handy cosmetic kit for her birthday is a great option. You can pull her out of an embarrassing situation even when you are not there. Also, take the liberty of throwing in a stain removal pen along with all those cosmetic essentials. That way, she can even handle wine spills and maintain her charming posture.

4. HYGIENE KIT

Only you know the many habits that your girl has. One of them could be over-sensitive care of hygiene that people around her fail to practice. You can expect her rubbing restaurant cutlery items or trying to avoid touching trolley handles and doorknobs. If she does this, then do her the favor of getting a hygiene kit on her birthday. It can include rubber gloves, face wipes, face masks, deodorants, alcohol wipes, and everything else that she could ask for to keep up with her habits.

5. SAFETY MANUALS/COURSES

The world turns out to be a darker place as time goes by, and it is hard to ensure the safety of your loved ones. If your girl feels the same but thinks that she is no match for a man, then you need to change this mindset. Encourage her to be self-confident and teach her how to take care of herself. Remind her that she’s no less than a man in any way. Enroll her in a self-defense course and get her a safety manual to study. If the need arises, keep a pepper spray in her bag to fend off the bad guys. Rest assured, she will be more independent than she thought in no time.

6. FRAMES/MUGS/PLAYLISTS

The best gifts are those that keep you connected through time and space. It can be a photo frame, couple mugs, or a playlist that you think suits your relationship. These items may seem insignificant, but they are timeless. And no, they are not only for the movies. So this birthday, try and do something that makes you guys eternal.

SUMMARY

These were the six most unique ideas that you can put to good use. You may find some of these old schools, and some not good enough to make it to the list, but that’s what keeps everything in balance. A complete mixture of every element to makes your love life a success.

COVID19: SEVEN BEST WORK FROM HOME GEAR

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The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. The epidemic has forced people to rethink their routine tasks and changed the course of their daily activities. The COVID-19 continues to spread at an alarming rate, and the situation is evolving by the day. The spread has had grave effects on the economy worldwide and compelled businesses to change their practices. Industries are struggling hard to cope up with the situation and have resumed working in some areas to have some semblance of normalcy.

Social distancing, travel bans, lockdown, and a ban on large gatherings have shifted traditional working to work-from-home. Firms have integrated technology to keep their businesses afloat. Businesses have turned to digital tools to pick up their work and generate revenue. Many employees do not have sufficient knowledge of technology and find themselves at a loss about how to perform their office work from home. Below we are listing down some gadgets that will make your transition to work-from-home smooth and seamless.

1. Robust Wi-Fi

A secure Wi-Fi connection is the foremost thing that you will need to work from your home. Weak Wi-Fi interrupts the flow and slows down your performance. Invest in a service provider that has a reputation for providing stable connection so that you will not have to suffer from the sudden slowdowns of the Internet. Businesses require you to stay connected to other employees, and a secure connection enables you to send and receive messages in an instant. Online meetings, monetary transactions, sending and receiving emails all need a stable connection to be productive.

2. Headphones

Every business runs on communication, and when there is a disruption, the company suffers. COVID-19 has changed the way employees used to meet and greet, now they are all confined in their homes. Headphones are vital for online communication as it helps in canceling the noise from the outside world so that listener can focus well. They improve the concentration span and enables listeners to focus on the task at hand. Earplugs are comfortable on skin and ears, wearing them for longer duration does not wear one down.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s challenging to visit a retail store to purchase one, so it’s better to opt for an online store to find quality online earplugs that will make your work easy. Earplugs are beneficial as they keep you hands-free since you can take notes while listening to the instructions online.

3. Desk and Chair

Most people find working from home difficult because of the absence of an office environment. While it is not possible to recreate the exact atmosphere but you can bring some appearance of office at home. Work-from-home means sitting in one spot for a longer duration. A comfortable chair and ergonomic desk will help in creating a small office in your home. A designated area with a chair and table can be your little workplace from home.

4. Web Camera

Video conference is accessible to anyone having a web camera. Employees need to discuss several matters together, and a web camera allows them to observe the facial expression and body language while sitting miles apart. Besides, switching on the web camera means dressing up in formal clothes, which helps in creating a mood of work.

5. Firewall

Information and privacy are of vital importance in the business world. The firewall network security system keeps the computer safe by preventing unauthorized access from unknown networks. Organizations generally have either a hardware or software or a combination of both to keep their data secure. While working from home, experts highly recommend a firewall installation so that you can work without putting your firm’s information at risk.

6. Mouse and Keyboard

Usually, people possess a laptop and feel they do not need to purchase a separate keyboard or a mouse. That may be true when you need to use your laptop only in your leisure time at home, but when you spend more than 8 hours straight working on it, chances are you will want to change your posture often. An external keyboard and mouse give you the flexibility to move around while doing your thing on a laptop. Besides, it increases productivity and enables you to work from a distance, which prevents straining your eyes.

7. Backup Internet Service

None of those previously mentioned gear will be of any use if your Internet crawls. The mode work-from-home has become possible because of the blessings of the Internet. The Internet may start crippling at times or comes to a complete halt, and when you are working, you cannot leave things to chance as it may lead to financial loss. A secondary Internet connection comes like a guardian angel in these situations. The corporate world has to go on, and it will not stop because your Internet was slow.. Having a backup Internet connection enables you to pick up right from where you left when your existing connection starts showing issues.

Conclusion

The outbreak of COVID-19 has shaken up the businesses and changed their behavior on a massive scale. The companies who have adapted to work-from-home are managing to survive in this epidemic. Advancement in technology has acted as a savior. This black swan has forced employees to work-from-home, and for that, they need certain items to perform their tasks. Computer and Internet connection are of vital importance, among others, to keep the workflow smooth.

What You Need to Know About Medicare if You’re Turning 65

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While turning 65 means you’ll be eligible for a number of senior discounts, for most, it also means you’re finally eligible for Medicare. If you’re going to be turning 65 this year, it helps to familiarize yourself with Medicare so that when the time comes to apply, you know just what kind of coverage you need. The information below can help you decide what type of Medicare you need based on whether you already have insurance through a spouse or your employer and other factors.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Depending on which type of Medicare you have (Part A, B, C, or D), you’ll be covered for a number of services.

Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B) covers inpatient and outpatient care, including hospital stays and at-home care, as well as medical tests, doctor’s visits, medical supplies, long-term preventative care, and X-rays. Parts A and B are often referred to as Original Medicare and are typically offered by the Social Security Administration.

Medicare Parts C and D are offered through private, Medicare-approved insurance companies. Part C is a combination of Parts A, B and typically D. Part C is often called a Medicare Advantage Plan and usually provides added benefits like transportation, fitness programs, hearing aids, and vision, and dental. Part D covers prescription drugs. If you take prescription medications regularly for a condition like high blood pressure, you’ll want to strongly consider getting Part C or Part D.

When Should You Apply

You can only apply for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a seven-month window during the following time periods:

  • The month you turn 65
  • Three months before you turn 65
  • Three months after you turn 65

How to Apply for Medicare Parts A and B

In order to apply for Medicare, you’ll need the following:

  • A copy of your W-2 from your employer
  • Your birth certificate (original)
  • Your Social Security card
  • Proof of citizenship or legal citizenship documentation

If you’re already getting Social Security benefits four months before you turn 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B. Before your 65th birthday, the Social Security Administration usually sends you Medicare information and a Medicare card.

However, if you’re still working and you haven’t started receiving Social Security benefits, you can sign up for Medicare online or at your local Social Security office. If you’re doing it online, you can apply in as little as 10 minutes.

How to Apply for Parts C or D

If you decide you want to go ahead and get parts C or D, make sure you’ve already signed up for Parts A and B. But remember, Parts C and D are optional. You only need them if you want additional services like vision and dental, hearing aids, and prescription drugs.

To sign up for Parts C or D, you’ll have to sign up through a private insurance company. Before purchasing Parts C or D, compare plans for coverage and calculate your monthly and yearly costs so that you know exactly what you’re covered for and how much you can reasonably afford to spend (factoring in things like premiums, deductibles, and copays and coinsurance).

Finding the Right Coverage for You

Turning 65 means knowing your options when it comes to affordable medical care and researching your coverage options with trusted providers. If you need help, it doesn’t hurt to ask questions when you’re not sure about something. Getting all of the information you need ahead of time can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about making the right decision when the time comes. So, start early and you’ll be well on your way to getting the coverage you need to make taking care of your health during retirement as simple as possible.

How Remote Working Is A Great Opportunity To Earn Extra Money: Tips By Ladder Advisors

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Introduction

  • Are you worried about being laid off during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis?
  • Do you want to save some money in order to help you get over the economic crisis?
  • Have you tried exploring for a Plan B in case, your normal job does not last for a long time?
  • Are you aware how you can create a steady flow of income by devoting just a couple of hours every day?

The Coronavirus Crisis is expected to plunge the global financial world into a depression. Experts predicts this depression to be worse than the 2007-2008 period. Millions of Americans have started claiming unemployment benefits from the state.

All over the world, millions of jobs have been lost. We are fighting not only a war with the Coronavirus, but also against job losses and financial security. The situation might appear bleak. However, if you are smart and positive, you can turn around this bad situation into your advantage.

In this article Ladder Advisors, helps you earn extra money while remote working. This will help you boost your personal finances.

3 Ideas to boost your income while working remotely: Ladder Advisors

  1. Doing work in different time zones (getting outsource work)-

If you are a graphic designer who is based in America and working remotely, you can always explore other options in different time zones. For example, you can look for work in countries like China and India. This will help you earn some extra cash to save for a rainy day.

As most countries are working on a different time zone, if you are able to wrap up your own work quickly, you can start working for different companies in different countries. Yes, it might be tough, but we are going through some extraordinary times.

  1. Explore Part-Time Job Opportunities in industries, which are growing-

If you are not going to office and are working remotely, you are saving at least three hours every day in travel and lunchtime hours. This is a very good opportunity to use the time and take up part time jobs in industries needing work force.

For example, Amazon, Walmart and others who are delivering essential services require millions of new workers to help them service consumers at home. For three hours every day, you can sign up on Amazon and service different parts of your neighbourhood. This is not only good money, but also a socially responsible thing to do.

  1. Talk to your Financial Advisor and work out a solution, if things get tough-

According to Ladder Advisors, most people do not realize that great financial advises can go a long way in helping tide over difficult situations. If you are struggling financially, you can seek help from a credible and reputed financial adviser who can help you.

From settling your outstanding debts in an easy and convenient fashion, to securing the financial advice on how you should manage your assets, financial advisers are a boon in crises. Contrary to popular opinion, they are very affordable and offer humane solutions to problems.

Conclusion

Most of us have either one of two options ahead of us. Either we can get depressed and blame external factors for tough times, or we can take tough steps and efforts to improve our situation. By adhering to the recommendations of Ladder Advisors, we can ensure that we take control of our personal finances and make the most of it while working remotely.

Can you think of some other income earning opportunities, which people can explore while working remotely? Please share them with us to help our community in the comments section below.

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