5 Tips for Navigating Your College Career

 Navigating college can be tricky, especially if it's your first time doing so. Don't worry — there are plenty of ways to make your academic career easier and more enjoyable. Here are five tips for getting through school.

Change Your Major If You Want To

You might start college thinking you want to pursue a certain career, but you could change your mind at any time. That's okay! If you're no longer happy with your major or want to try something different, go for it. College is a tool to help you prepare for the future, so change your major a hundred times if that's what it takes to find something you love. Talk to your academic advisor to learn about your options.

What Young People Can Do to Ensure a Financially Stable Future

 In a world where the average person changes jobs 10-15 times during their lifetime, it's more important than ever to start planning for your financial future as early as possible. While there are no guarantees in life, there are certain steps young people can take to increase their chances of achieving long-term financial stability. This blog post will discuss some of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for a secure future.

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1) Start Saving As Early As Possible

One of the most important things you can do for your financial future is to start saving as early as possible. Even if it's just a small amount each month, over time, that money will add up, and you'll be able to use it for emergencies or other important expenses. There are many different ways to save money, so find one that best suits your lifestyle and budget. Some popular methods include:

Let's Keep Your Finances Healthy The Right Way

 Keeping your finances at the right level isn’t the massive challenge that you might think. Here are some simple steps that you can take to achieve this goal. 

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Avoid The Repairs

First, you need to make sure that you avoiding expensive repairs and replacements where possible. One of the best ways to do this is to complete the right checks. For instance, one of the most expensive issues with your home is always going to be a boiler repair or replacement. This can be avoided completely if you make sure that you do complete checks on these home elements on a regular basis. Your boiler in particular should be checked annually or bi-annually. This will help you avoid a replacement that could result in a bill costing you thousands rather than hundreds. 

You need to make sure that you are avoiding car repairs as well. If you speak to a car accident lawyer, they will tell you that the easier way to do this is to make sure that you do keep your car well maintained. 

Pawn Shops Provide Hassle-Free Loans on Valuable Items

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When you run short of money and need some quick, your local pawn shop can help if you have anything of value.  Walk into a pawn shop, and check out the various items they take for pawn.  You may be surprised to see the latest in home appliances, jewelry, name-brand items such as tennis shoes, and expensive purses.  The things you find there have to be of good quality, and in perfect working condition.  These stores have a reputation to maintain, so they want merchandise that is appealing to consumers.  Many pawnbrokers in large cities have more than one pawn shop. This is very convenient for customers who will not have to drive a long distance to get to one.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Fundraising Campaign

 Running a fundraising campaign can be both rewarding and exhausting. Whether you're school fundraising, fundraising for a new club, your favorite charity, or your child's sports team, there are many steps to take to ensure that you'll get the most out of your campaign. If you're looking for new ideas on how to maximize your fundraising campaign, this blog post is right for you! We've got five great ways to make your next fundraiser super successful.

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Set A Target

Before you can start making your fundraising campaign a success, you need to know your target goal. This will help you determine how much you'll need to raise and how many people you'll need to reach to make it happen. When deciding on your target goal, keep in mind that the more ambitious it is, the better your chances are of meeting it. But don't be too ambitious! Make sure that your proposed goal is realistic and attainable for the time frame of your campaign. If possible, try using data from other similar drives or surveys of potential donors to help set a realistic goal. Once you've established a target goal, use it as inspiration to get people involved with your fundraiser!

How to Recover from Holiday Spending Using Your Phone #Swagbucks

Did you find yourself spending a little more than you had anticipated over the holidays? It's easy to do, especially when you want to give all your friends and family the perfect gifts. Well, I have an easy way for you to recover from your holiday spending from the convenience of your cell phone.

Swagbucks is the web’s most popular rewards program that gives you free gift cards and cash for the everyday things you already do online. Whenever you shop, watch videos or search the web, Swagbucks gives you points called SB. You can use your SB to redeem gift cards to hundreds of your favorite stores.    

With the Swagbucks Mobile and SBTV apps, I can use my spare minutes to earn free gift cards on my phone! Like the Swagbucks website, I can rack up SB by shopping, answering surveys and watching videos.    

While you wait for the coffee to brew, download free games and other apps through the Discover tab: 20 SB    

During commercial breaks, take a featured survey or fill out your survey profile: 60 SB    

While standing in line at the grocery store, answer the daily poll: 1 SB    

When you’ve finally made it to the gym, watch style, tech and celeb news through the SBTV app: 2 SB for every 10 videos    

Just as you’ve put dinner in the oven, your Swagbucks app tells you there’s a new Swag Code!: 3 SB    
Before you go to sleep, use the Swagbucks app to shop from your favorite stores. You deserve it!: 100 SB    

By downloading the Swagbucks mobile app, I can earn a free $10 gift card by the end of my week. Who knew playing on my phone could be so productive!    

Invite your friends to download the Swagbucks Mobile app so they can start earning their way to free gift cards. It's 100% free to download and 100% easy to use. Its available for both iPhone and Android devices.

4 Things to Consider When Moving to a New State

 Moving to a new state can be exhilarating. It's an opportunity to discover new people, places, and things that you never knew existed before. But it can also be stressful - especially if you've never lived in the state before. The good news is that there are many aspects of your move that you can plan for ahead of time, so you don't get caught off guard when the big day arrives! This blog post will discuss four important considerations when preparing to make a move from one state to another.

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The Benefits of Getting a Police Loan to Buy a Home

 

As an officer of the law or support staff, you do so much for the community to ensure order and peace prevail every time. For this reason, you are entitled to live one of the best and most comfortable lives. Buying a home is one factor that contributes to such a lifestyle. Nonetheless, if your finances are low, you may consider applying for one of the law enforcement home loans CO, and enjoy its benefits. The advantages of acquiring such funding to purchase a residential property are explained below.

Simple Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill

 

Two of my crazy kids
helping me grocery shop

Times are tough, and many people are looking for ways they can save a few dollars here and there. While drastic changes are difficult and not easy to sustain long term, there are many little things you can do to save money on your grocery bill. Here are just some of the things you can try to make your money stretch a little further without feeling like you have to completely change your diet.

Try a Meal Kit Service

While meal kit services started out quite expensive, cheaper options are becoming more readily available as the food kit service industry is gaining popularity. Most services let you customize your plan for your lifestyle and budget, based on how many people you need to feed and how many meal kits you would like per week.

Buy Ingredients in Bulk

For ingredients that don't need to be used up in just a few days or a couple of weeks, you can often save money in the long run by buying these ingredients in bulk. Try looking for a bulk organic ingredients provider that can deliver high-quality ingredients in bulk so you don't need to shop for them as often.

What You Need To Know About Finances & Making Money When Self-Employed

 

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As a freelancer, it is important to be good with your finances. You don't want to run out of money and also you won't want to be looking over your shoulder. If you can manage your finances well and make the right decisions, then your business might just profit.

While self-employment can give people more freedom than working for someone else, it can also be a big responsibility. People who are self-employed need to know how much taxes they should pay and how much they need to save for retirement.

Self-employed people should be financially literate because they are the ones managing their own finances and are the primary decision-makers in their company. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about your finances and making money.

How To Obtain Services When You're Homeless

 

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On any given night, over 550,000 individuals in the U.S. experience homelessness. This is due to any number of conditions. No matter what the situation, they require assistance to get their lives back in order. 

Even though many of these people and families feel they're alone, numerous agencies are available to help them. Here are a few options to obtain services when you're homeless.

Basic Tips for Personal Investment in the Stock Market

 

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Stock market investment is the most unpredictable form of personal investment. Such a high-risk-high-reward environment requires an investor to be on their toes for new financial opportunities. If you have recently acquired your first stocks or you are looking to invest, here are some basic tips to prepare yourself for a successful stock market career.  

Picture Your Investment Goals

You should ask yourself, why do you want to invest in the first place? Your investment aspirations should be attainable and entirely feasible. Do not try to use investing as a get-rich-quick scheme. This intention isn't realistic, and while it is possible to increase your personal wealth by investing in the stock market, it will not happen overnight. Growing your earnings will take a lot of time, dedication, and experience. Raw ambition may prompt you to invest unwisely.

Buy Low But Not Too Low

Buying cheap stocks, also known as penny stocks, may seem like a great idea if you're new to the world of stocks and bonds. You may think that they are a lower risk when compared to pricier stocks, but cheap stocks are actually more unstable because they are not subject to regulation, and you are more likely to lose money. Penny stocks are also inclined to be involved in penny stock scams, and they are harder to sell when you want to get rid of them.

Be Logical About Your Investment Decisions

In January of 2020, well-known entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted about "using Signal." Investors started pouring money into a company with the word "signal" in its name, drastically inflating its stock prices. Musk later clarified that he was talking about a business that was completely unrelated to the one that had garnered so much attention. He also explained that his tweet was simply stating that people should use its app services more often, not that they should invest in it.

This incident illustrates how important it is to be rational about your investment decisions and not fall prey to hype. Letting emotions and impulsivity dictate one's actions is a common investing mistake to watch out for.

Stay Well Informed

Even if you lead a busy lifestyle, you should always make time to learn more about investing. Consider subscribing to a specialty magazine for personal finance articles or buying books on relevant topics. You can also surf the web for free informative content. Prominent bankers like Julio Herrera Velutini have a plethora of articles on their blogs for investors of all experience levels.

Don't Trade Too Often

Review your portfolio quarterly and keep track of long-term trends in all company stocks. Checking your stocks more often than that may make you feel antsy, especially if a company experiences a hiccup. Such changes are likely to be temporary and selling that stock could end up hurting you.

If the stock's decrease is severe, research the reasons for the downturn before making any permanent decisions.

Investing in the stock market doesn't have to be incredibly complicated, and you do not have to be a billionaire to get started. Following these general guidelines will help you make smart investment decisions.

How Purchasing A Car Can Be An Investment

 Most people will have two significant types of investments in their lifetime. Purchasing property is one, and purchasing a vehicle is the other. Purchasing a car can be an investment rather than an expense. Here are some of the signs that purchasing your dream car could lead to added benefits in the long run.

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Possible Benefits:

1. Your car should last for at least five years (after which it will need replacement parts), especially if you treat it well and follow all maintenance precautions, e.g., changing oil every so often.

2. There is also resale value attached to cars, meaning even when your model gets older, you still have a chance of reselling it for something less than what you bought it for originally. According to Edmunds, there's usually between $1,500 and $2,000 loss in value over three years old used vehicles, but that doesn't mean your car automatically becomes scrap at three years.

3. If you have owned a car for a long time, your parts will be worn down and need replacement. Since cars require regular maintenance during their lifetime, the car owner is expected to spend money on everything ranging from oil changes to spark plugs and more. This means that over the course of 5 or 10 years of owning a car, you should expect to purchase all new parts and pay mechanic fees. As these costs add up over time, it's important to note that they can definitely become investments as opposed to expenses.

Expensive Vehicles

Other factors such as gas prices do come into play when purchasing an expensive vehicle. Of course, there are plenty of free benefits such as convenience and better driving experience, which might not necessarily count as "investments," but they definitely contribute to the positive outcome of owning an expensive car.

Affordable Vehicles

As for small or used cars, there are still benefits that shouldn't be ignored when purchasing them. It's true that most owners of older models need to spend money on repairs and parts replacements more often than owners of newer models, but it doesn't mean they should never buy a used car. Some people prefer buying cheaper models in order to save up or pay whatever is due right away; some might want smaller vehicles because bigger ones aren't practical in big cities; others don't care for bells and whistles as long as the engine runs smoothly - all these reasons point out that when you purchase your dream vehicle (used or not), it will bring you satisfaction and financial benefits at some point or another.

All in all, purchasing an expensive car is a decision that should be made carefully and after thorough consideration of what it means to own both the vehicle itself and its different parts over time. There are advantages to buying cars with high resale value, but there are also disadvantages such as higher monthly payments. 

Make An Informed Decision

When you weigh every factor before actually hitting the market for a good used car, you'll have enough information to decide whether spending money on your dream ride will help you achieve your goals!

5 Situations When Your Life Insurance Policy Won't Pay Out

 Life insurance is something that a lot of people don't think about, especially when they are younger. However, disaster could strike at any time and it's important that your family is protected, so you need to think about taking out a policy. 

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But one thing that people don't always realize when they first get life insurance is that it's not guaranteed to pay out. In fact, there are certain situations where your insurance company will refuse to pay a settlement to your family. Understanding your policy and knowing what situations are covered is the only way to make sure your family is protected. These are some of the situations when your life insurance policy won't pay out. 

Unlawful Denials

There are certain reasons for denied payments that are written into your contract, and we'll get on to those. But it's important to note that insurance companies will sometimes deny a claim without a legitimate reason. In this situation, you need to contact insurance claim attorneys and explain your situation to them. Knowing your policy inside out is the best way to avoid and fight unlawful denials, so read it properly before you sign anything.

False Information On Applications

The majority of life insurance applications ask if the person applying has any serious medical conditions. This is because certain illnesses can mean that someone won't live as long, which means they're more likely to die during the term of the policy. If you fail to mention something on your application then this could invalidate your claim. This doesn't just apply to health conditions either, any false information is grounds for denying your claim, so always double-check your forms before submitting. You also need to make sure you update your policy after any major changes to your life circumstances or your health. 

Terminal Illness

Some policies will not cover you if you have a terminal illness. This means that you have a very serious illness with no chance of recovery. Your insurer may decide to pay out a smaller amount, but they won't pay out the full amount. If you're buying life insurance then it's worth asking about their policy on terminal illnesses and which health problems will result in them not paying out. 

Suicide

If you commit suicide during the term of your policy then it will not pay out. Depending on when this happens, it could invalidate the policy completely. However, if you take out a policy and then attempt suicide but fail then this won't necessarily be considered to be a suicide attempt unless there is proof that you intended to end your life.

Outliving Your Policy

Most life insurance policies only cover you for a certain amount of time. If you outlive your policy then your insurance company won't pay you out, because the term is now over. That's why it's crucial to check your policy regularly and update it when needed. 

Knowing when your life insurance policy won't pay out is so important if you want to prepare for the future and protect your family. 

How To Pick A Financial Advisor For Your Needs

Finances are one of the most important aspects of running your life in a way that makes sense to you. Financial goals, investments, and saving for retirement are all different ways that you can help plan out your finances that help you meet your future goals. However, there are many different aspects to finances, and making the right decisions by yourself can be an incredibly difficult process. This is why you should consider hiring the help of a professional financial advisor. A financial advisor can help you make better decisions with your money. However, it can be difficult to know if hiring a financial advisor is right for your situation. This is especially true if you're someone who has some idea of what to do with your money. If you want to make the best decision for your future, you may have thought about hiring a financial advisor to help you make plans for the future. Everything from owning your own home in the future, to investing and divesting your assets can be incredibly difficult to maintain on your own, so hiring the help of a financial advisor can be the best way to get the biggest bang out of your buck. 

Experience 

Every single person has a unique financial life, so it's common sense that you'll look for a financial advisor that has experience in the fields that work best for you. When looking for a financial advisor, you'll want to look for someone who specializes or has experience with your specific goals and what you're working towards. If you're looking for a financial advisor that can help you with your company, look for professionals like Basil Mahadeo who have experience with helping banks and other institutions succeed. 

Your Personal Goals 

When meeting with a financial advisor, it's a good idea to first formulate a list of your goals and your future plans. Everything from having children, saving for college funds, or even a new house and car should be included in your financial plans. These are all important life goals, so it's a good idea that before meeting with a financial advisor, you have some idea of what you're looking to save for and in what kind of timeframe you're looking to save that money. Another aspect of this plan should be some kind of timeframe that you plan out with your financial advisor so that you can best pin down an accurate representation of what you're looking for. A financial advisor with experience in family and life planning can help you plan out a comprehensive plan that figures in all of your goals. 

Budget Restrictions

Obviously, some financial planners are going to be more expensive than others. Oftentimes, it's a good idea to have an idea of what kind of budget you're working with upon the initial meeting with your potential financial advisor. It's important to have a comprehensive idea of what you would like to do and what remains important for you and your future, but you want to ensure that your advisor is willing and able to work with you within your budget so that you can make the best decision with your finances and with them. 

Kids Bowl Free Summer 2021

You are not going to believe this. I signed up for this the summer of 2017 then never went. We just went to the pool so much and then I would forget to check into bowling and then the kids would play outside like kids do in the summer. Somehow the summer flew by!

Then we moved in the fall of 2017 and in FEBRUARY 2018, my husband took four kids bowling at Aaron's Family Fun Center in Belton, MO while my daughter had her 13th birthday party – and the bowling was a hit! We went there a few times doing the Buddy Bowl, which was $4 per kid for a game, shoes and a soda. 

This summer I am determined to take the kids bowling, and drag along some other families who are signed up for Kids Bowl Free! Check it out:

Registered Kids Receive 2 FREE GAMES Of Bowling Every Day All Summer Long, Valued At Over $500 Per Child!

Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first-ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations.

Here's what they have to say on their website, and if you love to bowl it's a pretty good deal:

Did you know that adult family members can get 2 FREE games, every day all summer long with our Family Pass starting at just $29.95?

And yes, I am aware that most likely I might have to buy some nachos and sodas. I might even once or twice bowl with them just to show them how it's done how bad I am and always have been despite growing up in a bowling alley while my mom was on a team and also learning bowling at St. Agnes' bowling alley in Roeland Park, Kansas (we walked there from Old Mission Junior High, near Bishop Miege ... seems I was always destined to become Catholic ... all the signs were there, and my husband's grandparents lived right across the street from my junior high). Wow, I can make a connection from one thing to another with pretty much anything, can't I? :-)

Let me know if you get signed up and if you actually plan to go! Here's how to sign up!

Here are more indoor fun ideas in Kansas City, summer or winter!

*for only $37.95 (one-time payment), I can get a pass for all summer for up to 4 more adults to bowl 2 free games each day ... which comes in handy since one of my kids is almost 20 and if my husband and I also both want to go along. 

Be sure to sign up for an email subscription to The Kerrie Show here and follow me on my Facebook fan page for more updates! I'm also on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram!

Climbing Out Of Debt

 There is nothing more terrifying than being chased for debts that you owe. No one wants to be in a position where they are afraid of the telephone ringing or someone knocking on the door. It causes anxiety, worry, stress, and more pressure than you can possibly realize. Understanding that you must get your debt under control is just the first step, but knowing how to do it is what will really count.

Managing money isn't easy, and it's not something we are formally taught in school. We must, however, learn all we can outside of a school environment where possible so that we can be our best selves. Getting your debt under control is easier when you have the right support, so with this in mind, we've put together a few steps to help you to climb out of the hole of debt you are currently in.

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• Figure Out the Numbers. Before you can wipe any debt and get out from under it, you need to figure out what you owe first. This is going to take some time to work out, as you need to go back through your credit history and any letters you've been sent and get to know how much you owe, from the interest rates to the actual debt and more. It won't make you feel your best when you look at it all, but you need to figure this out so that you can work out your next steps to becoming debt-free at last.

• Work The Good From The Bad. Some debts aren't actually bad debts to have. Your mortgage and your student loans, for example, are good kinds of debt. Your student education is going to pave your way to a better and more fruitful career, and your mortgage puts you on the property ladder. Bad debt is the debt that costs you a lot in insurance and it's the kind that has bailiffs at the door if you don't pay it. You can get some advice from Boulder Legal Group about bed and good debts, and you can learn how it can affect you in the future, too. Knowing which is which will help you to make good decisions regarding your debts and get them all in order.

• Make Life Harder For Lenders. That credit card of yours? Cut it up. You can really stick it to your lenders when you cut up the cards and stop using them. It's not free money; you're paying them for that money through interest. When you get rid of them, you can stop giving them cash and start paying yourself.

• Cut Back Student Loans. You can embrace the good debt from student loans, but you can still curtail those costs. Interest rates are high for student loans but if you have already started repaying, you can consolidate those payments into a better rate and pay less each month.

• Spend Better. Lastly, a good way to climb out of your debt is to spend smarter and ensure that you are spending your money in the right places. You can start paying down debt and spending less money on frivolous things.

Benefits of Using PayPal to Play Slots

 When slot machines first entered the gambling world right at the end of the 19th century we’re pretty sure nobody would have thought that, 100 years later, we would all be spinning the reels on this thing called the Internet. Sometimes you really have to step back from the industry in order to truly appreciate it – isn’t it crazy how much we take modern online slot technology for granted? And it’s the same for other online things like PayPal too! 

PayPal is another modern invention that has enriched our lives, and the really cool thing is that these days you can fuse both online slots and PayPal - check the best payout slots 2021. That’s right, gamblers can use their PayPal account on some online casino sites, therefore being able to play the best slots with the ease of their PayPal. There are so many different benefits of using PayPal to play slots, so let’s get right into the question…

Where Can I Play Free Slots Games Online?

 The popularity of Online Slots across the world is not unprecedented. The history of this form of entertainment has seen many exciting and groundbreaking games taking the industry by storm. A gamble for your money is a vital part of online slots, although that is not all there is to it - play Starburst with 500 free spins. Spending money is not a must when it comes to Online Slots Games! In this article, we will look over a few ways you could play Free Slot Games Online.

So, Why Wouldn't You Try Make Us an Offer?

Just supposing that you were to go to a shop and choose an item which you wanted to buy and the only price on the item was a ‘typical’ retail price of say, $10, the price you might expect this item to be in any other shop.

Now, imagine you were to take the item to the cashier and they said to you, “How much do you want to offer for this?” At first, you would be surprised but, having confirmed that you could make an offer for this item, you replied $5. Suppose the assistant then checked the cash register and told you that was fine, the offer was accepted and $5 was all you had to pay for the item.