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Opening College Football Lines – Learn How to Win Consistently
0Opening College Football Lines
I have known a professional sports bettor for quite some time now. I call him a professional because that’s his main source of income and that he’s been consistently winning in almost every sports that he bet on. I asked him about the importance of learning the bettor’s lingo, stuff like odds, handicap, college football lines, and more. His reply was short.
“Learn them if you can. But remember, they’re just words,” he said.
I was immediately confused. I thought that isn’t it important that you learn all the terms that are used in any profession or hobby that you are considering of getting into? A phrase like college football lines can be quite daunting to any newcomer. He probably saw the confused look on my face because he was quick to follow it up.
“I’ll teach you what I consider as the basics that any first-time bettors should learn if he wants to consistently win in any bet,” he said. I was just glad and thankful for the free advice. So here are the top three tips that he gave me that day. I just summarized what he said and left out the rest of our conversation.
1. First of all, learn the terms such as handicap, college football lines, so on and so forth. It’s hard to place a bet when you don’t understand the words or terms that you’re using. Learn the lingo. But remember, these are just names. Saying them makes you sound professional. A term or concept like college football lines can get you so far ahead of the game. In short, learn the talk before you can walk the walk. Opening College Football Lines
2. Be extra passionate about the sports. Yes, we are all in it for the money but you must also learn to love it, to be passionate about it. Be extra sensitive to whatever is happening to the teams. If you have a favorite team, and yes, you must have a favorite, learn about each player, the coaching stuff and the management. These are factors that have a great impact on the outcome of a game.
3. Place your bet on your favorite team. This is practical advice because it comes hand in hand with what I told you about being passionate about the game. If you have a favorite team then it means you follow them closely. That you are always updated on whatever is happening on that particular team. You know their stats, their level of morale and everything else that there is to know about your team. If you have all of these knowledge, it will be easier for you to understand the handicaps or college football lines of the time you’re in favor of.
Those are the three wonderful pieces of advice that this professional sports bettor imparted to me. I have placed bets before and I have won some but also lost some. But I haven’t heard of his advice then and right now I’m following every letter of his tips. I’ve been learning about college football lines, handicaps, odds and more. I’ve also been learning more about my favorite teams and I’m confident that I will be a professional and successful bettor in the next couple of months. Opening College Football Lines
School to College a Different Ball Game
0The transition that one goes through from School to college life comes with a mixed bag of emotions. In school you are just too pre-occupied with how to break the rules and become cool among your friends, sleeping in the classes, just freaking out at the thought of holidays and of course the classes, tests, studying just the day before the exams. It was just like a second home and one would just wish that they remain and enjoy there their whole life that was school life. But then the time comes when one gear towards making a grand entry to their college life.
College is a different bet where you have no rules at all you are free to do anything you want and that is where the fun goes missing as breaking the rules had a different feeling. In college one gets involved in the politics and just thinking about the future. But college life is not that boring it comes with its share of fun when one the college festivals are round the corner that is when the whole fun starts. And yes the age-old tradition of ragging comes with it which is quite cool. Then you are just busy attending fresher’s parties and farewell parties.
College really is the best time of your life. It is a time to be involved in everything your college or university will have to offer. When you reach your 30s, you will likely look back at your college experience and wish you really could do it all over again. College is a time when the “cool kids” disappear. Who you eat lunch with does not define you as a person. There is no such thing as “un-cool.” Welcome to college, where you are now considered an adult.
Being a first-year student is fun! Unlike high school, where your first year is usually filled with anxiety and the occasional wrong-classroom mishap, colleges prepare their students to get to know their classmates. Get used to saying “Professor” or “Dr.” Your teachers are no longer Mr. or Ms. Brown, but Professor or Dr. Brown, and guess what? You are expected to have an opinion! You are no longer a passive learner who just sits and listens to a teacher, occasionally writes a paper, and takes a test in which you are expected to simply reiterate what you have learned or been told by the teacher. You will not be provided with notes; rather, you are expected to figure out on your own what’s important.
So just enjoy your trip from school to college which can be life-changing…
How To Apply For A Fast College Loan
0Having your son or daughter start college is really a wish that many mothers and fathers have for their children. This specific dream though is usually an expensive one. You’ll discover that many colleges provide special deals for teenage students to encourage them to pick a particular college. As this is mainly the scenario when you’re considering any sort of college you might want to discover what the university financing is.
Understanding the particulars of the college funding will supply you with the info that you simply require. Whilst this financing can assist you during your college years you ought to realize that you will probably need to repay this money back. As this point is one that you will have to face it is best to be very clear on all of the particulars that are contained in the university financing program.
There are numerous different government and private establishments who will be in a position to furnish this info you require. You should make certain that you have read all the information that is supplied. Then you are able to talk to your school’s advisor or your family to find out just how this college financing will have an impact on both of you throughout your university years and right after.
These matters will need clarification so that you can apply for the college financing your future college may require of you. You will find plenty of documents that deal with this component of university life. To assist you to in finding the right path through this labyrinth the federal government has supplied a helpful web site. In this website you’ll discover numerous useful links.
These links will let you see how to apply for the university financing loans. There’s info about how to pay back your student loans. The consequences of defaulting are also presented to you in a clear manner. You’ll be able to find links to a variety of different college financing packages that have the approval of the state and the federal government.
As application processes for these university funding programs can be some what confusing you will find a lot of useful links which will supply you with all of the information you need for applying. These will provide you with the sort of documents you might need to provide to have your fast student loans authorised.
Because the process of going to university and college is very expensive it’s generally a great idea to check out the various student aid programs that you can find. The information and guidance you receive from these university funding programs will help make your selection of colleges a lot easier to think about.
How To Protect College Funds In Bankruptcy
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The cost of a college education has skyrocketed in recent years and there appears to be no end to tuition increases. For the 2009-2010 school year, the average cost of a private four-year college was $26,273, up 4.4 percent from the previous year. The percentage of increase was even greater for public schools, which rose 6.5 percent over the previous year to $7,020. What that means is on average, the cost of a four-year private college education would be more than $100,000. Unfortunately for parents who want to provide the best education possible for their children, it doesn’t look like this trend is turning around any time soon. Estimates put the increase in college tuition at double the inflation rate, which is currently between 5 and 8 percent.
Most states offer incentive programs that bring relief to parents and enable them to begin saving money from the time that their children are born. One of these options, the 529 College Savings Plan, is operated by a particular state or educational institution and helps families set aside funds for future college costs. These savings plans are beneficial for three reasons. First, they offer a targeted way to budget for your child’s college education. Secondly, they are tax sheltered assuming the funds aren’t withdrawn early. Finally, they offer safe interest-earning growth of the money. Unfortunately, they aren’t always guaranteed to get into the hands of your kids.
For individuals struggling with personal finances and debt from a job loss, personal injury, death, or divorce, repayment of debt can be nearly impossible. It can be tempting to tap into a child’s college fund to deaden the calls from creditors. Fortunately, there is a way to keep the creditors at bay without using any child’s college fund. By filing for bankruptcy, individuals can shelter debt from creditors. No other method of dealing with debt has this availability. Here’s how:
First, individuals can protect college fund money from creditors by moving the money from a 529 College Savings Plan into an account under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. These funds are then placed under the management of a parent until a minor turns 18. From there, minors can use the funds for college without the threat of having creditors confiscate the funds to reconcile debts.
If you are seriously considering filing for bankruptcy in the Los Angeles area and want to find out more about how to protect your investments from creditors, contact the firm that focuses exclusively on California bankruptcy laws: Borowitz and Clark. Every day, the Los Angeles bankruptcy lawyers at Borowitz and Clark help people save their homes, their cars, and wipe out their debts. Not all bankruptcy attorneys are the same. While the process appears complicated, the Los Angeles bankruptcy lawyers at Borowitz and Clark will be able to help you understand your options and avoid making bad decisions. You get one chance to file bankruptcy right the first time. They know what they’re doing, because bankruptcy is all they do. Unlike many firms, they never leave a paralegal or secretary in charge of a case. That’s why their cases succeed at such a high rate—even higher than many other bankruptcy firms. For a free consultation, contact a qualified Los Angeles bankruptcy lawyers at Borowitz and Clark toll-free at 800-509-3200, or visit www.blclaw.com.
529 Lesson Plan: High Scores for 529 College Savings Program
0Looking for a tax-advantaged college savings plan that has no age restrictions, no income phaseout limits, no residency requirements — and one you can use to pay for more than just tuition?
Consider the 529 savings plan, an increasingly popular way to save for higher-education expenses, which have more than tripled over the past two decades — with annual costs of more than $30,000 per year for the average private four-year college.1 Named after the section of the tax code that authorized them, 529 plans (also known as qualified state tuition programs) are now offered in almost every state.
Most people have heard about the original form of 529, the state-operated prepaid tuition plan, which allows you to purchase units of future tuition at today’s rates, with the plan assuming the responsibility of investing the funds to keep pace with inflation. It’s practically guaranteed that the cost of an equal number of units of education in the sponsoring state will be covered, regardless of investment performance or the rate of tuition increase. Of course, each state plan has a different mix of rules and restrictions. Prepaid tuition programs typically will pay future college tuition at any of the sponsoring state’s eligible colleges and universities (and some will pay an equal amount to private and out-of-state institutions).
The newer variety of 529 is the savings plan. It’s similar to an investment account, but the funds accumulate tax deferred. Withdrawals from state-sponsored 529 plans are free of federal income tax as long as they are used for qualified college expenses. Unlike the case with prepaid tuition plans, contributions can be used for all qualified higher-education expenses (tuition, fees, books, equipment and supplies, room and board), and the funds usually can be used at all accredited post-secondary schools in the United States. The risk with these plans is that investments may lose money or may not perform well enough to cover college costs as anticipated.
In most cases, 529 savings plans place investment dollars in a mix of funds based on the age of the beneficiary, with account allocations becoming more conservative as the time for college draws closer. But recently, more states have contracted professional money managers — many well-known investment firms — to actively manage and market their plans, so a growing number of investors can customize their asset allocations. Some states enable account owners to qualify for a deduction on their state tax returns or receive a small match on the money invested. In 48 states, earnings are exempt from taxes.2 There are even new consumer-friendly reward programs popping up that allow people who purchase certain products and services to receive rebate dollars that go into state-sponsored college savings accounts.
Funds contributed to a 529 plan are considered to be gifts to the beneficiary, so anyone — even non-relatives — can contribute up to $13,000 per year (in 2009) per beneficiary without incurring gift tax consequences. Contributions can be made in one lump sum or in monthly installments. And assets contributed to a 529 plan are not considered part of the account owner’s estate, therefore avoiding estate taxes upon the owner’s death.
These savings plans generally allow people of any income level to contribute, and there are no age limits for the student. The account owner can maintain control of the account until funds are withdrawn — and, if desired, can even change the beneficiary as long as he or she is within the immediate family of the original beneficiary. A 529 plan is also extremely simple when it comes to tax reporting — the sponsoring state, not you, is responsible for all income tax record keeping. At the end of the year when the withdrawal is made for college, you will receive Form 1099 from the state, and there is only one figure to enter on it: the amount of income to report on the student’s tax return.
The 529 plan is a great way for grandparents to shelter inheritance money from estate taxes and contribute substantial amounts to a student’s college fund. At the same time, they also control the assets and can retain the power to control withdrawals from the account. By accelerating use of the annual gift tax exclusion, a grandparent — as well as anyone, for that matter — could elect to use five years’ worth of annual exclusions by making a single contribution of as much as $65,000 per beneficiary in 2009 (or a couple could contribute $130,000 in 2009), as long as no other contributions are made for that beneficiary for five years.3 If the account owner dies, the 529 plan balance is not considered part of his or her estate for tax purposes.
As with other investments, there are generally fees and expenses associated with participation in a Section 529 savings plan. In addition, there are no guarantees regarding the performance of the underlying investments in Section 529 plans. The tax implications of a Section 529 savings plan should be discussed with your legal and/or tax advisors because they can vary significantly from state to state. Also note that most states offer their own Section 529 plans, which may provide advantages and benefits exclusively for their residents and taxpayers.
Before investing in a 529 savings plan, please consider the investment expenses, risks, charges, and expenses carefully. The official disclosure statements and applicable prospectuses, which contain this and other information about the investment options and underlying investments, can be obtained by contacting your financial professional. You should read this material carefully before investing.
By comparing different plans, you can determine which might be available for your situation. You may find that 529 programs make saving for college easier than before. The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. Sources:
1. The College Board, 2008 2. SavingForCollege.com 3. If the donor makes the five-year election and dies during the five-year calendar period, part of the contribution could revert back to the donor’s estate.
To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that, unless specifically indicated otherwise, any tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any tax-related matter addressed herein.
Job Strategies for Today’s College Grads
0Approximately, 15 million people are unemployed. Simply put, landing a job today is an extreme uphill challenge, considering the large number of graduating students combined with the rising number of the unemployed. Currently, college graduates find themselves competing with other individuals who are more seasoned and experienced for basic entry level positions in their career field. Therefore, emerging leaders need a different type of strategy during economic turbulence.
With the fierce competition for limited jobs, many students wonder if they will be able to land a good job in the marketplace. I understand and see it when talking to my own students. Hope is not lost. William Bailey and I spent several months researching strategies for current and future college graduates. The results were outlined in our new book, Job Strategies for the 21st Century. We have found a huge disconnect between what organizations want in potential employees and what today’s graduates are providing.
Economic troubles in our nation and abroad continue to create an unstable and unpredictable job market. Parents across this country tell their children “get a good education and you will get a good job.” However, in this economic rollercoaster, this is not always true. US manufacturing jobs continue to evaporate as global outsourcing becomes the norm for businesses that seek to increase their profits.
According to some business estimates, employers are expected to cut 2.7 million jobs in 2009 (2 million were cut in 2008). These glooming trends make it difficult for even college students to be optimistic. However, having a good plan can increase the odds for most students in landing a good job. Opportunities will present themselves in some form in the future. Therefore, college students need to be proactive about landing a job.
Below are strategies for college students entering the job market during economic turbulence:
1. Branding
2. Communications
3. Critical Thinking
4. Current & well-versed
5. Flexibility
6. Global Citizen
7. Job Homework
8. Leadership
9. Love & Passion
10. Networking
11. Opportunity
12. Seasoned Worker
13. Uniqueness
Although many people are feeling very pessimistic about future career opportunities, hope is not lost if people are prepared for the future. Bestselling Sci-Fi author H.G. Wells explained, “‘We were making the future,’ he said, and hardly any of us troubled to think what future we were making. And here it is’.” By taking control of the career strategy, college graduates can make a positive step in navigating these difficult economic times and landing their future jobs.
Philadelphia Schools Partner With the Community College of Philadelphia to Aid High School Dropouts
0Dropout rates across the country have been on the rise over the past decade. In school year 2004-2005, an estimated 5,550 students dropped out of the Philadelphia schools. This is the highest dropout rate in the state, about three times higher than the state average.
To assist these Philadelphia schools dropouts and offer them an opportunity for a better life, the Philadelphia schools have partnered with the Community College of Philadelphia, the largest degree-granting institution in the city with over 38,000 students enrolled annually.
According to a report by the American Youth Policy Forum, 75 percent of the inmates housed at our state prisons are dropouts, and 59 percent of the federal prison population are dropouts. Though the Philadelphia schools already have programs in place to aid students currently in school, they knew that more had to be done to aid those who had already dropped out.
Part of the Gateway to College Program, the Philadelphia schools dropouts begin school in the fall of 2006. The program offers dropouts the chance to simultaneously work toward a diploma and associate’s college degree or certificate.
The college expects to enroll 360 Philadelphia schools dropouts over the next three years. The dropouts must be between the ages of 16 and 20, with at least an eighth grade reading level. They can attend day, evening and weekend classes at the college, with their first semester in small learning groups of 20 students. Classes include the basics of reading, writing and math, as well as a college survival course to help them be successful in their future college courses and a two-hour academic lab each week.
Dedicated academic coordinators act as advisors, mentors and coaches for the Philadelphia schools dropouts. They also assist with student needs issues, such as course selection, time management, and study habits. After the first semester, the Philadelphia schools dropouts take classes with the college’s general student population.
The Gateway to College Program was developed by the Portland Community College and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its partners — Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The plan is to replicate the program at 17 colleges nationwide by 2007. Philadelphia is its largest urban center to participate to date.
The Community College of Philadelphia was granted $10.25 million over a seven-year period, of which $350,000 is slated for planning and startup for the first three years. Remaining monies and in-kind services will come from the college and the Philadelphia schools.
The new program expands options for vulnerable youth, who were left behind by the Philadelphia schools traditional system. These are youth who often have been written off as failures by teachers, administrators, and parents. This is their second chance.
Your Child’s College Education Savings Plan, Discover 4 Great
0With higher education costs increasing at double digit
percentages an effective college savings plan for your kid’s
education is becoming much more critical. Most parents will find
that their kid’s future college costs will be much more than
they have planned. This leaves many kids to be faced with
obtaining financial aid to compensate for a portion of their
higher education costs. This article will explore the pros and
cons of 4 common college savings options. This article will also
seek to show which of these 4 options are a better option if
part of your kid’s higher education costs are to be funded by
financial aid.
529 College Savings Plan: Since January 2002, 529 college
savings plan have become a new option for achieving tax free
college savings. These plans are state sponsored investment
programs that offer special tax treatment. It allows just about
everyone to save for their kid’s college education. While there
are many benefits of a 529 college savings plan, perhaps the
most important is that your investment earnings are tax deferred
if you use the funds for qualified education expenses.
Additionally, another big advantage is that the maximum amount
you can contribute to a 529 savings plan can go as high as
hundreds of thousand dollars but be aware these are based on
your States specific guidelines. If for some reason you do not
use the investment funds for college, you can still withdrawal
your investment earnings, but you will have to pay a federal
penalty of 10% and federal income taxes on your earnings. The
penalty can be waived if your child receives a college
scholarship, or in the event your child becomes disable or
dies.
A 529 plan can typically be easily purchased through an
investment broker or mutual fund company like Vanguard or
Fidelity. Please be aware that one of the biggest disadvantages
of a 529 plan is that investment options can sometimes be
limited. However, as 529 plans become more popular it is likely
that more plan options will open. For instance, the State of
Ohio just announced the option for bank CDs and saving accounts
for 529 plans. One last main advantage of a 529 college savings
plan is that the money in the plan is classified as a parents
assets so less that 6% of the value counts against your kid’s
eligibility for financial aid.
Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) (formerly known as an
Educational IRA): A Coverdell Education Savings Account is a
savings account created as an incentive to help parents and
students save for higher education expenses. A Coverdell
Education Savings Account is easy to set up at most financial
institutions and banks. A Coverdell Education Savings Account is
similar to a 529 college savings plan, but different in the
contribution limits. With a Coverdell Education Savings Account
you can only contribute $2000 per child per year and to qualify
your adjusted gross income must be less than $110,000 if you are
single and less than $220,000 if you are married filing jointly.
For financial aid eligibility a Coverdell Education Savings
Account is classified as a parent’s asset so less that 6% of the
value counts against your kid’s financial aid eligibility.
UGMA/UTA Custodial Account (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/Uniform
Transfers to Minors Act): A UGMA/UTMA account allows someone to
make gifts to a minor without setting up a trust. While there
are benefits to a UGMA/UTMA account the first limitation is that
these types of accounts offer very little federal tax advantage.
Secondly if your child is 14 or under only the first $800 of
income is tax free, the next $800 is taxed at your child’s tax
rate and after that there is no tax benefit at all. The other
big disadvantage is that an UGMA/UTA Custodial Account has to be
set up in your child’s name. This can create a big problem if
your child needs financial aid since all of the assets will be
reviewed at a 35% rate. As a result, a UGMA/UTA Custodial
Account is not advisable for those who may need to qualify for
financial aid eligibility.
The main advantage of a UGMA/UTA Custodial Account is that there
is no limit on the investment contribution and it is very easy
to set up at most major financial institutions including some
insurance companies. However, as can be seen above the
disadvantages of a UGMA/UTA Custodial Account far outweigh the
benefits.
Taxable Investment Accounts: Taxable investment accounts can be
a broker account, a mutual fund, a certificate of deposit or
just a regular savings account. Essentially it is just a regular
account that earns taxable interest, or investment income. A
benefit of a taxable investment account if set up in the parents
name is that the assets are classified as a parent’s asset so
they do not count as a negative in the financial aid formula.
Additionally, taxable investment accounts offer lots of
flexibility, and are easy to set up at any financial
institution. However, the big limitation to taxable accounts in
saving for college is that they offer no tax advantage for
college savings.
In summary, a solid savings plan for college is a very important
undertaking for parents to consider. The above 4 education
investment options can be highly useful in the college planning
process. Furthermore since some of these investments offer
substantial federal tax advantages and do not count against
financial aid eligibility they can maximize parent’s investment
resources.
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