In This Issue:
Credit Cards - Paying the Price
 There are tangible and intangible cost to using credit cards. Such as Annual Fee, Finance Charges, Grace Period, Annual Percentage Rate (APR,) Fixed Rate, Variable Rate, Introductory Rate, Credit Line, Credit Insurance Fees, Credit History, Credit Score, Errors, Fraud, Debt Stress, Bankruptcy, Discipline, and Counseling.
Avoid the traps and learn the basics about managing your money, It is easier to do it right the first time. The learning curve is shorter then the correction curve.
Rules for Credit Card Survival:
- Know personal spending and card limits >>> Zero monthly Balance
- Pay on time >>> Limit number of cards
- Know the score >>> Protect your identity >>> Learn money Savoy
Don't leave home without the basic knowledge about managing money, using credit cards and developing your credit history. If your parents are not a good source then search for the information. I will give you reference resources at the end.
Understand that the evolution and history of mankind has always produced the hunter and the hunted. The marketing sales system in today's world is the hunter and the consumer is the hunted. Spend a little time learning basic knowledge, awareness and increase your chances of survival. Survival in this context is defined as living a stress free financial independent life.
Whether you use cash in the form of US Currency or personal checks, credit or debit cards, you have to know how much you are spending in relation to your income. This is sometimes called a budget.
Income
-Fixed expenses
-Variable necessities
Remainder
-Irregular entertainment
Savings
Overspending equals debt
Tip: Place cash for variable budget items in an envelope. When it is spent, that's it until next month.
Resources:
www.clarkhoward.com
www.consumercredit.com/credit-web
www.shoppingresources.com
www.ftc.gov
Current Events [ top ]
Admissions:
 Alert on Blogs! College admissions are checking your application and inappropriate Blogs. - Turnaround time: The key is a completed application and file request. Then the average turnaround time is three to five weeks.
- Admissions officers writing Blogs is spreading as a tool for student recruiting.
Financial Aid:
- Priority deadlines for filing your FAFSA are approaching fast. Check deadlines for Federal, State, and Institutional financial aid.
- Approximately 60% of college students receive financial aid.
- Will you need financial aid after your freshman year?
- Alert! Plan ahead to offset federal aid cuts.
Trends [ top ]
 e Classes, Online College Courses:
On campus classes and cyberspace classes. These classes bring extra revenue to colleges without increasing facilities and staff. Many offer classes for high school students:
- Offer Challenging advanced classes
- Earn credit towards their college degree
- Reduce cost of college education
- Offers an edge for on campus admissions
Campus e Classes:
Slowly developing, stay tuned to what your campus is offering.
- Possible to take lower division classes
- Helpful for working students who can't attend classroom
Advantages:
- e classes may not be less expensive, but overall savings may be that you will stay on schedule to graduate.
- Reduce transportation and campus living cost. [ top ]
Skills for Success [ top ]
Communication = Listening; Speaking; Reading; Writing
Listening skills take practice. Hopefully the following tips will encourage you to become a accomplished listener.
Real listening is an active process that has three basic steps.
- Hearing to catch what the speaker is saying
- Understanding is to interpret it in your own way
- Judging what was said makes sense
Tips to be a good listener.
- Give your full attention to the speaker
- Focus your mind on what is being said
- Let the speaker finish before you respond
- Let yourself finish listening
- Listen for main ideas
- Ask questions
- Give feedback
Listening in class.
- Maintain eye contact with the instructor
- Focus on content, not delivery
- Avoid emotional involvement
- Avoid distractions
- Treat listening as a challenging mental task
- Stay active by asking mental questions [ top ]
Calendar [ top ]
April
- Admissions--check school deadlines--rolling admissions
may reach limit early
- Review acceptance and financial aid package
- Notify colleges you do not plan to attend
- Send deposits and forms to college of choice by May 1
May
- Congratulations on your decision
- Waiting list--be patient--stay in contact
- Take AP exams if appropriate
June
- Ask counselor to send your final transcript to admissions
- Review when payments are due
- Review payments with financial aid office
Resources [ top ]
www.studyweb.com
www.collegeboard.org
www.ets.org
|
