Article written by Ian Speir
On April 1 last week, we cautioned religious organizations about accepting coronavirus-related government aid, such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the CARES Act or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), both administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). We were concerned that such aid would impose or enhance federal nondiscrimination mandates on churches and ministries, especially since recent legal trends have favored a broad construction of these mandates and a narrow compass for their religious exemptions.
On Friday night, April 3, the SBA issued guidance that clarifies some of these religious liberty concerns. The guidance, in the form of “Frequently Asked Questions” or “FAQ,” offers some assurance that accepting PPP or EIDL loans doesn’t jeopardize an organization’s religious identity and values.
Religious freedom retained: The FAQ says that religious organizations do not give up their religious autonomy or First Amendment rights by accepting a PPP or EIDL loan. In its broadest, most liberty-friendly statement, the FAQ notes, “[A] faith-based organization that receives a loan will retain its independence, autonomy, right of expression, religious character, and authority over its governance, and no faith-based organization will be excluded from receiving funding because leadership with, membership in, or employment by that organization is limited to persons who share its religious faith and practice” (p.2).
Time-limited obligations: The FAQ confirms that accepting a PPP or EIDL loan “constitutes Federal financial assistance and carries with it the application of certain nondiscrimination obligations” (p.2). But according to the FAQ, those obligations “are not permanent, and once the loan is paid or forgiven, those nondiscrimination obligations will no longer apply.” So, if a religious organization becomes subject to new mandates as a result of taking federal aid, those mandates apply only to the time period of the loan. Recipients can limit their legal exposure by repaying or obtaining forgiveness of the loan as quickly as possible.
No additional restrictions on use of loan funds: Prior to the above clarification, we had some concern that using SBA loan proceeds for expenses related to long-term assets – like rent payments or mortgage interest for real estate – might impose long-term federal obligations tied to those assets. The FAQ eliminates that concern. It also makes clear that religious organizations can use loan proceeds “to pay the salaries of ministers and other staff engaged in the religious mission” (p.2). Of course, more general restrictions – such as no loan forgiveness for non-payroll expenses that exceed 25% of the total loan amount – continue to apply.
These are welcome clarifications from the SBA. But churches and ministries should still keep a few things in mind:
The FAQ is not a regulation. This means it carries less legal weight than a regulation. Courts tend to defer to agency interpretations in formally issued regulations. They tend not to defer when agency guidance is less formal, like this FAQ. (By way of contrast, also on Friday night, the SBA issued a regulation called an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that addresses how the SBA’s affiliation rules apply in ecclesiastical contexts, such as the relationship between a diocese and its parishes. This IFR will be accorded more judicial deference than the FAQ.)
Narrow interpretation of the religious exemption: As the FAQ highlights, the SBA’s nondiscrimination rules, similar to Title VII, contain an exemption permitting a religious organization to employ “individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with [the organization’s] religious activities.” 13 C.F.R. § 113.3-1(h). This exemption ought to permit religious organizations to select employees who share their religious beliefs and practices. But some courts have interpreted the exemption more narrowly to prohibit employment policies that discriminate on the basis of sex. And the term “sex” not only means male-female differences and pregnancy; it also may include sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive health decisions like abortion, contraception, and infertility treatments. This is an area where the law remains in considerable flux.
State law mandates: The FAQ does not (and cannot) resolve how state laws may apply to recipients of government aid. But the FAQ supplies a good basis to argue that any state law mandates should likewise apply, if at all, only to the time period for which a PPP or EIDL loan remains outstanding.
We emphasize again that every organization must decide for itself whether it’s wise to accept the government’s assistance amidst the unprecedented crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And every situation is different, so consult with legal counsel for advice in your particular circumstances.


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We greatly value your support and rely solely on personal donations made by generous donors to run the orphanage. Every contribution helps and is hugely appreciated. It only costs a relatively small amount of money per month to feed and clothe the children, as well as pay for their education. The other main costs of running the orphanage go on things like building repairs, prevention of Malaria and other diseases prevalent in the area, and general hospital bills and medical treatment.
Option 1: Donate online with PayPal or credit/debit card – our preferred option
You can now donate online using your PayPal account or credit/debit card – to do this, please click on the ‘Donate‘ button on the left. PayPal charges a fee of 3.4% of the donated amount + $0.30 per transaction. On top of that they also charge another 2.5% on the currently listed exchange rate when doing the currency conversion. Therefore, if you are wanting to donate larger amounts, please consider using one of the other donation options listed below which may be more economical.
Option 2: Donate by bank transfer/wire transfer
Wire Transfer will cost approximately $40 USD and can be sent to:
Bank: BANGKOK BANK
Branch: Mae Sot
Account Number: 960-0-04411-0
Account Name: Safe Haven Orphanage
Swift Code: BKKBTHBK
Option 3: Donate by check/cheque
Please make checks/cheques payable to Tasanee Keereepraneed and send to:
32/15 Mae Sot – Mae Tao Road,
Mae Sot, Tak
Please note: We only prefer checks/cheques for amounts of greater than $400 USD. The banks usually charge $10 – $15 USD for international checks/cheques and take approximately 1 month (sometimes longer) to clear.
For smaller donations, please consider donating online using PayPal, credit or debit card.
How far your gift goes
- $6 USD buys one case of milk.
- $30 USD buys 45kg (100 pounds) of high grade, nutritious rice – always needed.
- $50 USD buys enough fruit/vegetables to feed 60 children for a week.
- $600 USD sponsors a child to attend the local Thai public school including transportation, uniforms, school materials and tuition for one year
Donate other things
In regards to sending things to the children, we appreciate your good intentions and we understand that sending items has more of a ‘feel good’ factor to it than just sending money which may seem more impersonal, but just a few things to keep in mind:
- Depending on the size of the packages being sent, postal costs can be quite high and that money could be better spent on actual items for the children.
- In many instances, items such as clothing, school stationery, toiletries, food etc… can be purchased locally much cheaper than in the west.
- We have had problems in the past with donated items being held by customs in Thailand. The process seems to be quite random and even though we are a legally registered charity in Thailand we’ve still ended up paying large amounts of money to have donated items released.


Growing your finances is no doubt why the majority of readers come to The Tech Dollar for ideas. Earning extra money is vital these days because situations can change as we’ve seen at a moments notice.
Whether it's making a little extra spending money or making life changing money, growing financially in every way possible is always beneficial.
Rather than having to wait for the next check you can take matters into your own hands by making extra money through some of the suggestions from this post.
1. Paid Online Surveys
Many people don't know that the most popular survey companies like Survey Junkie, InboxDollars, and Swagbucks actually pay people for their honest opinions. These paid surveys help influence new products that are released to the public.
This is a quick and easy way to earn an extra $50 this month. You can pick your favorite survey company or you can try them all.
Other Survey Companies:
- Vindale Research
- Pinecone Research
- American Consumer Opinion
- Panda Research
- Opinion Outpost
- Survey Club
- Product Report Card
2. Start a Blog
Blogging is something that can change your life if you take it seriously. It requires time and effort but the payout can mean financial freedom.
You can make a simple blog using WordPress and set up webhosting with a service like bluehost for cheap. Many bloggers make 5 - 6 figures each month!
3. Photo Editing
Whether you're doing simple tweaks of images or full on high end beauty retouching, there is a lot of money to be made in the photo editing world.
Every magazine you see has someone who retouched those photos and is most likely earning a good income doing so. It's a great way to earn extra money.
4. Freelance Writing
If you love writing then becoming a freelance writer is an option. For the millions of blogs online there needs to be good writers to push out quality content.
This is something you can turn into a full on business with blogs that continuously come to you for your services. You can even write for large companies and find yourself on the front page of Yahoo.
Postmates is a popular delivery app that not only can get you paid to bring food to people, but you can get paid to deliver whatever they may need. This can be a perfect side hustle.
Earn extra money by being a Lyft driver. Lyft is a competitor of Uber and is preferred by some people. They both do the same things which offer rides to people. Be sure to smile in order to receive the biggest tips.
7. Pet Sitter
Using Rover, whether you are a teenager in highschool or an adult who just wants to make extra money, pet sitting is always a great option. Not everyone has time to always be with their pet, so they will pay you for it.
You can establish regular customers and there are many pet sitters who make a full-time income from this creative side hustle.
Do you have a skill? And I mean any skill. You can make extra money through being a consultant and sharing your knowledge in whatever area of expertise you have.
You can set up a simple website with SquareSpace and begin consulting easily. Charge according to the demand and watch the clients roll in.
9. Playing Mobile Games for Cash
If you download AppStation you can actually earn cash from playing mobile games. This is great if your on a long trip and you have some free time to spare.
10. Sell Promotional Webpages
You don't have to be a computer genius to build simple websites with HTML and CSS. You can learn these skills in a couple of weeks and make extra money selling promotional websites for local business.
Udemy is a popular app where you can make extra money selling courses online. From teaching people how to draw to teaching them trigonometry, the options are endless for online classes using Udemy.
Make extra money with Instacart to do peoples grocery shopping for them. This is incredibly in demand because it is something that we all need but not something that everyone enjoys doing. So why not get paid for it?
DoorDash is another popular food delivery app. You can pick your hours and use a car, bike, or even walk as long as you deliver the food in a timely manner.
14. Video Editing
With content creation becoming more popular you can make extra money by editing videos. Many youtubers are very popular and don't have the time to edit their own videos. This is the perfect opportunity for you to earn cash.
15. Sell Meals
If you're great in the kitchen, this skill is an instant money maker. Set up a social media account and show off your meals, then begin to take orders throughout the day. Some people cook for fun and by doing this you can make money at the same time.
Are you the type who can fix anything? You are extremely valuable in today's time because people hate doing things by themselves or they just don't know how. Being a versatile handyman is an excellent way to make extra money. You can even turn it into a full blown business.
17. Tour Guide
If you live in an area that has a ton of tourism you can make extra money by showing out of towners around your beautiful city. You can offer them a unique experience that they otherwise would not have had. You can meet new people while making cash at the same time.
18. Become an Au Pair/babysitter
An Au Pair or international babysitter gets paid to watch children. Many times this job will take you to new countries and it's all paid for. If you want to see the world and make extra money give this a try.
Make extra money editing anything from blog posts, books, magazines, and much more. This is a necessary task that many don't want to do so take advantage.
20. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant gets paid to basically do anything that a company needs them to do. This job is often online and you have constant communication with your employer.
21. Garage Sale
Make extra money using garage sales. Sale old clothes, games, furniture, art, and anything else you want to make money off of.
22. Sell E-books
If you don't feel like writing an entire book, why not write e-books. You can write about any subject that is valuable to your readers. If promoted correctly you can make a lot of money from online e-books.
23. Sell Clothes
If you’re not using old clothing don't let them go to waste. Clean them and sell them while you still can to make extra money.
Photography is a hobby for many but it can quickly become a profitable side hustle. You can make thousands from shooting weddings and gatherings. The possibilities are endless for a good photographer.
25. Browse the internet
You can earn money just by surfing the web using Swagbucks. Use their browser extension on your computer and start to make extra cash easily.
26. Earn Online Rewards
Use InboxDollars to stack up rewards and then redeem them when you earn enough to gain different prizes and cash.
27. Graphic Designer
If you're good at graphic art and know how to use tools like photoshop you can make extra money as a graphic designer and work remotely from anywhere in the world.
Animated series need great artists/illustrators. This can be a great freelance gig for those who are gifted artists.
29. Sell Logos
Using programs like Photoshop and Illustrator you can make logos for companies and do branding. This is easy once you get used to it. You can easily make 10 logos in a day and if you charge $100 each…. I'll let you do the math.
30. Run Facebook Ads
Marketing is essential in running a successful business. You can use this skill to run facebook ads for companies and websites to help them gain sales and traffic.
Read electronic or other forms of publications to find and correct production errors of text or art. Proofreading is the final step in the editorial cycle.
32. Social Media Manager
There are businesses who are on multiple social media platforms and they need someone to manage these and to make frequent posts. This is great for extra money.
If you really have a love for writing, story telling, or giving awesome advice you should consider becoming an author. A best selling author can make tons of money.
34. Renting Your Car
Make extra money by renting your car with an app like Turo. If you have more than one car this is an ideal way to start a side hustle.
Become an online tutor to make extra money. There are many websites where you can sign up to teach kids or anyone else new skills and help them to grasp concepts.
36. Data Entry
There are companies with tons of data and they just need someone to enter it into a computer since they don't want to do it. If you like computers this can be a great way to make extra money.
Make money dropshipping by selling goods without the need to keep your own inventory of items. Simply send them straight from the manufacturer to your customer.
38. Start a Podcast
If you like to talk about interesting subjects you can make extra money with a podcast. Just make sure to have a decent microphone and your good to go.
Content creation is becoming one of the best ways people are making money these days. Creating a youtube channel is perfect for this. If you're interested and want to speak to the world about your life, give youtube a try.
Earn extra money by keeping track of expenses for businesses. This is important for tax reasons and you can earn a good income from bookkeeping.
Do you have a lot of money just sitting around not being useful? You can invest your money to help it grow. There are many apps that can invest your money automatically for you.
42. Pet Grooming
Make extra money by washing other people's pets. If you're a pet lover this is a valuable side hustle to start.
Good barbers are hard to find and once people trust you, they can be your customer for life. People take their haircuts seriously and will pay you to help them look good. You can also make great money off tips.
44. Sell Art
Earn extra money from selling paintings and other art pieces. With a reputation you can make thousands from selling your art.
45. Personal Trainer
Help people get in the best shape of their lives by becoming a personal trainer. You can do this job from anywhere in the world. People always need a good trainer.
46. Motivational Speaker
There are people who need advice and motivation to reach their goals and dreams. You can encourage them by becoming a motivational speaker. Make extra money to speak to small or large crowds.
47. Home Cleaner
There are people with huge homes and they need them cleaned regularly. With a couple of clients you can establish a cleaning business to make extra money.
48. Maintain lawns and Gardens
Maintaining peoples grass and gardens is a needed job. Start your own lawn mowing business and make extra money.
49. House Sit
Some people want their house guarded when they are out of town. They may need you to watch their pets and make sure nobody tries to come into their home when they are gone.
50. Hair Stylist
Most people, especially women, take their hair styles very seriously and will pay big bucks for a reliable hair stylist so take advantage of this to make extra money.
Always New Ways To Make Extra Money
If you're finding it hard to make extra money with a side hustle don't give up. Hopefully this list was able to help you see some of the things you can do.
Look at all the skills you have and put them to good use. Everyone has unique talents about them. It's just time to monetize what makes you unique.
Join our community of like minded goal seekers


PHILADELPHIA – More than most people, stock analysts don’t like surprises. So, when Carpenter Technology, which has several manufacturing facilities in Berks County, missed stock analysts’ fiscal 2020 second quarter earnings projections by $0.04 per share, Wall Street wasn’t happy.
The stock was down 3.40% at the end of Thursday’s trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
More trouble could be ahead. Carpenter is a supplier for the grounded Boeing 737 MAX.
“In the near-term, we are actively evaluating and executing on opportunities to mitigate the impact of the Boeing 737 MAX supply chain disruption,” said Tony Thene, Carpenter’s president and CEO. “We believe we can partially mitigate the impact to our business through our broad sub-market participation and by leveraging our diverse portfolio of leading applications across other attractive end-use markets.”
Although stock analysts are upset, management should be largely pleased. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 increased to $573 million compared with $556.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, an increase of $16.5 million, or 3%, on 7% lower volume.
Operating income was $55 million in the second quarter, compared to $59.8 million in the first quarter and $55.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
Net income for the fiscal second quarter was $38.8 million, compared to $35.5 million the previous year. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.79 in the quarter compared to $0.73 in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
“Our second quarter results reflect a continuation of our consistent year-over-year earnings growth, backlog expansion and record operating performance at SAO,” said Thene. “Operating income at SAO (specialty alloys operations) reached its highest level on record as we continue to drive a richer product mix by prioritizing higher-value solutions across our end-use markets. In addition, customer activity at our Athens facility remains high and we received four vendor approved process (VAP) approvals this quarter.”
The second quarter marked our 12th consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth and backlog growth.”
Business segment results
Carpenter has two reportable segments, specialty alloys operations (SAO) and performance engineered products (PEP).
The SAO segment is comprised of Carpenter’s major premium alloy and stainless steel manufacturing operations. This includes operations performed at mills primarily in Reading and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas, as well as South Carolina and Alabama.
In the fiscal second quarter, SAO sold 56,564 pounds of product. Net sales were $483 million in the quarter compared to $461.6 million the previous year. Operating income for SAO in the quarter was $76.3 million compared to $69.0 million in fiscal 2019 second quarter.
The PEP segment is comprised of the company’s differentiated operations. This segment includes the Dynamet titanium business, the Carpenter powder products (CPP) business, the Amega West business, the Carpenter additive business and the Latrobe and Mexico distribution businesses. The businesses in the PEP segment are managed with an entrepreneurial structure to promote flexibility and agility to quickly respond to market dynamics.
In the fiscal second quarter, PEP sold 3,424 pounds of product. Net sales were $106 million in the quarter, compared to $112.9 million the previous year. Operating income for PEP in the quarter was $0.4 million compared to $4.4 million in fiscal 2019 second quarter.
End-use market results
“We generated double-digit year-over-year revenue growth in the aerospace and defense end-use market as our leading solutions, sub-market diversity, and participation on practically all major industry platforms continue to drive strong performance,” Thene commented. “In addition, sales in the medical end-use market increased double digits compared to last year as demand for our high-value solutions remains high.”
Aerospace and defense net sales grew from $234.1 million in fiscal 2019 second quarter to $278.8 million this quarter. Medical and transportation net sales also grew in the quarter, from $38.4 million to $43.5 million and from $29.4 million to $30.6 million, respectively.
“Longer-term,” Thene said, “we continue to place strategic emphasis on advancing our leadership in emerging technologies and best positioning Carpenter Technology for sustainable growth. We recently opened our Emerging Technology Center on our Athens campus and customer collaborations around additive manufacturing are accelerating. The construction of our hot strip mill on our Reading campus remains on target and will enable us to further capitalize on our soft magnetics solutions portfolio and the anticipated growth associated with expanding electrification initiatives across multiple markets.”


Epsilon Health Investors is a healthcare-focused strategic investor, supported by and organized for a consortium of five leading regional not-for-profit health systems, working collaboratively to identify, validate, invest in, and grow innovative healthcare companies.
We invest in companies at a range of maturities in areas of need for our member systems.
Our member systems are actively involved at every step of the investment process. Member systems help source and diligence investments, guide investment decisions, and may pilot products. Ultimately, members look to support portfolio growth as mentors, advisors, and, where and as appropriate, potential customers.
Epsilon's investment focus is informed by the needs and pain points of our members. We take a thematic, bottoms up approach, focused on companies driving value for regional health systems.
We are most focused on businesses in the following sectors:
The Epsilon consortium is comprised of five leading regional not for profit healthcare systems.
The Epsilon team has deep healthcare sector experience as operators, investors, and policy makers.
The following are select companies with which members of the Epsilon team have been involved individually (as Board members and/or individual investors)


Kristin is director of The New York Public Library Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), which helps New Yorkers launch and expand small businesses (nypl.org/smallbiz). SIBL’s entrepreneurial support initiatives include the StartUP! Business Plan Competition, the Immigrant Business Connection, and Blueprint for Your Business Future, an educational and advisory program to teach succession planning to immigrant business owners.
SIBL’s Job Search Central provides entry-to-executive-level job seekers with free access to hands-on training, after-work seminars, career coaching, and networking events. Its Financial Literacy Central program has spawned a robust suite of offerings that has pushed financial education beyond the business library into neighborhood branches.
Before opening SIBL in 1996, McDonough served another great New York institution, the City University of New York (CUNY) for 25 years in diverse roles including assistant dean of the School of Education and Educational Services and chief librarian at the award-winning Newman Library at CUNY’s business school, Baruch College. As president of the Financial Women’s Association (FWA), Kristin spearheaded a Forge Your Future initiative with enhanced programming and resources for members in transition. Her volunteer service includes a stint on the STM advisory board of John Wiley Publishers and on the leadership team of Butterflies, USA, which raises funds to support street and working children in India.


Trade involves the transfer of goods or services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market. An early form of trade, the Gift economy, saw the exchange of goods and services without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards.
A binary option is a financial exotic option in which the payoff is either some fixed monetary amount or nothing at all. The two main types of binary options are the cash-or-nothing binary option and the asset-or-nothing binary option.
Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of value. With this definition, entrepreneurship is viewed as change, generally entailing risk beyond what is normally encountered in starting a business, which may include other values than simply economic ones.
Wealth building is the process of generating long-term income through multiple sources. This refers to more than job-based income and instead includes savings, investments, and any income-generating assets. The wealth building definition relies on proper financial planning and insight into one’s future financial goals.


Schneider Industries will create a personalized asset management solution to maximize the value of your assets while minimizing your trouble and loss. All the while providing these services in a controlled, secure, and safe environment. Give us a call 314-863-7711.
Schneider Industries assists companies and individuals with surplus asset management, including sales, purchase, appraisal, inventory, marketing, removal, collections, transfers, and every aspect involved in the investment recovery program designed for your unique situation. We work with the Seller to create a specialized game plan that encompasses all the Seller’s needs.
Schneider Industries has a worldwide presence utilizing our operating offices and affiliates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, England, Russia and Switzerland. We have created asset advisory plans and managed surplus equipment sales and subsequent plant removal/clean out activities for corporations such as General Mills, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Emerson Electric, Amoco, Energizer, Revlon, Dial Corporation, Thermadyne, Kraft, Grupo Herdez, Fresh Express, Takata, and many others. We solve companies’ surplus asset situations via auctions, negotiated and sealed bid sales.
See some of our services described below:
- Onsite and Online Sales- Auction events spur excitement, therefore, helping maximize the value of available assets through competitive bidding. Through an online bidding only auction event, buyers will be able to bid competitively from their computers.
- Private Treaty or Negotiated Sales – Individual assets, production lines or entire facilities can be offered for sale onto the global markets. The sale takes the form of discussion and negotiation between the buyer and the seller facilitated and undertaken by Schneider Industries.
- Sealed Bid Sales – For a sealed bid sale, we make an “Invitation for Bid,” or IFB, available to prospective buyers through the mail, by fax on demand, or via Internet. The IFB contains item descriptions, sale terms and conditions, item locations and inspection times, and a bid form. The winning buyer has the highest acceptable offer.
Each equipment, machinery and real estate sale includes inventorying all assets with detailed descriptions and photos; creation and implementation of the advertising campaign; negotiations and sales management with buyers; payment collections and reconciliations; management of equipment removal/checkout of buyers; and plant clean-up.


Understanding the economic impact of urban street grids: evidence from a natural experiment in Manhattan
MetadataShow full item record
Our project investigates the impact of rectangular street grids on urban economies using a natural experiment in Manhattan, New York. We collect original historical data on real estate transactions across two time periods (1880 and 1900) following the grid’s completion, but pre-dating zoning laws. Our preliminary results show a large increase in average real estate values in gridded areas, roughly 15-39% increase across specifications.
Department of Economics
File access restricted due to FERPA regulations


Today, it's easier than ever to go online and get all kinds of information about the latest mutual funds or other investment opportunities. Plenty of people use self-serve retail brokerages and apps to manage a portfolio by themselves. But while there are benefits sometimes to going it alone, there are certain situations where having a dedicated financial advisor you can sit down with in person might be a good idea. Here's why you might want to form such a relationship with someone today.
You Want a Comprehensive Plan to Reach a Specific Goal
Maybe you just had a kid and it's time to start thinking about saving for their college tuition. Maybe you are behind on your retirement savings and want to reassess your portfolio and set new targets going forward. Do you want to retire by a specific age? A financial advisor can discuss the details of whatever your most important goals are and help you pick a plan of action for going forward. It can also help to have positive reinforcement from someone that you are making the right choices as you continue to invest.
You Want to Form a Long-Term Plan for Your Business
You can hire a financial advisor for plenty of additional reasons beyond investing in the stock market. Do you have a new business and you want to make sure that you get started on the right foot? A financial advisor can look at your early balance sheet and make suggestions that will minimize risk and encourage growth. If your business has a surplus amount of cash, your financial advisor could help you earn interest while keeping the cash easily accessible for business emergencies.
It's Time to Start Planning Your End Game
You've done everything right over the last several decades, and you are quickly approaching the moment where you can retire and start cashing out. Keep in mind, though, that people today are living longer lives than ever before. That nest egg you've built up might have to last you a considerable number of years. Your advisor can help you game plan when you should start withdrawing from which fund, and they will keep you aware of what the tax ramifications are for each of your decisions. As you continue to age and your funds begin to deplete, your advisor can provide assurance that you will continue to be comfortable during your final years.


Interior design fee structures can seem daunting and complex. But they don’t have to be! In this article, we will outline the different types of interior design fee structures, and provide tips on how to calculate interior design project estimates. We’ll also provide a project cost estimation template to help get you started. So let’s get started!
Elements of an Interior Design Fee Structure
There are several different types of fees that can be included in an interior design fee structure. Here is a brief overview of each:
Hourly Rate: This is the most common type of fee charged by interior designers. An hourly rate allows you to charge for your time, and can be adjusted based on the scope of work.
Design Fees: Design fees are for the development of the design concept and plans. This can include things like space planning, furniture selection, and finishes.
Management Fees: Designers charge management fees for the coordination and management of a project. This can include project administration, site visits, and communication with contractors.
Procurement Fees: Procurement fees are charged for the purchase of materials and furnishings. This can include sourcing, ordering, and shipping.
Retainer: A retainer is a fee paid in advance to secure your services. Retainers are typically a percentage of the total project cost, and are paid in installments throughout the course of the project.
Reimbursable Fees: Reimbursable fees are expenses that are incurred on behalf of the client. This can include things like travel, shipping, and postage.
Late Fees: Late fees are charged for payments that are not received on time. Late fees are typically a percentage of the outstanding balance, and are assessed at the end of the project.
How to Calculate Interior Design Fees
There are several different methods that can be used to calculate interior design fees. The most common methods are flat fee, by the square foot, percentage of project costs, and hourly rate.
Flat Fee: A flat fee is a set price for the entire project. Flat fees can be based on the scope of work, or can be a lump sum payment.
By the Square Foot: This method is typically used for larger projects, such as new construction or major renovations. The fee is calculated based on the square footage of the project.
Percentage of Project Costs: This method is typically used for projects with a large budget. The fee is a percentage of the total project cost, and can be adjusted based on the scope of work.
Hourly Rate: This method is typically used for smaller projects, or for services that are not billable by the square foot. The hourly rate can be adjusted based on the scope of work.
Combination Method: This method is a combination of two or more of the above methods. The most common combination is flat fee + hourly rate.
Interior Design Fee Structure Template
Below is a template that you can use to create your own interior design fee structure.
Hourly Rate: __________
Design Fees: __________
Management Fees: __________
Procurement Fees: __________
Reimbursable Fees: __________
Late Fees: __________
Flat Fee: __________
By the Square Foot: __________
Percentage of Project Costs: __________
Hourly Rate: __________
Combination Method: __________
Here are 2 examples of interior design fee structures and the total costs:
The interior design fee structure doesn’t have to be complicated. By using a combination of the methods outlined above, you can create a fee structure that works for you and your clients. And, by using a template, you can make the process even easier.


E-learning business disrupts the status quo on how people repair, improve, and maintain great credit
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2021 / Kenney Conwell is delighted to announce the launch of MyMoneyEDU, an online financial education platform. All-digital services are designed to revolutionize the way people repair, improve, and maintain their credit scores. MyMoneyEDU will help members lower taxes, increase cash flow and increase net worth by implementing their proven wealth management strategies.
MyMoneyEDU was created to fill a gap in the minority community, namely a lack of financial education and access to financial resources. The team streamlined their processes so that anyone who fits their programs well can participate without being limited by time or geography. In addition, all MyMoneyEDU products and services are readily available in digital format.
Members who join the MyMoneyEDU platform want time and financial independence, believing that the conventional American dream of going to school, finding a job, buying a house, and investing in a 401 (k ) is no longer the only way to earn wealth. The MyMoneyEDU team has identified four main areas where they can help users become first generation millionaires.
The online program teaches how 1) Use a cash flow management strategy to increase your personal income through a side business or home business. 2) Leverage the power of personal and business credit. 3) Use the stock market as a source of leverage. The easiest approach to making money is to INVEST in the stock market, either actively or passively. 4) Use tax planning to your advantage. It is important to distinguish between tax planning and tax preparation. Planning comes before preparation, and when done right, it can help you avoid paying too much tax (i.e. tax avoidance).
In addition to the four key areas of leverage, the online courses explain how good cash flow management can help individuals develop financial discipline. Increased cash flow is easier to achieve with good credit. More investment options are created by increased cash flow. The more money you make, the more crucial it is to have a good tax strategy. MyMoneyEDU guides clients through all the elements needed to achieve their financial dreams through their comprehensive financial system.
MyMoneyEDU is proud to provide a comprehensive online education platform that helps people improve their financial situation, increase their cash flow, and increase their net worth over time. Their entire system provides the financial clarity, accountability, and the freedom and flexibility to achieve desired results.
About MyMoneyEDU and Kenny Cromwell – Kenney Conwell, founder of MyMoneyEDU, graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in May 2009, with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur, his mission is to educate, communicate and equip people who are just starting their journey with the tools they need to be successful. He founded MyMoneyEDU with the aim of helping 1,000,000 people achieve a score of 700 credits by 2029 or earlier so they can start the ERI (Entrepreneurship, Real Estate and Investing) process.
Conwell and his team are dedicated to providing the community with the tools, resources and knowledge necessary to achieve exceptional credit and financial success.
CONTACT: For interview opportunities or to find out more about registering for MyMoneyEDU
E-mail: [emailÂ protected]
THE SOURCE: MyMoneyEDU
See the source version on accesswire.com:


Comparison of mining pools
Reward types & explanation:
- DGM - Double Geometric Method. A hybrid between PPLNS and Geometric reward types that enables to operator to absorb some of the variance risk. Operator receives portion of payout on short rounds and returns it on longer rounds to normalize payments.
- Prop. - Proportional. When block is found, the reward is distributed among all workers proportionally to how much shares each of them has found.
- PPLNS - Pay Per Last N Shasres. Similar to proportional, but instead of looking at the number of shares in the round, instead looks at the last N shares, regardless of round boundaries.
- PPS - Pay Per Share. Each submitted share is worth certain amount of BC. Since finding a block requires <current difficulty> shares on average, a PPS method with 0% fee would be 25 BTC divided by <current difficulty>. It is risky for pool operators, hence the fee is highest.
- SMPPS - Shared Maximum Pay Per Share. Like Pay Per Share, but never pays more than the pool earns.
- ESMPPS - Equalized Shared Maximum Pay Per Share. Like SMPPS, but equalizes payments fairly among all those who are owed.
- RSMPPS - Recent Shared Maximum Pay Per Share. Like SMPPS, but system aims to prioritize the most recent miners first.
- CPPSRB - Capped Pay Per Share with Recent Backpay.
- POT - Pay On Target. A high variance PPS variant that pays on the difficulty of work retuened to pool rather than the difficulty of work served by pool
- Score - Score based system: a proportional reward, but weighed by time submitted. Each submitted share is worth more in the function of time t since start of current round. For each share score is updated by: score += exp(t/C). This makes later shares worth much more than earlier shares, thus the miner's score quickly diminishes when they stop mining on the pool. Rewards are calculated proportionally to scores (and not to shares). (at slush's pool C=300 seconds, and every hour scores are normalized)
Source : https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/


CITYJET is close to signing a new contract with a European airline in the next two weeks, as it drives towards a deal to buy rival Stobart Air.
Cityjet last year agreed a so-called wet lease agreement with the Scandinavian airline SAS, in which the Irish company supplies aircraft, complete crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI).
The Irish airline now operates Bombardier aircraft on 42 routes out of Oslo and Helsinki airports on behalf of SAS. The company is to increase its capacity by 50% on the SAS services next year.
Executive chairman Pat Byrne refused to disclose the identity of the new customer, but said that it was also an ACMI deal. Byrne also declined to comment on progress on talks with Stobart Air, which will see Cityjet acquire the operator of the Aer Lingus Regional franchise.
A deal with the logistics company is believed to be imminent.
Cityjet reported losses of €9.9m last year, down from €30m the previous year. The company benefited from lower fuel and staff costs and significantly reduced charges related to the hiring in of aircraft to serve routes.
Byrne said that start-up costs related to the SAS wet lease contract, which also involved the takeover of Blue One, a SAS subsidiary, would lead to losses in the current year. However, the airline was projecting profits for 2017.
He said that the airline’s focus was now firmly on developing the ACMI model in Europe. Cityjet earned roughly 23% of its revenues from such contracts in 2015, with most revenue coming from scheduled services. Byrne said that the ACMI business was core to the future development of the airline and the target was to reach 70% of turnover in the medium term. He said that a large number of carriers across Europe were exploring wet lease deals on regional routes.
Recently filed accounts show that the airline was funded in the past two years by a $20m (€ 18m) loan facility from Triangle Aviation 451, a company connected to Falko, an aviation finance arm of the US investment fund Fortress.
Cityjet was acquired in May this year from Intro Aviation, a German private equity firm, by Cityjet Holdings, a Cayman Islands-registered company. The Cayman company injected $15m of equity into the airline in September.
It is understood that the parent company and a new Irish-registered shareholder invested further sums into the airline in recent weeks. If issued on the same terms as the September tranche, then the fresh fundraising would amount to a further $7.5m.
Byrne refused to divulge the identity of the beneficial owners of Cityjet Holdings, but said that they were all European investors. He personally held a “single-digit percentage” stake in the airline.
He said that Falko was not a shareholder. It provided advice and expertise on fleet acquisition, and would continue to access appropriate aircraft for future ACMI deals.
He said that the airline shareholders would continue to support further expansion through share issues, and that the company was projecting a stock market flotation within three to five years based on current growth potential.
Cityjet currently operates 26 aircraft up from 17 last year. It operates 17 British Aerospace Avro RJ jets, eight Bombardier CRJ 900 and three Russian Sukhoi jets. It will take delivery of a further four CRJ 900 jets in March to service SAS routes and five Sukhoi jets as part of a four-year plan to replace its Avro fleet.


The World Bank (2010) writes that a good investment climate for tourism, underpinned by a sound tax regime, can play a central role in a government’s growth and development strategy. Yet in many countries, tax systems for the tourism sector are characterized by exemption schemes and instruments that generate little revenue and burden business. The three main issues facing policymakers dealing with tourism taxation are: fiscal incentives, sector-specific levies, and value-added tax (VAT). Such policy options are designed to encourage tourism investments while ensuring sustainable revenue collection. A good business environment for tourism is essential to support the industry’s central role in many countries’ development strategies. Investments in the sector, which has significant growth potential and can have important positive spillovers for the economy. Tourism is a complex industry of numerous subsectors. It is challenging to define exactly what constitutes a tourism product and how to tax it; tourism is not a single commodity, but rather a collection of many different goods and services provided by a wide range of suppliers. The tourism value chain encompasses a variety of different actors, including hotels, air carriers and transport companies, tour operators, travel agents, rental agencies, and countless suppliers from other sectors (World Bank, 2010).
Fig 1 – Tourism in Venice has reached astronomical proportions. Is the money earned by the local economy being taxed to pay for maintenance and upkeep of the buildings?
Everett (2017) writes that tourism has long been regarded as a vehicle of economic prosperity and source of increased revenue. It is one of the world’s largest industries with a global economic contribution of over US$7.6 trillion (£5.8 trillion). The United Nations World Tourism Organisation forecasts that by 2030, the number of international tourist arrivals will reach 1.8 billion. With one in ten jobs on the planet reliant on tourism (that’s 292m people) and an equivalent worth of 10% global GDP, there is little wonder that host communities want to make the most of the opportunities it brings.
Recently, the Malaysian Government introduced a tax on tourism. The tax, which was implemented in August 2017 is in the form of an extra charge on hotel and hostel accommodation, according to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Tourists staying in non-rated accommodation are charged an extra amount per room per night; tourists booking stays in one, two and three- star hotels have to pay extra per room per night; four -star hotel guests are charged even more and those booking five-star accommodation have to pay additional premium sums per room per night. This is imposed on all visitors — both foreign tourists and Malaysian nationals — staying in accommodation for either leisure, religious, holiday or business purposes. Accommodation includes any premise registered by the Commissioner under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. This includes hotels, hostels, inns, and boarding houses. According to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the revenue earned from the tourism tax will “enhance” the experience for visitors to Malaysia. “The returns will be used to develop the tourism industry, namely the enhancement of tourism infrastructure and facilities as well as tourism promotional activities and campaigns for the country.” It will also be used to “protect, preserve and conserve” Malaysia’s environment, culture and heritage (news.com.au, 2017).
Fig 2 – Galleria in Milan, Italy – there is a partial tax on tourism in Italy, but are the funds adequately directed to the maintenance and upkeep of the heritage stock?
According to an Australian Government Business Tourism Fact Sheet – last Updated: 11 April 2018, the fact sheet provides an overview of the legal, operational and business issues relevant to the tourism industry group, but it does not mention tax.
In my opinion, it makes sense to tax the ever- burgeoning tourism industry to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of heritage buildings, conservation areas and specific heritage sites and museums. By implementing a hypothecated tax from which funds are directed to heritage buildings and museums, archaeological sites, conservation areas and rural and coastal heritage towns, necessary maintenance of such places can be funded. Because tourism covers businesses from a wide variety of industries that sell goods or provide services to visitors who have travelled from their usual place of residence (international or domestic), it would make sense to tax the following entities;
• tour operators (should be taxed)
• travel agents (should be taxed)
• short-term accommodation providers (should be taxed)
• recreation service providers (should be taxed)
• transport and hire service providers including air, rail, ferry and bus transport (should be taxed).
Fig 3 – No.1 Hickson Street, The Rocks – NSW, Australia. This is one of Australia’s major tourist destinations.
Heritage listing and heritage protection is ultimately a ‘public good’ driven by the broader community. As such there is a strong expectation in the community that all levels of government should accept a significant part of the responsibility to ensure that places of heritage value are conserved. That expectation extends not only to the regulatory side of listing and protection, but also to financial aid and assistance. In an environment with limited resources, regulation may appear attractive because it appears relatively ‘cost free’. Governments can simply ‘require someone to do something’. That may be the reason that regulation has traditionally been the predominant conservation tool in some countries, including Australia. However, an effective heritage system is founded on a balance of ‘sticks and carrots’. The lack of a meaningful level of ‘carrots’ undermines support from property owners for the system, makes regulation more difficult, and misses opportunities for garnering private investment (Making heritage happen, 2014).
Specifically, the purposes of heritage incentives are to:
• ensure that owners are not unduly disadvantaged by the constraints or extra expense that the regulatory system may impose;
• leverage private capital investment in conservation;
• generate additional conservation activity than would otherwise occur;
• counteract land use policies or other factors that threaten heritage places; and
• ensure that as far as possible a ‘level playing field’ exists between privately-owned heritage and the public interest
Paul Rappoport – Heritage 21
7 May 2018
• World Bank (Corthay, L. & Loeprick, J. (2010) Taxing Tourism in Developing Countries: Principles for Improving the Investment Climate Through Simple, Fair, and Transparent Taxation. Investment Climate in Practice; No. 14. World Bank, Washington, DC. © World Bank.
• Everett, S. (2017) Deputy Dean (Business School), Anglia Ruskin University
• News.com.au (2017) Tourists to pay more for accommodation in Malaysia with new tourism tax, June 8, 2017.
• Australian Government Tourism industry fact sheet – Updated: 11 April 2018
• Making Heritage Happen (2004) Incentives and Policy Tools for Conserving Our Historic Heritage, National Incentives Taskforce for the EPHC
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Having worked in the heritage space for the better part of thirty years, I have come to rely upon five…Read more


How To Link Your Aadhaar Card With PAN Card: Aadhaar is a 12 digit number issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which contains all the information based on demographics and biometrics of a person. PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric number issued by the Income-tax department is used to file the tax return. Recently, the government of India has made compulsory for all the taxpayers to link their Aadhaar card with PAN card for filing Income tax returns. The Government has stated, by linking Aadhaar card with PAN, it can tackle the fake PAN cards, keep an eye on taxable transactions of an individual or entity and remove corruption. You can link the both cards using online and SMS method or by visiting nearest service center by providing valid information.
Here Are The Simple Steps to Link Aadhar Card with PAN Card Using an Online Method
- Visit the website incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and login with your details such as username, password and fill the captcha code and enter login.
- You can also link without Log in through this Link.
- Once you logged in, a pop-up window will appear telling you to link your Aadhaar card with PAN. If you don’t get the popup message then check the blue bar above and click on “profile setting” and then click on link Aadhaar in the list.
- Details such as name, date of birth will appear just check the details, if it matches with your Aadhaar card, if the details match, then fill your Aadhaar number and captcha code and click on the link of Aadhaar.
- Once you submitted, a popup message will appear informing you that Aadhaar card has been linked to your PAN card successfully. Also Check:
Linking Through the SMS
If you are experiencing heavy traffic and the content is taking too much time to load, you can opt to link your Aadhaar using the SMS method. You can link your Aadhaar card with PAN following these simple steps:
- Send SMS to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number
- The message should be sent in the following format
- UIDPAN<space> <12 digit Aadhaar number><space><10 digit PAN>.
- For example – UIDPAN 123456741852 BKLM4124C.
- Visit the nearest service center or PAN service provider, NSDL or UTIITSC.
- You need to fill the form called Annexure-1 and attach your attesting documents.
- Fill the form and submit to the operator and pay the prescribed as per the service.
If you are using an online method and your name doesn’t match an OTP is sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and continue the process. It is advisable to check your data on both Aadhaar and PAN card before you trying to link the 2 numbers.


Boise Mortgage Companies provide home loans to help buyers buy a property. They may be banks, credit unions, or online lenders.
When choosing a lender, compare loan programs and terms like mortgage rates, interest rate APRs, upfront fees and closing costs. Also, consider how a lender treats credit-challenged borrowers. This can make a big difference in your mortgage experience.
If you’re shopping for a mortgage, it’s important to know that the credit score mortgage lenders use may be different from the scores you see in your personal finance apps or on your credit card statements. The reason for this is that mortgage lenders will typically pull a “tri-merge” report, which consists of credit reports from all three major bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. These credit reports are then used to generate a “Qualifying Credit Score” for mortgage applicants.
What’s more, the credit scoring model used by your lender can also vary. While all of the credit scores produced by the bureaus come from the same company (FICO), different scoring models weigh factors differently. For example, the FICO 8 model is known for being more critical of high balances on revolving accounts. While this is a good thing for consumers, it can hurt mortgage borrowers whose credit utilization ratio is too high.
The scoring model used by your mortgage lender will be one of the most important factors in determining whether you’re approved for a loan and what kind of terms you can get. While it’s important to have a good credit score, you can still qualify for a mortgage even if your score isn’t great – just be prepared to put more money down or pay higher interest rates.
To determine your qualifying credit score, most mortgage lenders will take the middle score of the tri-merge report. The mortgage lender will then use that score throughout the mortgage process. This process differs from conventional mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, which use the median score of all borrowers on the loan application.
While you can request a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies for free (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can only receive a report from one of the bureaus per year), most mortgage lenders will use the tri-merge report to determine your qualifying score. If you’re applying for a mortgage jointly with someone else, the mortgage lender will average the median score of all borrowers.
A down payment is an upfront portion of the home purchase price paid by the buyer with cash. The rest of the cost is covered by a mortgage loan, which is paid back monthly along with interest. A down payment is usually required by most lenders, and the size of it influences the terms of the mortgage.
A large down payment may reduce the number of months required to pay off the debt and it can lower the interest rate you pay. For this reason, many homebuyers spend time saving for a down payment. They create a budget, scrimp where they can and try to put any extra money (like birthday card cash or work bonuses) toward the down payment.
The size of your down payment may also be influenced by whether this will be your primary residence, vacation or investment property. There is more risk involved when borrowers buy homes as investments, so there may be higher down payment requirements or more stringent credit score requirements.
When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will ask for information about your savings and checking accounts, as well as outstanding debt obligations like credit cards, car loans and student loan balances. Lenders also review your past 3+ months of bank activity and will look for large deposits that may indicate a new source of funds. If you receive a gift from a family member or friend to use towards a down payment, you will likely need to provide a letter that clarifies the relationship, documents the amount and confirms contact information.
If you’re concerned about the amount of money you can save for a down payment, consider using a mortgage calculator to see what your potential monthly payments would be with various down payment scenarios. Our Loan Advisors are happy to sit down with you and run different numbers based on your specific parameters.
There is no minimum dollar amount that you must earn to qualify for a mortgage, but lenders want to be sure that you have enough income coming in to cover your loan payments as well as your other bills. They do this by looking at your household income, which typically includes wages from a job, but also may include other sources of income such as retirement and investment accounts. They also look at your debt-to-income ratio, which is how much of your income goes to paying off your credit cards, car loans, other debts and housing expenses.
The mortgage lender’s requirements can vary slightly from one bank to another, but they all base their decisions on the same factors. While they consider your income and other debts, they also set the terms of the mortgage and interest rate. You can shop around for a mortgage, and you will find that some lenders offer more flexible terms than others.
Different types of mortgage lenders include retail lenders, portfolio lenders, wholesale lenders and mortgage brokers. Retail lenders provide mortgages directly to consumers. Portfolio lenders use their own funds to fund mortgages rather than sourcing them from other lenders. Wholesale lenders are banks and other financial institutions that don’t work directly with consumers, but instead originate, fund and sometimes service mortgage loans. Mortgage brokers are individuals who negotiate, place or assist in the placement of mortgage loans on residential property for compensation or gain. They must be licensed in the state where they operate.
No-income verification mortgages (also called no documentation or non-QM loans) are still available for some borrowers, but they are very restrictive and require a high credit score and significant down payment. These loans are usually reserved for self-employed borrowers and those who have a high net worth. They are also more expensive than traditional mortgages, since the lender takes on more risk by lending to low-income borrowers. They can be a great option for those who need a mortgage but have issues with their credit or savings. They can also be useful for investors who want to buy a property and rent it out, but don’t have the income to qualify for a conventional mortgage.
Lenders review your liquid assets – cash, money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) – to determine how much of a financial cushion you have to make mortgage payments if your job was lost or income were reduced. The more assets you have, the less likely you are to default on your loan in a time of crisis.
For traditional conforming loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you are typically required to have a certain number of months in mortgage reserves. These are funds you can use to cover your monthly housing costs including PITI, property taxes and homeowners insurance. Mortgage reserve requirements vary based on your lender and the type of loan.
Some lenders require more mortgage reserves than others for jumbo loans and other types of non-conforming mortgage programs. Lenders review your assets and use a formula to calculate how much of a cushion you have to meet mortgage reserve requirements.
The key is that the assets you have are sourced and seasoned, and that your savings pattern is stable. For example, if you make a large deposit into your account shortly before applying for a mortgage, your lender will be suspicious and may ask you to explain where the funds came from. This might prompt a delay in the process or even rejection of your application, depending on the lender.
Liquid assets typically include cash in checking and savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs. For other types of assets, such as retirement accounts and real estate holdings, you’ll be asked to provide verification documents, which normally include account statements and deeds for ownership. For private equity stakes in companies, documentation will vary and might include business operating agreements, shareholder certificates or corporate charters.
You’re also expected to disclose the value of your personal property, such as cars and furniture. You may need to provide a valuation report from an independent appraiser for the property and supporting ownership documents. Similarly, for some types of investment properties you’ll need to submit appraisal reports and property management agreements.


Savvy Leading Ladies know being fashionable, doesn’t mean you can’t be frugal. Our friend Nicole from Nicole’s Nickels is dedicated to finding the best money-savers on the web, and she’s letting us in on a few of her online shopping secrets. Thanks, Nicole!
I do most of my shopping online these days, mostly because I know I can get great deals online, sometimes even better deals than what you get in the store! Here are 5 of my best online shopping tips:
1. Always use a cash back shopping site. Cash back shopping sites like Ebates and Mr. Rebates are free to use and you’ll get a certain percentage of your purchase as cash back into your account. Sometimes you can get as much as 52% cash back but generally expect 2-8% cash back from most merchants. You just log in to your cash back shopping accounts and click through to the merchant so your shopping can be tracked and your cash back deposited.
3. Sign up for store/website email newsletters. Most merchants have email newsletters that are completely free to sign up for. They then reward your interest by sending you exclusive coupons and invites to private sales/ I use a separate deals email address (sign up for one for free using gmail) for these kind of email newsletters.
4. Don’t use a debit card. If you use a debit card online and your account is ever compromised you are out the money debited from the card while you wait for your bank to investigate. If you use a credit card you just dispute the charge and aren’t responsible for paying it while the credit card company investigates.
5. Research shipping options. Many stores now offer a free ship to the store option. I do this when I don’t have time to shop in the store but live close to one and am happy to have everything sent there. Try on the clothes in the store and then just return them to the store right then if they don’t fit. Also consider joining ShopRunner and Amazon Prime for free 2 day shipping! You can get 30 day free trials of both to check out the services!
It is possible to save more money online than in store and what better convenience is there than to not have to go to the store, find a parking space and drag all your purchases home!
About Nicole: I started Nicole’s Nickels in February 2009 to bring all of the great deals I was finding to my friends and family and then it took off! Since then I’ve continued my full-time day job as an attorney while blogging in the evenings and on weekends. I help my clients during the days at the non-profit I work for and then my Nicole’s Nickels readers trying to find the best deals for their family! I live in south/central Florida and have 2 cute dogs (see their picture under “mascots”) and an amazing husband who has a spunky 6 year old we get to spend a lot of time with. I love telling my readers about great deals and also about the cool products I get to try. Most of all I love giving stuff away to my readers! I hope you’ll take the time to “like” me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and/or subscribe to get my daily updates via email to stay in touch!


Owning your own automobile can be a liberating feeling. Knowing that you can take off at anytime and drive anywhere gives you a freedom that you can’t find nearly anywhere else. This freedom comes with a significant amount of responsibility, though. In addition to cleaning the car and regularly maintaining it, you will also need to follow stringent guidelines that are dictated by law to ensure that your car runs efficiently and safely.
One of the most important steps to becoming a full-fledged automobile owner is purchasing auto insurance in Altoona, PA. There are a number of reasons why it is important to carry insurance on your car before you ever drive on the road, and detailed below are a few of the most important reasons why.
Carrying Insurance Is the Law
Carrying auto insurance is the law. Frankly speaking, if you don’t have insurance on your vehicle when you drive it on the roads, then you are breaking the law. Compulsory car insurance has been in place for nearly a hundred years in most states in an effort to ensure that you and the other person involved in any potential accident can take care of any costs that accrue. Not only is carrying auto insurance for your own benefit, but it is also for the benefit of the other person involved in the accident.
Insurance Can Mitigate Excessive Costs
Anyone who has spent any reasonable amount of time in a hospital can attest to just how costly such a visit can be. The costs add up quickly. From the ambulance ride, to the initial care, to the time spent recovering, every single bit of service you receive will be billed. If you are involved in an accident that causes you or someone else bodily harm, you are forced to pick up the hospital tab.
This is what makes carrying insurance so important: if you have a solid plan, they will pay the bill after you meet your deductible. If you don’t have a plan in place, you are then forced to pay out of pocket, which can be devastating to your bank account. This small-term investment can shield you from long-term bankruptcy.
Put Yourself at Ease
Simply having an auto insurance policy can give you a sense of peace that can affect how you drive. Just knowing that you are protected will allow you to drive as you normally would, whereas not having coverage may force you to drive a little too cautiously, leading to that which you were trying to avoid in the first place: a crash. Don’t worry every time you pull out of the driveway about getting in a car crash and incurring life-altering amounts of debt; sign up for a solid auto insurance policy today to ensure that you can drive worry free.
Save Yourself the Hassle
Have you ever been involved in a traffic accident before? The process of going about having your injuries treated properly, contacting the police, filing a report, and fixing the damages is exhausting to say the least.
Now imagine not having your auto insurance provider to act as a mediator during the process. Not only will you be forced to do all of that legwork yourself, chances are that won’t be able to get the process started and finished nearly as fast as someone who has the proper training to make the proper claims and contact the proper authorities.
Auto insurance in Altoona, PA, is more than just a hoop to jump through in order to drive your car, it is a way to ensure that you are protected in the event of a car crash.


Our Board of Trustees
We are very fortunate to have a committed and experienced Board of Trustees, led by our Chairman, Mike Innes and Vice Chair, Sara Touzel, Sue Hopkins, John Kane, Jill Oakhill, Caroline Byrt and Roger Spooner.
Trustees are actively involved in all commercial and strategic decision-making, and the governance of the Society. The Board explores the possibilities of new projects, and works to create our vision and shape our future.
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for:
- directing and reviewing our strategy and objectives for development
- ensuring best use of our charitable funds, and investing wisely
- managing and maintaining a strong financial foundation, to enable us to deliver our plans for the future
- identifying and effectively managing risk
- ensuring legal and regulatory compliance with increasingly stringent legislation
- providing leadership and a critical overview of the Society’s activities
- keeping the Society focused on its core purposes and delivering its charitable aims
- safeguarding the reputation of the Society
- being open and accountable, and operating with integrity and transparency


You can now get a clear picture of how your staff is doing with our “Complete Productivity & Performance” report. This tool shows you everything in one place, helping you make smart choices to improve work, identify strengths, and address areas for improvement. This report is ideal for Alterations, Tailoring, and Bridal businesses.
In order to use this tool you need to setup each employees pay type (Hourly rate or commission base).
Here are the steps on how to set it up:
Navigate to Settings > Users
Click on the user’s name that’s being modified
If an employee works on an hourly rate, enter the value in the “Hourly rate” field.
If an employee works on a commission basis, then enter the percentage in the “Commission rate” field. Please note that there are two commission rate options. – Commission from transactions > An employee is paid on a percentage basis for transactions they place. – Commission from processes > The employee receives a percentage of the work they have completed. In other words a percentage of the work they have marked done.
Definition of each column in the Productivity & Performance report.
Employee: Displays the names of employees.
Transactions befor surc/disc: The total amount of transactions the employee created before any surcharge and discounts.
Transactions: The total amount of transactions the employee created.
Processes before surc/disc: The total amount of jobs marked done by employee before surcharges or discounts.
Processes: The total amount of jobs marked done by employee.
Duration: The total duration of the jobs marked done by the employee.
Time logged: Total number of hours logged by employee by clock-in and clock-out.
%Duration/Log: The ratio between the total duration of the jobs marked done vs. the total time the employee logged by clock-in and clock-out (employee efficiency).
Hourly wage: The total amount earned by hourly staff, based on their time logs multiplied by their hourly rate.
Commissions: The total amount of commissions earned by the staff. A popup window will appear when you hover over the value and it will display whether it is from a transaction or a process.
Total pay: Total of commission plus hourly wage.
Net processes: The remaining processes which means total paid minus total processed by the employee.
%Wage/Processes: The ratio between total wage vs. total processed by the employee.
Net transactions: Subtracting the transactions from the hourly wage.
%Wage/Transactions: The ratio between wage vs. total transactions placed by employee.
Hourly Staff Payment and Commission Calculation
With the new update, you can enter hourly rates for hourly employees and commission rates for commission-based employees. You can view the calculations on the “Productivity and performance report”.
Hourly rate and commissions rate can be setup by navigating to “Settings > Users”
Tracking New and Returning Customer Percentages
As part of this new update, we have improved the interface for the “New vs Returning Customers” report.
This report displays new and returning customer numbers and transaction totals on a percentage basis along with a number value.
This insightful report empowers you to make informed decisions and tailor your strategies to maximize customer engagement and loyalty.
Expanded Multi-Store Reports
In this new update, we have also expanded Multi-Store reports to include “New vs returning customers”, and “Employee’s productivity and performance” report that will allow you to view detailed report for each store in one place.
This update introduces manual communication options for email, text messages, and HTTP requests. Options for manual email and text messages are enabled by default. You can access/edit manual communication options by going to Settings > Registers > Manual communications.
You can manually send email, text messages, or HTTP requests by clicking the 3 dots next to the transaction on transaction history.


It has come to our attention that there are some roofing operations offering some form of rebate on insurance deductibles. This is not legal in the state of Nebraska. LB 943 states in part:
"A residential contractor shall not promise to rebate any portion of an insurance deductible as an inducement to the sale of goods or services. A promise to rebate any portion of an insurance deductible includes granting any allowance or offering any discount against the fees to be charged or paying an insured or a person directly or indirectly associated with the residential real estate any form of compensation, except for any item of nominal value." (State Law section 44-8604)
LB 943 also allows a person to cancel a written contract with a residential contractor within the later of three business days after the person has entered into the contract, or the person has received notice from the insurance company that all or part of the claim is not covered under the policy. (State Law section 44-8603(1).


Our dentists and dental team at Simple Smiles are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive dentistry that fits your family’s financial situation as well as your dental needs and goals. We are in network with the following dental insurance providers:
- CONNECTION Dental
- Delta Dental Premier
- Horizon Dental Blue 200
- Lincoln Group
- Meritain Health
In addition, we accept the following forms of payment:
- Credit cards
CareCredit, a third-party financing company, provides no- and low-interest financing plans to help your family afford high-quality dentistry. We welcome you to contact our Paterson, New Jersey dental office today to learn more about dental insurance, CareCredit, and our other financial options. Our knowledgeable dental team is always happy to answer your questions!
We invite you to complete our patient forms before your visit with our talented dentist, Dr. Rojas. Completing our patient forms prior to your visit will help you be more prepared and will save you some time at our Paterson, New Jersey dental office. If you have any questions or would like assistance of any type, we welcome you to call us at Simple Smiles. We are dedicated to providing you with a pleasant, streamlined experience!


Key take aways:
- US$1,000 - $1,100pp: Average cost of permits & national park fees. These are fixed costs that cannot be avoided.
- Accommodation before & after your trek is another major driver of cost.
- Budget accommodation costs approx. US$15 - $50pp/day
- Mid-range accommodation costs approx. US$75 - $200pp/day
- Luxury accommodation costs approx. US$200+pp/day
- Group size is another major driver of cost. The larger the group, the cheaper your trek.
- Cutting costs usually results in guides and porters not being paid.
- If you want to save money, trek in the shoulder seasons (mid-Jun & Oct)
The major costs of a Kilimanjaro trek generally include park permits and fees, accommodation, airport transfers, transport to and from the trek, food, equipment, and guide & porter salaries.
If you’re wondering why prices are usually quoted in US Dollars (USD), it is because Tanzanian businesses prefer to be paid in USD for three reasons:
- African local currency is usually pegged against the USD
- The value of local currencies are minimal. For example, Tanzania’s highest value note is TZS 10,000, which is equal to USD$5, so paying for a Kilimanjaro trek worth US$5,000 in Tanzanian Shillings would result in you having to carry a massive bag full of notes! Very inconvenient!
- USD is a global currency
Adventure Out Loud makes this easier by charging you in AUD and taking the foreign exchange risk at our end.
Don’t forget that it is also customary in East Africa to tip, so make sure you factor that into your budget! More on tipping below.
The average Kilimanjaro trek can cost anywhere between US$2,000 and US$10,000 and you may be wondering, what makes this experience so expensive? We’ve put together this comprehensive cost breakdown to help you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
When trekking Kilimanjaro, we strongly recommend you don’t pay under US$2,500, as low-cost operators may cut corners on gear, food, training and fair wages for the guides and porters that will help you up the mountain. Here’s a closer look at where your money will go:
- US$1,000 - Park and camping fees (approx. US$140pp/day)
- US$200 - Accommodation x 2 nights (US$70 - $100pp/night)
- US$100 - Airport transfers (US$50 each way)
- US$200 - Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro
- US$200 - Food
- US$700 - Support crew salaries for 7 days to support 1 trekker
- There are also costs for equipment and the cheaper your trekking fee, the more likely your tents will leak or be cold, you won’t have a comfortable mat to sleep on and the food you eat may not be freshly prepared, nutritious and safe.
As you can see, most Kilimanjaro treks will cost an operator approximately US$2,000/trekker. Tour operators will then need to make a profit, and cover other overheads like insurance, marketing, office costs, booking staff salaries, etc. If you want a more luxury experience, you expect to pay more for a private toilet, better food, more experienced guides and porters, etc.
Guide & porter salaries
Guides and porters need to be paid a fair wage as outlined by KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project). If the company you use is not paying a minimum of US$10/porter you should not use them. Guides should also be paid at least US$25/day and cooks should be paid at least US$20/day.
For one trekker, you can expect a crew of 6 – 10 people. This means that wages for a seven day trek will be approximately $700.
Tipping tips and tricks
Tipping is expected in Tanzania and on Kilimanjaro. Guides, porters and cooks work incredibly hard to ensure you are safe, happy and comfortable. Our staff are professional and experienced and you’ll love their service, so whilst tips might seem high before your trek, most trekkers actually give more once they see how hard our team works.
To help you budget and to make tipping easier during our Australian guide led small group adventures, we collect tips at the start of the trip and pay them on your behalf. For our private & locally led adventurers, we have developed a Kilimanjaro tipping calculator to help you calculate a minimum tip for your trek.
Why do prices for Kilimanjaro vary so much?
The major reasons for price fluctuations are the number of trekkers in the group and accommodation/luxury level. Fixed costs, like transport, are much cheaper when they are shared among 10 trekkers instead of 1. Some variable costs, like crew salaries, are also cheaper when shared, so the best way to save money on Kilimanjaro is to join a group.
The level of comfort you want before, during and after the trek also contributes to the cost. If you want comfortable camping chairs, a dining table, portable toilet and other luxuries, your price will increase.
Another major driver is your before and after trek accommodation. For example, if you want 2 nights in a high-end luxury hotel before and after your trek, you may expect your accommodation alone to be US$500 - $5,000pp, compared to a budget hotel for US$50pp/night. As you might expect, accommodation is most expensive during peak season. If you’re looking for a way to trek Kilimanjaro on a budget, consider looking at the best times of year to climb the mountain out of peak season.
The general rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for on Kilimanjaro, particularly when it comes to your safety and porter welfare, so be cautious about how you choose to cut costs.
Cost of clothing & gear for Kilimanjaro
You should also make sure you budget some money before your trek even begins to purchase or hire the gear you will need for your trek. Gear is another area where you shouldn’t cut costs on Kilimanjaro, as having great gear, especially hiking boots, wet weather and cold weather gear can make your trip a lot more comfortable.
Make sure you consider the season in which you’re planning your trek - this can help you plan out all of the gear you’ll need, and it can also affect the cost of your trip. A few general rules of thumb we apply are:
- Always buy good hiking boots and wear them in before your trek
- If you aren't going to use the gear again, hire it to save money (except the essentials outlined in our Kilimanjaro packing blog)
- Test your gear is waterproof before your trek by testing in rain or by wetting it
Kilimanjaro is an incredible trek and the cost will be worth it when you are standing on top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world, looking out over the African savanna as the sun comes up in the distance. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Kilimanjaro adventure today!
Ready to start planning your African adventure?
Check out our ultimate guide to trekking Mt Kilimanjaro or book a consultation with an African trekking experts to start planning your unforgettable Kilimanjaro trek. Our small group and private adventures are individually crafted to meet your wildest dreams! Secluded beach getaways, romantic safaris, honeymoon surprises, unique accommodation, or something a little weird and wonderful, tell us your wildest adventure dreams and we’ll make them a reality. Book a free consultation with an African safari experts today so we can help you plan your dream safari adventure.


We are currently in the 3rd Quarter and mother nature has paid us another visit. Our main priority is for students to travel in safe conditions so, again, we have had to cancel classes.
Typically this time of year burnout can take place but definitely not this year - our students and staff are very refreshed.
In the next few weeks I will provide more information on Proposition 2 (more details on this webpage).
Please feel free to email, visit the school or call if you have any questions or concerns.
The Dora R-III School District will be in session on March 10th, 11th, and 21st to help recover some of the time lost during the last winter storm. Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11 are part of the week long spring break originally scheduled for March 10-14. Friday, March 21, was set aside for Parent/Teacher conferences.
Notice of Special School Bond Election
Dora R-III School District, Missouri
NOTICE is hereby given to the qualified voters of the Dora R-III School District, Missouri (the "District"), in the State of Missouri, that an election will be held in the District on Tuesday, the 8th day of April 2014, commencing at 6:00 a.m., and closing at 7:00 p.m., on that date, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the District the following proposition, to-wit:
Shall the Board of Education of the Dora R-III School District, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Three Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($380,000) for the purpose of providing funds for construction, equipping and furnishing of three new classrooms; to the extent funds are available complete other upgrades, remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and issue bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.1804 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
End of the school year events are set after factoring in the missed days because of inclement weather.
The eigth grade graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m.
The high school graduation is scheduled for Sunday afternoon on May 18 at 2:00 p.m.
The last day of school is Friday, May 23. Classes will end at noon.