Problem: Article: If your workplace has a union, it negotiates collective bargaining agreements that cover benefits and wages for all employees in a bargaining unit. A bargaining unit is a group of employees who perform similar work. Generally, the union is the sole negotiator for all employees in the unit, even those not in the union. Unions also represent members in workplace disputes with supervisors. Common disputes occur around discipline and termination. A union may pay for a lawyer to help the employee arbitrate a dispute. Ask around and talk to a co-worker who is in the union. Ask if she or he has ever had to file a complaint with the union and how it was resolved. Also ask if they think they are getting good value for the dues they are paying. If your workplace has a union already in place, then you should call Human Resources to ask how to join. Alternately, you could ask a co-worker if she knows who the union representative at your workplace is. Whether or not HR has a form depends on whether the collective bargaining agreement provides for HR to deduct union dues. If the agreement does not, then contact your union representative. Get the "Dues Withholding Form" from HR or from your union representative. You will need to include personal information (name, address, and job title). You will also need to provide your Social Security Number so that union dues can be deducted from your paycheck. Make sure you have the right form. Multiple unions are often present at large employers (such as universities). Some unions may exist for hourly workers and a separate union may exist for salaried workers. Each has its own form. A typical form looks like this. Union membership isn't free. You will have to pay dues on a schedule, typically monthly. There should be a dues schedule that HR can give you. The amount of union dues varies by workplace. Generally, you can expect to pay between $200 and several hundred dollars a year. Union dues fund a variety of activities, for example office support and organizing costs. Money is also used to pay fees for attorneys who help with negotiations and accountants who analyze the employer's finances. You are probably already paying into a union. Although a unionized workplace will be open to employees who do not join, bargaining agreements often require all workers to pay a percentage of the union dues. This is called an "agency fee." Complete the form accurately and completely. Unless you request that your application be withdrawn, you should be enrolled automatically in the union. Keep a copy for your records. If HR automatically deducts your dues, then you do not have to do anything to pay your dues. However, if HR does not automatically deduct dues, then you will be responsible for paying them yourself. Each union has different methods of payments. Some require that you send the money to a designated delegate. The delegate then sends back stamps for you to paste into a booklet, signaling that you paid your dues. Other unions require you to pay online. You will be given an identification number and password. Once you log-in, you can then pay the dues. Be sure to ask your union representative about how to pay, and contact her with any questions. Active participation is crucial to a successful union. You may vote on issues and in elections, as well as join committees. Committees are commonly formed around education, consumer affairs, veterans, and women's issues.
Summary: Learn about the workplace union. Call Human Resources (HR). Ask for a form. Understand how much you will pay in dues. Complete the form and submit. Pay your union dues. Participate in the union.

Problem: Article: If you need to take out loans to pay for law school, you should take federal loans first. A law student can borrow up to $20,500 per academic year in Federal Stafford Loans. These loans offer students in-school deferment and forbearance options. With subsidized student loans, the federal government pays the interest while you're in school so long as you are registered at least half-time. These loans are not based on financial need and a law school determines the total amount of loans required to pay for its tuition and costs. With unsubsidized federal student loans, the borrower is responsible for paying the interest while in school. If you choose not to pay your interest while in school, the interest will continue to accrue and then "capitalize." Capitalization means that accrued interest will be added to the principal/amount that you originally borrowed. If possible, you want to pay the interest before it capitalizes. There are a number of private companies that also lend money to law students. Often, these companies do not offer the same protections offered by federal student loans and may not allow you to "lock in" a low interest rate. If you need to borrow private law school loans, it is recommended that you take out the least amount possible. If you're trying to avoid paying interest, you may be able to work out a personal loan with a family member who has the money to finance your education. Over the course of the loan, this may save you a significant amount of money. A part-time job won't cover all of the costs associated with law school, but it can help you pay for the amount not covered by financial aid or reduce the amount of money you take in loans. You should be cautious about how much time you work during law school. Having a job while in school may negatively impact your academic performance and ultimately affect your ability to secure a good job. If you are interested in working for a large law firm and you have very good grades, you may be able to secure a summer associate position during the summer after your second year of law school. In 2013, summer associates at top-paying law firms earned $3,156.39 in take-home pay a week. This money could nearly pay for an entire year of tuition.
Summary: Borrow federal loans. Borrow private law school loans. Borrow money from family. Get a part-time job during the school year. Use your summer legal job to defray costs.

Problem: Article: Before brainstorming for ideas, you need to design a budget. After designing a budget, you'll know the exact resources you have to create your dining room. Decide whether you'll be doing the work yourself or if you'll hire professionals. Start with savings or other money you've set aside for your dining room. Allocate money for painting, flooring, and other structural elements. It might be best to get estimates from several contractors for these costs. Determine how much money you have for major pieces of furniture. This includes your table, chairs, and buffet. Consider if you can use anything you already own or if you need to replace them. Figure out how much money you want to reserve for accessories like artwork, plants, or rugs. Spend time browsing a variety of media in order to get ideas about how you'll plan your dining room. Without looking at how others have designed inviting dining rooms, you won't be equipped to prepare your own. Consult: Furniture catalogs. Home improvement magazines. Consider magazines like "Better Homes and Gardens," "Martha Stewart Living," or "Good Housekeeping." Websites. Try websites associated with popular magazines or TV channels like HGTV. Contact an interior designer for a consultation if you don't know where to start. The style of a dining room is largely responsible for the feel of the overall room. Thus, you need to make sure you are conscious of the style you are choosing when you design your dining room. If you're not, your room may clash or send mixed signals to guests. Consider styles such as neoclassical, Tudor, art deco, French countryside, or shabby sheik. Your style may or may not reflect the overall style of your homejust make sure you won't grow sick of it over time. If you choose a clashing style, make sure to clash responsibly and do so deliberately. For instance, you may choose to stick an art deco serving table into a room decorated with a Tudor style.
Summary:
Design a budget. Look for ideas. Pick a coherent style.