Can You Get a Worthwhile Education at an Affordable Price?

It’s no secret that getting a college education is expensive. While some students are fortunate enough to earn a scholarship, most students have to find other means to pay for their schooling. Tuition alone is a significant commitment, not to mention all the other expenses that go along with it, like housing, food, books, etc. Plus, it takes on even greater meaning when you start to consider the actual education you are receiving. So how do you get an affordable education that’s worth it? And how do you know you are getting the right education in order to have a successful future? Is Your Education Worth the Price? Is your education really worth what you pay for it? It’s hard to answer that question, because there are so many different education experiences to be had. Likewise, not all fields and careers are created equal. Additionally, potential employers might consider an education from one school to be a lot more valuable than other schools. Ultimately, if your education experience helps you land the type of job you’re looking for with a satisfactory salary then your education is likely worth the price. How to Find an Affordable Education So the next step is finding the right education at a price you can afford. Here are some suggestions. Number one, you can start by applying to several different schools. You should apply to as many schools as you can afford. Why does this matter? Studies show that the more schools you have to choose from themore likely you are to receive financial aid. Plus, if you’re a good student already, then more schools will be interested in having you attend. Consider Scholarships Another option is to start at a community college with the mindset to transfer later on. Community college tuition is cheaper and if you prove yourself at a smaller school, you are more likely to attract larger schools, and perhaps scholarships, down the road. Speaking of scholarships, this is another way to get a great education at an affordable price. Apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can. Any help you can get will make your education experience more affordable. New Hybrid Degrees There is a new trend that is starting to emerge in college education, as some institutions are now offering five-year programs that combine both baccalaureate and masters degrees into the same time frame. This not only offers an expanded and more in-depth education opportunity, but also a more cost-effective one. That’s because some schools even offer undergraduates the chance to take graduate courses at lower prices. Extra Skills and Programs Other universities and institutions are now offering additional non-degree programs that are designed to help students upgrade their so-called executive skills and enhance their resumes. Some of these programs even incorporate executive coaching skills into their training, which is another way to improve students’ chances of being hired, as well as their earning potential when they enter the workforce. Do Your Homework The bottom line is if you want to get a worthwhile education at an affordable price, you have to do your homework. No pun intended. Research all the available schools and programs within your reach and then choose the one that best meets your desires and needs.

Could the Wealthy Still Pay Obamacare Tax After Trump Plan Replacement?

It’s now June and the fight over the nation’s healthcare bill is still ongoing. It’s not that lawmakers aren’t trying to get something done that would ultimately replace Obamacare, but as with most things in Washington, it’s a slow-moving process. The House’s first attempt earlier this year was widely criticized and never got far. However, more recently the House voted in favor of a new plan that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA)...barely. The new bill passed the house by the slimmest of margins: 217-213, so it was anything but a slam-dunk. What Will Happen to the Medicare Surtax? Furthermore, the American Health Care Act bill now needs to get through the Senate, which is no guarantee. That means the wait for a change could still be very long and slow. Of the many sticking points – and there are many – one of the biggest is associated with taxes, specifically the Medicare surtax. Although the new bill is believed to be a big boon for the wealthy, the latest version of H.R. 1628 actually leaves a big part of the Obamacare tax in place, at least for severalyears to come. Medicare Surtax Aimed the Wealthy Here’s how it’s currently set up. The ACA added a Medicare surtax of 0.9 percent, which is an additional tax that applies to wages and self-employment income to people who earn more than $200,000, or couples who earnmore than $250,000. Therefore, these taxpayers pay the regular Medicare tax, which is 1.45 percent on their income up to $200k or $250k, then an additional 2.35 percent on any income above those thresholds. Wealthy Taxpayers Will Continue to Foot the Bill While the first attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare called for an immediate repeal of this provision, the newest version of the bill does not. In fact, as it is written now this Medicare surtax would not be repealed until 2023, which means wealthy taxpayers would continue to pay this taxfor at least six more years. So, while there are still plenty of tax cuts included in the new bill, the Medicare surtax is no longer one of them. For most taxpayers it’s not an issue, but for wealthy taxpayers, it means a significant number of dollars still going to help pay for Obamacare. Repeal Now, Replace Later Of course, it still remains to be seen what happens when the Senate votes on whether or not to pass the new bill, but President Trump just recently said last week that if the Senate could not pass the bill, thenthe Affordable Care Act should be repealed immediately and replaced later with another health plan. Some Senators already favor this move so it could become a reality if the Senate can’t push the current bill through. This long, ongoing, arduous battle continues to play out, and in the meantime, the only thing American taxpayers can do is sitby and wait to how it ends.

Why Are You Still in Credit Card Debt?

Why Are You Still in Credit Card Debt?

Do you have any credit card debt? Chances are if you own even one credit card the answer is yes. And if you’re like most people, then you probably have several cards with each one carrying at least some balance. In fact, more than 120 million Americans have at least some credit card debt, with the average amount per household coming in at $8,448. That number alone is staggering, but when you consider the amount of interest the average person is paying, the numbers are even more mind-blowing. Fees Compound the Problem Consider the fact that the interest rate for the average credit card is 14 percent, according to the Federal Reserve, which means the average family could easily spend more than $1,000 each year just on the interest alone. That is a huge portion of a person’s income going to waste. Everyone knows that debt is bad and that paying interest fees is essentially throwing away money. So why do so many people continue to get into so much credit card debt? And why doso few people seem to be able to get out from debt once they fall into that trap? Create a Plan In order to get out of debt, you have to live by a budget. A set budget will help you live within your means. You should also set a target date for when you want to become debt-free, and stick to it. It’salso a good idea to reward yourself as you reach certain milestones along the way to becoming debt-free. But don’t add further debt. Onceyou’ve created your plan you have to live by it. Millions of people start the process but they don’t achieve their goal. For many, it’s because they continue to make the same mistakes that keep them in debt. Avoid These Common Mistakes One of the most common mistakes people make is getting their budget wrong. The problem is many people consider and calculate their budget by looking forward instead of back. It’s important to learn from the past in order to understand how to manage your budget going forward. Another big mistake people commit is making decisions based on emotion instead of common sense. If you can’t afford your car payment then sell it and find something more affordable. It’s a no-brainer but it can be difficult for someone who is emotionally attached to his or her vehicle. Automation Works Another mistake people make is by passing automation. When you set your payments to be withdrawn automatically you won’t ever miss a payment. You’ll also likely avoid the temptation to spend the money you have set aside for your credit card bill, somewhere else. Lastly, don’t try to borrow your way out of debt without setting a budget and changing your spending habits. Balance transfers and consolidating debts can be effective tools for getting out of debt but if you haven’t corrected your spending habits first then you will most likely continue to spend beyond your means and end up in even worse debt.

Discover the Top Islands to Visit This Year

Discover the Top Islands to Visit This Year

 

It’s summer and that means vacation time. If you’re looking for a great place to get away this season and an island trip sounds desirable then check out these top island getaways for 2017, according to Travel +Leisure. But be sure to bring your bathing suit and a spirit of adventure and then get ready to enjoy everything these top island locations have to offer

 

Featuring mountains, underground rivers, relaxing vibes and limestone caves,this island getaway is fast becoming a fan favorite for tourists from all over the world.That’s why it tops this year’s list.

Top Leaders Avoid These Killer Traits

Top Leaders Avoid These Killer Traits

Great leaders aren’t born on trees. It takes time to become a great leader, as well as the ability to adapt and be flexible, and to learn from one’s mistakes. Many of the world’s greatest leaders, in both business and in life, share many common traits that have helped shape their success. At the same time, there are several traits that the best leaders avoid like a plague. Everyone has come across a bad “leader” at some point, or at the very least heard others talking about a bad leader in the break room, or at an off-site get-together. The fact is no one wants to be around a bad leader, let alone work for one. So what kinds of traits should you avoid if you don’t want to become a bad leader?

Op-Ed: The NFL versus the USA – a line has been drawn in the sand

Op-Ed: The NFL versus the USA – a line has been drawn in the sand

Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva standing for the national anthem on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017

There seems not to exist one ounce of discipline within the ranks of the National Football League. There is only the prospects of the revenue being “raked” in by the owners of the teams and the unbelievably high salaries the players receive. The misplaced support of the players among themselves has, like a nasty wound, festered into a major incident between patriotic Americans and the undisciplined players who make millions of dollars spent by Americans who love and revere their National Anthem and the beautiful flag that waves softly above the voices of those who sing. The recent choice of the Pittsburg Steelers team to remain in the locker room while the National Anthem was being played/sung appeared to explode in their faces, as one of their team members (a combat Veteran) left his teammates in the locker room and took his usual place on the field for the playing of our country’s National Anthem. He quite noticeably stood with hand over heart, rendering proper attention to the flag he has fought so proudly to protect. All, save one, seemingly hid in the shadows, not even able to look each other in the face, while “true Americans” sang the Anthem with loud voices and cheered and applauded when the last note of the Anthem reverberated throughout the stadium. The players, coaches and owners owe an abject apology to the Nation for their misplaced act. If a sincere apology is not quickly forthcoming, this patriot believes that the game of football as we know it will cease to exist. The audience and – more important to the players and owners – the revenue will also disappear. Players and any other “knee-kneeling” supporters should be forced to show their feelings away from all sports venues. If not, they will be earning the Presidential tag “SOB” and should have their player contracts withdrawn. God bless America, the American Flag, and the National Anthem. All opinion articles are the opinion of the author and not necessarily of American Military News. If you are interested in submitting an Op-Ed, please email info@AmericanMilitaryNews.com. Brooks Outland is a Korean and Vietnam war veteran. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam because he was keen to help the people of South Vietnam keep their freedom and their country from communist takeover by the North. After retiring, Brooks and his wife spent eight years volunteering aboard his old battleship, the USS Missouri (BB-63), before returning to the mainland in Arkansas in 2015.