This article compares the premier benefits obtained by buying at full price from Bluegreen Resorts with the value of buying a resale contract on the secondary market.
It is very important to understand that any premier or VIP benefits can be changed or canceled entirely at any time, as these benefits are not tied in any way to the real estate ownership (which is why the developer can restrict these benefits from being transferred when the ownership is bought or sold on the secondary market!). In fact, shortly before this article was written, Bluegreen had just changed the benefits again- by reducing the privileges given to Bronze level owners (presumably to try and "encourage" more owners to purchase even more points and "upgrade" to higher levels).
Bluegreen pricing is currently about .85 to .25 per annual point.. Resale prices can commonly be found in the $ .25 to $ .40 per annual point range!
The Premier or Elite Levels of Bluegreen are classified as:
Bronze level VIP privileges are received by owning 15,0000 to 19,999 annual points.(Approximate cost of ,000 to ,000 if you buy resale and ,000 to ,000 if you buy from Bluegreen)
Silver level VIP privileges are received by owning 20,000 to 34,999 annual points. (Approximate cost of ,000 to ,000 if you buy resale and ,000 to ,000 if you buy from Bluegreen)
Gold level VIP privileges are received by owning 35,000 to 59,999 annual points. (Approximate cost of ,750 to ,000 if you buy resale and ,000 to 5,000 if you buy from Bluegreen)
Platinum level VIP privileges are received by owning 60,000 annual points or more. (Approximate cost starting at ,000 if you buy resale and 0,000 if you buy from Bluegreen)
Some of the benefits and privileges premier level owners receive are:
Villa upgrades: Premier owners are eligible to get a free one category villa upgrade based on availability. When you can request the upgrade and how many upgrades you can receive differ by level.
Bronze = 1 day prior to the reservation and a maximum of 3 upgrades per year. Silver = 2 days prior and 5 per year Gold = 3 days prior and 7 per year Platinum = 4 days prior and 10 per year
Presidential Villa Upgrades are only available to Gold and Platinum level owners and are subject to the same maximum count per year.
Gold - 4 days prior Platinum - 7 days prior
Question for potential buyers: Is having a chance (based on availability just before check-in) at upgrading to one unit size bigger than what you reserved worth paying more 500% more for ownership?
The Obvious Answer: No! However, chances are you will already have reserved the unit type you need for your stay since nobody reserves a villa too small to accommodate their family. While an upgrade to a larger unit is certainly a nice perk, it is not necessary and certainly not worth thousands of dollars!
Another possible benefit is the waiver of cancellation or modification fees when you change a reservation.
Bronze class owners do not receive this benefit. Silver level owners are allowed up to 3 modifications or cancellations per year. Gold level owners are allowed up to 5 modifications or cancellations per year. Platinum level owners are allowed an unlimited number of modifications or cancellations per year.
Basically, unless you own 20,000 points or more- you still have to pay cancellation fees! This restriction puts this benefit out of reach for most owners. Platinum class owners who routinely rent their points may find this to be very beneficial, but they will have to consider the vast increase in purchase cost as well as the risk that the benefit could potentially be changed at any time. For almost every knowledgeable buyer- the decision is simply that buying resale is the best choice!
Another benefit is that Gold and Platinum level owners can receive extended stays and reservations at no cost based on availability.
Gold members can have one free white and Blue Season reservation per year. Platinum owners can have three free white and blue season reservations per year.
At first glance, this seems like a fantastic benefit! Who wouldn't like to get vacations for free!
But when you really think it over- it's not as fantastic as it sounds. Another great point for resale buyers is that unless you own 35,000 points or more- you don't even get the chance! And when you compare the cost difference- this benefit is at best a bad joke! Owners are often paying between ,000 to 0,000 over resale pricing for the privilege of getting a few free nights? At a rental rate of 0. per night, it will take you more than fourteen years before you break even! If the rack rate is only 0/night- it then takes more than 35 years! Chances are that extra money in your pocket can purchase all the extra nights you will need.
As always, timeshare ownership at resort prices is far more sizzle than steak! Take your time, research the product and the benefits- and I'm confident you'll agree that purchasing a Bluegreen timeshare ownership on the resale market is the only smart decision!
Copyright (c) 2010 Richard Marquette
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
How U.S. Expatriates Can Avoid the 13 Most Common Expat Tax Traps
While the expat experience can be an exciting an exhilarating adventure, there is no greater frustration and disappointment than having the IRS ruin your experience by auditing your tax return while away, calculating additional taxes due, penalizing and charging you interest during the process, and even perhaps suggesting jail time for your mistakes.
That's why it is so important to avoid these 13 common expat tax traps.
1. Foreign earned income exclusion. Many expats believe that because their foreign earned income is below the exclusion limit they do not need to file a return. The exclusion can only be taken by filing a return and completing Form 2555. If this is not done timely, the expat will NOT be able to use the exclusion.
2. Foreign bank accounts. An Expat opens a foreign bank account and does not file treasury form TD.90-22.1. Any US citizen with a financial interest in or who can sign on a foreign bank account with a value of more than ,000 must file this form.
3. Foreign tax credit. Expats may also be entitled to a foreign tax credit by filing Form 1116. However, a foreign tax credit may not be taken on foreign earned income excluded from tax. If not all earnings are excluded from foreign tax, a calculation can be made to take a credit on your US tax return for taxes paid on non excluded foreign income.
4. Inexperienced local tax professional. The expat lets his local tax professional continue to prepare his tax return. Many expats work statewide with their local tax professional for many, many years before going abroad. These relationships usually have a long history of trust and competency. Once you've found someone you trust to understand your unique financial situation, it is difficult to switch. However, properly completing an expat return is simply uncharted territory for most local tax professionals. You do both yourself and them a disservice by forcing them to make this stretch into such a complicated arena. As you operate at a new tax and financial level, you are simply going to need a greater scope of service than is typically provided by a local firm.
5. Dependency on the IRS The expat relies exclusively on the IRS for help. While the IRS provides Publication 54 to explain Form 2555 and Form 2555EZ, it does not provide all the tax situations an expat is likely to experience and neither does it instruct on the proper application of the tax code for unusual situations that the expat typically finds themselves.
6. Do it yourself. The expat prepares his own return. Most expats are extremely intelligent. Because they are so smart, some believe that they can figure out their own tax return. It is important to realize that the tax laws are always changing. Without being constantly connected to the professional aspect of the tax world, it is just too easy to put your trust in outdated information.
7. State tax obligations. There are a few states that do not comply with the U.S. foreign income tax exclusion. The expat should make sure he/she does not owe state income tax on his foreign earned income. Failure to understand your state's perspective of the foreign income tax exclusion can substantially affect your tax picture.
8. Inability to locate tax documents. Expats do not keep important tax documents in a central location organized in a way to be used to fight the IRS if they are audited. What do you do with your critical documents while you are away? Expats need to have a secure, online document storage capacity that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Your information should be organized by year and contain key source documentation, your completed return and any correspondence with the IRS. In addition, you should have a series of permanent files that document your service abroad and other elements of their financial world.
9. Dependency exemptions. Expats do not always take all the exemptions to which they are entitled. Expats may have dependents that do not have social security numbers and incorrectly believe that without a social security number, they cannot take a dependency exemption.
10. Hidden overseas accounts. Hiding money overseas to escape paying tax on the earnings is not a valid tax option -- it is fraud! Remember, fraud has no statute of limitations. Penalties and interest can build to twice as much as the original tax. If the IRS wants to make a point, there can be jail time.
11. Foreign housing exclusion. Remember, you cannot take both the foreign housing exclusion and the foreign tax credit. So which one should you take? The eligible housing cost amount is the individual's total housing expenses for the year (limited to 30 percent of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount), less the base housing amount (16% of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount).
The excluded amount cannot exceed either the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year or their actual housing expenses. The deducted amount also cannot exceed the individual's actual housing expenses, nor can it exceed the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year reduced by both the individual's excluded foreign earned income and the excluded housing amount. Whereas, the foreign tax credit generally can be taken dollar for dollar of foreign taxes paid.
12. Form 1040NR. US Citizens do not file Form 1040NR. This form is for nonresident aliens. Nonresident aliens are aliens who do not meet either the IRS's green card test (i.e. a lawful permanent resident) or the substantial presence test. These tests are discussed further in IRS Publication 519.
13. No big financial picture. The expat believes that he needs help only with his tax return. Perhaps the biggest mistake that expats make is going it alone. It's important to have a guide when you are in uncharted territory. There is so more to managing your financial world than just preparing an accurate and correct tax return. You also need to manage your expat experience. Make sure you avoid these common tax mistakes all expats are tempted to make when they try to navigate their expat experience without a professional to properly guide them.
Copyright (c) 2009 Nick Hodges
That's why it is so important to avoid these 13 common expat tax traps.
1. Foreign earned income exclusion. Many expats believe that because their foreign earned income is below the exclusion limit they do not need to file a return. The exclusion can only be taken by filing a return and completing Form 2555. If this is not done timely, the expat will NOT be able to use the exclusion.
2. Foreign bank accounts. An Expat opens a foreign bank account and does not file treasury form TD.90-22.1. Any US citizen with a financial interest in or who can sign on a foreign bank account with a value of more than ,000 must file this form.
3. Foreign tax credit. Expats may also be entitled to a foreign tax credit by filing Form 1116. However, a foreign tax credit may not be taken on foreign earned income excluded from tax. If not all earnings are excluded from foreign tax, a calculation can be made to take a credit on your US tax return for taxes paid on non excluded foreign income.
4. Inexperienced local tax professional. The expat lets his local tax professional continue to prepare his tax return. Many expats work statewide with their local tax professional for many, many years before going abroad. These relationships usually have a long history of trust and competency. Once you've found someone you trust to understand your unique financial situation, it is difficult to switch. However, properly completing an expat return is simply uncharted territory for most local tax professionals. You do both yourself and them a disservice by forcing them to make this stretch into such a complicated arena. As you operate at a new tax and financial level, you are simply going to need a greater scope of service than is typically provided by a local firm.
5. Dependency on the IRS The expat relies exclusively on the IRS for help. While the IRS provides Publication 54 to explain Form 2555 and Form 2555EZ, it does not provide all the tax situations an expat is likely to experience and neither does it instruct on the proper application of the tax code for unusual situations that the expat typically finds themselves.
6. Do it yourself. The expat prepares his own return. Most expats are extremely intelligent. Because they are so smart, some believe that they can figure out their own tax return. It is important to realize that the tax laws are always changing. Without being constantly connected to the professional aspect of the tax world, it is just too easy to put your trust in outdated information.
7. State tax obligations. There are a few states that do not comply with the U.S. foreign income tax exclusion. The expat should make sure he/she does not owe state income tax on his foreign earned income. Failure to understand your state's perspective of the foreign income tax exclusion can substantially affect your tax picture.
8. Inability to locate tax documents. Expats do not keep important tax documents in a central location organized in a way to be used to fight the IRS if they are audited. What do you do with your critical documents while you are away? Expats need to have a secure, online document storage capacity that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Your information should be organized by year and contain key source documentation, your completed return and any correspondence with the IRS. In addition, you should have a series of permanent files that document your service abroad and other elements of their financial world.
9. Dependency exemptions. Expats do not always take all the exemptions to which they are entitled. Expats may have dependents that do not have social security numbers and incorrectly believe that without a social security number, they cannot take a dependency exemption.
10. Hidden overseas accounts. Hiding money overseas to escape paying tax on the earnings is not a valid tax option -- it is fraud! Remember, fraud has no statute of limitations. Penalties and interest can build to twice as much as the original tax. If the IRS wants to make a point, there can be jail time.
11. Foreign housing exclusion. Remember, you cannot take both the foreign housing exclusion and the foreign tax credit. So which one should you take? The eligible housing cost amount is the individual's total housing expenses for the year (limited to 30 percent of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount), less the base housing amount (16% of the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount).
The excluded amount cannot exceed either the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year or their actual housing expenses. The deducted amount also cannot exceed the individual's actual housing expenses, nor can it exceed the individual's foreign earned income for the tax year reduced by both the individual's excluded foreign earned income and the excluded housing amount. Whereas, the foreign tax credit generally can be taken dollar for dollar of foreign taxes paid.
12. Form 1040NR. US Citizens do not file Form 1040NR. This form is for nonresident aliens. Nonresident aliens are aliens who do not meet either the IRS's green card test (i.e. a lawful permanent resident) or the substantial presence test. These tests are discussed further in IRS Publication 519.
13. No big financial picture. The expat believes that he needs help only with his tax return. Perhaps the biggest mistake that expats make is going it alone. It's important to have a guide when you are in uncharted territory. There is so more to managing your financial world than just preparing an accurate and correct tax return. You also need to manage your expat experience. Make sure you avoid these common tax mistakes all expats are tempted to make when they try to navigate their expat experience without a professional to properly guide them.
Copyright (c) 2009 Nick Hodges
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Why Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit Are So Common
Securing the finances needed to purchase a new home is not easy in these times of financial difficulty. The risk involved in taking on such a large debt is perceived to be higher now than it was a decade ago, but this has not seemed to affect the availability of mortgage loans for people with bad credit histories.
The fact is that getting loan approval, regardless of the purpose and size of the loan, is never simple. There is clear criteria that must be met, but with so many approvals, it is clear there is a route to take to improve approval chances.
In fact, there are three reasons why approvals despite bad credit histories is so common: the growth of the online lending industry; the fact that applicants are getting their finances in order; and the realization that the debt-to-income ratio is all-important. Once these three aspects are addressed, approval on mortgage loans is more likely for everyone.
Influence of Online Lenders
The rise of the online lending industry has made a huge difference to the availability of mortgage loans for people with bad credit. It might seem strange, but online lending firms are specialists in bad credit lending. So, applicants with low credit scores are more likely to get the best deal in practically every kind of loan package, including mortgages.
There are definitely risks involved, so the interest rates charged are higher than usually, but are nonetheless lower than comparative loans from traditional lenders, like banks. Still, getting loan approval relies on proving a sufficient income and a working bank account, into which the lender can deposit the funds and withdraw monthly repayments automatically.
Perhaps more significant is the fact that the criteria associated with online mortgage loans is less complex and more streamline, and as such the number of applications approved are higher.
Getting the Key Areas of Preparation Right
Conditions like the debt-to-income ratio are key to having loans approved. And it is thanks to prior knowledge and better preparation that there has been a rise in approvals of mortgage loans for people with bad credit. But this ratio in particular makes a huge difference.
This is because the debt-to-income ratio has little to do with credit ratings and everything to do with numbers. Quite simply, it confirms whether there is enough excess income to cover a mortgage repayment comfortably or not. In line with the 40:60 ratio, if 40% of the excess income can cover the repayment then getting loan approval is almost certain.
What this means is that even applicants with excellent credit ratings can see their application for a mortgage loan rejected. An applicant with even a terrible rating, but with low existing debt, is much more likely to get the thumbs up.
Short-term Loans
A part of the preparation for an application is getting everything in order. The last thing that a lender wants to see is a chaotic financial situation when examining an application. Taking proactive steps have meant that mortgage loans for people with bad credit histories are much more attainable.
One of the most common steps is to take out a series of small short-term loans in an effort to improve that credit history. What this essentially means is that loans of as little as ,000 are taken out and repaid very quickly. With each loan cleared, the credit score improves. After four or five such loans, the score can improve considerably. With this, the chances of getting loan approval also improves.
Of course, this does not set a strong case, but it does show that the applicant is very serious about taking on the expense of a mortgage loan. Even if the credit score remains low, the significance of these efforts does not go unnoticed.
The fact is that getting loan approval, regardless of the purpose and size of the loan, is never simple. There is clear criteria that must be met, but with so many approvals, it is clear there is a route to take to improve approval chances.
In fact, there are three reasons why approvals despite bad credit histories is so common: the growth of the online lending industry; the fact that applicants are getting their finances in order; and the realization that the debt-to-income ratio is all-important. Once these three aspects are addressed, approval on mortgage loans is more likely for everyone.
Influence of Online Lenders
The rise of the online lending industry has made a huge difference to the availability of mortgage loans for people with bad credit. It might seem strange, but online lending firms are specialists in bad credit lending. So, applicants with low credit scores are more likely to get the best deal in practically every kind of loan package, including mortgages.
There are definitely risks involved, so the interest rates charged are higher than usually, but are nonetheless lower than comparative loans from traditional lenders, like banks. Still, getting loan approval relies on proving a sufficient income and a working bank account, into which the lender can deposit the funds and withdraw monthly repayments automatically.
Perhaps more significant is the fact that the criteria associated with online mortgage loans is less complex and more streamline, and as such the number of applications approved are higher.
Getting the Key Areas of Preparation Right
Conditions like the debt-to-income ratio are key to having loans approved. And it is thanks to prior knowledge and better preparation that there has been a rise in approvals of mortgage loans for people with bad credit. But this ratio in particular makes a huge difference.
This is because the debt-to-income ratio has little to do with credit ratings and everything to do with numbers. Quite simply, it confirms whether there is enough excess income to cover a mortgage repayment comfortably or not. In line with the 40:60 ratio, if 40% of the excess income can cover the repayment then getting loan approval is almost certain.
What this means is that even applicants with excellent credit ratings can see their application for a mortgage loan rejected. An applicant with even a terrible rating, but with low existing debt, is much more likely to get the thumbs up.
Short-term Loans
A part of the preparation for an application is getting everything in order. The last thing that a lender wants to see is a chaotic financial situation when examining an application. Taking proactive steps have meant that mortgage loans for people with bad credit histories are much more attainable.
One of the most common steps is to take out a series of small short-term loans in an effort to improve that credit history. What this essentially means is that loans of as little as ,000 are taken out and repaid very quickly. With each loan cleared, the credit score improves. After four or five such loans, the score can improve considerably. With this, the chances of getting loan approval also improves.
Of course, this does not set a strong case, but it does show that the applicant is very serious about taking on the expense of a mortgage loan. Even if the credit score remains low, the significance of these efforts does not go unnoticed.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Take Into Consideration The Vendor Finance Opportunity When Hunting For A Property
Obtaining a new house is a tremendous step that someone or a family would normally take after spending several years leasing an apartment. The reasons for finally deciding to purchase can vary widely from person to person; a more reliable work may have helped someone save up enough funds for an advance payment, some other could have recently become married and is about to settle with her spouse under their own single roof for the first time, or a husband and wife might have found out that they are at last going to be mother and father. Relocating to a new house would be the next rational move in any of these folks' lives.
For other individuals, however, the decision to obtain a residence could base from the realization that maintaining their own house would build much more financial sense than paying rental to a landlord for the remainder of their existence. They may believe that their rental money would be set to a far better use towards an advance payment for a house that they would call their own. Naturally, putting together the cash for a down payment is not as simple as it seems, either, still there are alternatives that a person can turn to so that he can carry on with his home buying plans. One alternative he can take advantage of is utilizing vendor finance to purchase a property.
Vendor finance is a type of financing provided by the firm selling the house. Most potential buyers do not possess the money necessary to pay for the property outright, so making deals with a vendor who can offer lending solutions can be a big help in having the purchasing process started. Vendors will normally have a prearranged set of terms and conditions. Usually, the buyer can live in the property while they make their payments, as soon as the payments have been satisfied, the title will be transferred to the name of the buyer.
A different option buyers might want to look into is a rent to own property. Also known as a lease-to-own house or home, this alternative requires renters to give their landlord a fixed amount per month to be able to stay on the property. Following a specified time frame, which is typically within 3 years, the renters now have the opportunity to buy the property. A portion of the repayment given by the renters will go towards their deposit for the property. This will be a faster way for buyers to get their own home, and it's a much quicker way for the original owner to sell his property at the same time.
Through a rent to buy home, a just-married partners or an expanding family will be able to move into a house of their own much faster than if they would wait until they made enough cash to purchase a home outright. Renting to own tend to be a more sensible use of money and a great way to ensure a secure shelter for the future.
For other individuals, however, the decision to obtain a residence could base from the realization that maintaining their own house would build much more financial sense than paying rental to a landlord for the remainder of their existence. They may believe that their rental money would be set to a far better use towards an advance payment for a house that they would call their own. Naturally, putting together the cash for a down payment is not as simple as it seems, either, still there are alternatives that a person can turn to so that he can carry on with his home buying plans. One alternative he can take advantage of is utilizing vendor finance to purchase a property.
Vendor finance is a type of financing provided by the firm selling the house. Most potential buyers do not possess the money necessary to pay for the property outright, so making deals with a vendor who can offer lending solutions can be a big help in having the purchasing process started. Vendors will normally have a prearranged set of terms and conditions. Usually, the buyer can live in the property while they make their payments, as soon as the payments have been satisfied, the title will be transferred to the name of the buyer.
A different option buyers might want to look into is a rent to own property. Also known as a lease-to-own house or home, this alternative requires renters to give their landlord a fixed amount per month to be able to stay on the property. Following a specified time frame, which is typically within 3 years, the renters now have the opportunity to buy the property. A portion of the repayment given by the renters will go towards their deposit for the property. This will be a faster way for buyers to get their own home, and it's a much quicker way for the original owner to sell his property at the same time.
Through a rent to buy home, a just-married partners or an expanding family will be able to move into a house of their own much faster than if they would wait until they made enough cash to purchase a home outright. Renting to own tend to be a more sensible use of money and a great way to ensure a secure shelter for the future.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
How Much Has Parenting Discipline Changed Since You Were A Child?
There are few more emotive issues in today's society than parenting discipline. Ask a hundred parents what child discipline is and you'll probably get a hundred different responses. The parenting discipline landscape has changed considerably during the last fifty years, with more emphasis placed on mental discipline than physical.
In this article, we will examine what is considered implementing new age parenting disciplines which are becoming more widely accepted, particularly in the western world.
The Days Of Corporal Punishment
There was a time when copping a whack on the bottom was part and parcel of growing up as a child. It was called corporal punishment and was not only invoked at home but was also dealt out at school. Remember the cane? I do and so would many others of the baby boomer era. Was it wrong? This is where you have to be careful because new age parenting disciples have become so dead set opposed to any form of corporal punishment that any mention of it now has connotations of child abuse. I didn't like it but did it affect my becoming a model citizen? The answer is a firm no!
Examining Some Good Discipline Practice
So what are considered good parenting practices today? Well, pyschology seems to be in vogue. Here are some examples:
- Don't yell at your child. Why? Because it's been determined that children respond more when approached in a calmer fashion. This doesn't mean you need to bribe a child. Pointing out errors in a calm and controlled fashion will earn you more respect in the child's eyes, particularly from a mentoring perspective as opposed to yelling and demanding. Ask yourself this... what would you respond and respect more, being yelled at or spoken to in a calm tone?
- Give your children the opportunity to have their say but be careful not to give them adult privileges. That is, maintain your authority in a positive and firm way. The child will respect you for allowing him/her to be heard but should know that you set the rules and they are expected to abide by them. Break the rules and they will be disciplined.
- Be careful not to attack a child's self esteem. A child who is continually told they are useless are going to grow up thinking what... they are useless. Praise should be given when appropriate however, too much praise can also be a dangerous thing. Why? Because a child will expect it and if it's not forthcoming, even for the most trivial thing, it can affect their self esteem. You need to find the right balance.
- As parents, presenting a united front is vital. Parents who disagree continually on appropriate punishment in front of a child are headed for trouble. Trouble in the fact that children are very perceptive and learn quickly. If one parent shows too much compassion all the time guess what? The child will pick up on this and establish his/her own higher ground in the battle of getting at least one parent on side for their own agendas.
Comparing parenting disciplines from bygone eras is quite interesting. On the surface things are certainly done differently but a closer examination begs the question... have the core base rules of parenting discipline really changed?
In this article, we will examine what is considered implementing new age parenting disciplines which are becoming more widely accepted, particularly in the western world.
The Days Of Corporal Punishment
There was a time when copping a whack on the bottom was part and parcel of growing up as a child. It was called corporal punishment and was not only invoked at home but was also dealt out at school. Remember the cane? I do and so would many others of the baby boomer era. Was it wrong? This is where you have to be careful because new age parenting disciples have become so dead set opposed to any form of corporal punishment that any mention of it now has connotations of child abuse. I didn't like it but did it affect my becoming a model citizen? The answer is a firm no!
Examining Some Good Discipline Practice
So what are considered good parenting practices today? Well, pyschology seems to be in vogue. Here are some examples:
- Don't yell at your child. Why? Because it's been determined that children respond more when approached in a calmer fashion. This doesn't mean you need to bribe a child. Pointing out errors in a calm and controlled fashion will earn you more respect in the child's eyes, particularly from a mentoring perspective as opposed to yelling and demanding. Ask yourself this... what would you respond and respect more, being yelled at or spoken to in a calm tone?
- Give your children the opportunity to have their say but be careful not to give them adult privileges. That is, maintain your authority in a positive and firm way. The child will respect you for allowing him/her to be heard but should know that you set the rules and they are expected to abide by them. Break the rules and they will be disciplined.
- Be careful not to attack a child's self esteem. A child who is continually told they are useless are going to grow up thinking what... they are useless. Praise should be given when appropriate however, too much praise can also be a dangerous thing. Why? Because a child will expect it and if it's not forthcoming, even for the most trivial thing, it can affect their self esteem. You need to find the right balance.
- As parents, presenting a united front is vital. Parents who disagree continually on appropriate punishment in front of a child are headed for trouble. Trouble in the fact that children are very perceptive and learn quickly. If one parent shows too much compassion all the time guess what? The child will pick up on this and establish his/her own higher ground in the battle of getting at least one parent on side for their own agendas.
Comparing parenting disciplines from bygone eras is quite interesting. On the surface things are certainly done differently but a closer examination begs the question... have the core base rules of parenting discipline really changed?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Used Car Sales With Motor Finance Wizard - Car Sales
Used Car Sales With MFW
Motor Finance Wizard specializes in used car sales and is currently operating in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria offering an extensive range of used cars to suit your needs. Not only does MFW focus on car sales, but they also specialise in providing motor vehicle finance solutions for people who may have found it difficult to obtain car financing. Motor Finance Wizard opened its first dealership in 2001 and has since sold and leased more than 19,000 vehicles to date, making us one of the nation's largest used car dealerships in Australia. Motor Finance Wizard has used car dealerships and offer the best used car sales available in the Queensland, Victoria, and NSW area. MFW has thrived while other used car dealerships have struggled due in large part to their customer service and ability to get almost anyone in a used car of their choice. Their mission is to provide all Australians with the opportunity to own a motor vehicle, regardless of their financial situation.
Motor Vehicle Finance Through MFW
Motor Finance Wizard will assist those in need of used cars and have bad credit history in finding the vehicle they need. MFW operates used car dealerships that specialise in providing motor vehicle finance solutions on MFW used cars to customers who do not meet the strict lending criteria of mainstream lenders. This model allows customers to acquire car financing and a quality used cars from the same point of sale location.
Traditionally in Australia the sale of a motor vehicle has been a separate transaction to the car financing, involving two different parties; the car dealership and an independent finance company. MFW, through its in-house finance provider KWIK Finance, provides motor vehicle finance for customers exclusively to MFW used car dealerships for the full term of the Lease.
Motor Finance Wizard specializes in used car sales and is currently operating in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria offering an extensive range of used cars to suit your needs. Not only does MFW focus on car sales, but they also specialise in providing motor vehicle finance solutions for people who may have found it difficult to obtain car financing. Motor Finance Wizard opened its first dealership in 2001 and has since sold and leased more than 19,000 vehicles to date, making us one of the nation's largest used car dealerships in Australia. Motor Finance Wizard has used car dealerships and offer the best used car sales available in the Queensland, Victoria, and NSW area. MFW has thrived while other used car dealerships have struggled due in large part to their customer service and ability to get almost anyone in a used car of their choice. Their mission is to provide all Australians with the opportunity to own a motor vehicle, regardless of their financial situation.
Motor Vehicle Finance Through MFW
Motor Finance Wizard will assist those in need of used cars and have bad credit history in finding the vehicle they need. MFW operates used car dealerships that specialise in providing motor vehicle finance solutions on MFW used cars to customers who do not meet the strict lending criteria of mainstream lenders. This model allows customers to acquire car financing and a quality used cars from the same point of sale location.
Traditionally in Australia the sale of a motor vehicle has been a separate transaction to the car financing, involving two different parties; the car dealership and an independent finance company. MFW, through its in-house finance provider KWIK Finance, provides motor vehicle finance for customers exclusively to MFW used car dealerships for the full term of the Lease.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Virtual Schools Come To Florida
The online public institution, Florida Virtual School, had paired with the private school of Pearson to create a online community for them. They are called Pearson Virtual Learning and will be offering over 100 programs designed by Florida Virtual School across the U.S and world that include career, advanced placement and technology courses. They are mainly focusing on grades 6-12 so far. So what's the difference between virtual learning and physical learning in a classroom?
Learning in a classroom has its advantages. You have the ability to raise your hand at any given moment and ask a question and have it answered immediately, rather than waiting for an email response. You also have hands on learning with your peers in a classroom. You can have group discussions, projects and just have them there to give insight on certain assignments or schoolwork. This is vital to a child's development, working together in a group and learning to interact mentally with other students. In a classroom setting, group projects are so important because it teaches kids how to interact with society and work together. This knowledge is great because it will be applicable throughout their life, help them with their careers and just help them live a heathy social life in general.
Virtual Learning environments also have its advantages. Virtual learning gives children the opportunity to go to school or further their academic career if they otherwise would not have been able to. If a child can not get to after school classes that give extra credits and a head start on their educational career because of transportation issues, the Virtual School is a great alternative. Also, in general if a child's parents work and can't get them to school during the normal school hours, the Virtual Learning is a great solution as well. As some students thrive in a environment where they are around a lot of people, some thrive working on their own and are very self-sufficient.
The new online courses that Pearson Virtual Academy and Florida Virtual Schools have made give the teachers room to specialize courses for the individual student. Unlike most online classes, that are uniform and are taught as a whole. These courses are specialized for the individual student who might have a different learning pace than another student. This makes choosing to go virtual not that hard of a decision knowing that your child is still getting the individual attention they need to be successful in school.
The lower cost of virtual courses make it inexpensive for schools to offer more programs and courses designed to help students advance their educational journey. As long as students are learning and being successful in their schoolwork what does it matter how they get their education? Whether it's virtual or in a physical classroom, the information they are getting are the same. Now with the newly designed virtual courses, online is now becoming individualized per student. Virtual schools are becoming more and more prevalent today and are only improving in their curriculum. For more information please visit Florida School Report Cards and Public School Rankings
Learning in a classroom has its advantages. You have the ability to raise your hand at any given moment and ask a question and have it answered immediately, rather than waiting for an email response. You also have hands on learning with your peers in a classroom. You can have group discussions, projects and just have them there to give insight on certain assignments or schoolwork. This is vital to a child's development, working together in a group and learning to interact mentally with other students. In a classroom setting, group projects are so important because it teaches kids how to interact with society and work together. This knowledge is great because it will be applicable throughout their life, help them with their careers and just help them live a heathy social life in general.
Virtual Learning environments also have its advantages. Virtual learning gives children the opportunity to go to school or further their academic career if they otherwise would not have been able to. If a child can not get to after school classes that give extra credits and a head start on their educational career because of transportation issues, the Virtual School is a great alternative. Also, in general if a child's parents work and can't get them to school during the normal school hours, the Virtual Learning is a great solution as well. As some students thrive in a environment where they are around a lot of people, some thrive working on their own and are very self-sufficient.
The new online courses that Pearson Virtual Academy and Florida Virtual Schools have made give the teachers room to specialize courses for the individual student. Unlike most online classes, that are uniform and are taught as a whole. These courses are specialized for the individual student who might have a different learning pace than another student. This makes choosing to go virtual not that hard of a decision knowing that your child is still getting the individual attention they need to be successful in school.
The lower cost of virtual courses make it inexpensive for schools to offer more programs and courses designed to help students advance their educational journey. As long as students are learning and being successful in their schoolwork what does it matter how they get their education? Whether it's virtual or in a physical classroom, the information they are getting are the same. Now with the newly designed virtual courses, online is now becoming individualized per student. Virtual schools are becoming more and more prevalent today and are only improving in their curriculum. For more information please visit Florida School Report Cards and Public School Rankings
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