Online Distance Learning Education – Myths Associated With Online Education

Online distance learning is gaining in popularity as the education method of choice for many students. However, it is still not as common as education obtained through traditional methods. There are several myths that are associated with obtaining an distance learning education. One of these myths is that online education schools are not as good as traditional schools. Online distance learning education can be as equivalently good as education obtained from a traditional school. The important thing to do is select the right online learning program. There are lots of quality programs that allow students to interact with specialist teachers and professors and learn through high-quality software.

Another common myth is that employers reject degrees from online distance education institutions. This is true for fake schools; however, there are plenty of accredited schools that offer online distance learning education opportunities and education from these accredited schools are accepted by employers. Many traditional colleges that have a distance learning program, and any certification awarded upon completion of such a program will not indicate that the courses were completed online.

Another myth associated with online distance learning education is that academic credits from online learning programs do not transfer to other colleges. As long as the credits are earned from an accredited school that offers online programs, the course credits will be transferrable to a traditional school. This is another reason to make sure to enroll in a program that is offered by an accredited institution. Another myth is that all accredited schools offer an exceptional education. An online school must be regionally accredited to ensure that it offers a quality education, as there are other accrediting agencies that do not have stringent standards.

Finally, another myth is that all online distance education programs are a shortcut to getting a degree or certification. While there are some accelerated programs available, there are also programs that allow students to work at a slower pace. Just like with traditional schools, there is variety in the types of programs available online. A good online distance learning program may provide an acceleration option just as traditional schools may provide acceleration options, but no reputable school will provide shortcuts to gaining an academic qualification. Programs that allow one to purchase degrees and other certifications are not accredited by a reputable accrediting agency.

Online education is worth considering. Once an individual is aware of the myths associated with an online education, he or she can properly decide if an online distance learning education program is the right option for them.

Money for a Car: A Guide to Auto Financing

Nobody wants to be the dumb buyer in a car buying deal. You have to be smart or you end up losing more money than you ought to. It is a very common scheme among car buyers to first get money in order to buy a new car.

The term is called “auto financing” and it simply means how you pay for a vehicle. You can finance a car by taking out an auto loan to own a car, in which case, you have two options: You either use the money from the loan to buy the car, or use it for lease.

If this isn’t your first time buying a car, you might already know that the salesman or your car dealer will be checking your credit report before starting with the negotiations. But this is not the only way you can go to get that new car of yours. The seller will try to sweeten the deal and offer you special car finance situations in exchange for throwing yourself totally at his mercy. That is not a path you have to choose.

The key is preparation. Knowing what auto financing options you have before you get to the dealership will mean that you can take charge of your credit and take charge of your car loan.

Just remember, when you negotiate with the salesman for the most favorable auto loan, nothing is permanent until you have it in writing. So haggle and then haggle some more. Once negotiations seem to be over, that’s when the sales contract is prepared.

Inflated Interest Rates

To have the deal agreed upon by you and the salesman be put in writing in a binding contract is top on the list of the things you must do involving auto financing. Often involved at this part of the procedure is to determine monthly auto loan payments based on an interest rate. Now, as you well know, the interest rate varies from car buyer to car buyer. Your credit is only one of the factors and if the interest rate a car buyer qualifies for is inflated, then the dealership can make extra profit off your loan. That’s just one of the pitfalls in auto financing.

Independent Auto Financing

When you have the approved auto financing option on hand, you can then proceed with the deal as a “cash buyer” so to speak as you already have the cash in hand from the loan and you are just buying the car from the dealer with that money. Car salesmen prefer customers to be “monthly payment” buyers as this makes it easier for them to obscure the total cost of the vehicle, to the detriment of your savings. So wizen up and take that independent auto financing option available.

Set a Price Range

Having a budget is the sensible thing to do. If you set a sensible price range for yourself, then you have less reason to go beyond that range and succumb to the temptation of overspending. If you’re really firm on that budget, no amount of sales talk can sway you. One good tip is to ensure that your monthly car payments and related expenses do not exceed about 20% of your monthly net income.

Discounted Financing vs. Rebate

Here’s the dilemma to car buying: Many dealers offer an option between discounted financing or a rebate, but not both. Discounted financing means that you get zero-percent financing while rebate means that you get a certain amount of cash some time after purchase. The common error many car buyers make is that the zero-percent loan will deliver the most savings. But will it really?

Get the Cash Rebate

In most cases, it’s better to get the cash rebate and apply it against the purchase price of the vehicle. If you already have a pre-approved car loan, then that’s even better because you have positively no need of extra financing from your dealer. Just use your car loan to finance the car and let the rebate handle some of the charges.

You will have to choose how long you want your lease to be and how much you’re willing to pay upfront. The obvious choice, of course, would be to pay as little as possible, but be sure to weigh other options as well. After that, the car is yours for the period stipulated in the lease contract.

There are several other different plans those car buyers like you can adopt in order to make the most out of your money and reduce costs at the dealership. Understanding the credit process is just one way of being a smart buyer.

For more information on auto financing and car loans, visit http://www.financeguide101.com/finance-reports/money-for-a-car-a-guide-to-auto-financing.html

Is There Any Money Left In Currency Trading?

Currency trading may be one of the most liquid forms of trading, but it is also a volatile market that requires strategy if you wish to make money. The truth is that more people make small profits in this market, while a few are highly successful. The constant change makes this form of trading exciting and with a high profit potential; however, making a fast buck in this market may not be as easy as it used to be.What is Currency Trading?In its basic form, currency trading, also known as “forex trading,” is simply that–trading money. It involves trading one currency for another, such as U.S. dollars for the Euro. The exchange rate is known as the foreign-exchange rate, forex rate, or FX rate and is one of the largest markets in the world, trading trillions of U.S. dollars each day. Currency trading gained enormous popularity in the 1990s, and continues today. One reason this type of trading is so popular is that it can be done from a computer, twenty-four hours a day. There are fewer currencies to trade with, which makes learning the practice much easier (as opposed to learning about the many stock options available). The most commonly traded currencies are the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen, and the British pound.Currencies are traded in pairs. The trader buys the one that he or she believes will appreciate in value over the other. Currency fluctuates as there is demand for it. Interest rates tend to be an indication of a currency’s demand. The higher a country’s interest rate, the higher demand. However, countries will sometimes try to create demand for a currency by changing interest rates. The well-informed trader needs to conduct research and make educated guesses on a currency’s future.Currency Trading is Big BusinessThe currency trading business is big. An estimated two trillion in U.S. dollars is exchanged each day. The forex market is the largest in the world. Because it can be done from home, many people are interested in getting involved, and the payoff can be big. It is also possible to get involved with little investment. Traders simply determine how much they are able and willing to risk, and they can enter the market.As with other forms of trading, watching the market and making calculated decisions is more likely to result in a profit than making decisions based on emotions, hunches, or preferences. Many courses are available on currency trading. Learning more about the process can help traders make better choices. Choosing a quality course is also a matter that requires a bit of research. However, currency markets fluctuate on both short and long-term timelines, and learning how to best track these changes and the events that affect the markets can help traders, especially those new to the process. The allure of making quick cash is still out there, however, as it is possible to close a contract after a few minutes, hours, days, or weeks.Is it Nearing its Peak?The currency trading frenzy, which expanded rapidly during the 1990s, may be reaching a peak. Why? While in some ways currency trading is easy, many people who enter the market do not make money. The idea that you can make quick cash is not as easy as it sounds. Additionally, while traditional stocks are based on a company’s physical assets and product, currency trading is not absolute. Further, governments control, or attempt to control currencies to reach political objectives. Unforeseen events, such as natural disasters, can also alter a currency’s value, making it more difficult to make an educated guess on a currency’s future. Finally, the global marketplace is changing currencies around the world (the Euro is one such example).This does not mean that a person cannot make money in the currency market. However, as the global marketplace continues to expand and global politics affect currencies, it is much more difficult to determine a currency’s value. Making money in the Foreign Exchange market is possible, but it is not easy. Even economists have a difficult time estimating the future of currencies and purchasing power, so a trader must conduct thorough research, determine trends, and try to make the best guess possible.

Newspaper Advertising Costs – 8 Factors To Consider

Calculating and comparing newspaper advertising costs can quickly get complicated. Once you’ve tracked down a newspaper advertising rates card, you’re then faced with the delightful challenge of making sense of it all. There’s no “one size fits all” to make our lives easy. Instead, newspaper advertising costs depend on a number of factors, some of which you might find surprising. To answer the question, “How much does it cost?”, the answer would be: “It all depends.”8 factors that affect newspaper advertising costs (within the one publication) are:
type of ad
size
day of the week
section or lift-out
page position within a section
left hand side VS right hand side
colour VS black and white
annual spend/expenditure commitmentIn this article, I’ll discuss the 8 factors that determine newspaper advertising costs in Australia. I’ll also provide an example of how much it would cost to place a display ad in The Courier Mail (a Queensland newspaper). As you’ll see, newspaper advertising costs can quickly add up. If you’re on a tight budget, as many of us are these days, knowing what most affects the cost, allows you to cut back where you can.#1 Type of Ad – Display VS Classifieds VS InsertsThe first factor that decides the cost of a newspaper advertisement, is the type of ad. Most Australian newspapers offer a number of different types. Display advertisements appear throughout a newspaper, and may use colours, illustrations, photographs, or fancy lettering to attract the reader’s attention. These provide a great deal of creative control over the content of the ad, without being limited to just text. They also aren’t grouped according to classification, unlike classified ads. Display advertisements are typically charged at a rate per single column centimetre. In other words, the height in centimetres and width in columns determines the cost of the advertising space. On the other hand, classified ads are typically charged based on ‘lineage’ or per line.Another form of advertising offered by most major newspapers are ‘inserts’ – separate advertisements that are placed inside the newspaper, and can have more than one page. Inserts are usually charged at a rate of per 1000 per number of pages. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to limit our discussion to display advertisements.#2 Size MattersThe second factor that contributes to the cost of newspaper advertising, is size. As mentioned above, display advertisements costs are calculated based on their height in centimetres, and width in columns. Most newspapers have their own standard sized advertising spaces, which your ad needs to fit into. Some newspapers offer non-standard sized spaces, such as a ‘U’ shaped ad around the edges of an open paper, but be prepared to pay a higher price for irregular sizes and shapes.Let’s look at the standard sizes available in The Courier Mail, as an example.
“Small Page Strip”, 6cm high by 7 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day (based on a Mon-Fri Casual rate of $AU58.51) is $AU2457.42.
“Medium Page Strip”, 8cm high by 7 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU3276.56.
“Quarter Page Strip”, 10cm high by 7 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU4095.70.
“Horizontal Half Page”, 20cm high by 7 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU8191.40.
“Full Page”, 38 cm high by 7 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU15563.66.
“Vertical Half Page”, 38cm high by 4 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU8893.52.
“Vertical Third Page”, 38cm high by 3 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU6670.14.
“Vertical Quarter Page”, 38cm high by 2 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU4446.76.
“Portrait Half Page”, 28cm high by 5 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU8191.40.
“Portrait Third Page”, 20cm high by 4 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU4680.80.
“Portrait Quarter Page”, 20cm high by 3 columns wide, the minimum casual cost per day is $AU3510.60.Here you can see that the cost of a standard size display ad can range from at least $2457.42 per day for a small page strip, and up to at least $15563.66 per day for a full page advertisement. That’s an awful lot of money to invest in a single page, that will only be published on one day. Most of us simply don’t have that kind of cash to throw around, so you’d really need to know what you were doing. This example demonstrates how much the size of a display advertisement affects the price.#3 Day of the WeekThe third factor that contributes to the cost of a newspaper advertisement is the day of the week on which the advertisement is published. Typically, newspaper circulation is greatest on the weekends, and so the advertising rates for major Australian newspapers are adjusted accordingly. In our example of The Courier Mail, the rates are cheaper on a weekday, more expensive on a Saturday, and most expensive on a Sunday. For the most basic display ads, Saturday ads are 25% dearer than Monday – Friday ads, and Sunday ads are almost 90% dearer than Monday – Friday ads.This pattern may vary though, depending on the circulation of a particular publication. For instance, The Age is most expensive on a Saturday. To illustrate how much of a difference it makes – a small page strip ad in The Courier Mail on a weekday would be at least $2457.42, and the exact same ad run on a Sunday would be at least $4637.64.#4 Different Sections or Lift-OutsMost newspapers are divided into different sections and many have lift-outs – and this is the fourth factor that determines newspaper advertising costs. Different sections attract different readers and different volumes of readers, and so the advertising rates are adjusted to reflect this. For example, an advertisement placed in the CareerOne (Employment) lift-out in The Courier Mail, costs 2% more than the general section. The rates for CareerOne, also vary depending on the day of the week, as mentioned above. Some examples of other sections that may have different rates include: Adult Services, Funeral Notices, Real Estate, and Business.#5 Page Position Within a SectionThe next factor that can significantly affect the price of a newspaper ad, is the page number on which the ad appears, within a certain section. The most expensive part of the paper is typically the front section, which might include the first 10 or so pages, and is referred to as the “early general news” or EGN for short. In our example of The Courier Mail, page 2 in the EGN section attracts a 60% loading. Similarly, the first 11 pages have at least a 50% markup. This type of loading is common practice across Australian news publications. Now let’s say we wanted to place a small page strip ad in The Courier Mail on a weekday, on page 3 in EGN, the cost would be at least $4054.74.The first few pages and back pages of other key sections of the paper, such as Business, also attract a higher loading. For The Courier Mail, the very back page attracts a 65% markup. You can see how the page position of an advertisement can have a substantial influence on the price.#6 Left Hand Side VS Right Hand SideThe next factor is also related to position of the ad, but relates to which side of an open newspaper the ad appears in. You might be surprised to know that, in some publications, an ad that appears on the right hand side of an open paper, will cost more than one that appears on the left hand side. This is to do with the way readers actually read a newspaper, and where their attention is focused. This factor may also be tied to the page position of an ad, and which section it appears in. For example, in The Courier Mail, for ads on pages 12 to 21, a right-hand side ad costs 5% more than a left-hand side ad.#7 Colour VS Black and WhiteAnother factor that substantially affects the price of a newspaper advertisement, is whether the ad features colour, and how many colours. Colour ads are more expensive than monochrome or black and white ads. Some newspapers may distinguish between multi-colour advertisements and those that only feature one added colour (called “spot colour”). For example, The Courier Mail charges 30% more for multi-colour display ads, and 20% more for ‘spot’ colour display ads. Remember, that this is combined with any positional loading.So let’s say we wanted our small page strip ad in full colour in The Courier Mail on a weekday, on page 3, that would be calculated as: $2457.42 + 30% colour loading = $3194.65 + 65% positional loading for page 3 = $5271.17You can see here how the cost of our ad has more than doubled after we’ve factored in the colour, and position of the ad.#8 Annual Spend/Expenditure CommitmentNow here’s a factor that also affects the price of your newspaper ad, but this time it’s a decrease, with a catch, of course. If you have the budget, and are prepared to commit to spending a certain amount annually, usually by entering into a 12 month contract, then you may be entitled to a discount. However, the discount depends on how much you’re prepared to spend. For example, to qualify for a 4% discount on The Courier Mail’s advertising rates, you need to spend at least $38500 per year. If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’re not working with this kind of budget, so bye-bye discount.Just in case you’re curious, businesses that annually spend at least $2.3 million with the Courier Mail, receive a 13% discount. In my opinion, this form of discounting simply highlights how biased mainstream advertising is towards big business. Where’s the discount for all the struggling small businesses? But that’s another story.Summary:To sum up, those 8 factors again, and how they’ll affect the cost of your ad:
type of ad – display VS classifieds VS inserts – rates based on different measurement units
size – pay more for bigger ads
day of the week – weekends are more expensive
section or lift-out – early general news (EGN) is more expensive
page position within a section – front pages and back pages cost more
left hand side VS right hand side – RHS is dearer
colour VS black and white – pay more for full colour
annual spend/expenditure commitment – get a discount if you spend up bigNow that you know what affects the price of a newspaper advertisement, you’re better prepared to decide where and how you want to spend your advertising dollar. If newspaper advertising seems beyond your budget, then it might be worth considering more cost-effective alternatives, such as online advertising.

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