Muara Teweh!

In the Land of Oz, there are good witches and bad witches. Likewise, in the land of borrowing, there’s good debt and bad debt.

A home mortgage? Good debt, because the interest is tax-deductible, your home will likely rise in value over time, and you’ll have a roof over your head. A credit card loan to buy a pair of designer sandals? Bad debt, because credit card interest isn’t deductible, your purchase will decline in value and you can’t live in your shoes.

Student loans are often categorized as good debt, because a college education is considered a sensible long-term investment. In 2005, the typical full-time worker with a four-year college degree earned 62 percent more than an employee with only a high school diploma, according to the College Board. And many students can’t afford to attend college without borrowing money.

But it’s important to understand that not all student loans are alike. Federally guaranteed student loans, known as Stafford loans, have fixed interest rates, now 6.8 percent, and flexible » Read more after the jump →

Asheesh Mani

The first step towards debt free life is getting a debt consolidation quote. Debt is not only a drain on your financial resources, but it can also take away one’s mental peace. However, you do not have to let debt destroy your life. Get back in charge of your life by taking the first step- debt consolidation quote.

Single Monthly Payment

A debt consolidation quote will give you a rough estimate of the kind of payment that you would be required to make every month. Believe me this figure would be much lower than the payments you are currently making for your credit cards and other bills. The best part about debt consolidation loan is that it puts you on a single monthly payment. This gives you much breathing space and not to mention mental peace. » Read more after the jump →

By now, you have doubtlessly familiarized yourself with the full range of complaints about the dubious benefits of fast cash loans. If you are a regular at our News Center at Payday Loans ABC, or of you simply have been doing your research about these short-term, small-denomination consumer personal loans, then you probably can’t help but start absorbing all the information about cash advance lending’s many risks. High interest rates and punishing finance fees are only a mere part of the equation. With their inflexible repayment options and high tendency for repeat borrowing, payday loans have acquired an unsavory association with usury and loan sharking.

Sadly, the prime reason that many consumers turn to cash advance personal loans is because they have no other options. If you have sub-stellar credit, and no savings of which to avail yourself, then the type of emergencies that life throws at us everyday (a medical bill or car repair, for example) can be real catastrophes. In these situations, a payday loan can go from sounding unattractively sketchy to a darn good idea, very quickly. Now, some financial experts » Read more after the jump →

Actually, lucky new homeowner William Gulick didn’t even have to make a bid. The only interested buyer in attendance, Gulick bought the three bedroom, two full bath home for the minimum bid of $32,000. In fact, he didn’t have to open his mouth; the contract was just handed over to him to sign.

Jackie Sellers, owner of Jax Auction Co., was on hand to conduct the auction. Also an employee for FCPS, she volunteered her time and services to assist in the sale. Although an auction didn’t really take place, she gave notice to those in attendance, mostly school staff, that the house was sold “as is, where is.” She also outlined the buyer’s responsibilities regarding such things as payment terms and moving preparations.
Gulick will move the 1,248-square-foot house in two parts onto his family farm within 90 days of purchase.

The house will need a foundation, flooring, exterior siding, appliances, and central heating and air system. Plumbing is roughed in and a return duct for the air system is already installed. » Read more after the jump →

David Sawhill, a math teacher at Pioneer Junior High School in Upland, raised a large amount of money, from a grant and community support, to install a closed circuit TV system in the school for students to do daily news stories.

The 27-year-old Wrightwood resident, who values the idea of alternative learning, raised the money from May to September 2006. The closed circuit television program was installed by the school district last fall.

Question: What is going on in your school? Explain what you brought in and how the kids are using it.

Answer: To help create a community on campus, we are in the second year of our live morning television program, called Pioneer School News (PSN). To see some of our shows, commercials, and special projects, please visit web.mac.com/pioneerschoolnews. By going to this site you will get an idea of the quality programming the students create every day. » Read more after the jump →

By MARÁ ROSE WILLIAMS
The Kansas City Star

Missouri’s student loan authority is ending a 3-year-old student loan forgiveness program that was started to encourage graduates to work in the state’s life-science industry.

A Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority official said the program had few participants and some potential for abuse because its definition of life-science work was too broad. The program offered to forgive up to $2,500 a year in loans for a graduate who went to work at a life-science company. It did not specify the type of work the graduates had to do to have the loans forgiven.

Quentin Wilson, authority associate director, said a program MoHELA launched in May to retain math and science teachers would steer more students toward the life sciences than the program to be phased out.
» Read more after the jump →

University of Cincinnati student Sharne Hairston tries to study during her part-time job at the campus information desk, but she also spends time worrying about her growing student loans.

“Hopefully it doesn’t take me 20 years to pay them off, but it depends on the job I get,” said Hairston, 22. “My aunt is still paying her student loans, and she graduated the year after I was born.”

The cost of college has loomed large for American families for generations, but steep tuition increases in recent years have ratcheted up anxiety among students and parents just as analysts insist Americans need more education to compete internationally.

The costs Hairston faces in the world’s most expensive higher education system are typical. Year-round tuition for her criminal justice program is about $10,000, room and board is $4,800, and books — well, they’re a luxury she can’t afford. » Read more after the jump →