Saving is basically putting aside money or a way to utilize your present income for future use. 

One saves for several reasons such as for a college education, buying a new car, for a new TV set you wish to acquire in three to four months time, for down payment on a home, or to provide for yourself when retirement comes. 

As much as there are several reasons for saving, there are likewise many methods in which one can save. In most instances, the best method can be determined by whatever plans you have for the future.

1. Savings accounts. When saving for just a short period or for emergency purposes, consider opening a savings account passbook, as it is in this method that you can easily gain access to your funds. 

Great for both long and short term savings, you can deposit and withdraw money to your account and earn interest, based on your average daily balance. A minimum balance is required to be maintained though, and you are charged with a penalty should you fail to maintain it.

2. Checking account with interest.  Here one can benefit from checking account conveniences, while your deposits gain interests. Generally these types of accounts grants privileges such as limitless withdrawal and check writing, access to ATM and bill payments that can be done online. 

This method typically requires a daily maintaining balance of at least $2,000.

3. Money market insured accounts. For long-termed goals, this method is ideal, as it generally offers a much higher rate of interest compared to a regular or standard savings account.

The interest rate usually is dependent on the amount of money in your bank account; larger balance means higher interest. 

4. “CD” or Certificates of Deposit.  This is a savings method requiring you to “loan” your money to your financial agency for a certain time frame, usually ranging from thirty days up to five years. Here, the longer the time span again, means higher interest. 

Keep in mind that usually insurance companies offer better deals on interests compared to banks, so before you invest, compare rates first!

At certain times, when your goal is many years away, it can be a wiser decision to save money in a certain way that you are not drawn on using it other than the main reason for saving it. Deciding on the right financial agency such as a bank, credit union or insurance firm can bring about a lot of benefit in your finances. 

Summary:

Starting in high school the counselors, teachers and parents all start using acronyms. Now life is difficult enough and now everyone is throwing all these initials around expecting you to not only know what they mean, but to score well on them. Well never, fear, there are many college bound students in the same boat as you that are wondering what the heck a PSAT really is. Seriously, you should know what these initials are by now, but you still may not have a good grasp on wh...

Keywords:

college,tests, sat, psat

Article Body:

Starting in high school the counselors, teachers and parents all start using acronyms. Now life is difficult enough and now everyone is throwing all these initials around expecting you to not only know what they mean, but to score well on them. Well never, fear, there are many college bound students in the same boat as you that are wondering what the heck a PSAT really is. Seriously, you should know what these initials are by now, but you still may not have a good grasp on what it really involves. This article will serve as a guideline and help you better understand this test that you are headed toward.

PSAT or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

The PSAT is kind of a practice test that helps students determine their placement and how much preparation they need before they take on the SAT. This can give you a good idea of how the questions are worded, what is expected and if the test is easy or difficult for you. Some students make the mistake of believing that because they aced the PSAT that the SAT will be the same and never even study. That is not advisable and it may be that you got lucky with the PSAT. So always, make sure that you prepare before any exam, unless you just have money and early mornings to blow!

The PSAT is made up of two reading sessions, two math sessions and one writing session. The questions are multiple choice or guess, as many prefer to say except for the writing portion of the test. The allotted time for the test is a little over two hours, but not everyone takes that long and others need the entire time. Two hours is not the maximum given, but only a guideline.

The reading sessions are approximately twenty-five minutes apiece and involves critical reading, vocabulary as well as determining the relationship between words. The most important part of the reading section of the PSAT is to ensure that you read the sections carefully. There are fifty questions in the reading section so it is important to adhere to a time schedule. Hurrying through this part of the exam will lower your score, because there might be a trick or two! Pace yourself to ensure that you are not carelessly answering the questions, but that you are not taking too much time either. Those taking the PSAT today will not have those all famous analogies to look forward to as they have been eliminated, darned of luck!

The math sessions are approximately twenty-five minutes apiece and consist of word problems, algebra, graphs, geometry and statistics. The match section consists of thirty multiple-choice questions and ten grid questions. Performance on the math section can be enhanced greatly with practicing and brushing up on math skills with a good PSAT preparation guide.

The writing section of the PSAT involves a thirty-minute allotment where the test taker is expected to answer questions based on a given writing sample. The student will answer multiple choice questions based on finding mistakes, poor sentence structure and other grammatical errors. The best way to prepare for the writing section of the PSAT is to practice with the given exercises in the PSAT study guide. There are thirty-nine questions that must be answered in thirty minutes in the writing section. Warning: many first time students fail the writing portion of the exam because they blow this section off.

A perfect score on the PSAT is eighty and the lowest is a twenty. Most students that are still in high school that take the exam score about a fifty. This could be greatly improved if the students made use of reference material. The mind gets better with practice and certainly over time, so it is imperative to study for the PSAT and SAT. On the Internet you will see a ton or study guides, courses and tapes that will raise your score. Many of these products will, but you need to make sure that you are getting a proven product. So, how do you know if it is proven or not. Look at the testimonials of other students, if there are no testimonials, avoid making the purchase. If others have benefited from the product than it is safe to assume that you can do the same.

Most high schools begin trying to get their junior and senior classes to take the PSAT. This is a great time to take the test to begin preparing in the areas that you need help in or scored poorly. If you start preparing early you can eliminate some of the stress and possibly even get more of an opportunity for financial aid and/or scholarship money. The quicker you have the SAT results the more likely you are to be granted money, that you don’t have to pay back. So, do not wait or put off taking the PSAT, consider it a practice and preparation for the SAT.

There are also several practice tests on the Internet, but are not all that you will need to prepare for the PSAT or SAT. Granted the free practice tests can give you an idea of the test type questions, but it is not a good preparation strategy. Do not fall into the "cannot afford it trap", find a way because the test is not cheap and you do not want to waste the money failing the test!

Summary:

In the early 50's, brick barbecue pits and grills were common in the backyards. Recently, they have come back in favor and plans to build a barbecue pit and some modern plans are being worked out to build pits from sheet metal or barrels. It is possible to build a barbecue on your own. A simple “Do It Yourself” process could be:

1. You will have to first measure a rectangular plot of 40"x 56" and dig a pit at least 8" below ground and level the area.

2. Lay 2" bed of ...

Keywords:

, BBQ, bar-b-q, pit, pits, brick, metal, DIY, mortar

Article Body:

In the early 50's, brick barbecue pits and grills were common in the backyards. Recently, they have come back in favor and plans to build a barbecue pit and some modern plans are being worked out to build pits from sheet metal or barrels. It is possible to build a barbecue on your own. A simple “Do It Yourself” process could be:

1. You will have to first measure a rectangular plot of 40"x 56" and dig a pit at least 8" below ground and level the area.

2. Lay 2" bed of gravel on the pit floor. Mix dry mortar with water and spread 2" thick circular layer around the edge of the gravel.

3. While the mortar is wet, smooth the surface with a trowel. Lay a single roll of flat cinder blocks on the perimeter, leveling each block as you go.

4. As the mortar dries fill the hole with dirt, spread fresh mortar on top of the cinder blocks and smooth.

5. Spread little mortar on the brick and lay horizontally along the outer edge of the cinder block.

6. Tap them into place towards the perimeter. Scrap off any excess mortar. Keep the wall of the pit even.

7. Build the inner wall using the same method.

8. Add second layer of bricks, changing the pattern.

9. Insert metal braces for the grill in the mortar, build a final layer of bricks on top.

10. Let it dry overnight. Place the grill on top of the metal braces.

There are readymade barbecue pits with all the facilities. It has facilities to regulate smoke and temperature and water can be used for moist heat. There is a three-slide heat-treated glass for seeing what is smoking. Cleaning is easy with glass doors. A sliding drip pan is easy for cleaning. These are long lasting and durable. A 110-V slow driven gearbox with constant rotisserie creates slow roasting convection.

You can also take home the much popular rotisserie barbecue pit, which comes with a smoker and is available in different shapes and sizes. A special feature about rotisserie pit smoker is that the front doors are recessed to keep smoke from rolling into the face of the person serving the food.

It has a full-length cooking chamber allowing consistent heat to cook the food perfectly. It has intake vents to keep embers from burning the meat. Rotisserie barbecue pit smokers have electric motors capable of dealing with lots of meat on the trays and this is the special feature, which makes it the best for you, if you intend to buy one. Another feature are its rotating shelves. The advantage being the need to constantly turn the meat is not required. A 3-inch thermometer helps to monitor temperature in cooking chamber. There is absolutely no doubt about the fact why barbecue lover look for rotisserie barbecue pit smokers.

Now, you should decide, whether to undertake a DIY barbecue pit project or get one readymade barbecue pit with all the facilities. There is nothing like good BBQ in the summer and a Built-in BBQ Pit will make you the envy of the neighborhood.

The world famous home of skiing, Austria, is an ideal resort for anyone who enjoys skiing. The fresh alpine slopes, combined with picture-postcard scenery, and a grand culture of centuries old make Austria an ideal holiday destination, whether or not you simply adore skiing like me!

Austria is home to a wide variety of ski resorts, catering for all abilities and tastes. From the lavishly expensive to the bargain basement (yet still of a consistently high quality), Austria has it all, from the highest peaks, to the snowiest landscapes, and with a bit of research you can find some really great deals.

When in Austria, you’d be mad not to ski the alps. The dream of many skiers, the alps span several European countries, and is a must-ski for an enthusiast. Spend a good few days in Austria, and dedicate at least one of them to skiing the alps. You won’t regret it, I can promise you that!

If you put in the research work before you leave, you will generally be able to find some top quality accommodation at low prices. Whether you are booking within a ski resort, or nearby, you should consult the internet to find last minute deals which might help you save money. A good tip to bear in mind is that the star rating given to accommodation does not indicate quality. You might be better off in a one star than a three star for example, given that the star only represents the level of facilities. Additionally, lower star ratings are usually cheaper, so you can benefit from quality, reduced price accommodation if you know where to look. Whatever type of accommodation you opt for, if you are flexible enough to leave for your vacation instantly you will benefit from good deals. Hotels often cut their prices at the last minute, on the basis that some money for a room is better than no money, and so if you’re prepared to get away as soon as possible, you will find it can be really cheap, and you can still have a great time all the same.

On top of that, the internet is home to a variety of low cost airlines which run ‘no frills’, no ticket services. In my personal experience, I have found these airlines to be as good as their more expensive competitors, and just as efficient and comfortable. One word of caution about any airline: make sure they are equipped to handle skiing equipment. Some companies will charge a surplus for your skis, so it is important to ask before you book as to arrangements for bulky or large and fragile goods.

Another highly recommended purchase is insurance for both your equipment and yourself. Things do go wrong, on holiday as well as at home. It is important, therefore to make sure you are covered. Particularly when you are placing your equipment in an airplane hold, or when you are indulging in a dangerous sport like skiing, insurance is important for ensuring you don’t end up high and dry. You can find good deals if you shop around, and it really is worth the few bucks to get that piece of mind, and actual backup in case things go wrong. In a word, it is essential. Don’t leave home without it!

Are you interested in attending a fashion show? If you run a business that is based on fashion, like a fashion store or a fashion consulting business, you may find that fashion shows are a good resource tool. Fashion shows are also great for those who are looking to learn more about the latest fashion trends or even those who are just looking to have a good time. So, if you want to attend a fashion show, you are encouraged to get out and do so.

Although fashion shows are fun to attend, you will need to find one to attend. Unfortunately, there are many individuals out there who decide against attending a fashion show, as they think it would be too difficult to find one. Yes, it may be a little bit difficult to find a fashion show to attend, especially if you are looking for something in particular, but it is more than possible to do.

One of the many ways that you go about finding a fashion show to attend is by reading printed fashion magazines. Fashion magazines often display advertisements for well-known and popular fashion shows. These types of fashion shows are often ones that are held in larger cities, like New York, but not always. The only downside to attending a large fashion show is that they are quite popular; therefore, you may need to make reservations or purchase your fashion show tickets in advance.

In addition to learning about fashion shows through printed magazines, you can also use the internet to do so as well. If you are looking for popular and well-known fashion shows to attend, the internet is a great resource tool for you. You may want to checkout the online websites of fashion magazines, as they often have information on upcoming fashion shows. Also, if you are interested in attending a fashion show that is held on a regular basis, like yearly, you may want to think about performing a standard internet search. A large number of establish fashion shows have their own dedicated websites.

Although attending a famously known fashion show is nice, you may find it difficult to travel to the location or you may find it difficult to afford the cost of a ticket. If that is the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t attend a fashion show. What you need to remember is that fashion shows come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. It is more than possible for you to find a fashion show that is being hosted locally. Well-known clothing designs and accessories may be presented, but you may also find designs from local, up and coming fashion designers.

If you are interested in attending a local fashion show, you may want to keep your eyes and your ears open, especially when visiting one of your local shopping malls. Fashion shows are regularly held at shopping malls. If the mall in question isn’t the host of a fashion show, but one is taking place nearby, you may be able to still find advertisements displayed in your local shopping mall. You may also want to keep an eye on any of your local newspapers. Fashion shows are regularly advertised under the “what’s happening in our community,” section or the traditional classified section.

If you are interested in attending a fashion show, whether it be a well-known fashion show or just one that is hosted locally, you may want to use the above mentioned approaches to find one to attend. As a reminder, fashion shows are great for those who are in the fashion business, as well as those who are just interested in having a good time.