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Computer-Based Testing
The Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) have set a course to prepare the State's P-12 education system for a transition to computer-based testing.
Technology Readiness Tool
New York State is using a Technology_Readiness_Tool to prepare for computer-based testing. The two national assessment consortia (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, and Smarter Balanced) have launched this tool, which surveys current technology capacity and infrastructure in each school building statewide across the country. It can serve as inventory of current equipment and can be updated by schools and/or districts as technology changes. New York State is using the Technology Readiness Tool to determine the feasibility of computer-based testing and inform future planning.
Starting in June 2012, NYSED provided access to the Technology Readiness Tool to school district contact persons. When you provide a point of contact for your school's or district's use of the Technology Readiness Tool, s/he will receive an auto-generated welcome message to get started with the Technology Readiness Tool. A recommended point person could be your district's technology or data director/coordinator.
Notes for Technology Readiness Tool Users (Updated January 14, 2013)
- Schools are asked to submit Device Data and complete the School Survey; this information can be found at the SETUP tab under Data Management.
- Once you have entered the device data and completed the school survey, please mark data entry complete.
- The Technology Readiness Tool has been pre-populated with New York State districts and schools, using the BEDS code as the organization code.
- Please use the schools that have been establiished in the Technolofgy Readiness Tool. You can establish school users for individuals who have school-level data to report.
- Under the SETUP tab, BATCH file exporting is the method to use to see what data has been submitted.
- If your designated contact person did not receive an e-mail from firstname.lastname@example.com, that person can log onto the site at www.techreadiness.net using their e-mail address as the user ID.
- The Technology Readiness Tool is available through 2014. Data may be uploaded and changed at any time during the Tool's availability.
To complete the School Survey: from the home page go to "Setup." Under the blue line, check the schools. Then go to "3. Tasks" and select "School Survey Questions." Be sure to select classification of school. Review enrollment data (pre-populated based on 2010-11 information) and update this information. For the "Testing Information" questions:
- The number of computers that are currently in an environment acceptable for assessment or adaptable would be the number of simultaneous test takers
- For number of days in testing window, use 6 days (as the current Grades 3-8 New York State Testing Program uses 3 days and 3 make-up days)
- To calculate the number of sessions per day, use 90-minute sessions and determine how many your school can offer in a school day
Additional Information for Non-Public and Charter Schools
The information below is for designated points-of-contact from non-public and charter schools. It provides further guidance in using the Technology Readiness Tool.
NYSED Technology Readiness Tool Information for Non-Public and Charter Schools (76KB)
- New York State's Transition to Computer-Based Testing (May 16, 2012) (143KB)
- Approach to Developing Statewide Computer-Based Testing Transition Plan (March 2012) (96.1KB)
- Guidelines for Minimum and Recommended Technology Specifications (108KB)
- Technology Readiness Tool(Note: Information about the Tool is found under "Help & Resources")
State Education Technology Directors' Association
- Assess4ed.net - leveraging the opportunities of next generation assessment systems
- Technology Readiness for College and Career Ready Teaching, Learning and Assessment (128KB)
New York State Education Department
Phone: (518) 474-5461
E-Mail: email@example.com


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The Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Running Watch looks great in black and red, providing keen runners with an invaluable fitness monitor.
Simple and stylish mile tracking
A straightforward yet highly useful and effective training device, this GPS watch tracks distance, pace and calories so you know how well you're doing with your workouts.
Accurately track how far you've run and your running speed, and keep tabs on the calories you're burning as you go. Boost your self-motivation as the device identifies personal records and compares your current pace to your target using the Virtual pacer feature.
Use Garmin Connect to visualise your run on a map, getting detailed information and sharing with friends.
Off and running
With the press of a button, the Garmin Forerunner 10 sets you on your way, its easy interface enabling you to clearly see your time and distance on one screen as you run, with your calories and pace indicated on another. Customise your settings to display pace and distance on the same screen.
Light and comfortable, it can be worn like a standard watch and offers a larger watch face and wider wristband for brilliant stability and convenience. Its black and red design will add a trendy accent to your fitness ensemble too.
The tools to train with
The Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Sports Watch offers more for the serious runner, including simple yet ingenious training features such as Virtual Pacer.
This compares your current running pace to a target to guide and motivate you, and the run/walk feature is helpful if you're new to running or want to include walk breaks into your regime.
Online fitness sharing
Connecting your Garmin Forerunner 10 Fitness Watch to your Mac or PC enables you to upload run information to Garmin Connect. See where you've been on a map and expand the detail for each mile.
Share your progress with friends for free, and enjoy a boost in motivation when you see your miles add up in Garmin Connect. You can return to see how you've improved from the previous week, month or year too, so it really is a complete fitness training package.
Stay motivated as you run
Take inspiration from a friendly beep and flashing time screen as you complete each mile. When your run is done, you can save it and view a summary of your performance that includes your total time, distance, average pace and calories.
The Forerunner Watch will even alert you when you attain a personal record, be it a fastest mile or longest run to date.
Choose the black and red Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Running Watch to perfectly, conveniently and effectively monitor your performance as you exercise.
Product code: 041324

subset: commoncrawl


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I got the feeling that the seawall thing must actually refer to Thousand Needles, not Desolace because, as you said, Desolace is well above sea level. Also salt water wouldn't really do wonders for the terrain - it would just turn out like Dustwallow. The seawall is just to the west of the Flats, so this makes more sense for that area. I'll bet the races get flooded but those goblins don't care and just convert everything into boating races instead.
As for Desolace, I doubt it's sea water. probably the happenings in Muraudon end up bringing a lot of that water near the surface and reviving the soil that way.


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Anybody who might be interested in the incidents which shaped the life of Anuvida can continue reading below – his biography is full of historical content!
Anybody who might be interested in the incidents which shaped the life of Anuvida can continue reading – everybody else can switch to other pages with more current news and less historical content.
Born on February 15th 1952, childhood uncomplicated and almost like a fairy tale in the countryside of northern Germany, in the lively environment of grandpa´s bakery. I still hear the flip-flap sound of those big machines starting very early every morning, stirring the dough. And the smell of freshly baked bread coming out of the oven spreading its odor all over the house and the yard. When I think back, it seems as if it were in a different world – almost dreamlike and unreal when I recall it today.
The garden had all kinds of trees with fruits like apples and pears, bushes bearing several sorts of berries, long lines of vegetables which were thoroughly cared for by my grandma Marie. At the age of 8 or so I tried a few toy-instruments like clarinet and flute as well as an old piano which was stored away in one of our barns. I was always interested in the inside of things which is why I used to take everything apart and look underneath or add a few things to make the sound better or worse or at least produce some strange effect.
My grandma was the one who gave me my first guitar – a very cheap and simple acoustic instrument available from a catalogue at that time. I tried to get guitar lessons, but there was nobody around and so I fumbled around with that thing and practiced as much as possible. But I actually only improved when this guy Dieter joined my class in school and showed me a couple of chords and progressions. He even could play those instrumentals by the "Shadows" and "Spotnics" which impressed evrybody a lot.
And pretty soon I, too, was able to chant the early songs of Beatles, Stones or Kinks and others. It was in the late 60s when I got some experience in playing music and joined the first band which played all these cover versions of pop and rock songs from that era. It was probably the spirit of the time, but something essential happened to me in terms of all things in life – meaning, importance, reality and what is this all about. Lots of questions and no answers which could quench my thirst.
Those were the subjects a lot of bands were addressing and singing about, and this particular mood spread all around the world as well as into our small town. Hence, it was quite natural that there were enough hippies around to build up some sort of community in the countryside, managing to spend most of the time out there at a place where their acid-heads could be experienced and grass was not only green to look at. This is a scene from the 70s on the roof of the "bunker," where our hippie-community used to waste its time listening to music, tripping and smoking pot, while the rest of the world was busy with serious affairs.
But after a couple of years I still needed some kind of warmth and cosiness, which I found in a woman, and I seperated from those communities to try relationship plus music. I didn´t succeed and found myself in shattered dreams and loneliness but was saved by another woman who pulled me out of this chapter and reloaded my lifepower. We spent a nice time making love and dreaming of something bigger. As a matter of fact, we moved into a huge house where lots of fellow travellers lived and joined this fresh pool of fellowship.
At that time, it was 1976, there was a lot of moving and exploring in the air and a couple of people went to India, which was the target for many spiritual seekers – so did I.
It was my first big adventure in terms of growing, going through fears and exploring and expanding the limits or your abilities. Travelling in India is really a very special adventure and involves a lot of qualities which most people have forgotten. Anyway, after spending a couple of weeks on the beaches of Goa, I ended up in Pune learning new kinds of meditation techniques and sitting at the feet of a great master Osho – at that time wellknown as Bhagwan the sex guru, a title which was actually invented by the international tabloid press because of its marketing value. Producing scandals is always more interesting to the people than supporting the truth or something simply beautiful –like it has been at the ashram of Bhagwan, which still can be explored. In spite of his absence and the transformation into a modern meditation resort, the buddha-field is still present there as I was able witness in ´93.
This was the year I met Waduda from New Earth Records and I got the chance to release a CD with relaxation music played mainly on the Kiboé. Nik Tyndall accompanied the Kiboé pieces on his synthesizers. He has thousands of beautiful sounds in his acoustic library and has produced about ten or twenty electronic-music CDs during the last twenty years. What came out of our coproduction was a really nice album for meditation as well as relaxation: Reiki Healing Hands.
But far before at the end of the 70s up to the 80s I had to experience many different projects like giving guitar-lessons, trying out songwriting with a 4-track tape-machine and joining a band called "Ede Wolf Band" where we tried to play spontaneous music. It worked pretty well, sometimes we even improvised lyrics and singing by our fabulous singer Holler, who managed to create serious or funny lyrics while the rest of us was playing instrumental backgrounds. We were lucky to have drummer Eduard from Schicke, Fuehrs Froehling, who had a really nice rehearsal-room on the upper floor of the music club he was running at that time. We had a lot of fun playing around like that but couldn´t get it on stage. So, finally, that band died without getting famous for its wit and innovative richness. -Anuvida


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Gjuro Bruer
Gjuro Bruer grew up in Alabama, and has spent a lifetime (for most) fishing not only his native Gulf Coast, but around the globe. His travels have taken him from the Marshes near his home, to the farthest and most remote corners of the Saltwater fishing world. He currently guides Tarpon and Redfish from Florida to Louisiana. Learn more about Gjuro at www.gbflyfishingcompany.com.


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The Ways and Means of Coping with Emergencies
Published on - April 13th, 2009 (by J.D. Roth)
This is a guest post from Gail Vaz-Oxlade, a Canadian financial writer and host of the television series 'Til Debt Do Us Part.
Experts have been touting the importance of having an emergency fund since Moses was a lad. So why is it that so many people still don't have enough (or any?) money set aside just in case? Reasons and rationales abound.
"I'm paying off my debt. That's the most important thing."
With the amount of debt people are buried in, it's no wonder people want to get rid of it as fast as they can. But having a single focus is never a good way to create balance. Money in the bank gives you options — ways to deal — so that you can stay on track with debt repayment even when bad things happen.
Having no cash at the ready means you'll no doubt be forced to use your credit to deal with a broken furnace, unexpected medical bills, or replacing that tire you blew on the highway. Accessible cash means you can keep to your debt-repayment plan and deal with whatever crisis — large or small — that has come knocking on your door.
"I can't see the point of letting money sit earning next to nothing."
While it can be a really sad thing to watch thousands of dollars languishing in a savings account, return isn't the priority with an emergency fund. Access is. Stick that money into the market and it may not be there just when you need it most. Stick it in a high-interest savings account and while you may be irked by the pittance you're earning in interest, the emergency fund will be at the ready when you hit the wall. The point is to have some wiggle room when the unexpected happens.
"I have $1,000. That's enough."
$1,000 may be enough of an emergency fund if you live under a rock. Yes, you'll need less of a buffer if your home is paid for, you have no debt, you walk everywhere you go, and you're happy eating ketchup soup three nights a week. If you want a realistic emergency fund – one that actually gets you though the rough – figure our your monthly essential expenses and multiply by six. That's how much you need.
Unemployment insurance may help fill the gap if you lose your job, but it doesn't go far. And unemployment isn't the worst emergency you may face. Get sick and watch your money evaporate. Even if you have good health and disability insurance plans, your cash flow will still take a kicking until your benefits click on.
"Who needs an emergency fund when you can use a line of credit?"
The people telling us to get an LOC is an emergency fund are the same people who let us buy houses without enough money down, offered us ways to satisfy all your whims while spending money we hadn't yet earned, and continually raised our limits until many of us had enough debt to bury an elephant.
A line of credit is not an emergency fund…it is debt waiting to happen. If you hit a wall and end up racking up tens of thousands in debt on an LOC, how was that diverting disaster?
The Ways-and-Means Fund
Perhaps the problem with the whole emergency fund thing is that people don't like to think they'll have to deal with "emergencies." It's not unlike the folks who won't make a Will because they don't want to contemplate their demise, or who won't buy disability insurance because they can't imagine becoming disabled.
Maybe we're just calling it by the wrong name. The whole idea of having to deal with "emergencies" can be a real downer. Maybe what we need is nomenclature that sounds far more proactive and positive. We'll stop predicting disaster and instead focus on the fact that when you have money at the ready, you also have ways and means to deal with whatever life pitches at you.
Hmmm…a Ways-and-Means Fund…cash in the bank that gives us the means so we can figure out ways of dealing with life's lumps. Your son breaks his arm playing in the yard, and you have the means — the money — you need to take a day off work, get him to the hospital, and cope in whatever other ways you must. Your partner is downsized and you have the means to pay the mortgage and keep food on the table until he finds new ways of bringing home the bacon. You bang up your car, watch your shingles blow off in a wind-storm, or find yourself in the throes of a divorce, and you have the means to keep the financial boat afloat while you find ways to cope with all the other stress in your life.
Convinced that having The Means offers you more Ways of smoothing out life's bumps? Now it's just a matter of coming up with the dough. It takes effort to knead intent into action.
Getting started
The best way to create your Ways-and-Means Fund is to set up an automatic deduction from your regular account to a high-interest savings account. If you don't have much to save, it doesn't matter — the important thing is just to start…to convert your intent into action. As long as you haven't started, you're not creating the means for dealing with what life will inevitably throw at you. Commit $25 per pay to your Ways-and-Means Fund. Once you've begun, you're on your way and then it only becomes a matter of how to boost the amount you're setting aside to grow your stash of cash.
Most people have expenses they can trim to boost the money going to their Ways-and-Means Fund. Do you buy coffee every day on the way to work? Calculate how much you're spending, cut it in half, and send the difference to your Ways-and-Means Fund. Smoke? If you smoked half as much, how much would you be able to sock away? Pick up the latest magazine at the checkout counter?
Subscribe to premium cable? Go out for a drink with your friends after work? Buy your lunch at work? Pick up your favorite "stuff" whenever it's on sale even though you already have 30 pairs of shoes, white shirts, handbags, DVDs, name your vice here. How quickly could you build your Ways-and-Means Fund by focusing on being safe as opposed to being satiated?
If you're determined to keep all your small indulgences, try the tit-for-tat approach to building your Ways-and-Means Fund. Each time you satisfy a Want, contribute an equal amount to your Ways-and-Means Fund. Not only will it make you really think about whether you're going to spend the money — in essence whatever you buy is going to cost your cash flow twice as much — you'll be giving yourself options for the future while you enjoy yourself today.
Great job refuting some of the common excuses people can have to creating an emergency fund.
The hardest balance for me is how much of an emergency fund to have when still actively getting out of debt. And in addition, do economic times like these dictate changing course and saving even more of a fund while still in debt?
This article has gotten me rethinking my personal view on emergency funds and how much I should have.
I have to disagree with the idea that people can't stand the thought of having money sitting around earning nothing. I've met with people from all walks of life in all levels of wealth (and lack thereof), no one has ever cited something like that as a reasoning for not having emergency funds.
The people that know enough about money to actually think that way are the people smart enough to know what an emergency fund is and why they have it.
The LOC bit is spot on though. My parents' banking rep has tried to convince them to do that. I caller her up to let her know that's dishonest. This was tough since we work at the same bank.
Very thought provoking article. I like the idea of putting an equal amount in the wasnmeans fund for indulgences. And I'll try to implement it. Puts another slant on things.
Ketchup soup – lol. I agree about the $1k emergency fund – it's not much.
I'm in the "It's ok to use an LOC for an EF" camp. It seems to me that you are better off putting your emergency fund into debt – especially if you have a lot of it.
If you use your emergency fund to pay off debt, and then end up borrowing it back again – you aren't adding any debt.
For example if you have $100k debt and $10k EF – then you put the EF into the debt so you then have no cash and $90k debt. If something happens and you borrow $10k – then you have $100k debt and $10k cash. Exactly what you started with.
That said, I started an emergency fund a few months ago – mainly because it made me feel better.
I need someone to make a much stronger case to pay interest in order to have an 'emergency fund'. If you are in debt, and have access to additional credit, it doesn't make any sense to put money in a savings account that you could be using to further pay down the debt. If you encounter an emergency, THAT'S when you rely on the high interest loan.
That said, if you are not in debt, I would certianly suggest 6 months of after tax income in a liquid no/low risk account (my wife and I actually have about a year's income). I would not rely on credit for an emergency unless you would be paying interest to have the cash.
@4 & 5^^
That's exactly the thought process that gets you into trouble. Yes, it's logical, but its not helping you break the cycle. The fact that you are keeping the door open on that debt keeps you "in" that debt. Remember, one of the first steps out of debt is to swear off adding additional debt. If you keep the revolving LOC open, and pay it off with your liquid EF, then borrow from it again, you will never get you out of the borrowing cycle. It's a process of habitual change that you need to accept and make. Once you have a funded EF and you use it to purchase things in an emergency, it trains you to do the same for normal purchases. Save rather than borrow.
I don't think JD was as clear on this as he could have been. You can never guarantee the liquidity of your LOC. They could call you tomorrow and lower your limit, or close it all together. Maybe this example will help:
This exact thing just happened to my sister-in-law: She got a nice tax return and saw a good opportunity to pay off her CC rather than keep the cash on hand. The bank closed the account within a week of it being paid off because she had been late a couple times last year. Couple weeks later her car's transmission takes a dump. She can't get another CC and has no way to borrow the money (her credit rating sucks because of various things). Keep in mind that she *had* a CC when she paid them off, and they closed it immediately afterward. Now surely you would agree that she should have stuffed the money in a savings account, and continued to make on-time payments on the CC. But paying it off was a signal to the bank that they should cut their losses while they were ahead.
Liquidity is the key to an EF, you don't want the banks being incontrol of rationing your EF to you. As I stated above, your standing could change tomorrow, and if you don't have liquid funds readily available, you could be quite surprised when it came time to go dipping into the LOC.
In short, if you are allowing the banks to have control to the purse strings to your EF, then you don't have one… plain and simple.
@5 – I think it's a psychological benefit, not a financial one. For me, it definitely is, anyway. Being able to pay bills this month – beyond my means, but not beyond my emergency fund – without resorting to the credit card – has made me feel amazingly better about myself.
This coming from a college student some $12k in debt; validate at will.
I used to have the "I can't stand to see my money earning nothing" syndrome. What cured me of this was a sudden auto accident that totaled a car we weren't planning on getting rid of anytime soon. It was my husband's car and he was going to need a new one w/i 30 days (insurance rental would expire at that time). We knew the insurance money for the totaled car would take a while (it ended up taking 45 days). But when you need to buy a car and don't have the luxury of time to thoroughly shop you certainly don't want to apply a band-aid fix and just buy anything – you want to buy a car you think you'll keep another 10 years or more.
We currently had been saving money to apply to our mortgage debt and it was in cash in a money market. We ended up using this to buy a new car. If I had invested this money (as I normally would have done if we weren't planning on putting a chunk on the mortgage) I wouldn't have had it so readily available. From this point on I've decided I should have enough money in cash to buy a good car – coincidentally this is about 6 months living expenses – as is recommended by many money people. I'm not so worried about what this money is earning in my account (cause frankly its earned more in the past year than any of my investments). I know that I can take care of my family should an expensive emergency come up – and that beats any interest payments I might gain.
JimZ, your argument is quite valid. However, it seems to me that the debate about having an EF or not is dependent on individual factors so maybe statements like "everyone should have an EF" or "everyone should use a LOC for an EF" are not correct.
Your SIL had bad credit so I suspect she is more at risk of losing her credit than someone who has a good credit rating.
It might also depend on what kind of interest you are paying for your debt – if you have 18% interest rate debt outstanding then an EF is very expensive to have.
Having an emergency fund is definitely very important. I was recently laid off, and having that fund in place has really helped me sleep at night. We haven't had to dip into it much yet, with the severance and the unemployment benefits, but since my daughter recently had a small surgery we are happy to have the money there to pay when the bill comes in (we still have health insurance, thank God!).
Thanks JD for calling everyone's attention to the need for an emergency fund. Anyone can need it. I should know, I have not only a college degree but also a graduate degree, and my husband has several graduate degrees, and it happened to us!
Currently, my husband is the only one working at a very low income (about $1,400 a month). I'm trying to start my own business while looking for work. I've been out of work since February of last year. We got a wake-up call to start seriously saving back in January when my husband lost his job. We had a hundred dollars in a 0.03% interest savings account, just been sitting there. A penny in interest each month, and we occasionally borrowed from it. We never made it grow. Luckily, we had (and still have) no debt.
Luckily, my husband got a new job and his first paycheck before any bills were due. But in the frantic rush of that week to try and find ways of pinching every penny, I found this blog. Again, my husband only makes about $1,400 a month and I'm working to start my own business. Since mid-January, we've saved over $1,100 toward our emergency fund, started saving for a new computer (mine is dying), a car (we've had to borrow my parents'), and still have managed to pay all our bills and have money left over for little luxuries like Netflix and occasional (once or twice a month) eating out.
I felt sick every single night before we had this EF. I think of it as a buffer; a cushion. Every dollar I save is a pillow set in front of me to protect me from the car speeding toward me. If I get enough pillows, I'll never get hurt.
Great to see Gail Vaz-Ozlade!! Til' Debt Do Us Part is one of my favourite TV shows, and I have my oldest kids hooked on watching it, too. )
I like the change of perception in calling the emergency fund the Ways & Means Fund.
Nice points about an emergency fund. Having cash on hand is a better way to deal with emergencies rather than credit.
I keep about 4 months gross in the bank and I also keep a few thousand in cash at home just in case we need something in a hurry. Or in case something comes up that I can turn around for a profit quickly.
Congratulations on the Mini. How are you handling the hidden expenses, like sales tax, title, registration fees or in my state (mass) excise tax which all add to the cost of buying a car.
I'm a car guy and I look for bargains that need a bit of work or that people are tired of. I picked up a 1994 Mustang convertible for free that needed head gaskets. I fixed it myself for $850.00 (including brakes) and have been driving it regularly for two years. The cost of ownership goes down with every mile I put on!
The more I can do myself means more savings, and with three kids I need it!
No one has made a logical argument to pay interest to have cash available 'just in case'. From a building wealth standpoint, I just don't think it makes any sense.
If you want to build wealth more slowly, feel free.
@9: "Your SIL had bad credit so I suspect she is more at risk of losing her credit than someone who has a good credit rating."
But even people with good credit are getting their credit limits reduced and/or their interest rates raised as they pay off debt.
Folks with good credit scores and solid credit histories are now getting caught in the fray. "Most banks are cutting their credit limits," says Carol Kaplan, spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association. "People with credit scores of at least 720…are not immune. They're doing it to everyone."
I'm thinking that laddered Certificates of Deposit should be an acceptable alternative to emergency funds in a money market. CDs can earn higher interest than MM, definitely higher than plain savings, and are nearly as liquid. The loss of interest penalty would only occur if the CD was redeemed early. Laddered at 3 month intervals, there would always be something coming up for renewal or redemption in the near future.
No matter your income, or insurance when you have a true medical disaster, you run out of insurance coverage, All insurance companies have a coverage limit. My husband got an infection in his spine, 6 surgeries in two months, 6 weeks in a care center flat on his back, pain medications a year of IV and oral antibiotics lead to over $500,000 in medical bills. Insurance coverage dropped to $50,000 life time coverage when my husband turned 65 and eligible for medicare. Our liability was $61,000.
Medication had to be paid for up front.
Not only this but we were hit by two hurricanes during his recovery. If I had not been handy we would really be in a bigger financial mess.
Emergency funds are necessary! I would say 6 months of living expenses readily accessible and 18 months of money invested with the intention of being able to liquidate it if needed.
Paul @13, here's your logical case for saving an emergency fund before your debt is completely paid off.
Stop paying health insurance. Stop paying life insurance. Stop paying disability insurance. Stop paying for home insurance. Stop paying business liability insurance. Hey, if you're really serious about attacking debt, stop paying auto insurance, too, even though that's illegal.
You are probably paying hundreds, even thousands in insurance every year that could go to debt reduction instead. You are not even earning ING style interest on these payments. It is pretty likely that over the next 2-3 years, while you're paying off debt, that you probably won't die, get seriously ill, get burgled, have a home fire, be in a car accident, get sued or otherwise get disabled. Probably.
An emergency fund is an insurance policy you create for yourself that can earn some interest as well. A credit card or LoC is a promise to loan you money up to a certain amount and at a certain interest rate that is completely under the control of a third party. They can revoke or change interest rates any time they please, and they can and have closed the card once it's paid off, leaving you with no options if you haven't already created an emergency fund.
So if all insurance policies are equal to you, cancel them all and just pay off debt. But if you are keeping any kind of insurance that you are not legally obligated to keep, then an emergency fund is a logically consistent choice.
Hey @9: ABC
That's just it, it's an inverse relationship. Folks with high interest loans are the ones who have a hard time justifying having cash on hand when they are paying high interest on a debt. I can see their reasoning.
But see — the thing is — anyone with an 18% loan already has bad credit, and is the poster-child for needing a cash-only EF.
Laddering CDs at 2.5-4% currently is the way to go. I've managed to save about $200,000 in a 2.75% 9 month option CD, which allows me to draw down to $5,000 if i need it. This week, I'm going to move $130,000 of my money market fund from one bank to a 5 year CD at 4.25%. I don't need this money, and am fine to just earn 4.25% every year instead of 2.5% currently.
This may, or may not sound like a lot of savings, but I also have about $1.5 million in mortgage indebtedness to pay interest on every month, so I do have higher expenses in the tune of probably $10,000-$11,000 a month. My income of $300-400k/yr in this economy could go bye bye, and then i'll be worried.
I already have about $200,000 in company stock, and $100,000 of $160,000 in my 401K invested in the stock market. So frankly, I don't want to add to the 300K exposure in the market, especially since my job is related to the stock market!
When the going gets tough, the tough have CASH. i sleep better at night with 4% returning cash. 3mil is my goal, then i could year 120k/yr in interest. but that's 12-15 years away.
My question is on paying of debt the SNowbaLL method. i like the pyschological effect. my smallest debt is my $30,000 school loan at 2.6%. should i pay it off, or just pay it off over 15 more years?
Another reason depending on a line of credit isn't wise: right now, banks are cutting off the unused portions of LOCs.
If an LOC is the foundation of your emergency plan, it's time to start thinking about other ways to prepare.
Boy am I glad I have an emergency fund at the ready and fully loaded. I was laid off, not downsized, right sized, restructured or whatever, I was laid off.
I have 6 months saved in a so called high interest savings account. I did this with the set it and forget it weekly deduction from my normal account.
It's comforting to know I'll still be able to cover my necessary bills and mortgage payments for a time. I will refund the account when I'm working again. It's insurance without the fees and I get the premiums back.
@20, I think you know the answer. If you are getting 4% on the 30K and they are getting 2.6% of it, then you are yielding 1.4% on borrowed money. Where do I sign up?
I have a few layers of accounts, but you're right access is key.
I have one account that has $500, just for unexpected 'minor' emergencies. Since my car is older model and paid for, repairs usually don't exceed that. Eventually I'd like to have $1000 in it. Then, I have another that has a few thousand in it for bigger emergencies. And I just opened another to be auto-funded by my checking account at $25/mo. It will add up over time. Who knows what I'll call that one.
The goal is to never be where I was: in debt, credit score a mess and borrowing from friends or family on top of that.
My short term goal by end of 2010 is to put $2000 into an account and put that into a CD at my credit union.
An emergency fund is priority one when it comes to winning with money. So many young couples can't understand why they can't get ahead but they never do this first step. Good post!
Paul @ 13 – If you lose your job you are still going to have to pay monthly bills, including the credit card bills. If you are unable to make the minimum payments on those credit cards your interest rates are going to go through the roof, not to mention ruining your credit. You might be able to sweet talk your credit card company for a month, but after that you'll be over 20% interest. Good luck getting them to reduce that rate. You will end up paying a lot more in interest in the long run than if you'd had an emergency fund and could get by on minimum payments for a while.
I still think that having six months of living expenses siting around in cash is a ridiculous amount of overkill. $3,000 to $5,000 seems to be enough to cover most legitimate emergencies. If you lose your job, but you've got six months (or probably more) worth of expenses sitting in mutual funds (or wherever), you have plenty of time to withdraw some money before you run out of your $3,000 to $5,000 cash cushion. Yeah, maybe the market is down, and if it's really, really down, like it has been lately, then you've only got four months instead of six months savings. Big deal. What are the chances you can't find a job in four months, but *can find* one in six months? It can't be that high.
I don't know why "you lose your job and it takes you exactly six months to find another one" is the standard for what constitutes an emergency among personal finance people. This is highly dependent upon the job that you hold, and the field that you're in.
I would have been laid off at the end of 2006, but I saw it coming two or three months in advance, and found another job so that I had no gap in work (well, about two weeks, but I did that by choice). My current employer, when they do lay people off, gives generous severance packages, which would likely be quite near six months of living expenses anyway. A former co-worker of mine has started his own company in the last year, and would like me to come work for him, so even if I was laid off tomorrow, I essentially have a job lined up for me. I have never, since I started working, been unemployed for anywhere close to six months.
I realize that this certainly isn't the case for everyone. Like I said, it's largely dependent on where you work now, and what field you're in, but just because some people (hypothetical example — auto workers at GM) are likely to need a hefty emergency fund if they get laid off in the near future doesn't mean it applies to everyone.
Here are real "emergencies" I've actually had in the last couple years:
1) My wife's father had a stroke and we had to fly down to see him. My wife had to take several weeks off to care for him.
2) $2500 in dental bills.
3) Over $1000 in veterinary bills.
4) A speeding ticket for almost $400.
5) Car service for over $600.
My $3,000 to $5,000 fund covers all of these just fine.
You're probably right, people should stop calling this six month's expenses fund an "emergency fund", but what they should call it is a "layoff fund" because that's what its real purpose is. People could have a $5,000 emergency fund, and if they think it might be prudent (which in certain industries or at certain companies, it is), then they can also start a "layoff fund".
@Mary: Great explanation! Self-insurance is the key.
@ #20. Are you for real? If you've got that much money, hire a fee based financial planner!
I apologize if that sounds rude, but I can't be the only reader here whose income amounts to less than a quarter of your expenses. It's great that you're doing so well, but I don't think too many of us can give advice
Congratulations J.D.!!! You are an inspiration, and you deserve your Mini!!!
@JimZ #19 – yes, it occurred to me as I wrote that comment that people who have the worst debt problems probably need the cash EF more so than others (as you said). I guess that's where the minimal $1000 EF suggestion comes into play – it's enough to get through some of the rough spots but you aren't costing yourself too much in interest charges.
I guess the moral of the story is to not to let debts get out of control in the first place? (yah, there's some great 20/20 hindsight advice)
Man, I love Gail! I read her blog as often as I read this one. I was against the idea of an emergency fund for years, but then again I'm the perfect example of someone struck by little misfortunes that added up to a lot of debt. I found out that I dislike debt and paying interest MUCH more than having a few thousand dollars tucked away for surprises. And I saved while paying off debt. It can be done!
Tyler@27: "If you lose your job, but you've got six months (or probably more) worth of expenses sitting in mutual funds (or wherever), you have plenty of time to withdraw some money before you run out of your $3,000 to $5,000 cash cushion. Yeah, maybe the market is down, and if it's really, really down, like it has been lately, then you've only got four months instead of six months savings. Big deal."
Assuming that everyone has additional money in mutual funds — a rather big assumption — I still can't agree with the option. I cannot anticipate PLANNING to go into long term investments as part of my financial strategy. This strikes me as an incredibly bad idea both in the short term and the long term.
If the mutual funds are not designated for retirement (401k/RRSP), this means that someone has put a lot of money into the market before building a reasonably sized emergency fund.
And if these are retirement funds, a withdrawal means you end up paying a penalty (direct or via higher taxes) AND losing principal you need to grow via compound interest.
Perhaps precisely 6 months isn't a good fit for everyone, but neither is $3000 to $5000. As a home-owner in a fairly expensive city, my bare-bones monthly budget — including insurance — is about $2500 a month. I cannot envision the equivalent of 2 months of scrimping being enough to safeguard against a drop in business or job loss, serious illness, or basement flooding.
(I have disability insurance, but it kicks in 90 days AFTER I've been rendered disabled. Following your plan, I'd either be plundering my retirement funds or sucking rocks for nutrition on day 61.)
Some of us are covered by unemployment insurance for X months; some of us aren't. Some of us are in economically precarious industries or geographical areas; some of us aren't. There is no one size solution for everyone, but I think most people are better off, especially this year, putting aside at LEAST three months of expenses ASAP.
I have two comments.
1. I see the logic behind calling a fund a layoff/unemployed fund.
Set up two accounts:
Emergency: An interest earning saving account, set up as an overdraft to your checking is a good idea.
Layoff/unemployment: Something you could access with a little more difficulty but would earn more. The more you make the more you would need to put into this fund, especially if you wages are as contract or self-employment.
2. The premises behind "get rich slowly" applies to high as well as low-income earners. The more you make the more you have borrowed and the more you need to pay off. A high income does not necessarily means you have lived within your means. Some of these so called financial advisors can lose your money faster than you can. My neighbor lost all of her money to an advisor who took off with her funds. And many have purchased a home and borrowed against it when the values rose but now the houses are not worth what they were.
A good book to read is "The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy"
by Thomas J. Stanley
It's how you live not what you make that can lead you into being a millionaire. Health and Happiness are worth more than wealth.
(You know what, Tyler? That was snarkier than I expected. I'm sorry. But I really don't think that investments should be treated as a supplemental emergency fund.)
Maybe $3,000 to 5,000 is low for someone with an expensive mortgage. Maybe, if you were otherwise following my philosophy here, but had an expensive mortgage, it could be more like $5,000 to $10,000. The point here is to have enough to cover "day to day" emergencies (like unexpected car trouble), and give you enough time to access your other investments in the case you experience a more severe emergency.
Here's where we're differing fundamentally:
You say "…this means that someone has put a lot of money into the market before building a reasonably sized emergency fund."
And what I'd say is "…this means that someone has put a lot of money into the market *in lieu of* building an extremely large emergency fund."
And yes, I'm assuming these funds aren't invested in a retirement account. This is a sort of strategy that relates to Gail's statement of "I can't see the point of letting money sit earning next to nothing." It implies that you have extra, non-retirement savings, and your choices include the option of a very large emergency fund, and the option of putting most of that into investments that can be liquidated in a few days or less. i think there's nothing wrong with choosing the market and realizing that you can, in fact, sell these investments in the case of an emergency.
What name you give to the account that holds your money is immaterial. Barring certain types of accounts (like tax-exempt retirement accounts, which incur penalties for early withdrawal), taking money out of savings to pay for an emergency reduces your net worth by the same amount, regardless of whether it's an "investment account" that your pilfering, or an "emergency fund". If you believe that an emergency is fairly unlikely, and that an investment fund is likely to grow by more than an emergency fund over time, why not leave your money (most of it, anyway) in the fund that grows until you need it?
One thing:
Do NOT put emergency money in a money market fund. There is a risk–however small–that you might not be able to get it back out. After the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the government had to intervene to prevent a run on money market funds that would have caused large losses for everyone involved.
Emergency funds belong in only one place and that is an FDIC insured bank account.
I've just reached my $1000 EF while paying down debt. I've noticed something interesting that I wasn't expecting –
Just having the EF makes me less willing to break into it. For me, the EF is for funding unexpected, unbudgeted expenses like car trouble or pet expenses(not for something major like getting laid off). I've had both car repairs and expensive vet bills in the past couple of months and I've been able to pay cash without dipping into credit or savings. The more I save, the less likely I am to break into it. I love seeing it grow.
Here's why I think that it's a good idea – For a person with habitually poor personal finance, building an EF can help to create financial discipline as well as self-esteem. For the first time in a long time, I'm seeing my money grow (and it has way more effect than seeing my debt disappear.)
I LOVE GAIL! I wish she did a "get out of debt" show for non-couples…, but for now Til Debt Do Us Part still gives a great amount of advice – and this column of course is no different. While I may disagree with Gail on some points (education isn't an investment worth going into debt for), her no-nonsense approach has helped me forge through some of my own debt issues. Thanks!
@the folks above //why not leave your money (most of it, anyway) in the fund that grows until you need it//
Er, cause the market can lose big money if you don't already have money. I don't think this advice is really for those that are heavily into investing, more for those that maybe aren't quite at that level of money management "intelligence" yet. Right now, where I am, I have an emergency fund of $5000. Why won't I invest it? Because it's money that I might need. I'm investing in an RRSP on the side, and then *after* that I'll look at extra investments. I've been told that you should only throw savings/ money into the stock market if you don't need it; right now I need it to pay off debt and save for my future.
Investing to me, especially in a market that is this volatile, is a long long long term plan, not a short term plan. Any of the 'short term' options that I've looked at all involve interest rates that are stupidly close to an ING account, and the money is that less liquid. Why bother? If it is looking like my emergency fund is too much money, or I'm feeling more comfortable with my net worth, then I may roll that into something else, but I don't see the harm in holding that $5K someplace accessible.. This helps me plan a bit too, because once I put money into my RRSP, I don't look at it again. Ever. So, if I keep them separate (separate companies even), I reduce the urge to want to go and spend that other chunk of cash that is put away…
Great Post !!!
Emergency fund prevents us from panic situation, which could direct us to debt
This is what has been working for me in this situation.
I have a great deal of debt, but have been aggressively paying it off.
I started putting $100/month into savings for emergencies. If no emergencies came up by the time it hit $1000, I used that $1000 as a bonus debt payment. Then I started over putting $150/month into savings until I hit $1000.
This has helped me (1) pay off debt faster (2) have a little emergency cushion and (3) create solid savings habits.
Last month, I was stuck with a huge unexpected car repair bill. I didn't have to panic or charge it because my system helped me pay for it.
Not foolproof….but it works for me.
Tyler @36: "I think there's nothing wrong with choosing the market and realizing that you can, in fact, sell these investments in the case of an emergency."
I'm willing to risk money for long term investments. I don't expect to retire for 15-20 years, so I can deal with a portfolio that holds more stocks. But my emergency funds have to be safe, and in this economic climate, my emergency fund is going to be larger than it was before I bought this house.
As liz says @38, I want my emergency funds well identified, segregated and safe. I'm sweating blood putting aside this money right now, and I would rather not lose even a few hundred, let alone a few thousand dollars, if I need to cash in during one of the weeks where a bunch of people sell to lock in the previous week's gain.
I could see using an ING account for all or just immediate emergencies. For "second tier" emergencies, like a long period of unemployment, I might choose a guaranteed investment vehicle, like Canadian GICs, that promise x% over several years but yield a lower rate if withdrawn early. But I can't treat the market as a second tier.
This topic is always a risk-reward calculation. Why stop at 6 months? Why not 12, or 24? What if your whole family gets in a car wreck AND gets cancer and you rack up $10 million in medical bills? Should you have a $10 million emergency fund, just in case?
The point is not to prepare for ANY emergency, the point is to prepare for the most likely emergencies. So, someone with a very secure job (or one in high demand, or someone highly networked) can keep more of their E-fund in less liquid vehicles.
No, it doesn't always need to be liquid savings. Pay your mortgage ahead 6 months rather than keeping cash. That's a 5-7% return right there, and you'd have to make that payment anyway. Don't forget that the goal is not to have a certain amount of cash saved. You're not saving cash for the sake of having cash. You're saving for the purpose of smoothing out life's bumps.
Long time lurker, first time poster!
I think Gail makes an excellent point in her post — "having The Means offers you more Ways of smoothing out life's bumps".
I refer to my small-but-growing EF as my "Crap Happens" account. Perhaps I'm more risk-averse than other people, but the idea of $20K-$30K of emergency money sitting in the stock market makes me physically ill.
For me, an EF is not meant to make money; it's meant to keep me from falling back into debt **when** I'm faced with a job loss, catastrophic illness, or other major life upheaval — I even exclude my EF total from my Quicken net worth calculation!
As with everything in life, you have to do what works for you. By not treating my EF like spare money or an source of income, I don't lose sleep over declining interest rates or the market machinations.
The following passage is an example of not great advice. A financial emergency is a situation where nobody really knows what the ultimate resolution will be. It may be the case that one may lose his or her job and not find employment for years later.
The benefit of using credit is that if things go really bad you may be able to file Bankruptcy if you need to do so and not have spent your savings.
I see people every day who spend their entire retirements to try and survive a financial emergency. At the end of the day, some times the retirement savings runs out. If you use credit to try and survive the emergency, you can often discharge that money if you have to do so. If you used your retirement savings, that money is gone.
The old advice used to be to save up 6 months of your income in case you lose your job. In the State of Michigan right now, there are people who have had unemployment extended up to two years because there are no jobs. That six months of saved income would be exhausted very quickly. If you live off the credit, you can pay it back if things turn around and if things really fall apart you might be able to discharge some of the money in Bankruptcy.
"'Who needs an emergency fund when you can use a line of credit?"
The people telling us to get an LOC is an emergency fund are the same people who let us buy houses without enough money down, offered us ways to satisfy all your whims while spending money we hadn't yet earned, and continually raised our limits until many of us had enough debt to bury an elephant.
A line of credit is not an emergency fund…it is debt waiting to happen. If you hit a wall and end up racking up tens of thousands in debt on an LOC, how was that diverting disaster?'"
I put about $2000 in mutual funds a couple of years ago, specifically for use during an emergency.
Thankfully I haven't needed that money, but if I did, I would only be able to get around $1100 at the momentdue to the market sagging. If (God forbid) I needed that money now, I would be taking a huge hit compared to what I initially invested. Not particularly smart money management.
So from this point forward I'm putting additional emergency fund money in an FBNA savings account. It ain't sexy or sophisticated, but at least it won't lose half it's value at the worst possible time. Peace of mind is the goal here, not maximizing your returns.
This article has perfect timing.
Yesterday my husband (who has psoriasis) had a terrible flare-up on all of his body, that started swelling. We both panicked and he had to go to the hospital.
Now, they need to keep him there for a few days.
He is doing okay right now, but even though we're in France where the costs won't be a problem, it does highlight that emergencies can happen /anytime/. His psoriasis had been steadily getting better for years, and suddenly it's worse than has ever been.
There is no way we could have predicted it, and I am glad we have some money aside be it just so I can visit him and call him, and be able to relax.
In other words, yes, emergencies happen, they are scary and stressful, and you don't want to have the added stress of "Oh God, how am I going to pay for this?"
To various posters thinking it's silly to have a big EF — especially those thinking a credit card or LOC fits your needs just fine.
The credit card or LOC is really only a poor substitute for having emergency funds readily at hand (which to me means 3 months of expenses in liquid savings and as many more months as you can swing either in liquid savings or staggered in CDs such that every three months one comes due with three months of expenses.
If you REALLY need to rely on a cc or LOC, well ok. Just remember (A) you're going to have to be able to afford increased payments and (B) you're going to end up paying off your expenses over a long term, since when you get on your feet you're going to have a big bill waiting for you.
When I was laid off in 2002-2003, I used up all my savings and then was using credit cards (laid off 8 months, drew unemployment for 6 months). I used credit cards as little as possible, yet it took me SIX YEARS to recover financially after I went back to work.
Just in time to start being really nervous again.
IMHO, planning that bankruptcy will take care of your cc's isn't a plan. It's reckless and irresponsible to have that be part of your plan. Bankruptcy should be an option of last resort.
For me it's ridiculous to set aside money for any situation. I have one account that is a HELOC and my bank account. What's the point of setting aside money when I can just write a cheque for any emergency. If I set it aside it just costs me money in lost debt payment. It's all the same money from the same place. The EF is a silly old fashioned idea that sounds cool on paper, but is no longer necessary.
hi beth – i can tell you two things. 1) money doesn't buy more happiness. i'm happy to live off of 80K/yr, but it just so happens i'm in a profession that pays 1st year associates out of business school 200k, and i'm a director (assoc, vp, director) so the total comp used to be around 500-800k in the good times, so now cut that in half. And, once i passed 100K, i was really no happier. hence, i'm just saving everything, but spend my entire 140K base every year and live it up. it's enough for me, since 80k is enough already. 2) when you make more, you always spend more. some spend 1 for 1, some spend 2 for 1 and get in trouble. i spend about 35cents of every 1 dollar i make. It's a never ending cycle.
i splurged on a vacation property in lake tahoe, b/c i wanted to enjoy life up in our favorite place on earth (Squaw Valley). in retrospect, i should have just saved my money and used the 200k (!) for vacation fees, and not a downpayment. but ohwell, this was my indulgence, and i now i have to pay for it for a long time. at least i get to go snowboarding, golfing, and hiking whenever i want
The key to savings is to exactly create different accounts, and lock that money up in CDs or hard to reach places to Protect yourself from yourself! i can't tell you how many times i've received a good chunk of money after tax (100-300K), and easily spent 20-40k on things such as a new car, fancy watches, vacations, presents for wife/family etc. You've got to lock that money up somewhere so you don't go blow yourself up, by spending it all.
Progress is happiness, not money.


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School & Education
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Just having a little fun this Friday in the office! -L
It's Friday!
Sweetwater Has a Colonnade!
We've been dying to announce our new addition for so long. Well, here it is! We have added a new ceremony spot to our gardens! Along with our classic gazebo, our couples will also have the choice to get married at a larger spot complete with 10 foot Corinthian columns. We can't wait to see [...]
Join us on Easter
Sweetwater Photo Ops-The Vintage Bride
Although Sweetwater has all the the amenities a modern bride could ask for, we also offer a unique location to capture some classic, vintage bridal portraits. Make sure your photographers take advantage of our lovely Victorian homes!-K JS Photography
Valentine's Brunch
We are so happy to have had such a successful Valentine's Brunch! Amazing guests, delicious food and a little bit of love created a great time for all. Check out some of the shots Joe Jr. took for us! Don't forget we will also be hosting an Easter and Mother's Day Brunch! -L


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6ft High Speed HDMI® Cable with Ethernet 28 AWG
HDMI® provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as set-top boxes, Blue-ray Disc players, DVD players, video game consoles, AV receivers and an audio and/or video monitor, such as digital television or plasma monitor, over a single cable.
Our High Speed HDMI® cables with Ethernet have been designed to meet the performance standards set by HDMI 1.4 and have passed stringent Category 2 testing. They are backward compatible to all previous versions.
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First Drive: Tesla Model S7 June 2014
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GreatSchools Rating
Teacher quality
Principal leadership
Parent involvement
I was not at all impressed with the level of education my child was receiveing at Hopkins Elementary. Although some grade levels have really strong teachers, there are definitely some gaps that need to be addressed. My child went from loving school to crying everyday. The administration tries to intimidate the students and parents. I began looking for other school immediately, and as a result, my child has returned to loving school.
This school is top-notched. The administrators and the teachers believe in keeping parent involved. The school has a slogan, 'It's All About The Children.' The children will let you know seriously that it's all about them. High expectations are establishd regardless of the age of the children. The children love their teachers and especially their principal. The principal is very hands-on She knows the children by name. She can always hear her referring to the children as her own. The entire staff treats all the students with respect. The teachers provide the students and parents with the skills and concepts to be studeied each nine weeks. They also communicate with the parents on a weekly to a bi-weekly basis. They have lots of activities to keep the children and parents involved. Hats off to a great school.
This is my son's third year attending Hopkins. Until now, he has been fine. Academically, he should be in a higher grade level, however, his birthdate is holding him back. The teachers are wonderful and very helpful with anything that we need. With any school or class, the parents must stay envolve and on top of things. Without parents and teachers working together it will not be successful. -A parent within the school system-
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The Community Rating is the school's average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.
6120 Cabin Creek Rd
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Elementary Science: Keep it Simple
- Friday, September 13, 2002
The Fear Factor: Do you ever find yourself intimidated by certain subjects? I know many moms dread teaching science, perhaps because of their own weak science background. Some of them attempt to avoid the subject entirely; others overreact and try to cram years' worth of information into a single year.
I just heard from one parent who has scheduled her little kindergartener for a full, three-day-a-week science program using a complete curriculum along with all the extras. But she's still concerned it isn't enough. Ever been there? I sure have! It's easy to feel either insecure or overly zealous, especially teaching topics in which we may feel inadequate. But let's remember why we are home schooling . . .
God Provides
We began home schooling in 1991, blissfully unaware that there was such a thing as "home-school curriculum." Not knowing any better, I used our own books, the library, Scouts, the community, the Institute for Creation Resource, and the out-of-doors as our science curriculum. You know what? It worked!
Not only did it work, it worked well. My sons have excelled in the sciences and in all the ways one measures science achievement. Most importantly, they are able to logically and compellingly express their understanding and belief in creationism to skeptical evolutionists. Despite my own weakness in this subject, God has again and again provided. We learn about science as another manifestation of loving and glorifying God.
It's Supposed To Be At Least Interesting!
I'd like to share with you strategies I've used over the years to teach science and encourage you to relax and enjoy the pursuit of scientific knowledge with your kids. It's ever so much more fun than feeling chained to worksheet pages!
I came across this quote by Cathy Duffy a few years ago and found it mirrored exactly what I'd been trying to do with my science courses:
Cathy Duffy, author of Christian Home Educator's Curriculum Manual, Elementary Grades writes: "Field Trips, experiments, observation, and nature collections will all stimulate interest [in science] in children. They should be a major part of our science curriculum. ... The best way to meet these goals is NOT by using science textbooks. We can turn our children on to science by teaching them to observe, experiment, read, and think about the things that surround us."
Science Goals
My husband and I would choose four topics a year to study in-depth, allowing the boys to have some say in the decision. Then we'd find great resources, take field trips, read-aloud, look things up, and discuss, discuss, discuss. (Well, okay, we are a very verbal family!) What were the goals of all this reading, discussing, and exploring?
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Kayaking in Miami offers the paddler quite a wide range of options. From the exciting open ocean to the wild Florida Everglades, every paddler can get a kayaking trip, whether a seasoned kayaker or a beginner. Even non-resident tourists can join in the fun as long as they have the necessary documents, including passports. For those who have lost their documents there are government offices where they can replace passport and other IDs. Miami is definitely a paddler's paradise, but there are five things worth knowing prior to kayaking in the city.
History Of Kayaks
Kayaks were first made by North American Inuit's and used for hunting on inland lands. They are estimated to be more than 4,000 years old, with the earliest forms made from animal skins such as stitched seal over a whalebone frame. Modern kayaks are made using wood, fiberglass and rot molded Kevlar or plastic. They are designed mainly for recreation for several different water environments such as White-Water Rivers, lakes and oceans.
Equipment Used In Kayaking
A kayak can typically accommodate between one and three paddlers. Their prices vary greatly depending on the material used to make them. Plastic is the cheapest while Kevlar is the most expensive since it is considered stronger and lighter than other materials. Different kayak designs vary with material used and shape. For example, white water kayaks are made of high impact plastic so that less damage is incurred in case they bounce of rocks. Also, sea kayak are designed with longer bodies o enable them cover longer distances.
Kayak Paddles
Paddling is at the heart of kayaking, with kayaks utilizing two-bladed paddles. There are several factors put into consideration when selecting a paddle, depending on the kayak size, the paddler's stature and stroking preferences. Taller and wider kayaks need longer paddles. A lighter, shorter paddle would be more ideal for a paddler with a small stature so that they do not overexert themselves. There are wide varieties of shapes, with wider blades giving the user more acceleration.
Safety Equipment
Safety is paramount in kayaking, hence one should invest in a life jacket even if they are in calm waters. The best life vests are the U.S. Coast Guard Type 3 since they are comfortable and lightweight. They have less waist lengths to ensure comfort and large arm openings for allowing wide arm rotations. A helmet is also vital when kayaking in rocky waters. To stay dry, many paddlers use spray skirts that covers the cockpit opening to protect the paddler's lower body and belonging from coming into contact with water.
Learning Kayaking Techniques
It is recommended that a person looks for a kayaking instructor with a certification from the America Canoe Association in order to learn basic safety and paddling techniques. The instructor can teach a wannabe paddler important techniques and skills faster. Should one decide to take lessons, they will not have to make any initial equipment investment as the instruction fees usually included the equipment. In addition, the paddler will also have a better sense of what to purchase should they decide to buy any.by


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Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > Summertime.
You may hate me...8 Reviews
you may hate me more than Hitler. But, I think imma re-write this fic.
I re-read it and it doesn't flow as well as i'd like i to.
Please don't hate me.
Look out for the re-write and a new fic that should be coming soon that i collabed (if i manage to actually get this chapter i'm attempting done.)
I'm really, really sorry. I just don't like the way it's gone.


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Jessie J is having a good year. Not only did she score her biggest U.S. hit to date with "Domino," but she landed a high-profile gig as a coach on the UK version of The Voice. Now, she's been named Best UK Solo Artist at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, held Tuesday night in London.
According to London's Capital FM , Jessie was presented with her award by Will.i.am, who is also a coach on The Voice, and while accepting the trophy, she said, "I'm loving that last year I was a girl, and this year I'm a woman." She later tweeted, "Wow thank you @ GlamourMagUK #soloartistoftheyear thank you to all who voted #overthemoon," and added, " Lovely to have a night out with wonderful people and get dressed up."
On Monday, Jessie will be one of several stars performing at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert, which marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II 's ascension to the throne. At the event, which will be held at Buckingham Palace, she'll be sharing a bill with the likes of Stevie Wonder , Elton John and Paul McCartney. The concert will air Tuesday night on ABC.
Speaking about receiving an invitation to join the lineup at the prestigious event, Jessie told Grazia magazine, "When I got the letter asking me to perform, I felt really proud. It's a proper letter from the Queen's secretary. I'm keeping it in a memory book. It's written on this lovely thick notepaper. I keep feeling it."
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio


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500-Watt 5-Channel Powered Mixer
When you need superior sound quality for small club gigs, churches or speeches, but want to keep the outboard gear to a minimum, get ready to love the new PMP550M powered mixer. This 500-Watt, 5-channel all-in-one combines the features of Behringer's best-selling small-format mixers with freshly-designed FX processors from KLARK TEKNIK FX and Class-D amplifier technology—virtually everything you need for great sound in an easy-to-use, portable form factor.
Login Here to rate and review this product.
35-2660 - UltraVoice Dynamic Cardioid Microphone
Dynamic Cardioid Microphone
The XM8500 provides an amazing frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz, and includes a two-stage pop filter to minimize breath and pop noises. And with its tough metal construction and sturdy steel windscreen, you can count on it to come...
555-14875 - 800W 12" Two-Way PA Speaker
800-Watt PA Speaker
Designed for musicians by musicians, the VP1220 loudspeaker merges incredible versatility and sonic performance with amazing affordability. The VP1220 is supremely portable and well suited for musical applications, and is the natural choice fo...
24-12182 - 10Ft Stereo Y-Cable 3.5mm TRS To Dual RCA
Stereo Breakout, 3.5MM TRS to Dual RCA - 10'This cable is designed to connect a digital audio player or similar device to a stereo system. It is ideal for connecting an iPod®, laptop, or similar device to a hi-fi receiver.
35-1460 - Two Channel Wireless Microphone System
Low cost wireless mic system is ideal for close range situations where two mics are needed. VHF high band operation (160~250MHz) and super heterodyne receiver ensure good performance in karaoke and presentation situations.
555-15130 - Stackable ABS 19" Rackmount Flight Case - 6RU
Tough & durable flight case is designed to mount 19" rack equipment such as amplifiers, effects units, signal processing units, CD players etc. Flight case features removable front & back cover with butterfly latches for easy access. Case is designed to be securel...
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MCM Electronics provided very good service and even went beyond to help me with an order. I always have good service and would recommend them to anyone.


text: I love Rush – the Canadian rock group, that is – and I was surprised to see that they have an app in the iTunes store. With Rush Time Machine, you can get news, tour itinerary and ticket information, and information about places to stay near concert venues. The Gear section lets you explore the equipment Rush uses while on tour, and the GeFilter lets you listen to Rush songs. There are old audio clips and never-seen-before content – there's even a game and wallpaper. The Android version is $2.50. The iPad version is $4.99, and the iPhone/iPod touch version is $2.99.


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I wish with all my heart that that kind and courageous man Brietbart were alive and that Maher had the "heart attack" - yeah, right. Breitbart had a heart attack like I am Captain Marvel.
I looked up "intellectually stunted, affirmative action Chicago thug and total moron" and came up with Barry Soweto of Kenya. How could this be? They must be racists. Yeah, that's it. Racist rednecks. All racist rednecks pronounce corpsmen as corpse men and believe there are 57 states., right? That's the tip off! How did I miss this?
If you can't fix anything, why run for president? Sort of like an intellectually-challenged black man being elected president just because of his color. Wait, that's our problem!
I had a dream that maybe one of these days Reed's slimy little pinhead will "ring" a guillotine.
For you lefties, the color is yellow.
Can anyone tell me why Obama has not been impeached, tried in the Senate, convicted and jailed?
Maybe his Commie dad DID spill the beans abouit the atomic bombs but the Japs shined him off.
mr. president, mr. president, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of the United States?"
In response to:
People on food stamps and welfare vote democrat. This is not rocket science, boys and girls. Bring maginally illiterate with an IQ of 45 doesn't help either.
In response to:
You exposed nothing but your tiny willie, you Marxist moron.


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My darkest desires, those unspoken urges we all have, shamelessly shared in an open, online forum for all to devour. Here I give you the things that make me blush, sweat, and tremble. I am not seeking judgement, approval, or recognition - just a glimpse into my most intimate sexual secrets. They are Tabootiful.
WARNING: This is NSFW. Adults only - please do not view this unless you are over 21. I do not own any of the content. All of it has been reblogged from elsewhere.


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Narrow your search
Turn off the Amazon auto-pilot and use this handy tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Android Wear is here, there and everywhere -- but will anyone wear the next generation of smartwatches and other wearable gadgets?
Android Wear is here, there and everywhere -- but will anyone wear the next generation of smartwatches and other wearable gadgets?
This video, part of the TED Ed educational series, will teach you about the different ways the human brain responds to pain. Don't worry, it won't hurt.
We've heard that iOS 8 will be announced at WWDC and we've heard rumors of what will be announced, but there's not much left on our most-wanted list to cross off.
Watch the Tenth Doctor and his companions Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, and Donna Noble do the Time Warp in this parody from The Hillywood Show.
A supplier of the scratch-resistant material has upped output, says a researcher, causing some to predict a bigger iPhone.
The LG G3 has some impressive specs, but few have stolen headlines like its high-resolution display. We see how the screen compares to the Galaxy S5 in real life.
A Texas high school student agrees with his art teacher that if he can get 15,000 retweets, his whole class can skip their final exams. The school is not impressed.
Apple's rumored $3.2 billion takeover of the trendy music brand has left many scratching their heads.


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We used to sit in the field after practicea small group of usand talk about the issues facing all of us childrenthat no one else would care to address. Then she would give us rides homebecause it would be too dark come fall for those who lived down the hill to walk. It was this lovely lady among very few otherswho inspired me at a young age to think and to questionwhether it was in math class or on the field or in my bedroom late at night.I think it's important to remember the beginningand with that saidI could really use a visit back home right now.
jessica bateman morrisville field hockey talk think question life lesson


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Hi! Everyone, please let me introduce myself, I hope we can all be friends soon. I am Tricia Donaldson, Born in Northwest Indiana April 30, 1938, (yep I'm OLD in years but about 30 at heart).
I've been all over Europe, Mexico, Canada and most of the United states and in 1994 I finally found Paradise. It's called San Diego, California!
Please let me share MY SAN DIEGO with you....if you have ANY questions at all, I probably have heard them before, but I shure can find the answer for you if you'll give me time to get the information for you as quickly as possible.
I've been a tour guide for MANY years in various places: Chicago, Dallas, London England and the last 15 years in San Diego, California. My various tours have been written up in several tourism magazines as well as PHEONIX MAGAZINE and I was once refered to as the Scherazod of the Gaslamp district in S.D.
Best thing I own is the Historic Heart Award from the city of San Diego.
So, enough about me.............let me tell you about San Diego.
The Old Town area ( A state park). There are no fees to enter or even to park your car. However, taking public transportation is REALLY the best way to go. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEARCH FOR A PARKING SPOT. Most of San Diego is very walkable.
This is where California was born! You can visit the mission/persidio high on the hill overlooking the park. This is NOT the first of the chain of 21 missions up the coast. It came way before Father Serra came to start the northern movement.
Down that hill you will find the origional San Diego, now refered to as Old Town.
Many buildings have been restored and replecated (many were lost to a fire).
Lot's of history here. Now a days history seems to fall short of the need to shop and eat.....so, everything you could need to drag home from a vacation is readly available right here. The reasturants here are abundant and most are excellent.
In my next blog, I will offer a few examples of all you can do in Old Town....THEN we will move on in history to the downtown/Gaslamp area of San Diego and from there to Balboa Park. Oh, my golly I guess I could write a book once you get me started.
So, for now ask and I'll answer. Your friend in Paradise, Patricia (Tricia) Donaldson


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At Teen Missions we have a range of different countries to go to for short term mission work. We also have trips available for teens and adults.
Dates of Involvement Summer program: 13 Dec. 2014 – 24 Jan. 2015 (Summer School Holidays)
Dates of Involvement Adult program: QLD September School Holidays
Missions Trip Registration – For Australians
Missions Trip Registration – For NEW ZEALANDERS


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As with other electronic devices digital cameras are programmed to operate in a certain way. Along with all operative and display functions, the software inside a camera will be responsible for all aspects of processing images, knowing just how much sharpening, noise reduction and any other alterations to apply. More commonly referred to as firmware, this is determined by the camera's manufacturer, and will typically see minor revisions throughout the course of a camera's lifetime.
Firmware updates, which are also issued for accessories such as lenses and flashguns, are made available after a manufacturer or early users spot potential issues with a camera's behaviour. These may concern oddities arising in images or certain functions not working properly, as well as sometimes expanding a feature, such as a camera's sensitivity range.
Once the firmware update is announced and made available, the user will need to download it from the manufacturer's website, before transferring it onto a memory card. From here it may be installed through the camera, a process usually explained in more detail in a camera's instruction manual. If you've missed an update, you can typically find it - or at least information on where to obtain it - in the Support section on most manufacturers' websites.
There's no obligation to install an update if one becomes available for your camera. Sometimes these can can concern very minor issues, although manufacturers have, in the past, used them to deliver features as significant as Raw shooting to certain models.
- Thu, 7 Jun 2012


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Workout Jar – use during TV commercials
Take a jar like a mason jar or a bowl and put tiny pieces of paper with an exercise on it in the bowl (I used an old candy dish). Use a different color of paper to represent the type of exercise, for example – red for cardio, blue for abs, yellow for legs, orange for arms. What I did was cut different colored sticky notes into smaller pieces. I wrote a random exercise on each piece, for example of cardio – 25 jumping jacks, 25 seconds running in place, 25 mountain climbers, 25 burpees, etc.; and for arms – 25 bicep curls, 25 hammer curls, 25 shoulder flys, 25 shoulder presses; 25 tricep kickbacks, etc. Use whatever workouts you know how to do and put a single one on each of the slips of paper. You can vary the amount of repetitions but what I used is just a quick workout. When you are ready to workout, you can tell yourself to draw out of the jar 3 red slips (cardio) and maybe 1 of the rest of the colors. This is similar to HIIT (high-intensity interval training) in that you should do these fast (with good form) and take a short break before moving onto the next exercise. This is something I do when I can tell I need a quick break from studying or you can do this during a commercial on TV…or when you do/eat something bad! Here are some examples of the workouts you can use:
25 jumping jacks
25 wacky jacks
25 burpees
25 second run in place
25 mountain climbers
25 high knees
25 jump shots
25 skips
25 squats
25 calf raises
25 donkey kicks
25 second bridge
25 sec wall squat
25 fire hydrants
25 pleeas
25 leg lifts
25 side lunges
25 shoulder presses
25 bicep curls
25 second plank
25 hammer curls
25 tricep kickbacks
25 upright rows
25 pushups
25 crunches
25 fifer scissors
25 sitting bicycles
25 sit ups


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Increased glutamate levels in the right associative striatum have been described in patients during a first episode of psychosis. Whether this increase would persist after effective antipsychotic treatment is unknown.
To compare the glutamate levels in antipsychotic-naive patients with first-episode psychosis in the right associative striatum and right cerebellar cortex using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy before and 4 weeks after antipsychotic treatment and to compare these results with normative data from sex-matched healthy control subjects.
Design, Setting, and Participants
Before-after trial in an inpatient psychiatric research unit among 24 antipsychotic-naive patients with first-episode psychosis and 18 healthy controls matched for age, sex, handedness, and cigarette smoking.
Participants underwent 2 proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies: patients were imaged at baseline and after 4 weeks of antipsychotic treatment, while controls were imaged at baseline and at 4 weeks after the baseline measurement. Patients were treated with oral risperidone (open label) for 4 weeks with dosages that were titrated on the basis of clinical judgment.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Glutamate levels were estimated using LCModel (version 6.2-1T) and were corrected for the cerebrospinal fluid proportion within the voxel.
Patients with first-episode psychosis had higher levels of glutamate in the associative striatum and the cerebellum during the antipsychotic-naive condition compared with controls. After clinically effective antipsychotic treatment, glutamate levels significantly decreased in the associative striatum, with no significant change in the cerebellum. No differences in glutamate levels were observed between groups at 4 weeks.
Conclusions and Relevance
Increased glutamate levels observed at baseline in patients with first-episode psychosis normalized after 4 weeks of clinically effective antipsychotic treatment. These results provide support for the hypothesis that improvement in clinical symptoms might be related to a decrease in glutamate levels.
Representative spectra with the raw data (in black) and fitted data (in red) are shown for each region. Cr + PCr indicates creatine-containing compounds; Gln, glutamine; Glu, glutamate; Glx, glutamate + glutamine; GPC + PCh, choline-containing compounds; Ins, myo-inositol; and NAA, N-acetylaspartate.
Horizontal bars represent the mean for the groups. *P < .05 after the removal of 2 outlying participants indicated within the circles.
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