Archive for February, 2010

Avoid Making These Mistakes When Trying to Improve Your Credit Score

How fantastic it would be if we have credit scores soaring high and we never ever find problems for approaching for any loan. Be it car loan, house loan or any business related loan; they all refer to the credit scores to find the financial status of the customer. It might appear ironical, but it is assumed that if the credit scores are not healthy.

Despite of handling credit cards for years, people are still not aware of how to use it smartly. On the contrary, there are few people who have never faced problems with debts since they know how and where to channelize money. Here are few facts that would indicate mistakes we commit and improving on them can reflect as fast credit repair:

a)The worst possible mistake we do is that we tend to swipe the cards without even knowing what the limit of the card is. The basic fact we should always keep in mind is that we should never swipe the cards across the limits. This can be a big lesson for us since if we curb our expenses below the limits, it can help us a lot in fast credit repair.

b)Many people have the habit of keeping a lot of credit cards that is often considered to be a matter of pride. However, it is rather a mistake since the more options we have, less is the control. Try and cut down on the number of credit cards and observe the difference in the bills.

c)Apart from multiple credit card accounts, many people have multiple savings accounts and other debit accounts. This not only complicates things, it makes management difficult. Try to reduce the number of accounts and you will able to control things better.

d)Another big mistake we tend to do is that we often miss the last payment dates. When trying to improve credit scores, even though we have money in hand, we might still see a drop in ratings if we fail to repay on time. Always try and set a reminder to pay bills on time. Starting of the month is preferably the best time to pay the bills since we are never short of cash at this moment.

e)Finally, you should be careful while dealing with elimination of debts. Find out the best relief program that not only in eliminating debt, it also helps in fast credit repair. Avoid filing bankruptcy and similar methods to wipe out debts.

Try avoiding these mistakes while on the spree to improve credit scores and you definitely see lights of hope.

Posted by science on February 8th, 2010 No Comments

New Techno’s effect

Technology has improved the lifestyles of many people with physical disabilities (myself included). It was extremely hard for me to finish high school and attend college during the early and mid 90s. It was hard because my immune system could not stand up against West Virginia’s winter weather, and I found myself taking homebound classes whenever winter season arrived. I was fortunate enough to graduate high school, but I was unable to earn my college degree. Sadly, college did not offer homebound classes. I thought a college degree would be something I would never obtain, but I was unaware how technology would make such strides over the years.

Technology has allowed me to accomplish many things I was unable to accomplish when I was first paralyzed. As a C5 quadriplegic, I was unable to use the telephone with ease during the early 90s. I needed someone to answer the telephone for me. I was also forced to use the telephone’s speakerphone feature as well. I hated both of these facts. The speakerphone feature was not ideal when I wanted to have a private conversation when someone else was in the room, and having to depend on someone else to answer and dial the telephone was never an ideal option. I was reminded I was paralyzed every time I received a call. I was reminded how dependent I was on others in such situations, and I hated it!

I was once forced to use a mouth stick to type. I used the mouth stick to press one computer, or typewriter, key at a time. I suffered from great neck pain on a regular basis because I was constantly moving my neck in order to press different keys.

Technology has blessed me with a voice activated computer. Now, I speak, and my computer types! Environmental control software allows me to control any electronic device in my house from the comfort of my bed with help from my laptop. Yahoo, Windows, and Skype are a few Internet companies that allow me to use my computer as a telephone I am able to control through voice commands. The Internet, combined with my voice activated computer, allows me to shop for Christmas gifts for my family without leaving the house. Such technology can also be found away from my computer as well.

Sip-n-puff technology allows me to move my wheelchair wherever I want by turning breathing patterns into driving commands. Environmental software that allows me to control electronic devices throughout my house can also be installed on my wheelchair.

The Internet, voice activation, and web cam technology allow me to earn the college degree I have wanted for so many years. Not only can I use the telephone, I can also have video conferences that allow me to have face to face discussions with teachers and coworkers even though they may be located in several different locations throughout the world. Technology has also given you the opportunity to read this article. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the technology I have described throughout this article has given me the sense of independence that was taken away in an automobile accident on February 13, 1991!

Posted by science on February 8th, 2010 No Comments

Time management strategies

Most if not all people try to manage their time to cope with their daily tasks. A lot of books and articles had been published on time management but how come a lot of people still do not know how to manage their time. One of the best time management tools that one can use is the Quadrant Time Management concept by Stephen Covey. The strategy in this time management technique is quite simple which everyone can follow. Let me define the four quadrants for you to use.

The first quadrant comprises of the tasks that are urgent and important. These tasks need to be completed the soonest time possible since you are running out of time. Examples are deadline driven projects and unscheduled meetings. If the task is in the first quadrant, you can compare yourself to a fireman fighting a fire. You need to extinguish the fire right then and there.

The second quadrant makes up of tasks that are not urgent but important. These tasks are important but one can still buy time and plan of what needs to be done since it is not urgent. Preparation and planning is a big factor in completing tasks. Example of this is presenting a business review. It is important but since one knows when it is needed, enough preparation and planning can still be done prior to making the presentation.

The third quadrant is made of tasks that are urgent but not important. These tasks need your attention right away but they are not really that important. An example is receiving a phone call, you need to answer the phone but it does not really mean that what the caller has to say is important. One can take on this task but should end it soonest time possible. Like answering the phone, be short with the call as much as possible.

The fourth quadrant is comprised of tasks that are not urgent and not important. These tasks are totally time wasters. One should forego with these tasks until break time or once the important things are done. Examples are reading emails that do not need your attention right away or making phone calls that can be done at a later time.

Of the four quadrants, one should focus more on the tasks that are in the second quadrant. These are the things that are important but not urgent so you can do your planning and be empowered more in order to complete the task.

Posted by science on February 7th, 2010 No Comments