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From / Date: |
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| 6371. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 45
Sep 6, 2009
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Skipping College Isn't for Everyone
As I've said probably once a year since I've been posting here, just as attending college isn't for everyone--just around 28% of US residents complete college--skipping isn't either.
Ask yourself: do you want your doctor to have "skipped college"? What about your attorney? Your financial planner? The myriad other professionals who require a college degree to do what they do and serve us? I think not.
Similarly, not EVERYONE can run a business. It's far more complex than it appears and not knowing what you're doing--or not having the heart for it--can lead to ruin. Can it be learned by most people? Sure. But can everyone be a successful enough entrepreneur to make a living at whatever business they choose? Hardly.
I was an entrepreneur for nearly a decade before returning to school and getting my bachelor's degree. I have some graduate education but grad school bored me silly and was far to political. Where undergrad (at least USED to be) about developing your thinking skills/independent thinking, grad school is about group-think, go only this way and I was born an entrepreneur. I went to college because I WANTED to go and I went to one of the best schools in the world predominantly on a scholarship. (I've only ever had to take loans for living expenses because I was a mother raising a child who, himself, has been called to a career requiring a bachelor's degree or higher).
My nephew, on the other hand, has ALWAYS wanted to fix, refurbish and outright build cars. He requires vocational training not a college degree. And even WHEN he starts his own business (because that's what we do iin our family), he will have help from his auntie who did go to college and his mother who decided to return after many year out and is clocking nearly straight A's in a top, online undergrad program.
So, I'm a bit frustrated by the single-minded focus on "skipping college" when doing so is as impractical for some as going is for others. Moreover, I sense some resentment and/or even snobbery from those who may not have gone and think others who have/desire to are foolish. That's as unfair to those of who attend/desire to attend college as it is for those of us who have/are going to disparage your choice.
Don't skip college if YOUR true calling requires it. Plan and save for it starting as young as possible, get scholarships (some $93 billion annually go unused) and skip the debt). Go to a community college for the first two years and transfer to a four year from there. Learn how to preserve your privacy (um, yeah, you gotta forget posting those college binging photos and sharing your life story and your every thought on Facebook and Myspace!) and then prevent your school and others from violating your hard won privacy. (My son's school rarely uses nor requires social security numbers, for example. He now refused to provide them EXCEPT to apply for financial aid. And, BTW, I have NEVER had anyone obtain my financial aid transcript and use it against me. That's like getting somebody's tax return--actually, it's far more difficult. So, I don't worry about that.)
Despite not needing to have a degree to be a successful entrepreneur, I will never bitterly regret having obtained my degree. I learned more from the experience than I did from any books there could ever have taught me and grew in ways I could not have as just an entrepreneur. In fact, I'm a BETER entrepreneur (who is moving into teaching others how to be outstanding entrepreneurs, with or without a college degree.)
And, like or not, even entrepreneurs with bachelor's degrees get more and better opportunities than those without. It's one of the few places that stats can't be effectively skewed...they are what they are. (See link below.)
So, if you don't think college is for you, don't go. But if you know it is, especially if your calling requires it, don't "skip college" because others you know chose not to attend or were bitterly disappointed, debt-ridden barristas (sp?) at Caribou Coffee (since Starbucks is closing stores as even many college-educated individuals get laid off).
And for those who are considering returning, be smart and avoid the debt but, if this is your goal--even your calling--heed that call.
...
I stand by what I say in "SKIP COLLEGE." At least half the students should never be there. I admit that for certain professions a degree is necessary. In all other forms of employment, you do NOT need a degree if you work for yourself. I quit college at the start of my senior year. I have never once been asked about a degree. As for a career in law, read the Appendix.
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| 6370. |
Otto
Pasadena, CA
Age: 41
Sep 5, 2009
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Private Vaults
The attached link might be interesting to run past this group.
The home page says: "Since it is non-governmental, you may open an anonymous account at Sarasota Vault for further security."
A] Does anyone have an opinion about this site/company?
B] Does anyone have an opinion about private vaults in general?
C] What experiences have you had with them?
D] Are their privacy claims trustworthy?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.sarasotavault.com/...
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| 6369. |
Dave
Greensboro, NC
Age: 29
Sep 4, 2009
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Buying stuff online with gift cards
I have purchased items through target.com with target gift cards and had them sent in the name of a fictitious company with no problems. Perhaps the visa/amex/mastercard gift cards are different? I highly recommend the store gift card method. Target.com and walmart.com sell books, dvds, electronics, clothes, practically whatever you want, and all you do is buy a gift card with cash in one of their stores and use it online with any name and address. Pretty much all chain stores sell gift cards that can be used online: Lowes, Best Buy, Victoria's Secret, Brooks Brothers, Radio Shack, whatever. You may not get the lowest possible price, but it's a compromise you make when protecting your privacy.
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| 6368. |
Stan
Atlanta
Age: 44
Sep 4, 2009
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Is A College Education Worth The Debt?
as college classes begin, our money coach gives students advice about smart financial planning. But first, walk into a local eatery or retail store and you may find some debt-ridden college graduates behind the counter riding out the recession with minimum wage paychecks
Submitted Link #1: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?story...
...
In my ever-so-humble opinion, at least half of the students entering college this fall have no business being there. They will end up some day bitterly regretting that they ever went into debt.
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| 6367. |
Stan
Atlanta
Age: 44
Sep 4, 2009
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Questioning the Return on Educational Investment
“If college education doesn’t always get you a job, but it almost always gets you in debt, is it worth going to college?”
Submitted Link #1: http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/ques...
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| 6366. |
Lindsay
seattle, wa
Age: 22
Sep 4, 2009
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western union prepaid credit cards
i read a review about western union cards that speaks well of them but can they be used for renting a car, staying at a hotel, or traveling by air? does anyone have any experience with them?
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| 6365. |
Iris
King George, VA
Age: 40
Sep 3, 2009
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Post Office Boxes
I just opened a post office box and noticed a few things. First, I searched the post office's web site for boxes near me. The cheaper the box meant smaller the post office...more privacy in getting the box and checking mail. Also, as I had hoped, the clerk would not be so rigid and checking every little box on the form. I put in the bare minimum on the form. Then I casually asked about adding my kids (for birthday cards and such). The clerk told me where to put their names. ID for the kids was never asked for; so I could have put any name I wanted; if asked explain the difference in last names due to divorce. With this; I can get mail in many different names and it not look weird.
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Well done, Iris! Advance to the front of the class.
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| 6364. |
George
Missoula, Montana
Age: 58
Sep 3, 2009
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LLC's Canary Islands address
I am thinking about getting an LLC now, before the price starts to go back up, but I have a question. Next year, I will use it when I buy another car from a private party for cash, but if the DMV sends the title to the Canary islands, how will I get it back?
...
The Canary Islands address which will appear on your Articles of Organization is for one single use--to be posted on New Mexico's public website. Unless you opt for a ghost address (which is a separate order), you are never to use the address on the Articles for any other purpose.Further, no DMV that I've ever been to has asked to see any documents whatsoever. When you get the clear title from a private party, fill in the "buyer" box with the name of your LLC and list your local PO Box or ghost address. Sign for the LLC with an initial and last name, as "member." However, if you do decide to order a ghost address in Alaska or Spain, then your title will go to that address and be promptly mailed back to you at your usual local address.
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| 6363. |
Chris
New York City
Age: 31
Sep 2, 2009
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Regarding the ghost addresses
I read the concept of ghost addresses in your book thrice. However, I still fail to understand it completely. 1) How will I receive the mail back from the ghost address?
2) Even if I use a service like CMRA and the person who sends me the mail gets his mail back because he has not put the PMB number. will he not be able to find out that it's not my real address.
3) What is the use of CMRA, they have our real identity and not anonymous.
I will be thankful if you reply to these questions.
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1) Assuming your mail is sent to the ghost address in Alaska or Canada, each letter will be put into a new, larger envelope, stamped, and mailed to you at what ever address you give. If you have the ghost address in the Canary Islands, you have the option of having each letter opened, scanned, and then e-mailed to you. In that way, you receive "foreign" mail without alerting the postal authorities and carriers. 2) Yes, which is a problem with CMRAs.
3) Although the CMRA (and the local post office as well) has your home address, the ones who send you mail to the CMRA address do NOT know your home address, right?
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| 6359. |
Clay
New York, NY
Age: 42
Sep 2, 2009
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Re: #6354 Buying Electronics with a Gift Card
Use an American Express Gift Card (as long as the website accepts Amex). If the website is using address verification (where they compare the billing info you provide to the info the credit card has on file), then call the 800 number on the back of the card (from a pay phone is most private & no, you can't do it online) and tell them you want to add a name & address for online address verification. Then give them some common name like Joseph Carter & the address you want the order shipped to. No SSN or any attempt to verify your identity.
There is no way for website to know it's a gift card.
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| 6358. |
Sue
Tallahassee, Fl
Age: 51
Sep 1, 2009
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Fl Driver's license,#6343
You should have been able to use your PO box to renew your license; this option will end in October. I hustled on down to the office and had the address that shows on the license changed to my CMRA. In my case, they already have my physical address, and I will have to renew in four years under the new rules, but at least for now it doesn't show up to anyone who happens to see the license - like if I lose it. Check out the official Dept. of Highway Safety site - your local office told you wrong, unless they moved the date up since I checked it out.
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| 6357. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 34
Sep 1, 2009
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6353 - PI searches
Tommy, PI's get more access to the information in databases the public does not. Full SSN's (if they've been vetted by the database provider) and the like. PI's lives are centered on files - creating them, locating them, searching through them, verifying them, etc. A PI can hone your request and help you determine your actual need. In this vein, USSEARCH is a joke in the investigative industry - because you will receive a massive list of "possible" hits on almost any given name you enter. Statewide or Nationwide lists of people with similar names are usually not helpful. Other more evolved databases and searches are out there, a licensed PI would be able to cut out all the static and get to what you need.
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| 6356. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 34
Sep 1, 2009
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6355 -
am I being overly concerned...??
No.
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| 6355. |
Dennis
cocoa
Age: 51
Sep 1, 2009
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trulincs
my nephew has just started using trulics a email for incarcerated individuals I have repeatedly warned of monitoring for any email that may contain family business that could be taken in the wrong light am I beng overly concerned...??
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| 6354. |
Billson
New York, NY
Age: 43
Aug 31, 2009
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Buying Electronics with a Gift Card
Has anyone had the same experience I have? I try to buy electronics online using a gift card in the name of my LLC and sent to my mail drop address. The company refuses to ship without a name. It seems to be getting harder and harder to buy electronics anonymously. You can still pay cash in the Big Box stores, but they all have security cameras everywhere now.
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| 6353. |
Tommy
Westchester,NY 10708
Age: 45
Aug 29, 2009
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BACKROUND CHECKS: P.I. vs. online searches??
What types of databases are legally accessible to licensed private investigators aside from state DMV ??
Asking as an option to using some of the better low fee sites such as Ussearch.com, etc. for a backround check.
Also, family court records are not public, yet my local newspaper published a family court legal notice including full names of both parties.
How can this be???
Thanks Much.
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| 6352. |
Ed
Panama City, Panama
Age: 45
Aug 29, 2009
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Re: privacy via a PO box
Hi Dorothy,
One possibility you could try: change at least one utility or other "state recognized" bill's billing address to your current PO box address - sans the "P.O. Box" designation. Or, get a new box, and refer to it only with the street address designation - and get the utility changed to that new box.
You can then take this bill with you as proof of "residency".
Good luck!
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| 6350. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Aug 28, 2009
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privacy via a PO box
For the Panamanian poster, I have a question: If I go to my DMV office (in Indiana) and give my PO box translated to a street address, what "proof" will I be required to present with that "street address"? The "proof" of my address currently includes the Phrase "PO BOX" Is there anything I can do to fix this legally? My DL expires before the end of 2009, but I'm not positive I have enough time to implement suggestions. Indiana is publishing strongly worded warnings that they will be requiring a LOT more info after 1/1/10. Lucky me... My DL expires before 12/31/09! :)
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| 6346. |
Ed
Panama City, Panama
Age: 45
Aug 28, 2009
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P.O. Box vs. Street Address
If governmental agencies (or anyone else, for that matter) require a physical street address, you can use the following technique.
Each Post Office has a physical street address. Each box has a number. Here is a completely valid and legal way to refer to a post office box.
Before
P.O. Box 234
Anytown, Anystate 12345
After:
1 Main Street #234
Anytown, Anystate 12345
I have used this technique for years. What's interesting is to see the variation of addresses that people "assume", such as "1 Main St. Apt. 234", etc
All mail has been delivered.
Good luck!
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| 6343. |
Dave
Avon Park FL
Age: 54
Aug 27, 2009
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FYI
Renewed my drivers license this week and no longer will they allow a P O Box to be used. Physical street address appears but they assured me... the P.O. Box remains in their record.
Guess I have the word 'idiot' tattoed to my forehead!
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