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Paying taxes is an inevitable part of life.  Every person fits into three basic categories a potential taxpayer, a taxpayer, and a previous taxpayer.  We joke about it, even complain about it, but it is a common thread in which we identify. People have been paying taxes forever.  Ever stopped to wonder what are all the taxes you are paying?  Here are five common examples:

photo courtesy – 401K

1. The Big One

The majority of your taxes go to the Federal Government via the IRS. You might not think of it, but you contribute each day. As an employee, a good chunk of your paycheck is deducted as taxes. The figures are calculated on a particular time sequence basis. Whenever you are paid your deductions are composed of basically individual days. You have a daily tab with the IRS.

2. Hopefully it is secure

When the system was devised in the 1930′s it was meant for very limited use. The Federal Social Security Program takes deductions from your pay, or Quarterly payments. Once again it translates as daily. You are locked into these taxes almost from birth to death. Once again it is a payroll or Quarterly tax. It also means unless things drastically change this tax is a part of which we are.

3. Anyone for Boardwalk?

Surely you have played that board game to acquire all the real estate possible. In real life owning property brings you into contact with the third common tax it is of course your local property tax. This one also is inescapable. Your house and/or property is assessed with appraised value and taxed according to a set municipal percentage rate. If you are a renter you do not escape this tax, because the value of your rental is factored into the amount you pay.

4. Have I got a deal for you!

Everyone shops unless you are totally self sufficient. The Sales tax is an example that can be paid literally all day long. Just about everything you buy has a sales tax. In the USA almost all states have some type of sales tax for goods, services, and products. So in theory you can be paying taxes all day and all night.

5. Carry a big stick.

Our last tax that is common to us is the Excise Tax. It is not one you send in payments for, have an account that can be checked, or usually even know you are paying a tax. This one is levied usually on companies producing or importing something that could upset the economy. Auto importers pay this tax on cars produced real cheap elsewhere and when imported and sold here could upset the trade balance and harm the economy. That’s right; the tax is factored into the price. The tax is passed on to you indirectly. You would be surprised at how much you pay in Excise taxes; even everyday.

Are you surprised at the amount  of taxes common to everyday life? Unfortunately, we have not covered them all. Whatever the source, amount, principle, or any other differentiating characteristics, taxes are here to stay. They are a part of our lives, believe it or not.

Neil Davis is a tax consultant and in his spare time blogs for workingtaxcreditcalculator.co.uk a site which can help you keep on to date on working tax credit changes with their tax credit calculator!

There’s a trend going on out there that is a pretty great idea – especially because these days everyone seems to be in a financial crunch.  Small business entrepreneurs are renting or buying recycled shipping containers, renovating them in practical and innovative ways, and literally setting up their storefronts inside these “boxes.”

Eateries – Like this comfy boardwalk restaurant, The Sand Witch in New Jersey, these steel containers are being used across the world in lieu of brick-and-mortar diners.  Mobile concessions are also popular and can be set up in parking lots or parks to feed hungry participants at everything from outdoor concerts to surfing competitions. Their steel construction make them secure to lock up on-site, and when the time comes they are transported easily to the next event.

Home Offices – If you have room on your personal property but no time or funds to build an office addition, there are storage containers for rent that can both give you a great workspace and get you out of the house. Sometimes working in a bedroom or den is just not enough privacy in which to be your most productive.

Franchises – Chains like Subway sandwich shops are hopping on the bandwagon; for an investment of under $5k franchise buyers get mini-stores they can transport to school events, construction developments.  Affording a lot more space and functionality than a catering truck, multiple containers in various key sites can bring in sizeable revenue.

Retail Stores – From snappy metro-look kiosks to funky grunge t-shirt storefronts, shipping container storefronts are popping up across the globe.  The Freitag in Zurich is several “containers” high, and home to this innovative company that sells one-of-a-kind unisex bags from recycled tarpaulins, bicycle inner tubes and seat belts. A great alternative to big-box stores, there are even neighborhoods where mom and pop businesses are forming co-ops to purchase land and construct container malls.

Whether you’re looking to start from the ground up – or expand in a green, economical way – you may want to consider portable storage containers as an alternative to an expensive business lease in a strip mall or office complex.  There are hundreds of examples across the web; the options are as wide open as your imagination!

Technology in the classroom has come an incredibly long way, especially when you consider that a calculator was considered to be the ultimate tech way-back-when. Walk into any classroom today and you’ll see children working on computers, teachers in front of SMART boards and kindergarteners putting together PowerPoint presentations.
There’s nary a grad school student who isn’t packing a laptop in their messenger bag, a child who isn’t walking down the street with their iPod or a student who isn’t using technology in one form or another to complete their assignments, take notes or design presentations.

To appreciate how far technology has come, and how it has affected the classroom, it’s important to know where it all began. Here’s a glimpse back into the history of technology in the classroom:

1650 – The Horn-Book was the first bit of technology in the classroom, not that we would consider it technology today. A wooden paddle was used to hold lessons for children, most often of a religious nature.

1870 – The Magic Lantern came about over 200 years after the Horn-Book and was quite an advancement in terms of technology. Instead of looking at pictures in a book, children were shown pictures on a wall, projected from this lantern. Over 8,000 slides exist for the device.

1890 – The school slate should be considered the precursor to today’s personal white boards used by students nationwide. These slates were used for everything from spelling lessons to math problems. In the same year, a classroom sized slate was introduced at the front of the classroom: the chalkboard. This “technology” is still used in classrooms to this day.

1900 – The pencil ensured that the school slate had a short-lived tenure. With the advent, and wide disbursement, of the pencil, school slates quickly became a tool of the past.

1925 – The first film projector looks similar to a toaster crossed with a sewing machine. An interesting piece of machinery, the projector allowed students to view the first educational films in their classrooms.

1930 – Overhead projectors allowed teachers to work alongside their students, projecting images onto a wall, rather than having to rely solely on the chalkboard. Overhead projectors are still used today, though their appearance has changed radically.

1940 – The mimeograph enabled teachers to make copies for the first time. Though the machine was operated by a hand crank, it was certainly a useful tool when making copies of tests and worksheets for students.

1950 – Headphones were invented in the 50s, giving children the ability to listen to lessons in private. Though headphones were first used with tape recorders, they are currently utilized with computers in “language labs”.

1958 – With the advent of the television came educational TV. By the late 50s and early 60s, there were over 50 channels of educational programming available for families and teachers alike.

1970 – The first hand-held calculators were distributed among the masses in the early 70s. The major concern for teachers was that students would lose basic math skills by over-utilizing the calculator. That concern still holds true for many teachers today!

1985 – The graphing calculator can give credit to the hand-held calculator for its invention. The calculator made it easier for millions of students to finish their algebra and geometry homework!

1999 – The interactive whiteboard, sometimes called a SMART board, was invented in this year, making it over 12 years old. Chances are you had no idea that the “latest” technology is actually more than a decade old.

When you look at a timeline of technology in the classroom, it’s easy to see how far we’ve come in such a relatively short amount of time. It’s also easy to see how important it is for teachers to keep abreast of the latest technology available for their classroom if they hope to stay a step ahead of their students! By using the latest technology available, we will undoubtedly raise children who are able to compete on a global scale; and, to think, it all started with a Horn-Book!

Nicole Morgan is a mom and career counselor, she blogs for intelicus.com where you can find information about master degree online programs. She enjoys educational trivia and likes to test her students knowledge!

If you’re pursuing your four-year degree in education, or attending graduate school, chanced are you’ve thought about where you would like to work once you’ve graduated. You may even have sat down with your counselor to discuss your employment options.

Unfortunately, many school districts across the nation have been riddled with budget-cuts and layoffs; leaving many teachers in the dust, and many potential teachers searching elsewhere. If you’re wondering where you will go after you earn your degree, this information should be of great assistance!

5 States in Need of Teachers

1. Las Vegas, Nevada – if you’ve ever wanted to visit Sin City, you may want to explore employment opportunities in this city. The Las Vegas population is growing so rapidly that many districts have difficulty hiring enough teachers to meet the demand.

2. Florida – the sunshine state used to cram children into classrooms like sardines, needing very few teachers. New legislation has caused districts to decrease the student to teacher ratio and, as such, the entire state is desperate for highly qualified teachers.

3. North Carolina – the state has become the “It” state in which to live. Because so many people are flocking to North Carolina, their need for educators has been consistently high for the past decade. The most popular area is, without a doubt, Raleigh-Durham; if you want to find less competition, look elsewhere.

4. Georgia – the state is absolutely beautiful and rich with history. If you’ve considered moving to the south, give Savannah and Atlanta a look.

5. Arizona – the largest cities in Arizona continue to grow and need teachers to meet the needs of the population. Do be aware, though, that Arizona gets extremely hot; if you aren’t able to handle the heat, you may want to avoid the state.

Now that you know which states hire the most teachers, you should know which states pay the best. Here are the top five states when it comes to salary:

1. New York – there is consideration in the state that merit should be considered when layoffs are looming. This is great news for parents and students who may otherwise lose highly-qualified teachers due to the simple matter of a lack of seniority. The average salary of a teacher in New York last year was just over $70,000.

2. Massachusetts – if you’re looking for a secure position, this state may not be what you’re looking for. With budget shortfalls, the state is considering cutting positions throughout its districts. However, if you’re willing to chance it, getting hired on in the state can net you about $70,000 per year.

3. California – at just under $70,000 per year, the average teacher in California enjoys a great job as well as sun and surf. Just like Massachusetts, however, the state is in economic trouble and you’re job may not be secure.

4. New Jersey – want to head to the Jersey Shore?  The average teacher’s salary last year was slightly over $65,000 , making it a great option if you’re on the east coast.

5. Connecticut – with an average number of 13 students per teacher, you’ll have a chance to be more hands on in Connecticut, providing individualized attention that will greatly benefit your students. At about $65,000 per year, the salary in the state is nothing to scoff at.

If you watch the news or read the papers, talks of school budget cuts can make you rethink your decision to become a teacher. Not to worry: as long as there are children in schools, there will be a need for teachers. You just have to know where to look!

Nicole Morgan is a mom and career counselor, she blogs for mastersineducationguides.org where you can find information about masters in education programs. She enjoys working with teachers to find unique job opportunities.

 It doesn’t matter if you’re changing careers, heading back to school or simply looking to start your life anew; knowing the best jobs for women this year will only serve to make your future a brighter one. Knowing which careers to look at can help you choose a college major or can help you decide whether or not you should enroll in graduate school.Here are the six best jobs for women in 2012:

 

1. Computers

There are many different avenues to explore if you want to get into the computer field. Whether you choose to be a web designer, a computer programmer, an IT manager or a network specialist, you can expect to make well over $50,000 per year. The technology field is booming and there is always a need for skilled computer scientists. If you’re the go-to person each time a friend’s computer dies, or a family member needs help with new technology, you will enjoy a field in the computer sciences.

2. Doctor

Did you know that female doctors only comprise 31 percent of the profession? With an average yearly income of over $80,000, being a doctor pays incredibly well. If you can handle the schooling and long hours it will take to become a doctor, you can do no better. Doctors work in hospitals, clinics and even in private practice; making the career a great choice if you are looking for a job that offers employment options.

3. Nurse Practitioner

If you are looking for a stable job in the medical field, consider becoming a nurse practitioner. Depending on where you work and what you specialize in, you can expect to make anywhere from $70,000 to over $100,000 per year. As a nurse practitioner, you can choose to specialize in any one of several areas: adult nursing, geriatric nursing or even neonatal nursing, just to name a few.

4. Pharmacist

Pharmacists have an average income of $83,500 per year and only about 48 percent of pharmacists are women. Pharmacists are an integral part of the medical field and do far more than hand out pills. As a pharmacist, you have the ability to help patients and those looking for over-the-counter remedies. If you are highly organized and detail oriented, pharmacy can be an excellent career.

5. Physical Therapist

Another entry in the medical field, PTs make an excellent salary: just over $60,000 per year on average. Second only to nursing, the physical therapy field is a career comprised primarily of women. As a PT, you will be able to help those with occupational disorders, aging changes and help patients recover from surgery and after accidents. If you have a love of anatomy and physiology, physical therapy can be a rewarding career.

6. Post-Secondary Teacher

With an average salary ranging from $59,000 to $94,000, a college instructor not only makes a great deal of money, but typically enjoys her job as well. If you love to teach, and love to learn, heading a college course may be the perfect fit. Post-secondary teachers enjoy independence and a degree of freedom that elementary and secondary teachers don’t.

There are virtually thousands of jobs out there to choose from. When considering your next career move, you’ll need to decide what’s important to you. Do you want a career where you will be paid a high salary? Do you prefer a career that offers a certain amount of freedom? Deciding what you want out of a career will help you choose your path; these six options are great starting points!

Nicole Morgan is a mom and career counselor, she blogs for nursepractitionerprogramguides.org where you can find information about online nurse practitioner programs.