Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Another Personal Post:

Considering our star point guard is injured, and we just lost two key members of our teams core, plus our head coach, all of which created the defensive fluidity that was desired by all teams in the league, the Boston Celtics are somewhat exceeding expectations in their performances of late.

We have an up-and-coming star in the form of Jeff Green, who I can't wait to see link up properly with Rajon Rondo after his return. Plus we have the scorer Jordan Crawford, who's been putting up consistent numbers.

I think that for a team thats somewhat "rebuilding", we are making a name for ourselves. If we weren't to make playoffs this season it would be good for our rebuilding - higher picks in next year's draft. But I think that we might be able to scrape through, once we get the dime meister in the form of Rondo back.

Personal Post:

I am a diehard chelsea fan, and I'm pretty nervous about the champions league game tomorrow.

I hope that Hazard lives up to the standards that he's set in Chelsea's recent game vs sunderland.

KTBFFH

Back to the topic at hand....

When travelling, you may feel tempted to settle down in whatever country you have discovered, and further your education there. However you must consider what Australia has to offer you, back at home.

10 reasons to study in Australia

Did you know Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world behind only the United Kingdom and the United States despite having a population of only 23 million? This isn’t surprising when you consider Australia has seven of the top 100 universities in the world! In fact, with over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, Australia sits above the likes of Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, ranking eighth in the Universitas 2012 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems.
These are strong academic credentials, but our institutions are just as highly rated as the cities that house them around the country. Australia has five of the 30 best cities in the world for students based on student mix, affordability, quality of life, and employer activity – all important elements for students when choosing the best study destination. And with more than A$200 million provided by the Australian Government each year in international scholarships, we’re making it easier for you to come and experience the difference an Australian education can make to your future career opportunities.

Source: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/global/why-australia

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Travelling with insurance


Not only life insurance must be considered at later points in life, but when you start to plan trips with your family, other types of insurance must be taken into account.

There are many things to consider when planning a vacation - where to go, what to pack, and what to do once you get there. No matter how well you plan, though, there are some things that are out of your control. That's where travel insurance can come in very handy by compensating you for unforeseen emergencies while traveling.

There are several types of travel insurance to choose from, depending on the type of trip and length of stay. The first and most common is Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage. Most of these policies cover cancellations due to weather, sudden illness or death, jury duty, emergency military duty, and bankruptcy of airline or cruise line prior to departure. Many also include terrorism insurance that reimburses your expenses in the event that the U.S. Department of State issues a travel warning advising not to travel within a given country for a period of time.

Another common type of travel insurance is for medical emergencies. This type of coverage is particularly useful if you plan on traveling to underdeveloped countries, or for individuals with a chronic illness that might require medical attention at some point during the trip. These policies will reimburse you for the cost of doctor visits, medication, and sometimes even medical evacuation out of the country. It's best to check with your insurance provider regarding the details, as travel health coverage policies vary widely.

It is also possible to obtain travel insurance that will cover non-refundable tickets in the event that a trip has to be cancelled for any number of reasons. Some coverage plans will sometimes cover missed connections as well, which can be a lifesaver in the event of a flight delay or over-crowded and/or confusing airport terminal.
For longer trips, or for frequent travelers, a comprehensive insurance package is probably the best value. These usually provide a wide variety of coverage, and some even allow you to choose what kinds of coverage to be included. Since it's impossible to know what problems might arise during your trip, these policies cover all the bases so that you have protection against monetary loss in the event of nearly any emergency.
Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-travel-insurance.htm

On another note...

If you decide to take the path of education later on in life, you must consider your options. If you are to return to a university, to follow a career pathway that will make you some money in the future, what are your option for the current moment? 
If you have a family, a big thing to consider is life insurance. If something were to happen, and you have put your family into a position of economic detriment, leaving them with not enough money to continue living the way they had previously, your family would be put under an enormous amount of pressure.
This is why we must consider such things as life insurance, especially whe
n you aren't raking in the money from a well-paying job during periods of education.

So, what is life insurance?
A life insurance policy is a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for premiums (payments), the insurance company provides a lump-sum payment, known as a death benefit, to beneficiaries in the event of the insured's death.
Typically, life insurance is chosen based on the needs and goals of the owner. Term life insurance generally provides protection for a set period of time, while permanent insurance, such as whole and universal life, provides lifetime coverage. It's important to note that death benefits from all types of life insurance are generally income tax-free.


Source: https://www.fidelity.com/life-insurance-planning/what-is-life-insurance
Once we are through our schooling life - What's next? Do we jump on the university bandwagon? Do we take up an apprenticeship? In life we have so many options for further pursuits in our education. 

I have had a first hand experience, seeing one of my mother's best friends return to broaden her horizons, by returning to university at the age of 45. This got me thinking, what's stopping people from changing their path in life, even when they are so far down the road? Why can't we make a detour to pursue a second option?

It is amazing, living in a country such as Australia, where we are presented originally with an amazing education system, and then options upon options later on in life. Where we can decide at any point to return to where we were at maybe the age of 25, even at a later age.



The public versus private school debate is one that can cause angst for any parent.
Obviously, price is often the first consideration, and if a private school is unaffordable, that can make the decision fairly simple.
But beyond cost, there are dozens of arguments on both sides of the debate.
Many would say that attending a state school provides a more true-to-life experience, with a wider socio-economic demographic and variety of ethinicities attending, while others argue private schools are better equipped and can focus on children's individual needs and talents due to smaller class sizes.
Those who may easily afford private schooling may believe their money is better spent supporting their child through university or on overseas holidays, broadening their horizons.
And many would say it simply depended on the child's needs and talents and which school could bring out the best in them and help them realise their greatest potential.

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/public-school-vs-private-what-you-need-know/1710821/
Australia's education is renowned worldwide as an effective and well managed system, providing the foundations for a generation of success. 
The 2006 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), ranked the Australian Education System as 6th for reading, 8th for science, and 13th for mathematics, on a worldwide scale including 56 countries. 
I, as a former VCE student in Australia, applaud the Australian government for their contributions to building future leaders and developing a brighter tomorrow.
However, if Australia is to improver on their current system of education, think about the possible benefits that we as a nation can reap; by setting the standard for a new education system, Australia will have their international reputation bolstered to a new level.