Building An Educational Saving Account

When it comes to getting a college education, financing is one of the most important considerations that you will need to make. Unfortunately for far too many it is one the last considerations that is made when it comes to the educations of our children. If you are a parent you owe it your child and yourself to plan ahead and plan carefully in order to cover the cost of your child's education. There are fortunately, a few great ways in which you can do this.

The most common is to begin by opening up an educational savings account for your child (under the age of 18). When you open up an educational savings account for your child, you can contribute up to $2,000 per year per child. This is a combined total contribution however and includes the contributions of grandparents, friends, and family in addition to your own personal contributions. The money from these funds can be withdrawn tax-free as long as they are used for educational purposes.

Educational expenses in this case include books, tuition, fees, supplies, and college room and board provided that your child is at least a part-time student. If you do not use all the funds for your child there are options as far as what to do with the remaining funds in the account. The first option would be to leave the funds in the account and allow the account beneficiary to withdraw them up until the age of 30. There is a penalty involved and the beneficiary will be required to pay income tax on those funds. You could also elect to roll those funds over to the next child under the age of 18 who will have educational expenses in the future.

The money you set aside in these accounts to cover the cost of the education of your child or children is not tax-deductible however, it is a great way to begin saving money and investing in the future of your child. If you begin investing the maximum amount $2,000 per year upon birth your child should have a nice nest egg to help cover educational expenses. If your child is fortunate enough to qualify for scholarships and other sources of financial aid you can turn the funds over as a graduation gift or save it for the next college student in your family that comes along. Either way you've saved yourself a good part of the worry that goes along with providing for your family by having this fund set up for your children.

You can sign up for programs like Upromise in order to subsidize your contributions with donations from corporate sponsors as their way of thanking you for buying their products or using their services on any credit cards that you, your friends, and your family members have registered to go into your child's account. Every edge you give yourself when it comes to investing in the education of your children is an edge worth having. College tuition rates are rising at an alarming rate while corporate expectations of college degrees are rising at the same near lightening speed. This means that a college degree is more critical for our children than in any past generations.

Take the time now to check into securing the future of your children by establishing an educational savings account. Let friends and family know that any gifts they are planning to give your children that involve money would be appreciated if they instead invested in the future of your children rather than the now. You can also ask your friends and family to sign up their credit cards with Upromise in order to provide a little bump in donations to your child's college savings account. These little steps add up to significant savings over the course of 18 years. You just might find that the investment you are making is adequate to cover the costs of your child's tuition in full.

The Climate Registry, The EPA, and Your Carbon Emission Reporting Requirements

Because different U.S. states, countries, and Canadian provinces have their own mandatory regulations for reducing greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, The Climate Registry provides a standard measure for how carbon emissions are calculated and a streamlined approach for those who are required to report their carbon emissions output.

The Climate Registry was published in draft form as early as May, 2007. It documents and outlines the requirements for carbon (CO2) emissions reporting. Businesses of all sizes, across the entire economy are pondering and trying to understand the carbon emissions requirements. Many still wonder why CO2 reporting is so important. Its impact to your organization is the question continuing to be asked even today. It is an important part of carbon emission protocols established in the United States and internationally to combat air pollution and Global Warming.

The Climate Registry is an agreement regarding emissions reporting protocols or a collaboration between 39 U.S. states (and growing), all Canadian provinces and territories, 6 states in Mexico and three native sovereign nations aimed at recording and tracking greenhouse gas emissions from businesses, municipalities, organizations, and other facilities.

There are key components to The Climate Registry that all companies need to be aware of or they could face substantial disadvantages as it relates to the future carbon credit and trading schemes.

What are objectives The Climate Registry wished to fulfill? Because different U.S. some regulatory bodies across North America are documenting their own carbon emissions reporting protocols and goals to eliminate greenhouse gases. The Climate Registry documents a common framework and set of reporting requirements to help organizations manage, calculate, and report carbon emissions. This makes the approach common for all who must document their CO2 output.

The C02 data submitted by businesses, municipalities, and other organizations can be added to web-based, carbon management information system to support various initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across an organization's single facility or down to an individual asset level. As the World continues to collect more and more accurate carbon data, organizations will start to take part (either by choice or by regulations) in cap and trade programs that target the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

What are the registry's goals?
The Climate Registry is using the single reporting protocol to streamline efforts to reduce emissions that harm the environment and ensure consistent reporting of emissions across different organizations and industries. Through the registry's requirements protocol, the risks of greenhouse gases can be easily identified and opportunities for programs and initiatives to address greenhouse gas emissions can be developed.

This set of carbon emissions reporting requirements makes it politically and geographically easier for countries to come together to achieve positive effects on climate change. By using a common framework or set of reporting protocols, current and future carbon emissions management programs, perhaps adopted at a national level through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can work together and be supported at a reduced cost across the economy.

What is the registry expecting from businesses?
The Climate Registry expects businesses to calculate, record, verify, and submit report the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) or their carbon equivalent on a yearly basis. Generally, a baseline carbon emissions report is generated from data collected across an organization for a representative year, such as emissions levels in your organization as of 1990.
What is being required of businesses?

Often refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC-R) systems, are include in carbon emissions requirements due to their high global warming potential. Organizations operating these systems must adhere to The Climate Registry requirements. Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions need to be reported, which include hydrofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbons, methane, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrous oxide.

This emissions protocol allows for consistency, streamlines program requirements and ensures integrity in accounting and reporting of carbon emissions across any reporting entity.
What might the registry look for from my business?

Simply, this protocol or set of requirements defines how to track and report greenhouse gas emissions. While it may take additional effort on your part to do this, there are management programs to ease the process and the burden of paperwork and to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of refrigerant use. Carbon information management systems help organization remain in compliance as it related to greenhouse gas reporting rules and regulations. These systems take the form of web-based applications that help collect, track, and report CO2 gases emitted from corporate assets.

The Climate Registry is already having an impact on your organization or business, whether you know it or not. At it's core these regulations are addressing climate change and are being adopted by more and more regulatory bodies everyday.

Positive impacts and improvements to our climate change issues will only start improving when carbon emissions across the Globe are reduced. And that is something that The Climate Registry is aiming to help us all do.

Using Sign Language in Your Classroom - Getting Started

You've heard of the benefits of using American Sign Language in your classroom with your hearing students and you're interested in giving it a try, but you don't know where to begin.
Here are 7 tips to get you started:

1. Most importantly, enjoy the fun that comes with incorporating American Sign Language into your classroom routine. Simply begin with only one or two words that relate to your curriculum or that would benefit the entire class. Every day/week/month try to add one or two more signs; whatever will work best for you. This does not mean you have to learn the entire language, just add more signs as you are familiar enough with the ones you have already learned.
2. Always remember to say and sign a word together when you introduce a new sign. Once your students know a sign, you can start using it more regularly by giving them directions only using that sign, without speaking. This is a sure way to maintain a quiet classroom. The less talking you do, the less talking your students will do. {Plus they'll have to pay better attention to you or they might miss a direction.)
3. You do not need to teach ASL as a separate course. Simply incorporate signs into your current daily routine. Do not make more work for yourself by making it something extra. You only need to teach the signs for words you already say and use in the classroom.
4. Try to stay ahead of your students with your sign knowledge. Your students will enjoy learning new signs and will often request the sign for words you have not taught yet. I would advise you to have an American Sign Language Dictionary available for this reason. For those who work with elementary age children and younger, I suggest you read another article I wrote called "American Sign Language Dictionaries for Kids Online,"
5. There are also games online to help learn new signs. This is a great way for children to practice signs during their free time, either at school or in the home. They are both educational and fun! I have reviewed these as well in an article called "Educational Sign Language Games to Play on the Web"
6. If you are interested, a course in American Sign Language may be helpful, but it is not necessary to get started. Again, this can be done at a slower pace. Once you do know a lot of signs and would like to become more advanced, I do recommend taking a course. You can take good ASL courses online from your own home at your preferred pace for a reasonable price at www.signingonline.com.
7. Lastly, begin with the most important keywords. While I do suggest learning the manual alphabet, there is no need to be overwhelmed at the start by trying to learn these 26 letters. Simply begin with a few words that will be most useful in your classroom and continue from there.

Should you need help during your sign language journey, please visit my website at www.kimssigningsolutions.com. You may find some other helpful information on the site and can find my contact information there as well (in case my site doesn't answer your question.) Good luck and I commend you on your efforts to help your students to succeed!