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23 May 2013

Changes in Human Services Policy in Kansas Since the 90′s

Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) experienced many Human Services policy changes in the last two decades of the century, adding coverage and creating employment opportunities in many public service fields.

The 1990s saw several innovations such as:

  • Family preservation services were widened in 1992, providing funding for family services, such as promoting family unity, parenting, and child protection.
  • The Mental Health Reform Act of 1990 provided resources for the Community Mental Health Centers to establish conditions for more acceptable people’s living conditions.
  • In 1991 the Community Integration Project established a way for people to move from mental hospitals to ordinary living situations, with involvement with family and friends in a natural setting.
  • A plan to reform the disability system began in 1991, creating changes in the funding, the size of institutions and the Home and Community-Based Services waivers. The Developmental Disabilities Act of 1995 made Community Developmental Disability Organizations a more person-oriented basis for the planning process, and the function of licensing community service providers.
  • In 1994 the Kansas Sex Predator Treatment Program (a sexual predator bill) passed, establishing local minimally-acceptable assistance for re-integration of persons completing their incarcerations. The bill was challenged several times, which helped to create standards for the treatment of sexual predators.
  • Welfare reform came under scrutiny in 1994, looking at welfare thresholds and reporting.
  • In the mid-1990s, SRS began dealing with not-for-profit agencies for the provision of foster care services, channeling its staff to investigate child abuse, foster care, and adoptions services.
  • In 1997, benefits became accessible with the use of a debit-like card (the Vision Card), eliminating the use of coupons and the stigma attached.

The decade of the 2000s brought us:

  • In 2003, SRS consolidated the regions from eleven to six, following the recommendations of the Budget Efficiency Savings Teams (BEST), and thereby optimizing operating expenses and services.
  • SRS regions began locating staff such that client needs could be approached in a more collective way, helping families become self sufficient.
  • In 2005 The Kansas Health Policy Authority was made the agency responsible for state health policy agenda, incorporating purchasing and administration, including managing the Medicaid State Children’s Health Insurance Program and MediKan. SRS retained responsibility for Medicaid administration of home and community services, along with substance abuse services.
  • In July, 2007, the Mental Health Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan began operations to improve accountability, operation, and efficiency of the public mental health care system, utilizing the services of Kansas Health Solutions.
  • The Value Options organization was contracted by SRS to manage substance abuse services.
  • In 2007, Kansas Child Support Enforcement completed a statewide call center in Halstead, Kansas, to provide trained service people to answer inquiries, freeing SRS personnel to concentrate on missing parents, paternity questions, and dealing with the establishment and enforcement of support orders.
  • In January 2008, SRS established services for autistic children – 25 in the first year and 29 more in 2009.

SRS has been aware of its changing operating environment. Shifting demographics, a volatile social services community, dwindling resources, and staff attrition caused the agency to consider options for meeting future needs. To help in the efforts of both governmental and private groups, individuals can volunteer for these organizations, talk with legislators in their area or go as far as get a human services degree to both understand the issues fully and pursue a career in this area

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Posted by USARD in Health | Leave a Comment
01 Mar 2013

Why Therapy Has Become Every Day Life For Many Teens

Teens are under a significant amount of stress. You might think that your high-profile job is stressful, but teens have a lot of pressures going on that you may not even realize. Many students are dealing with peer pressure, academic pressure as well as hormones. Therapy combined with Native Remedies all natural solutions has become a part of everyday life simply as a coping mechanism.

Young people, in general, can operate under a certain amount of stress. Some even say they become bored if they don’t have at least some sort of stress. There is a balance between good stress and bad stress that must be maintained.

That being said, a recent survey shows that teens are more stressed than adults. Some of this has to do with all of the change going on in their lives. Many teens are now getting ready to go to college, take entrance exams that can affect the rest of their lives and so much more.

The news, too, can be a source of stress for teens. It’s hard for anyone to turn on the TV without hearing about shootings, suicides, gang-related violence and much more. This can take a toll on teens and they will end up with more anxiety, stress and even nervous tension as a result. This can also lead to therapy as a way of dealing with these emotions in an effective way.

An AP/MTV survey was conducted and shows that females are going to experience stress at a higher rate than females. The survey goes on to discuss that 13-17 year olds commonly stress about school while 18-24 year olds stress about finances and jobs. Females will often stress out because of not feeling safe, either in their school, their neighborhood or due to a terrorist attack.

In total, about 85 percent of teens say they are stressed at least in some way over the course of the year. All of this anxiety has to be dealt with in one way or another and many choose to deal with it by way of therapy. This therapy can be in the form of a psychologist or with natural remedies. There are various homeopathic and herbal remedies that can promote healthy emotions, relieve symptoms of stress and even help to get a good night’s sleep.

Geography can affect the stress that students face. Those who are in areas that have recently been affected by terrorist attacks have a higher level of stress, as do the ones who are in areas where there is a lot of gang-related violence. While there may be no way to move a teen, acknowledging that the stress is there and determining a form of therapy can be very helpful.

Stress is going to happen. You have to pay attention to the signs of stress in teenagers to make sure you are helping them cope. Signs of stress can include pulling away from the family, rage, overeating, undereating as well as lack of sleep. If you see changes in the behavior of your teen, confront them and find out what you can do to help.

Many teens don’t even realize that they need therapy because they think it’s something for adults. They often don’t recognize the feelings they are having as stress or anxiety, so it is your role to help point it out to them. Therapy has become a daily part of life unfortunately – and there’s nothing that can really be done to make it go away. By helping teens deal with it, however, they can begin to learn how to overcome these feelings and use therapy in a positive way so they can get through their lives without an overwhelming feeling of stress dragging them down each day.

Teens are going to become stressed and worried and experience anxiety. Therapy in one form or another is a part of everyday life because of these emotions. The body has to find a way to compensate for these feelings. If the problems are not dealt with through the use of an effective form of therapy, teens may turn to drugs, alcohol, depression or even suicide. This is why it’s so important to focus on the right form of therapy for teens.

Source

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20322801/

Posted by USARD in Health | Leave a Comment
28 Dec 2012

The DREAM Act: Compassion Meets Economics

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is an eleven year old bill that was first introduced in 2001. The Dream Act has failed several times, but someone always introduces a new version. Another version of the bill might die, but the DREAM Act is both an act of compassion and an investment in our future. Many congressmen realize that is true and continue to work to get it passed. If passed, it will give some children who are in the U.S. illegally the opportunity to gain citizenship.

The Criteria
All versions of the DREAM Act have basically the same criteria for a person to qualify:
•    In the U.S. since before the age of 15
•    Proof of living in the U.S. for 5 years
•    Graduated from a U.S. high school or received a GED
•    30 years old or under

Those who meet the four criteria must either serve 2 years in the military or complete a 2-year degree. Some versions have a 6-year time limit; some have a 10-year time limit. The idea is to enhance the skills of these children, making them more useful to the economy while creating a way for them to remain in the only home they know.

Estimates place the number of potential DREAM citizen around 2 million. Those people will be trapped in low paying jobs without health insurance and Social Security if something like the DREAM Act does not pass. With the DREAM Act, they get an education, which makes higher-paying jobs possible. They can buy homes and new cars and become contributing members to American society.

The Effect

The DREAM Act will have wide-ranging economic impact if it passes. Projections range from very specific projections of about 1.5 billion dollars increased tax revenue over a 10-year period to a more general 300 billion dollar impact on the US economy over 20 years. How could the Dream Act have that much impact?

Opponents of immigration reform argue that immigrants take jobs that should go to natural born citizens. This sounds reasonable, but it is wrong. At least one study shows a correlation between the number of immigrant workers with advanced college degrees and the number of native workers. More educated immigrant workers mean more jobs for native citizens. Current US immigration policy is shooting the economy in the foot.

DREAM Is a Baby Step

The DREAM Act tries to take a small percentage of illegal immigrants and give them a path to citizenship while insuring they become productive members of society. That is a desirable goal, but leaves the majority of illegal aliens in the shadows, always living in fear of discovery and deportation. It totally ignores the strangling affect current H1B visa policy has on U.S. businesses.

The DREAM act is a good thing for the US economy, but it does not do enough. A mounting body of evidence shows that the U.S. needs to loosen its stranglehold on legal immigration. A look at U.S. history shows immigration is part of what made this country great. The DREAM Act is a tiny admission that the U.S. has forgotten how it became the greatest nation on earth.

EB5Investors supports immigration policies that are both compassionate and helpful to U.S. economic recovery.

Posted by USARD in Business, Entertainment, Jobs, Legal | Leave a Comment
16 Dec 2012

8 Tips for Avoiding Workplace Colds

The office is a germaphobe’s worst nightmare, but when something’s going around, it’s hard for anyone not to get a little paranoid. Was that a sneeze from the next cubicle? Did your coworker just touch her face before picking up the coffee pot? Are these cookies in the breakroom really safe to eat? Colds may be a fact of life, but there are certain things you can do to seriously decrease your odds of catching one. Follow these tips to avoid getting sick, even when all your coworkers are.

1. Know where the germs are. Worried about catching a cold from touching surfaces in the restroom? Probably not going to happen. Opening the microwave to heat up your lunch, on the other hand, may be problematic. A recent study showed that places where employees eat or prepare food tended to be much dirtier than other areas of the office. Among the dirtiest surfaces were faucet handles in the breakroom, water fountain buttons, coffee pots, vending machine buttons and refrigerator door handles. Keyboards, phones and computer mice were also high on the list.

2. Wash your hands. You’ve heard it a hundred times, but washing your hands frequently with soap and water can go a long way toward keeping you healthy when everyone else in the office is sneezing. Turn off faucets after washing your hands using a paper towel rather than your clean fingers to avoid redirtying your hands. And a quick squirt of soap followed by a rinse doesn’t count as washing — rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds (that’s like singing Happy Birthday to yourself twice).

3. Don’t touch your face. Most germs that cause sickness enter your body through your face. Unfortunately, most people touch their faces way more often than they realize, so becoming aware of the habit is the first step toward fighting it. Pay attention to how often you touch your eyes, lips or facial skin — and then don’t do it!

4. Skip the sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is controversial, as scientists believe that overuse speeds up bacterial evolution, which will lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria — way worse than your typical cold, no? But even if you disagree, there’s another reason to avoid sanitizer: the alcohol it contains will dry your skin, leading to tiny cracks where germs can enter your body.

5. Don’t eat at your desk. Food crumbs or leftovers quickly grow bacteria that can get you sick, so eat in the breakroom. Just don’t put your sandwich down directly on that shared table.

6. Wash your coffee mugs or water glasses regularly. Just because you’re the only one using them doesn’t mean they don’t still attract bacteria.

7. Disinfect your desk. Bring disinfectant wipes to work, and wipe down your keyboard, mouse, phone and work surface at least once a week.

8. Stay home if you’re sick. Lastly, if you do succumb to the virus that’s going around the office, just stay home. Do your part to avoid spreading a cold further.

About the Author:
Valerie Cecil writes about all things “career” for Outbounding.com. In her spare time, she works toward workplace safety certifications through http://www.ETrainToday.com.

Posted by Valerie in Business, Health | Leave a Comment
14 Dec 2012

Customer Experience and Why It’s Important to Your Small Business

A broad working definition for the term “customer experience” is the entirety of the interactions a customer has with a company and its products. That overall experience reflects how the customer feels about the company and its offerings, which pretty much determines whether they become a loyal customer or a one-time sale. Understanding the customer experience is an integral part of customer relationship management for any small business owner.

We all have favorite retail establishments or websites where we like to shop, but have you ever stopped to analyze why? They may not have the largest selection or the lowest prices, but something keeps you coming back. Most likely it’s the way you’re treated by the staff — like a valued customer they will go out of their way to satisfy.

Creating that unique customer experience should be your goal. These suggestions for focusing your sales, marketing and operational efforts to capitalize on your small business’s values are courtesy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):

  • Understand your differentiators. What sets you apart from your competitors? Once you identify your differentiators, you can capitalize on them to deliver a unique, memorable experience for your customers. Start by listening to what your customers say, and ask your employees what they’re hearing, too. Soliciting feedback from existing customers is a great way to conduct your competitive research. Another tactic is to visit your competitors as a customer and pay attention to how you’re treated.
  • Nurture your values. They are invaluable because they make you and your business unique. Analyze your core values and how you insert them into your business operations and the customer experience it offers. Your values steer how you do business and what your customers can come to expect of you. “Whether you are a freelancer who is driven by a consistent commitment to excellence, or a restaurateur who believes every employee should participate in the success of the business, don’t underestimate the role that your values play in your customer’s experience,” says the SBA.
  • Develop your brand as a business owner. Your brand goes beyond your logo, signage and font choices. It is embodied by your products, services, marketing and a body of brand advocates including you, your team and your happy customers. All of these elements come into play to create your customer experience.
  • Educate your staff. There was an off-price clothing store chain whose tagline was “An educated consumer is our best customer.” Start by educating all of your staff about the features and benefits of whatever it is you sell. Train them to identify what a customer is looking for or needs and how to deliver it. As the SBA points out, “Every single time anyone in your business communicates with a prospect or customer, it counts.”
  • Motivate your staff to ensure that they are as invested and publicly passionate about your business as you are. Go beyond basic training by setting employee goals that focus performance around your key business objectives and values. Consider offering some basic employee incentive programs to encourage a collective participation in the success of your business.
  • Tell the world! Craft a marketing message that explains to potential customers what your company is, what it does and why they should do business with you. Go beyond a generic “About Us” statement on your website, the SBA advises. “Your marketing message should be about your customers and the experience they can expect when they do business with you,” it says.

About the Author:
Beth Longware Duff is a professional editor and award-winning writer whose work on a wide variety of topics has been published in print and electronic media. She currently writes on a wide range of topics dealing with electronic payment processing and mobile credit card processing for Merchant Express.

Posted by Valerie in Business, Marketing | Leave a Comment
14 Dec 2012

8 Ways to Make Your Store Disability-Friendly

Customers come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, and it’s important for stores to make sure they’re catering to those with disabilities — not to mention, it’s the law. The Americans With Disabilities Act spells out exactly what store owners must do to make their store accessible to those with mental or physical handicaps.

However, for many store owners, it’s difficult to know where to start in making a store disability-friendly. What are the specific requirements for catering to disabled patrons, and what else can store owners do to make shopping easier for those with disabilities? Although it’s best to read the act yourself to learn the exact requirements as they apply to your store, this article will give you an idea of what you’ll need to do to ensure your store is welcoming to those with disabilities.

1. Offer handicapped parking spots. If at all possible, the law says that a store must offer handicapped parking spots, preferably with curb ramps. Read the specifics of the act to find out how many spots your store must offer, as the number varies depending on the size of the store. If you’re not able to offer handicapped parking, consider an alternative such as valet parking.

2. Provide a ramp entrance. Retail stores must provide at least one handicapped-accessible entrance to the store that those in wheelchairs can use, ideally a ramped entrance. If that’s impossible, you should provide an alternative method for those in wheelchairs to enter the store. If the handicapped entrance is not the main entrance, make it obvious where the ramped entrance is by providing clear signage at the main entrance pointing patrons to the ramped entrance. Also ensure that doorways are at least 32 inches wide — the minimum necessary for a wheelchair to go through.

3. Make merchandise easy to reach. Those in wheelchairs or who use canes or walkers will not be able to reach up to high shelves, so frequently purchased items should be places on lower shelves, as should heavier items. Store personnel should be available to help those with disabilities reach or carry anything they are unable to manage on their own.

4. Keep aisles clear. To allow for easy access both by wheelchairs and by the blind, ensure that aisles are clear from obstructions that could cause accidents or make mobility difficult.

5. Provide elevators or ramps to higher floors. All levels of your store must be wheelchair-accessible. When possible, it’s a good idea to also put signs for the elevator in Braille so that blind customers are able to read them.

6. Provide a wheelchair-accessible restroom. Again, make sure the doorway is at least 32 inches wide. Doors should swing outward rather than inward. A wheelchair-accessible stall should measure at least 48 x 56 inches, but the exact dimensions will vary according to your layout. Handicapped toilets include hand rails, a higher than normal toilet seat, and a low sink. If you provide drinking fountains, include a lower fountain here too for those in wheelchairs. Similarly, if you have dressing rooms, they should also be accessible to those with handicaps.

7. Make checkout aisles accessible. If normal checkout in your store is not reachable by wheelchair, as is often the case in stores that have multiple checkout aisles, provide a wider checkout aisle that can be accessed by those in wheelchairs.

8. Consider changes that benefit those with vision impairments too. Using high-contrast flooring in your store, such as checkered tiles, can help those with limited vision find their way around. Add Braille labels or signs when possible. Make checkout lanes and exits easy to find with bright colors or sharp contrasts to the surrounding area. Make sure the store is well-lit.

About the Author:
Valerie Cecil is a research coordinator, marketing specialist and writer for Outbounding.com. Her work allows her to investigate many topics, ranging from online consumer relations to effective communication in the workplace. When she is not working, she enjoys kayaking, watercolor, and scouting out the best specialty tissue paper she can find.

Posted by Valerie in Business | Leave a Comment
13 Dec 2012

The New Traditional Christmas Dinner: Make Your Family’s Spirit Bright with These New Favorites

There’s nothing like your family’s traditional Christmas dinner, the same year after year from cheese-chunks-on-crackers appetizers to the mince pie dessert. Maybe everyone enjoys those golden-oldie recipes but if keeping the tradition in Christmas dinner has taken the fun out of it, make your family holiday dinner extra special this year by introducing some new Christmas recipes. Incorporate these fresh new delicious recipes alongside your customary Christmas recipes to ease the family into the new traditions or go for the entire dinner makeover and make them all. Don’t worry — after tasting your delectable new traditional Christmas dinner, no one will miss the cheese and crackers or the marshmallow-topped yams.

Cheesy Gougères

Tradition calls for cheesy goodness when it comes to Christmas appetizers that appeal to everyone. Nix the cheese and crackers this year in favor of these crispy, cheesy delights. Save yourself some time on Christmas Day by making them up to a month ahead of time and storing them in the freezer. Then just pop them in the oven at 375°F (no defrost required) for 8 to 10 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives

Directions

  • Heat oven to 400°F.
  • Bring water, butter and red pepper to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring frequently with wooden spoon. Add flour all at once; stir until well blended. Cook and stir 2 min. or until mixture forms ball. Cool 5 min.
  • Add eggs, 1 at a time, stirring after each until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by level tablespoons, about 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Bake 20 min. or until puffed and golden brown. Turn oven off. Leave gougeres in oven 5 min. Serve warm.

Holiday Hash

If you’re always on the lookout for a new way to serve sweet potatoes for holiday dinner, your search is over. With a colorful mixture of sweet potatoes, green onions and apples the finished presentation is much more elegant than the name implies and the combination of crisp, soft, sweet and savory is just the thing for a new tradition.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. sweet potatoes (2 large), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 3 Tbsp. dry roasted sunflower kernels
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Directions

  • Heat oven to 400ºF.
  • Toss potatoes with oil and 3 Tbsp. parmesan; spread onto bottom of 15x10x1-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 20 min. or just until tender.
  • Meanwhile, cook bacon in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 4 min. or until crisp. Remove from pan. Drain all but 2 Tbsp. drippings from skillet. Crumble bacon; return to skillet. Add white onions; cook and stir 3 min. Stir in apples; cook 3 to 4 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
  • Add potatoes to ingredients in skillet; cook 10 min., stirring occasionally. Spoon into serving dish; top with sunflower kernels, green onions and remaining parmesan.

Juicy Roasted Pork

You had the turkey and stuffing at Thanksgiving. Give the birds a break and put this easy roast pork in a permanent spot on your Christmas dinner menu. You’ll get a break, too: with minimal prep time and sporadic basting, you won’t spend the day slaving over dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 boneless pork roast (3 lb.)
  • 3/4 cup Catalina salad dressing, divided
  • 2 lb. baking potatoes (about 4), cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 4 beets (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 4 onions (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 4 carrots (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Place meat in roasting pan sprayed with cooking spray; brush with 1/2 cup dressing. Toss potatoes and beets with 2 Tbsp. of the remaining dressing; spoon around meat. Bake 15 min.
  • Toss onions and carrots with remaining dressing. Add to ingredients in roasting pan.
  • Bake 1 hour or until meat is done (145°F), basting occasionally with pan juices. Remove from oven; let stand 10 min. Slice meat. Serve with vegetables.

Tiramisu Cheesecake

Even cheesecake needs a little update now and then and tiramisu is just the dessert for the job. Much easier to make than the Italian delicacy, this rich and flavorful cheesecake can be made as directed in a rectangular baking pan or use a traditional round springform pan and bake it for just a bit longer (50 to 55 minutes).

Ingredients

  • 40 vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed (about 1-1/3 cups)
  • 3 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 4 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened, divided
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 6 Tbsp. brewed strong coffee, cooled, divided
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavored instant pudding
  • 2 cups thawed non-dairy whipped topping, divided
  • 1/2 square semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely grated
  • 16 fresh raspberries (about 1/2 cup)

Directions

  • Heat oven to 325ºF.
  • Mix wafer crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan.
  • Beat remaining cream cheese in medium bowl with mixer until creamy. Add milk and remaining coffee; mix well. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Stir in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread over cheesecake; sprinkle with chocolate. Refrigerate 4 hours.
  • Garnish with remaining whipped topping and raspberries just before serving.
Posted by Valerie in Food | Leave a Comment
02 Nov 2012

Can you discharge DUI debts through bankruptcy?

In the United States of America, there are many people who are careless enough about driving their vehicles even after they’ve consumed alcohol and drugs. If you too are someone who flaunts of this bad habit, before you take steps to let go of it, you should check if your BAC or Blood Alcohol Count is below 0.8%. If you see that it is below this aforementioned percentage, you should pack your bags and stay ready to be arrested for Driving Under Influence or DUI. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offence and the law punishes by charging hefty fines, suspending the driving licenses of the drivers and can even lead to bankruptcy. DUI charges can often become a huge burden and if you can’t pay them, no amount of online debt consolidation can help you out as it isn’t possible to repay such debts through a consolidation program.

Not being able to pay off the DUI charges, if you wish to file bankruptcy to start afresh, the first question that you should ask yourself is whether or not it is possible to discharge such DUI debts through bankruptcy. In some states like Arizona, the DUI laws are stricter and since the penalties are sometimes too hefty, it is always better to get help of a DUI attorney who can guide you throughout the entire process when you infringe the law. If you commit this particular offense sometimes, this may not be a huge issue, but if it becomes a habit, this may soon be treated as felony.

Is bankruptcy discharge possible with DUI debts?

You must have well understood the fact that there are strict laws and penalty charges for driving after drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. There are different kinds of people who take things differently and therefore while there are some people who don’t take such charges like suspension of driving license seriously, there are some others who fret at the thought of paying such huge charges for such an offense when there are so many other liabilities to meet. As per the Bankruptcy Code, there are some particular sections that severely punish those people who are guilty of driving under influence.

If you’re someone who is about to file bankruptcy, chances are high that you will consider the effects of a previous DUI conviction. When it comes to bankruptcy, the two most common types are Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 and these two kinds can wipe off the debt burden of the financially needy debtors but all debts can’t be discharged through bankruptcy. Some DUI debts can’t be discharged through bankruptcy and they are:

  • The settlements that involve negligence that was intentional
  • The monetary settlements that may have been attached to the more violent crimes that can include the DUIs
  • The settlements that are directly tied to DUI offense

The personal injury fee that is associated with DUI is dischargeable under bankruptcy and such debts can also continue even after your bankruptcy process ends. Get in touch with a bankruptcy attorney if you want to complete the entire process successfully.

 

Author’s Bio :- The following article is written by Sophie Kinsella of Oak View Law Group. People looking for debt consolidation help can get appropriate advice on all debt relief measures from her. To know more about her services you can visit http://www.ovlg.com/reviews/ where she takes care of client satisfaction by monitoring oak view law group reviews.

 

Posted by USARD in Health, Legal | Leave a Comment
01 Oct 2012

Reasons Why It’s More Fun To Drive a Stick Shift

Driving is a lot of fun. There is a level of freedom that you only get when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle that is hard to match with other activities. There’s also something empowering about taking control of a fast machine.

If you really want the full driving experience nothing can beat driving a manual transmission car, otherwise known as a stick shift. Unfortunately, driving a stick shift is slowly becoming a “lost art” because of the increased preference for vehicles with automatic transmission. Automatic transmission cars are indeed easier to drive, but it does feel like you’re driving a toy car.

Here are some of the reasons why driving a stick shift is more fun:

Stick Shifts provide unprecedented control

A manual transmission provides the driver with a level of control over a car that most automatic transmission cars won’t be able to provide. A stich shift gives the car more responsiveness, the throttle will respond immediately to you and you can control at what gear or speed to drive the car.

Stick Shifts Give That Aura of Masculinity

Get your head out of the gutter and squash all of those “stick shift” jokes. Manual transmission cars do give off that masculine vibe. One reason could be because standard transmission is closely related to the development of the first automobiles, and men were the ones who usually drove automobiles during the infancy of automobiles, stick shifts and men have become synonymous with one another. Additionally, people see the manual control of a car as a manly pursuit. Whatever the reasons are, it’s clear that a man looks even manlier when driving a stick shift.

You can only perform advanced techniques on a stick shift

You’ve probably seen the Fast and The Furious series of movies. These movies totally romanticize driving a car and the thrill of controlling a high performance machine. But here’s a news flash – all those fancy, beautiful cars you saw in all of the movies? They’re all manual transmission. You can’t perform any of those cool driving moves and techniques with an automatic. For example, you can’t drift with an automatic. That’s solely the domain of a stick shift. So does accelerating fast out of a turn because it requires an advanced technique called heel-and-toe shifting.

You can drive faster with a stick shift

Since a driver has more control over a manual transmission car, you can always look for that sweet spot, the point where the engine’s RPM enters a certain range where it performs more efficiently and aggressively. Keeping your car in that spot translates to more efficient fuel consumption. It’s something you can never do with an automatic because the shifting is done for you.

Driving a stick shift makes you more in tune with your car

You’ve heard of man-machine interfaces. It’s a very sci-fi concept but in actuality a man and a manual transmission car can be considered a man-machine interface. A person who drives a standard transmission car pays more attention to the car itself. Listening more closely to how the engine revs and even its vibrations. It’s a more involved way of driving a vehicle.

 

About the Author

Mel is lifestyle writer who loves to drive his manual transmission car. He regularly writes for wish.co.uk. Visit the site by clicking on this link.

Posted by USARD in Auto, Entertainment | Leave a Comment
27 Sep 2012

For richer or poorer: Essential financial planning tips for married couples

A study conducted by Jeffrey Dew of Utah State University found married couples who disagree about finances at least once per week were more than 30 percent more likely to get divorced than couples who disagreed about finances just a few times per month. This subject was even more influential than factors such as chores, time spent together, sex, and in-laws. Since finances can play such a strong role in the happiness of a marriage, married couples can help reduce some of the friction that comes with financial disagreements by sticking to the following tips for financial security and efficiency.

1. Create a detailed budget.

There’s a difference between watching your spending and actually having a budget to follow. Although you may feel like you’re saving money, it’s important to make sure that the numbers add up. Instead of just winging it every month, you and your spouse should sit down at a set time period each month and create a detailed budget for upcoming expenses. Calculate your collective finances and list all essential expenses, such as mortgage payments, car payments, general bills, food, and other absolutely necessary items. Determine how much you would like leftover for additional needs and how many can be set aside for savings to prevent arguments during the month. Especially when you’re considering a major purchase – like a new car – you need to make sure your budget allows for it.

2. Organize your bank accounts.

When a new couple weds, one of the first questions they’re confronted with is whether to merge bank accounts. According to a survey conducted by SmartMoney magazine, a 64 percent majority of couples put all of their money in joint accounts, while 14 percent stored everything in separate accounts, and 18 percent used both methods. Financial expert and author Ruth Hayden says couples should consider having both joint and separate bank accounts.

3. Focus on saving together.

Determine what your expenses are now and research ways you can cut back. For example, consider bunding your cellphone and Internet services, or all of your insurance policies, to save money. If the two of you are recently married, be sure to inform your insurance company of your new status to qualify for even more money-saving perks. You can also look for additional ways to cut costs by purchasing energy-efficient appliances to reduce monthly utility bills, using coupons on groceries – or eliminating extravagant expenses like extra television channels and maid services.

4. Set aside funds for fun.

Part of the reason so many couples shy away from  financial planning is because they think it will eliminate money for fun things like entertainment and vacations. Although your tight budget may make it tough to find money for entertainment, it’s important to continually reward yourself for budgeting by using part of the savings on things you enjoy. Doing so not only allows you to reduce stress and have more good times as a couple, but adds extra incentives for continuous budgeting.

Saving money on expenses as a couple is a great way to have more financial leverage when it comes to doing what you want, but beware of going overboard with your expenses. The primary objective of financial planning is to build a cushiony savings account in case an unexpected financial burden comes about suddenly, such as a hospital visit, job loss or even a new baby. With the above tips in mind, you can be prepared for both the unexpected and everyday expenses.

Posted by USARD in Finance | Leave a Comment

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