It is the average person who is being hit the hardest.  With all this talk on Wall Street about banks failing, sub prime crisis, sky rocketing gas prices, the higher cost of living and a new depression emerging the middle man is left to sit and wonder what to do, and where they will get money from to continue with their daily lives.  As for the supporters of the Bush administration, the 700 billion dollar bailout plan was passed and will allow the US treasury to clean up the bank’s balance sheets by buying distressed mortgage-backed securities.  This bailout plan being passed it supposed to give the public hope, but is just a mere distraction and excuse and best way to distract the public to forget about the mess the parachute owners have actually created.

So what is the average person to do in times like today?  Living the life of an average middle class person I have felt the pinch in my wallet.  Before every purchase I have to ask myself twice whether this is a want or need.  Before swiping the credit card I have to think how much I have charged on it and opt to use cash instead.  Instead of enjoying Friday nights with friends and going to movies, I stay at home and make a budget to see where I can cut back on spending. Being an average person and struggling to pay the bills and school tuition, here are a few ideas I came across when doing research.

First, we can make the most of the lighting by making few changes.  Using energy efficient light bulbs will help reduce the electricity being used to produce the light. A lot of us like to leave lights on at night, but for whom?  And why?  Instead, we can use night lights that turn on only at night by themselves and turn off in the day.  They are much cheaper efficient than leaving a big lamp on all night.  And there are no worries of forgetting to turn them off the next morning.

Secondly, cut down your electric bill by reducing your thermostat temperature.  Reducing the temperature at least 1 to 5 degrees at night will reduce your bill.  Sleeping in long pajamas and adding extra blankets will make up for the temperature reduction.  Many households in America already set their thermostats too high and do not realize how much money they are wasting. Also, keeping doors closed to bedrooms will also save much energy as the heat/AC won’t have to continuously run to cool or heat those rooms.

Groceries are an amenity we all need to survive, but there are things we can do to cut down the costs and still enjoy the foods we are used to. The biggest way to save money is by buying store brand instead of name brands.  Store brand products contain the same products as name brands, so the consumer will not be sacrificing taste or quality.  Eating a meal before you go shopping will also help you avoid buying products you do not need.  Many times people go grocery shopping when they are hungry, and buy many un-needed products. So shopping on a full stomach will reduce the chance of impulse buys.

You can also lower your gas costs by not speeding and accelerating your car too fast.  The faster you drive your car, the less gas mileage you get.  Changing your oil regularly can also increase mileage and reduces friction to improve fuel economy.

These are just a few simple tips to help the every day average person.  But, if they are used regularly they will make a difference that you will feel in your wallet.  So while we watch the top executives play in money and attempt to fix the economy, we the middle class can do our part to ensure we save money for rainy days.

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An adult learning program is ideal for any adult with restrictions on their time due to professional or family obligations. It enables the student to continue their education in a formal atmosphere, getting all the advantages of traditional college courses. However, learning at Benedictine University is done at an accelerated pace and at more convenient times. This will allow the working adult to fit in classes after work and on the weekends and allow the stay at home parent to study during times the children do not need to be taken back and forth to school.

The classes at Benedictine University for adult learning are designed for adults who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree. Therefore, the class sizes are smaller and comprised of peers with similar situations. To enroll in the program, each student must be at least twenty four years old and have at least two years work experience. This can be a much more comfortable environment for adults who have life and work experience already. Often sitting in class with students much younger than you are can be uncomfortable. Also, because of life experience, many of the topics covered you may already be knowledgeable on. Sitting through tedious work you are already familiar with can be frustrating and lead to a lack of drive. However, learning among your peers will be motivational.

The flexibility of adult learning at Benedictine University allows the student to plan their course schedule according to their existing time commitments. Because the reality is that sometimes these commitments change, you can design the courses each time to coincide with your personal and professional life. You may also take stop outs if your schedule becomes especially hectic. The modules, or classes, have a staggered year round schedule to accommodate all needs. You may start a module at the time that is convenient for you. You may also design your work load for as many or as few classes as you can handle at one time.

Benedictine University has decreased fees for adult learning to make obtaining a degree more affordable. There is also tuition assistance available from the financial aid center. Benedictine University has a proven record of academic excellence and continues this by developing programs for the needs of all their students. By designing an adult learning curriculum they are able to accommodate the unique scheduling requirements of adults with time restrictions due to personal or professional obligations. No longer does completing a bachelor’s degree have to be a daunting task. Using the flexibility the adult learning program affords, you can get a solid education without sacrificing existing responsibilities.

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White Sail Level I – Section 1 covers safety with a look at lifejackets, actions to be followed immediately after a capsize and how to right a capsized boat. And the required items for a sailboat less than 5.5 meters long as outlined in the current Boating Safety Guide. Section 2 is Seamanship, Candidates must be able to tie 4 knots within a certain time and describe their uses. And describe four ways to identify from what direction the wind is blowing. Section three deals with preparation to sail including coiling a line correctly, making a line fast to a cleat and getting in and out of a boat safely at a dock or mooring. Section 4 looks at rigging, attaching sails, rigging sheets and halyards, fitting sail battens and the rudder and tiller, adjusting the centerboard and hoisting sails. Section 5 covers boat handling, firstly identifying the direction of the wind then while underway to keeping the sail just on the point of luffing while on a reach, keeping a boat going in a straight line on a reach for at least two minutes and righting a capsized boat and clearing it of water. The final section deals with securing and derigging, securing by the bow only, by the bow and stern and at a single mooring, in each case using the appropriate size line and knot, and leaving an appropriate length of line. Derigging the boat by lowering and removing the sails, removing and stowing the rudder and tiller, and properly securing the boom and centerboard. Folding and bagging a loose sail. And finally securing all gear in the boat upon completion of sailing. On the completion of White Sail I, the sailor will be able to perform the afore mentioned tasks in wind speeds of 4-9 knots where applicable.

White Sail Level II – Commences with a section on terminology, identifying the various parts of a sailboat pointing out and describing the functions various items in a sailboat, defining certain terms and describe the different points of sail. The second section covers seamanship, candidates must me able to tie a rolling hitch and sheetbend each within 10 seconds and describe two uses of each of these knots. And describe the wave conditions resulting from various speeds of wind. The next section is boat handling, candidates will act as both helmsman and crew while getting underway from, and returning to, a dock, mooring or beach. Act as helmsman and crew, using the proper commands and responses, while beating, reaching, running, tacking, gybing, bearing away and heading up. As a helmsman, stop a boat at a predetermined point by luffing up and as both skipper and crew, right a capsized boat. On the completion of White Sail II, the sailor will be able to perform the aforementioned mentioned tasks in wind speeds of 4-9 knots.

White Sail Level III – A section on safety launches this section with a look at hypothermia and it’s causes, three ways to minimize the dangers and rules on how to treat a mild case of hypothermia after the victim is out of the water. Identification and the meaning of the colours and shapes in the lateral buoyage system. Listing local geographic and navigational hazards and describe the actions required to minimize their effects. Listing three sources of local weather information together with localized weather hazards, how they can be identified, the normal warning signs and the actions to be taken to reduce their effects. Section 2 covers further terminology, various items in a sailboat, the different parts of a sail and the distinguishing features different types of sailboats. Seamanship is section 3 with a look at how to sail away from and back to a beach with an on-shore wind, a dock for various wind directions and a mooring. Section 4 is on the rules of the road for prevention of collision at sea and considers the case of stand on and give way vessels in different situations and looks at some common sense actions you should take when sailing in the vicinity of commercial shipping. There is a look at racing with the sound signals and flags used to start a race and the rules in use while the race is underway. Section 5 is boat handling, students will act as both skipper and crew while sailing a boat away from and back to a dock for various wind directions, away from and back to a mooring and on a windward/leeward course. They will demonstrate how different body crew positions affect the trim and performance of a sailboat and indicate the best positions for three given points of sail. They will get a boat out of irons by backing the jib and main using proper rudder adjustments. Paddle a sailboat a distance of 30 meters (100 feet) without the use of a rudder in a reasonably straight line. They will demonstrate the following towing procedures, proper means to receive, secure and cast off a towline, the correct towing points on a sailboat, the proper securing inboard of a towline to a boat astern and the correct boat trim, steering procedures and crew alertness while on and releasing from the tow. They will demonstrate the actions to be taken if a person falls overboard, with the boat under sail form the time the person falls overboard without warning until the person is rescued. They will helm the boat by the lee for 90 meters without gybing and finally right a capsized boat. On completion of White Sail Level III the beginner will be able to sail confidently and competently in wind speeds of 4-9 knots and perform the aforementioned skills proficiently.

Bronze Sail Level IV – The first section deals with safety and the factors in your local area such as currents, tides and weather which should be considered before going sailing. The three types of flotation commonly found in dinghies and the factors which affect the self-rescuing capabilities of a dinghy And finally a look at chart of unfamiliar waters and identification of hazards and means of recognizing them. Seamanship is the next section and students will demonstrate their ability to whip the end of a line with a plain whipping of appropriate length, make a back splice and an eye splice and heave a 10 metre line to land across a 1 metre diameter target at least 7 metres away, in three tries out of four. The next section is further nautical terminology. Following that is some sailing theory including leeway and its importance on different points of sail. The centre of lateral resistance (CLR) and centre of effort (CE) affect lee and weather helm in theory and practice, weight distribution and centreboard adjustments affect on the CLR, the boat’s underwater shape affects its helm, sail trim, mast rake and position affect the CE and helm, draft (fullness in a sail) is and how it affects the power and the pointing ability of a sail, the use and position of telltales on shrouds and ticklers on a sail. The next section considers sail shape and how the main sail is affected by halyard tension, mainsheet tension, cunningham tension, traveller position, outhaul tension, mast bend, boom vang tension and mast rake. And how the shape of the jib sails affected by halyard tension, sheet tension and fairlead position. The use of outhaul, cunningham, mainsheet, and traveller, while sailing on a beat, a reach, and a run under the following conditions. On the water students will be asked to skipper and crew the boat on various points of sail and tacking and gybing. Carry out a self-rescue after capsizing in a dinghy and carry on sailing with a minimum time delay. Carry out the following tasks without a rudder, sail a course upwind toward a predetermined destination, make at least one controlled tack and settle down to a course to the predetermined destination, bear away or tack and return to the starting position. With sails backed, sail the boat astern to a predetermined destination 90 metres downwind. On completion of this level IV the candidate will be able to understand and apply the basic principles of sail trim and boat tuning for optimal performance in wind speeds of 9-14 knots.

Silver Sail VI is an introduction to racing. Commencing with some sailing theory it looks at how the slot effects the drive of the mainsail under different points of sail, and how the size of the slot should be varied with the wind strength to give maximum drive, how to identify backwinding, and how to adjust the sails to remove or minimize its effect, how the driving forces acting on the sail can be divided into side and forward components, and how these vary for beating, reaching and running and how the resisting forces acting on a boat’s daggerboard/centreboard and rudder act in relation to the sail forces when beating, reaching and running. The apparent wind changes when gusts hit the sails and when waves slow or accelerate a boat and how to steer and trim sails to react to changes in apparent wind and how to correct the effects of the forces which cause a boat to heel. Section 2 looks at the rules of racing as laid down by the CYA and ISAF. Section 3 considers racing signals and courses including the purpose of the Race Committee, the Notice of Race, the Sailing Instructions and the Protest Committee. Section 4 looks at tactics. On the water students will demonstrate as both skipper and crew while beating, reaching, running, roll tacking, roll gybing, bearing away and heading up. Identify signals displayed and sounded by the race committee boat. Demonstrate the ability to be within one boat length or 5 seconds of a starting line at the starting signal in a race situation. Restart, after having been recalled for premature starting, as quickly as possible. Defend a position from another boat while on a beat – by luffing and backwinding a boat attempting to pass until the mast abeam position has been attained and on a reach or run – by avoiding blanketing, by luffing or by assuming starboard tack. Demonstrate how to blanket and backwind a competitor to your advantage while on the same tack on the windward leg of a race course. And finally compile a racing record and log in a dinghy class showing you have completed a minimum of 15 scheduled races, 10 as a skipper in a class consisting of a minimum of five sailboats. On completion of this section the candidate will be able to compete in a race with a sound understanding of the racing rules and perform the afore mentioned tasks in wind strengths of up to 18 knots.

Gold Sail Level VII completes the learn to sail programme and starts with boat tuning for speed and the adjustments that can be made to the mast, sails and rigging. How to control the spinnaker and pole in all wind conditions, on a reach and run. Boat trim and helming techniques which promote maximum efficiency of the rudder and centreboard in singlehanded or doublehanded dinghies. Section 2 covers the rules and candidates will have a thorough knowledge of the racing rules as a competitor, race committee member or protest committee member, The candidate must take charge of a race committee boat and run a club regatta or series of races using all necessary rules and race procedures. Section 3 looks at the preparation for a regatta. Candidates will ensure a wood or fibreglass dinghy is safe, leak proof and strong by testing for and repairing leaks, examining and replacing fittings and rigging, properly covering and storing boat during summer and winter, properly securing boat and equipment for trailer and/or car top transportation. They will ensure the dinghy hull and centreboard rudder are smooth, fair and light by using, fibreglass, epoxy, gelcoat, and other fairing materials, wet sanding or dry sanding and cleaning solvents. The students will maintain a written season plan that includes, a personal racing logbook, performance objectives, regatta schedule and goals, a physical training program, an on-water training program, sport nutrition and mental training, transportation and program administration They will be able to describe the influence on racing strategy of the fleet size, the starting procedures and timing, the course length and location, the finish line placement and time limits, the compass bearing to the windward mark and current/tide. Section 4 covers an assessment of the race course and includes registration and check in procedures, special protest requirements and starting procedures, current, tide and the weather. The next sections considers tactics that apply to starting, mark rounding, upwind, reaching, running and finishing. On the water candidates will demonstrate as skipper a roll tack and gybe, while helming take advantage of appropriate techniques in flat or choppy water, use body weight to maintain proper boat trim and assist steering and adjust equipment and sails. As crew, assist skipper with above tasks and supply compass readings to determine wind shifts and locate marks together with information for tactical decisions. As skipper and crew, prepare and fly spinnaker on a close, beam, broad reach, a run and by-the-lee, apply appropriate tactics on the water in large fleet or small fleet with strong current or tide either with or against the wind, in shifty oscillating winds, persistent shifts, increasing or decreasing winds, either leading or trailing in a race. Candidates must prepare a seasonal plan for competition indicating personal performance objectives, regatta schedule, physical training, on the water training, transportation and administration, nutrition, and mental training. They must have a race record which includes 5 regattas with 2 being outside their local area. On completion of this course a candidate will be able to race a dinghy with moderately good boat speed and control. The candidate will have a well-rounded knowledge of sail theory, racing rules and tactics.

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There are hundreds of career avenues for nurses, but here are five career paths that show an especially high social need and can offer nurses both financial and career satisfaction.

When you work as a home health care nurse in private homes, you prepare meals, offer basic bedside care, and emotional comfort. You track vital signs such as blood pressure, respiration, and pulse. You can help family members learn basic nursing tasks.

The average income for a home health nurse is about $35,000 for this nursing position. To work as as a home health care nurse, you need to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). You can attend a community college or vocational schools for about a year. The need for geriatric care is projected to drive up the demand for LPNs and should offer you good job prospects.

Staff nurses work in all the places you normally think of when you think of nurses like hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. As a staff nurse, you generally work alongside physicians in all specializations. You record medical conditions, treat patient symptoms, perform tests and analyze their results. You also administer treatments and medications. The median salary for a hospital staff nurse is about $53,500 per year.

To open the door to a staff nursing career, you need a registered nurse (RN) certification. To get there you need to earn bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) , an associates’ degree in nursing (ADN), or graduate from a certificate programs. With a more advance degree, you have more job options and you are more likely to get a job at a higher caliber facility.

Much has changed since 1902 when school nursing began in the United States. A school nurses’ duties have greatly expanded since then. Today’s school nurse provides health assessment, intervention, and follow-up with students. You ensure the health and safety of the schools staff and students by helping to maintain the school’s compliance with health care policies. School nurses can also refer students for more medical help when hearing, vision, and other issues become inhibitors to successful learning.

Generally, you should already be a Registered Nurse (RN), and ideally, you should also hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Furthering a career in this field, a master’s degree in nursing or a MBA in health care will provide you career mobility and offers of policy-level positions. Many school nurses hold not only a Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification, but an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification.

Help solve crimes by becoming a forensic nurse. If you hold your your RN certification you can begin a career in forensic nursing.. Forensic nurses assist in criminal investigations of accidental death, sexual assault, homicide, and other criminal cases. Then, forensic nurses testify about their findings in court. When specializing in this field, you will spend the least amount of your time in patient contact.

You must hold a current RN certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Further course work or a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice will offer you an added edge for forensic nurse job openings. Specialized forensic nursing certifications are available online.

If you have an interest in law and if you are a registered nurse you can enter the lucrative field of legal nurse consulting A legal nurse consultant acts as a health care liaison with attorneys, physicians, and other clients. Legal nurse consultants are needed in law firms, government offices, hospital risk management departments, and other health care or legal-related business.

Probably the quickest path into this profession is to earn a legal nurse consulting certificate. Otherwise an RN certification, or ideally a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and a solid educational background in the legal system is necessary to become a legal nurse consultant. Earning a criminal justice degree combined with a degree in nursing will open the doors to employment in the nurse consulting field. If you haven’t already gotten a bachelor’s in nursing, there are accelerated RN-to-BSN program.

The rapid growth in the health care system is opening up many new nursing professions and opportunities. The educational system is adapting by creating courses and degrees to meet the challenges. To help meet the social needs and take part new and advanced career opportunities, continuing your education is a necessity.

There are many avenues from accelerated programs, to online degrees, to vocational schools to help you meet your career goals.

These five nursing career paths are just a few of the hundreds of new nursing specialties that you can explore. With a solid nursing education, you can help meet the social need for more nurses while enjoying great career prospects for a long time to come.

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What is an MBA?

A Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) is essentially a specialization and much deeper course of learning than what you covered at your undergraduate school. It is centered around the sharing of strategy, very fine technical details, and networking with your fellow graduate students. It can be of general nature, or focus narrowly on one discipline of business: Forensic Accounting, Interactive Marketing, or Quantitative Analysis, to name a few. The length of the program depends entirely on what you intend to be studying, and you can complete an MBA as quickly as one year (full-time), or up to three years (part-time) both on-campus and online.

How will an MBA help me?

In a nutshell, an MBA is your way of saying, “I’m an expert in [your field here].” You have taken the enormous amount of time, resources, and (mental) sweat to earn two or more degrees; basically, you have proven your dedication. A current or prospective employer regards an MBA as a badge of tenacity; you invested several years for this knowledge and it makes you that much more of an asset to their business.

An MBA can be your ticket to an accelerated career. There are a lot of jobs out in the market that list an advanced degree as a prerequisite. Earning an MBA can give you the extra edge you need to qualify for that dream job and catapult you to new levels of higher pay grades, authority, and respect.

In addition, the path to earning an MBA can be just as rewarding as the degree itself. When you take Masters-level classes, you are placing yourself in a room with other very intelligent people; people with interesting and unique perspectives you may not have seen or thought of before. Graduate degrees are a much bigger time and financial investment, so there tend to be fewer social loafers than you probably had to deal with during your undergraduate education (though inevitably there will ALWAYS be a few.)

Another important benefit of an MBA is networking. If networking was not stressed in your undergraduate education, then you are hearing it now and need to memorize and believe in this sentence, “Networking is the most important part of business.” When I say networking, I don’t mean online social networks or information technology — I’m talking about face-to-face, interpersonal relationships. Your personal network is the most valuable thing you can ever build for yourself. You would not believe how many jobs, business opportunities, romantic introductions, and so many other wonderful things are passed between connected people all the time. So, why is an MBA so great for networking? You are surrounded by competent businesspeople who all share a common denominator with you: the desire to learn and get ahead. Make some friends, trade some business cards… you never know who you will meet that will hold the connection to your dream job or be your future business partner.

When should I return to school for my MBA?

The catch with a Masters degree in any business field is that full-time experience is a vital prerequisite to ensure that your application is as robust and compelling as possible. The most important reason for this is the fact that many schools won’t even consider you for a graduate program without relevant job experience. They want a candidate who has spent time in the “real world” and can bring something to the program, not just take away knowledge and skills from it.

The trend lately has been to do your MBA degree straight out of undergrad. As a recent graduate, I have seen first hand how tough the market is and actually advise strongly against this. Weird as it may sound, it may actually hurt you when you finish the advanced degree. Without business experience “under your belt,” a potential employer will look at your resume and give you less credit than they would to someone that had a wealth of experience, but no advanced degree. If you are currently working at a company and decide to do a part-time MBA, it can serve as an excellent career accelerator and potentially net you a raise or promotion when an opportunity becomes available. It is all a matter of balancing experience and knowledge.

Where should I go for my MBA?

To put it bluntly, if you can afford a nationally recognized school, find your specialization, and get accepted… go for the gold! An MBA does several things for you: it opens doors to promotions, higher paying jobs, bestows a measure of respect, and broadens and deepens your scope of knowledge in your chosen field. Therefore, go to wherever you think you will get the best possible experience, connections, and value for your hard earned dollars.

Online schools can be an excellent choice for many prospective students as well, due to their flexible nature. If you are working during the day, an online MBA can be the answer to your dilemma of when you will have time to take classes. In addition, the hybrid classroom* concept has been taking off lately, which can be an excellent learning method if you are skeptical of taking a class entirely online. There are a variety of resources on the web for comparing online degrees and searching for schools; one popular site is Edvisors.com, it has received a lot of traffic and praise for its large database of colleges and degree programs. In addition, GraduateCenter.com has a wealth of information about the entire process of getting into grad school, as well as funding resources, and other useful services.

*A hybrid classroom or course means that it is partially online, and partially a physical class at a school. An example of this would be a class that meets one or two times per week online, and once per week in a classroom for a lecture, lab, or for in-person Q&A sessions with the professor.

How will I pay for an MBA?

Scholarships are a great supplement to your funds for education if you qualify for one. They essentially are free money for use toward your school bills. There are lots of different types of scholarships that a student can earn, and many require an essay or some sort of written application to be considered. StudentScholarshipSearch.com and ScholarshipPoints.com are two great free online resources for finding and earning scholarships. ScholarshipPoints is pretty unique in that you earn and accumulate scholarship points through different online activities (reading blogs, taking surveys, etc.) and can redeem them for entries into a variety of monthly scholarship drawings. As an example, ScholarshipPoints runs a $10,000 quarterly and $1,000 monthly scholarship that are open to any user enrolled in school.

Many people think that the government only gives money to undergraduate students. There are just as many loan options and scholarships for graduate students as there are for undergraduates. If you need to take out a loan, go federal before you go private. Just like you did for your undergrad school, you need to file a FAFSA. For every federal loan, (Stafford, Parent PLUS, and Perkins) there is a graduate version for applicants with demonstrated financial need. Even if you do not qualify for the need-based loans, you will still be offered an unsubsidized Stafford loan that has lower fixed interest (6.8%) than you would be paying on a private student loan. However, in order to qualify for federal aid, your school needs to be enrolled in either the FFEL or Direct Loan program — contact your school’s financial aid department for details.

A private student loan is also an excellent tool for helping to finance your advanced degree. They close the gap between what is awarded to you in federal aid and your total cost of attendance. Although they cost more in interest than federal loans, they are more flexible and can be used for essentially any school-related expense — be it rent for your apartment, paying for tuition, buying books, or any of the other unexpected costs that spring up while you are in school. Gradloans.com is a website that has information on both the federal and private student loan offerings to make finding and choosing funding options a little bit easier.

**

In the long run, earning an MBA will advance your career and help you in your quest for better, more desirable jobs. It can open doors that were previously closed to you, and highlight your success in both academics and business. An MBA signifies that you are educated and have the skill set to excel in your chosen field. Along with the drive to succeed, some street smarts, and a professional demeanor, your MBA can be the yellow brick road to your Emerald City.

1 Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, 2000

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• Reducing your Carbon Footprint (4)

Eco-driver Training provides specific on-road driver tuition to drivers improve
fuel efficiency and so reduce their carbon emissions. Using techniques that are
endorsed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) you could make fuel savings of
between 10 and 15% if these driving techniques are adopted.
Eco-driver Training is usually carried out in conjunction with our Practical Driver
Assessment programme, but training can be provided in isolation if required.

The Benefits of Eco-driver Training

This training can benefit both your company and drivers by:

• Helping you meet your ‘duty of care’ obligations
By assessing the driving standards of your drivers and so gauging the risk to your business

• Reduce your fuel costs
Through a series of improved driving techniques

• Reduce accident rates and vehicle repairs
Safer driving techniques are explained

• Reduce fleet operating costs
More efficient driving reduces wear and tear on vehicles so lowersmaintenance costs

• Identify drivers who need additional driver training
and then work out individual driver development plans

For further information please contact your Account Manager

Ten tips for safer, greener, stress-free driving

1. Check your revs
Change up between 2000 – 2500 rpm.

2. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly
Avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel, tyre wear
and reduces accident rates.

3. Use air conditioning sparingly
It significantly increases fuel consumption.

4. Drive away immediately when starting from cold
Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.

5. Remove roof rack when not in use
They increase drag significantly.

6. Avoid short journeys
A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can
take five miles to become effective.

7. Stick to speed limits and make your fuel go further
Driving at 85 mph rather than 70 mph uses 25% more fuel.

8. Plan your journeys
To avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.

9. Check your tyre pressure regularly
Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by
up to 3%.

10. If you’re stuck in a jam, switch off
Cutting the engine will save fuel and stop emissions.

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By Bryan Daly

This special report will provide you with 101 ways to save money on everyday items.

Shopping

#1 Shop One Per Week – It is a known fact that grocery stores are set up specifically to entice you into spending more than you intended. Impulse purchases can increase your grocery bill by as much as 35%. Avoid this by shopping only once per week and slash an average $143 off of your food bill.

#2 Shop Online – Better yet, avoid the store all together by purchasing household necessities over the internet. Because of the reduced overhead costs, online retailers are generally able to offer the same products found in a brick and mortar store for considerably less. Add to the fact that you can often eliminate sales taxes and find free shipping deals, you can kiss high shopping bills goodbye. Get free shipping and coupons from http://www.freeshipping.org.

#3 Bottle Water At Home – Americans are obsessed with water, spending over $X billion dollars a year on bottled water. Save $42 or more per month by investing in a water filtering system and bottling your own water at home. Not only will you keep more of the money you earn but you’ll be doing the environment a favor by cutting down the amount of bottles that find their way into landfills.

#4 Buy In Season Produce – We all know that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables everyday is good for you. But buying produce that is out of season is bad for your wallet. You’ll save between 20-50% simply by going with the flow of nature and eating what’s in season. Visit http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/ to find a list of in season fruits and veggies.

#5 Buy Organic Selectively – While healthier for you than conventional fruits and veggies, organic produce can cost up to $2.00 more than those that come from farms which use conventional farming methods to grow crops. Cut down on the amount of pesticides you ingest while keeping a healthy budget by going to http://www.foodnews.org and learning which produce contains the most pesticides and which ones don’t and shopping accordingly.

#6 Buy Private Label – The private label products of most stores are just as good as, or better than, the brand name versions of the same products. You can save an estimated $15 or more by switching to store brand canned produce, batteries, pain relievers, and basic beauty items such as nail polish remover.

#7 Look for Deals Online – In addition to using paper coupons, go virtual and look for coupons, rebates and deals online. Sites like, CouponMom.com and FreeShipping.org are great places to go to find coupons, free shipping offers and even earn a few dollars.

#8 Get a Virtual Shopping Assistant – If you love to shop but don’t have the time or inclination to scour the internet or offline sale papers for good deals, sign up to ShopItToMe.com. This site lets you sign up to be notified whenever your favorite designers go on sale at popular retailers such as Nordstrom.

#9 Use Loyalty and Reward Points – Take advantage of loyalty and points reward programs. These programs let you accrue points that you can use to purchase travel or merchandise. Most programs also send coupons and notices of special deals for members.

#10 Shop Second Hand – Buying gently used merchandise from second hand boutique stores can net you some brand name goodies at 50-75% off the normal retail price. Going this avenue is great for DIYers with the time and know-how to make an old side table hot again.

#11 Shop With Eyes Only – While it is better to avoid temptation in the first place, if you go to the mall or retail store avoid handling merchandise you have no intention of buying. According to two marketing professors, professors Joann Peck (University of Wisconsin– Madison) and Suzanne Shu (UCLA) touching products increases our sense of ownership of them, making it more difficult to leave it in the store.

#12 Inconvenience Yourself – You are far more likely to overspend if it is easy for you to shop. If you only need a few items, use a hand basket rather than a cart. Only need one or two things, ditch the basket altogether.

Work

#13 Pack a Lunch – The average cost of a fast food meal is $6.00. Not only does eating at burger and taco chains increase your waist size but they can drain your wallet. When cooking dinner make extra and then take the leftovers to work with you for lunch.

#14 Transportation Reimbursement – Ask your company about a transportation program that lets you put pretax money into a prepaid account for transportation costs such as parking fees and mass transit fees. You can set aside up to $230 per month which will net you a savings of about $80 per month.

#15 Carpool – Not only is carpooling a great way to catch up on office gossip, you can reduce your commute costs dramatically by sharing a ride with an office buddy. Simply ask around the office for people who live close to you who may be interested or visit Erideshare.com for help finding fellow commuters in your area.

#16 Ride a Bike – Cycling to work is not only a money saving alternative to driving, it is also greener and a great way to get your daily dose of exercise. Purchasing a good quality bike at around $500 and riding to work on the days when the weather is nice will net you up to $250 in savings per month.

#17 Start Your Own Home Based Business –   Starting a home business is great for both the spirit and the wallet. Since you’ll be working from home, all the money that you have spent on gas, clothing and restaurants will go back into your bank account. It is important, though, to start the right kind of business. see also tax benefits- this site at

Vehicle

#18 Downshift – Do you really need multiple cars? Even though owning two cars may be very convenient, you are paying twice the cost of fuel, insurance and maintenance than a household with only one car. Get a cash boost by selling it. If you can live without a second car, downgrade to a more economical option such as an Escort or Camry.

#19 Drive the Speed Limit – Speed demons pay more in fuel costs. The faster you drive the less miles per gallon you’ll be able to squeeze out of your gas tank. Going the speed limit can save you up to 23% a month.

#20 Maintain Your Tires – Keeping your tires properly inflated reduces drag and improves gas mileage. Check your tires weekly with a pressure gauge to make sure they stay at the manufacturers recommended tire pressure to get a 3% boost in your mileage.

#21 Get the Junk Out of the Trunk – Driving around a hundred pounds of unnecessary items in the trunk of your car can reduce your mileage by as much as 2%. Dump the extra load to increase fuel efficiency.

#22 Be a Safe Driver – Aggressive driving is not only illegal in most states but can cost you big time. Constant accelerating and decelerating wreaks havoc on your gas mileage. In addition to that, aggressive drivers are involved in more accidents which results in higher insurance premiums. Give your wallet a break and drive safe.

Family

#23 Share a Babysitter – Make going out on the town a little less expensive by sharing a babysitter with friends. Since there will be more kids you can pay the sitter a higher rate but one that is less than what you would have paid separately. For example, $20 per hour combined vs. $15 per hour separately.

#24 Swap Babysitting Duties – Better yet, skip the sitter and swap babysitting duties with other couples who have children. The kids will have more fun playing with their friends and you’ll have more money to spend for your night out.

#25 Swap Pet Sitting Duties – Along the same vein, instead of taking Fido to a kennel when you go out of town leave him with a fellow pet owner in exchange for the return of the same favor. Your pet will have a more comfortable place to stay and you’ll have enough money to bring him back a souvenir from your trip.

#26 Make Your Children Less Taxing – There are several tax breaks you may be eligible for as a parent. For example, the Child Tax Credit gives you an additional $1000 per child under seventeen in tax credits. A qualified accountant can help ensure you take advantage of all deductions you qualify for.

#27 Take Advantage of Flex Spending – Even though 85% of employers offer Flex Spending accounts, only 6% of eligible workers take advantage of the program. That’s leaving money on the table. A Flex Spending account allows you to put pretax dollars in an account that can be used to pay for child care costs (up to $5000) including day camps and health care costs ($3000-$5000 depending on the employer.

#28 Just Say No – It is estimated that over a five year period of time, parents will provide around $59,000 in financial assistance to adult children. Make children pay their own way by reducing or eliminating the money you give.

College

#29 Circumvent the College Bookstore – Retailers, such as Barnes & Noble, are getting in on the college books market and you can often find the same books for less. Additionally, students can save themselves the headache of trying to sell their textbooks at the end of the semester by renting them from Chegg.com or CampusBookRentals.com.

#30 Get a Realistic Meal Plan – Chances are pretty slim that your child will actually use the full meal plan. Really, who eats cafeteria food on a Friday night? Instead of forking over a fortune for a full meal plan downgrade to a 7 or 14 meal plan. Your student will still have access to food more nutritious than candy and diet soda and you’ll save a few dollars.

#31 Take Advantage of Student Discounts – Students are eligible for all sorts of discounts especially on travel. Invest in a Student Advantage card that will net them 10-15% discounts off air, train and bus fair. The card will pay for itself on the first trip.

#32 Deduct Medical Expense – You may be able to deduct medical expenses for spouses and dependants if they exceed 7.5% o f your gross income. This includes tuition and related expenses for special schools the student may need to attend for developmental or learning disorders. A qualified tax consultant can give you more information about the code.

Personal Services

#33 Repair Instead of Replace – Stretch out your shoe dollars by taking worn out kicks to a shoe repair shop.  Replacing worn out soles and repairing the tips on heels is a lot cheaper than doling out hundreds of dollars on a brand new pair of shoes.

#34 Hand Wash – Most clothes that say dry clean only can be washed in the machine or hand washed. Cut the dry cleaning budget by hand washing silks and sweaters in cold water. Linens can be put in the machine. However, bold colors such as red and navy should still be sent to the cleaners.

#35 Stretch It Out – Make hair color last by using a touch up kit to color roots. You can add two weeks to the life to your dye job.

#36 Go to a Beauty School – For basic services, such as a manicure or basic cut, ditch the expensive salon and go to a beauty school. You’ll receive a deep discount off beauty services in exchange for letting students sharpen their skills. Don’t worry, students are monitored by experienced staff who make sure they do the job right.

#37 Take Pets to Grooming Schools – Likewise, pet grooming can also be relegated to a grooming school rather than going to an expensive pet parlor. Pets will receive the same four paw treatment for less.

#38 Work Out Cheaper – Exchange your expensive gym membership for one at the YMCA. You’ll get the same workout at up to half the cost. If you are particularly self motivated, search online for free workout routines you can do in your home.

#39 Switch Pharmacies – Save money on your medication by switching to lower priced generics at pharmacies such as Walmart or Target.

#40 Go Mail Order – If you need the brand name medication, then check out your medical plan’s mail order service. You can often get the same medication for less purchasing it through the mail rather than going into a pharmacy.

#41 Plug Money Leaks – Pay attention to where your money goes by logging all purchases for one to two months. You may be surprised to find you are leaking cash like a sieve by spending it on unnecessary items or things you can get for much less if you switch to the home version. For example, ditch the $5 lattes at your local coffee bistro by purchasing an espresso machine and making your own at home.

#42 Get Waived – You can save $40 or more simply by asking the cell phone company to waive the activation fee if you are a new customer. If they decline, let them know that the activation fee is the deal breaker and threaten to walk away. Nine times out of ten, the cell phone company will waive the fee to keep you.

#43 Unlimited Talk for Teens – To keep up with their busy social lives teens spend, pretty much, all of their time talking and texting on cell phones. Invest in an unlimited calling and text plan to avoid potentially outrageous cell phone bills.

#44 Combine Plans – If you are paying for a cell phone for an elderly parent, instead of purchasing a separate service, simply add them to your existing family plan. Most providers only charge $10 per month for additional lines vs. $30 per month for a basic cell phone package.

#45 Drop the Landline – With cell phones, wireless and cable internet available, there is no particular reason to have a landline telephone anymore. Even major cities have begun reducing the number of landline pay phones in their towns. Maybe you should consider cutting the line too.

Household

#46 Wash in Cold, Air Dry – 90% of the energy washing machines use goes towards heating up the water for use in the warm and hot settings. Severely reduce this energy drain by washing clothes in cold water. Forgo the dryer and hang clothes out to dry.

#47 Install Solar Panels – Energy from the sun is free and abundant. Installing a twenty panel solar energy system produces enough power to service up to 30% of the energy needs of an average sized home. With the tax rebates offered by the government until 2016, now is the perfect time to go green.

#48 Install Solar Water Heater – If your water heater is due for a replacement, then consider installing a solar powered water heater. A 56 square foot system will save up to $230 per year in energy costs. In addition to saving you money, installing solar products on your home increases its value in today’s environmentally conscious market.

#49 Insulate Walls and Crawlspaces – It is estimated that a 1/3 of a home’s energy is wasted because of a poorly insulated home. If your house is not already designated as energy efficient, then you can benefit from having the walls and crawlspaces insulated. You’ll lower your energy bills and household noise will be reduced as well.

#50 Install a Power Saver – Conserve energy for use when it is needed most by installing a power saver that turns the heat off at night when everyone is asleep. You can set it to start warming up the home 30 minutes to an hour before it’s time to get up for the day.

#51 Get an Energy Audit – Download the checklist from EnergyStar.gov and check for energy leaks in the home. Or if your power company offers an audit service have them come out and tell you what you can do to make your home more energy efficient.

#52 Layer Up – If you are chilly, instead of turning up the thermostat, put on a sweater. You’ll save 1% on your heating bill for each degree you lower the temperature.

#53 Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs – Although compact fluorescent bulbs cost more initially, in the long run they are the cheaper choice. They use 75% less energy than regular bulbs and last 10 times longer.

#54 Buy Out of Season – Buy large ticket appliances out of season. For example, you can up to 40% on the cost of a new air conditioner if you purchase one in the dead of winter rather than the middle of summer.

#55 Get Inked – Printer ink is ridiculously expensive. Cut your costs by getting cartridges refilled rather than buying new. If you can’t find anyone in your area, check online for mail order companies that perform this service.

#56 Cut Out the Lawn – Downgrade your full service lawn care and pick the extra work. For example, have your landscaper take care of the lawn while you take on the responsibility of edging and trimming the bushes. Better yet, do away with this luxury altogether and become your own landscaper.

#57 Refinance – Although the housing bust was tragic, there is one positive thing to come out of the whole mess. Interest rates are at an all time low. If your interest rate is at least 1% or more above the current rate consider refinancing. On a $300,000 home, you could lower your monthly mortgage payments by $250.

#58 Make a Smart Move – If your nest is empty or you otherwise don’t need as much room as you used to, consider moving to a smaller home. You’ll save on the rent and energy costs tend to be lower on smaller homes.

#59 Do It Yourself – Many household repairs can be done by anyone with enough time and patience. The internet is a wonderful resource for learning how to minor repairs like caulking a tub or fixing a leaky faucet.

#60 Rent Tools – While it is nice to have an assortment of tools on hand whenever you need them, it really is a waste of money to purchase specialty tools you’ll only use maybe once every few years. Save money by renting tools from places like the Home Depot.

#61 Borrow Tools – Better yet, there are places where you can borrow tools for free. No, not your neighbor’s garage. Tool lending libraries are available in most major cities. Search Wikipedia for “tool lending library” to get a complete list of cities that offer this service.

Entertainment

#62 Get the Promo – Look into the promotions your cable company is offering new customers. If it is a better deal than what you are currently getting, ask the cable company to switch you. If they decline, threatening to move to a competitor will usually have them seeing things your way.

#63 Cut the Cord – Better yet, cut the cable if you don’t watch enough television. Instead, go online to places like Hulu and watch your favorite shows.

#64 Rent Cheaper – Movie lovers should sign up to a service like Netflix who will send you movies through the mail or download them directly from the website. The service is much cheaper than going to a rental store and you won’t have to worry about late fees. Another option is to rent from Redbox which provides the latest releases at about $1.00 per day.

#65 Afternoon Special – For movies that are still showing in theaters, go to a matinee rather than an evening show. You’ll save money and since there will be less people, you’ll be able to enjoy the show in peace and quiet.

#66 Do Lunch – Exchange your dinner reservations for lunch. The same tasty food will be served but at lunchtime prices which can be 20% less than dinnertime dollars.

#67 Have a Light Dinner – Ignore the dinner menu and order entrees or from the bar menu. Some of the food found on that side of the menu are enough to fill you up.

#68 Treat Yourself – Have a relaxing dinner at home then have only dessert at the restaurant.

#69 Get the Entertainment Book – The Entertainment book is a publication that includes coupons as well as a card that gets you deep discounts at restaurant and hotels. The cost of the book is around $35 but pays for itself within a few uses.

Financial Services

#70 Banking Alerts – Overdraft charges are at an all time which the average fee coming in at a whopping $35 per transaction. Set up alerts to your phone or email accounts that will let you know how much you have in your account and when bills are due to be paid.

#71 Avoid ATM fees – It seems insane but you can pay up to $2.50 per transaction for accessing your money from a non-proprietary ATM. Avoid the fee by only using your bank’s ATMs or opening an account with an online bank who will refund those fees to you.

#72 Free Checking – In this era of free checking, there is no good reason to continue using an account that charges you every month to hold onto your money. Switch to a no-fee, or free, checking account and save $120 or more every year.

#73 Open an Account – On average, check cashing places siphon 3-4% of your check every time you use the service. Avoid these fees by opening and using a free checking or savings account.

#74 Check Cashing – If for some reason you are not able to open a bank account, cash checks at places like Walmart which only charge a basic fee of $3.00 per check cashed.

#75 Prepaid Debit Card – Another good option for those without bank accounts is to use a prepaid credit card. Most cards allow direct deposit and will waive the monthly fee if you deposit a minimum amount into the account every month.

#76 Negotiate Credit Card Rates – Banks are raising interest rates in an effort to recapture some of the money they lost in the housing crisis. If you have good credit and have been a good customer, then call the credit card company and renegotiate your rates. If they won’t budge, threaten to move to another company. If they still won’t cave then transfer your balance to a credit card company that offers a better rate.

#77 Get Cash Back – A better deal is to switch to a card that gives cash back on purchases. Both Amex and Discover have cards that pay you for using them. It’s like getting an extra percentage off purchases.

#78 Pay Off Debt – A better plan is to pay off credit card debt all together. You’ll save thousands of dollars in interest rates and will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being debt free.

#79 Pay Cash – You are far more likely to spend money if you use your debit card. Cut down the temptation by paying only in cash. You’ll actually feel the pain of parting ways with your money which will force you to think about whether or not you really need what you are buying.

Leisure and Travel

#80 Negotiate Your Rates – Use Priceline.com to negotiate lower prices on hotel rooms, flights and auto rentals. This is a great way to cut your travel costs especially if you are flexible in your travels dates. Visit BidOnTravel.com for great tips on successfully getting the price you want.

#81 Travel Off Peak – The majority of vacation destinations have peak tourism times, usually during the summer for amusement parks and the winter for tropical destinations. Traveling during the off peak season can provide significant discounts.

#82 Avoid Tourist Traps – Instead of going to a popular tourist destination, go someplace unique and less well known. You’ll still have a fun one of a kind vacation but will pay less for it.

#83 Timeshare – Ask around your social network for anyone who owns timeshare that they may not be using. Rather than let it go to waste, many people will rent it to you for cheap or let you stay for free.

#84 Free Food – Stay at hotel that offers free breakfast. You’ll $20-$30 (for a family of 4) per day just eating at the hotel rather than going to a restaurant.

#85 Make Your Meals – It’s understandable that you go on vacation to get a break from maintaining the household. However, get a room with at least a microwave and fridge and purchase ready to eat meals and snacks. Eat lunch at the hotel and save your money for a fabulous dinner.

#86 Exchange Homes – Do a home exchange instead of staying in hotel when going on vacation. Find someone who lives in the town you want to visit and offer to exchange homes for a week. Need help finding people? Visit HomeExchange.com for offers.

#87 Fly Off Peak – Take inconvenient flights, like the redeye, for lower rates. Planes tend to be less crowded during that time so travel should be more comfortable.

#88 Nix Baggage Fees – Try to book flights on airlines that do not charge baggage fees for the first bag. AirTran, JetBlue, Southwest and Alaska Air give you the first bag for free. The others charge. Needless to say, the less bags you have, the less you will need to pay for your luggage.

#89 Pack a Lunch – If you are visiting amusement parks, instead of eating at the restaurants onsite, take food and snacks in cooler. Save your money for the rides and souvenirs.

Insurance

#90 Home Security – Installing an alarm system can reduce your homeowner’s insurance premiums up to 20%.

#91 Say No to Pet Insurance – Unless your pet has chronic health problems or the breed is susceptible to expensive diseases, it is unlikely that the savings will ever be more than what you pay in premiums.

#92 Make Teens Pay – There is no doubt about it. Adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy can increase your premiums by as much as 96%. Although, you can reduce the rate by having your teen take a driving course (15% discount) and keep their grades up (25% good student discount), you can’t beat the 100% discount you’ll get by having your child pay for their own insurance. Offer to help pay for a car if the teen agrees to be responsible for their own insurance payments.

#93 Squeeze the Discounts – Often an affiliation, such as AAA or AARP will net you a discount off your insurance rates. Be sure to talk to your broker about any that you may qualify for.

#94 Raise your Deductible – Raising your insurance deductible can reduce your insurance premiums by as much as 14% (@ $1000 deductible). It’s better to up your deductible and set that money aside in an interest bearing account.

#95 Drop Collision – Unless it is a collector car, you can probably get away with dropping collision coverage on it. If the replacement value of the car is significantly less than the amount you’d pay for a years worth of collision coverage, then drop the additional insurance.

#96 Pay as You Drive – Insurance companies, such as Progressive, are starting to offer plans that base your premiums on how much you use your car rather than your driving record. If you are an occasional driver, then installing the wireless device that tracks your driving could save you up to 30% off your premiums.

#97 Price Comparison – It is a good idea that whenever your insurance policy comes up for renewal to take some time to compare rates with other insurance companies. However, don’t be so quick to switch. Sometimes calling your current company with your findings is enough to get them to lower your rates.

Personal Development

#98 Write it Down – It will be much easier to stick with your financial goals if you write down what they are and review them often. It’ll help take the edge off living a frugal life, especially if you are not used to it, if you have a clear idea of why you are doing it.

#99 Take it Easy – Living more frugal is really a lifestyle. And like all lifestyle changes, it takes time to really get into the groove of things. Cut yourself some slack especially if you are working on more than one goal. For example, if you quit smoking at the same time, focusing more on getting rid of the cigarette habit will eventually save you tons of money in both product costs and health care costs.

#100 Drop Expensive Habits – While we are on the topic of expensive habits, doing a lifestyle inventory could turn up some bad habits that are costing you an arm and a leg. Literally. Poor lifestyle choices, such as consuming large amounts of sugar and eschewing exercise, could result in the onset of a much more expensive disease down the road.

#101 Reward Yourself – You know what they say about all work and play. You are far more likely to stick to a savings plan if you reward yourself for meeting your goals. Set aside some Crazy Money that you can use to spend on whatever you want. That way you can splurge without breaking your budget.

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CLEP exams are standardized exams that students can take to demonstrate college level proficiency in a variety of subjects, such as history, English, math, and science. A satisfactory score on most CLEP exams can result in the student gaining between 3 and 6 credits. CLEP exams cover material taught in college classes that students typically take in the first two years of college. For example, the Introductory Psychology CLEP test covers material typically taught in an introductory level undergraduate psychology class. By taking the Introductory Psychology CLEP test and earning a satisfactory score, students may be able to earn 3 college credits and avoid having to take their semester-long introductory level psychology class. Taking even one of the 34 different CLEP exams offered by the College Board, the company that oversees CLEP, can save time and money. Each <b>CLEP test</b> costs less than $100 to take, a huge savings compared with the average price of tuition for the 2008-2009 college year, $1047 per credit at private universities and $274 per credit at public colleges!

The time savings associated with CLEP tests are equally impressive as the monetary ones. By taking CLEP exams to meet certain degree requirements, students save time driving to, attending, and studying for class. In addition, students who take CLEP exams are often able to begin taking exciting, degree-specific, upper level courses and may even graduate sooner. By using CLEP tests to meet lower level undergraduate degree requirements, students may be able to shave one or more semesters off of their undergraduate studies. These time-saving measures will help the student remain motivated and experience less burnout.

Students can study for <b>CLEP tests</b> during their summer break or while managing their regular semester course load. Although the thought of preparing for a CLEP test  can be daunting, students should know that many students who take <b>CLEP exams</b> had little or no knowledge of a subject prior to when they began to prepare for the test. A variety of excellent resources exist to help students to prepare for CLEP tests. These resources are designed for students with all different learning needs and learning styles and varying degrees of background knowledge.

Students may choose from a variety of methods to prepare for the CLEP, such as using college textbooks, study guides, practice tests, and online study systems.

Students will often find that their academic advisor will be able to assist them in learning about their specific college’s CLEP policies. With over 2,900 colleges and universities granting college credits to students who earn satisfactory scores on CLEP tests, students are likely to find that they can use this amazing program to accelerate their undergraduate degree completion and be one step closer to graduate school and their desired career.

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So what does it take to become a safe driver? First you need to have a good understanding of the theory of driving and of the highway code, road signs, road markings etc. Add to this knowledge of the Driving Syllabus plus the Driving Skills you need to acquire and some idea of the Show Me Tell Me questions that get asked at the beginning of a driving test. This information is peppered throughout this article.

There is a lot of merit in accelerated driving tuition which basically are a series of driving lessons compressed into a short period of time.

To get the most benefit from accelerated driving tuition, it is advisable to ensure you have passed your theory test.

For your benefit there follows sample theory test questions in order to stimulate your grey cells!

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

Objects hanging from your interior may do what? Select two of the following.

a) Restrict your view.
b) Improve your driving.
c) Distract your attention.
d) Help your concentration.

Answer – a and c.

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

Question – Who is responsible for making sure that a vehicle is not overloaded? Choose one answer from the following.

a) The driver of the vehicle
b) The owner of the items being carried
c) The person who loaded the vehicle
d) The licensing authority

Answer – a.

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

Approaching a roundabout you see ahead of you yellow lines at regular intervals. What is the purpose of the yellow lines? Choose one of the following.

a) To help you choose the correct lane.
b) To help you keep the correct separation distance.
c) To make you aware of your speed.
d) To tell you the distance to the roundabout.

Answer – c.

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

On a long motorway journey boredom can cause you to feel sleepy. Which two of the following could you do to prevent this.

a) Leave the motorway and find a safe place to stop.
b) Keep looking around at the surrounding landscape.
c) Drive faster to complete your journey sooner.
d) Ensure a supply of fresh air into the vehicle.
e) Stop on the hard shoulder for a rest.

Answer a and d.

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

Question – You are approaching a hump back bridge. Choose three answers from the six possibles.

a) move into the middle of the road to get a better view
b) slow down
c) get over the bridge as quickly as possible
d) consider using your horn
e) find another route
f) beware of pedestrians

Answer – b,d,f.

RANDOM THEORY QUESTION

Question – In daylight, an approaching motorcyclist is using a dipped headlight. Why? Choose one answer from the following:-

a) So that the rider can be seen more easily
b) To stop the battery overcharging
c) To improve the rider’s vision
d) The motorcyclist is inviting you to proceed

Answer – a.

Accelerated driving tuition lessons normally culminate in a driving test and are conducted over one or two weeks prior to the test.

Driving Skill:- Are your steering actions safe, smooth and accurate, and do you pass the wheel through your hands? Steering is an important consideration when learning to drive, aim to always keep your left hand to the left of the steering wheel and your right hand to the right. In this way your control of the steering wheel is maximised.

When booking your driving test it is advisable to allow for a safety margin. If for any reason the accelerated driving tuition has not prepared you fully for a driving test, a safety margin enables you to postpone the driving test without loss of fee. This then allows you more time to better prepare for your test.

Driving test success is not luck. It is the culmination of all you learn during your driving lessons. One part of the learning to drive syllabus covers the procedures for ‘Approaching Junctions To Turn Left Or Right’.

A 2Pass.eu Driving School driving instructor will show you:-
How to understand the meaning of ‘Major And Minor Roads’.
What routine to use for turning left or right from a major to minor road.
What you should be looking for before turning into a minor road.
What is meant by ‘Corner Cutting’ and why it is potentially dangerous.
What to do if an approaching driver ‘Flashes His Headlamp’.
What you must not do to other drivers when turning either left or right.
What the correct procedure is for turning left or right into a minor road.
How to prioritise with regard to pedestrians you see crossing a road you intend turning into.

We at 2Pass.eu Driving School are all experienced and fully qualified driving instructors. Your 2Pass.eu Driving School driving instructor can advise you on the above plus all of the other syllabus items.

I prefer to book the driving test and conduct the crash course driving lessons leaving one or two weeks between the finish of the intensive driving lessons and the test itself. This is to allow for any problems that surface during the crash course driving lessons.

Syllabus Element:- Cockpit Drill – When learning to drive it is most important that you know how to set up the car in order that you are seated comfortably and can reach and see all of the controls.

Sometimes learner drivers do not cope well with the pressure of intensive driving lessons and by leaving a short gap between the crash course driving lessons and the driving test, allows for the possibility that one may need to postpone the driving test.

Driving Skill:- Unless you drive an automatic, are gears smoothly and correctly selected? Is your braking smooth and progressive? Do you use acceleration sense? There is nothing worse than a driver pulling away with tyres screaming, gears crashing as they are changed and worse still, hard braking!

Driving tests cost quite a lot and it is sensible to allow the candidate the option of postponement in order to save the loss of the test fee. Very often, learner drivers are still not ready for a driving test at the end of accelerated driving tuition lessons.

The learning to drive syllabus is extensive. One part of it concerns Pedestrian Crossings and Use Of Signals.

A 2Pass.eu Driving School driving instructor will help you to:-
Learn all of the different types of Pedestrian Crossings.
How to recognise a ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ in the road ahead.
Learn the correct procedure to use on the approach to a ‘Pedestrian Crossing’.
Understand the process of correct signalling.
Deal with hesitant pedestrians at a crossing.
Know what is the safe routine for giving signals.
Learn about road markings as they relate to ‘Pedestrian Crossings’.
Understand hand signals mentioned in the Highway Code.
Realise what signals are unnecessary.

Your 2Pass.eu Driving School driving instructor is an expert in the area of driving. He or she will pass on this knowledge to you, helping you to driving test success.

There is no set amount of hours required for crash course driving lessons as this largely depends on your level of experience. It is normal to conduct an assessment of one’s ability to drive before a recommendation is made as to the number of hours that the intensive driving lessons will involve.

Driving Instruction is not something that everyone can do. In fact statistics show that only very few people who set out to qualify as a driving instructor, actually succeed. The website – http://www.learnerdriver.co.uk/ – claims that only 18% of trainee driving instructors go on to qualify and become registered with the Driving Standards Agency as Approved Driving Instructors.

The government is committed to improving road safety and reducing the number of accidents and fatalities in Great Britain. Although there are many measures to achieve this, one is to tighten up existing legislation as it relates to learning to drive.

2Pass.eu Driving School is playing its part in trying to ensure that in this area you will receive first class training from us. You see, all driving instructors that are associates of 2Pass.eu Driving School have passed all of the qualifying examinations. We are all experts in what we do and that is to guide you to success in your driving test.

One way you can make an informed decision on which driving instructor to choose is to view our 2Pass.eu Driving School website which will go live early in 2009. This area will be covered and you will be able to view the profiles of all driving instructors working here.

If after the assessment, both parties agree that there is a requirement for about 30 hours of accelerated driving tuition, the crash course driving lessons can be scheduled to cover a period of one to two weeks. This means effectively that the learner driver needs to be trained for a period of between three to six hours daily, each day of the intensive driving lessons.

This post about accelerated driving tuition is on the 2Pass.eu Driving School blog

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