• Apply for a no-fee credit card which will not impose international transaction fees. This allows affords you the security of a credit card without the traditional associated fees.
  
• Whether you are using an American or international credit card, know how much you are charged for transactions made abroad. Most credit card companies in the U.S. (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) charge a foreign transaction fee up to 3% to merchants processing the order. Contact customer service prior to traveling so you are not blindsided by unexpected fees.
• Another fee that can be imposed on transactions abroad is foreign exchange rates, or a currency conversion fee, which may or not be the best exchange rate out there. For example, if you paid 100 Euros for a meal equal to $125.00, you may be charged fees based on the $125.00.Â

The plumbing in our bathroom is on the fritz and we’ve been researching what needs updating, new plumbing supplies we need to buy, etc… I’ve been dropping nonchalant hints because if it were up to me I’d remodel the entire thing! I’ve been looking into different remodeling options and came across some pretty amazing bathrooms! Although some of these might be a little (cough, cough) out of our price range, it can’t hurt a girl to dream!

In business class, we just went over project risk management. It is very interesting to see how it applies to life in general–rather than just business.

So with risk management, you need to assess the risk and determine how to deal with it or avoid it. But some risks are worth it because without taking risks, you won’t get anywhere in business.

This is the same with:

• relationships
• jobs
• friends
• life in general

I just find it so interesting that what makes for a good business makes for a good life. 

 I just learned that the average student debt out of college is over $19,000 although many students graduate with over $40,000.  The idea of getting a non-traditional job that requires less training is becoming more and more appealing.  For example you can get truck driving jobs with only 23 days of training, and most truckers make around $50,000 a year. 

The demand for truck drivers is getting higher and higher each year which means more opportunities to take advantage of a new career and new scenery.  Whether you’re in a dead end job, looking for a new career, or if you just need a change maybe a trucking job is the thing for you.  It’s surprising how fast you can be on the road and making more money than you’d expect.

I’ve always wanted to start my own company. Besides the fact that most millionaires are entrepreneurs (some without a college education even), it sounded great to make your own hours and work for yourself (even if the hours are long at first). With no one micro-managing you, working for yourself allows you to work hard and directly see the results.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a large capital to start a business. As an alternative to borrowing over $100,000, I started an online business as a spin off from my auction site. I used a dropship company to avoid spending money on man power for storing inventory, and packing and shipping products. I have more time for marketing, and so far everything is going great.

Try getting online if you want to start your own business from home or want to be an entrepreneur too. Good luck!

Choosing a reputable Utah wedding photographer for your big day can be a huge undertaking and often daunting task.  In the world of professional photography, the cliché “you get what you pay for” certainly applies so choosing a photographer that will produce beautiful photographs while remaining within your budget can be quite challenging.  Here are a few tips to remember when selecting a photographer while trying to keep financially in check.

-They may be far and few between but see if you can find a photographer that will give you the negatives or digital files of the all the pictures once the wedding is done.  If the photographer maintains the rights to all your photographs, you will have to order all your prints and albums through them and their studio, which can be quite costly.

-Inquire about the number of hours and locations that are allotted with each package; two different photographers may have the same priced package but one may only offer five hours coverage at two locations, while another one offers unlimited all day coverage.

-Get a basic package from a skilled photographer.  By paying for only the photographer’s expertise, you will get beautiful photographs without having to pay for any extras such as prints and albums, which can be purchased later after you have replenished your funds.

-Research the photographers in your area.  This may seem an obvious piece of advice, but you will be surprised to find that there are a number of photographers with comparable skill and experience yet with highly varying prices.  While you probably should not shop on price alone, you absolutely should shop around and really compare what you will be getting.  Doing so will enable you to get the best photographs and the best prices.

It always surprises me how much people disregard the importance of remote backup, for both personal and business documents.  A hard drive failure or catastrophe could instantly wipe out personal photographs, MP3 files, and financial records.  The irreplaceable and irreversible loss of computer data has been known to ruin businesses and the loss worth of photographs and music files collected over the years can be devastating. 

If you have not done so already, consider using a remote backup service to safeguard all your documents and data.  Most services are web-based and can discreetly backup the files of your choosing while your computer is not in use (during sleep or standby mode).   In the event of a computer user mishap or catastrophe (such as theft, fire or water damage, etc.), your files can be quickly restored.   

Students all over the country are starting to feel the financial pain and pressure of skyrocketing college tuition fees. With diminishing financial aid, including federal, state, and university funds, how are students expected to get through school without incurring massive amounts of debt?

I came across a pretty sweet program called Get a Mentor, which is actually a mentorship specialized program, meaning students are placed with a mentor to receive one-on-one training. 

Now, why would one want complete a mentorship rather than traditional higher education?  Well for one, students only pay a one time fee of $6,000 (much less than most universities charge for one semester’s tuition).  Second, you gain relevant work experience in a field in which you want to pursue a career.  Currently, Get a Mentor offers mentorships in the industries of sound/recording engineering, film and video production, and radio and television broadcasting.  Similar to a radio or broadcasting internship, the mentorship is unpaid but Get a Mentor has a staggering 100% job placement for students who complete the program.  How many college grads have that guarantee?

So I received a mosquito hat I had ordered awhile back.  I will admit, it doesn’t look very sexy, but it sure works!  Those #@$%#@& mosquitoes now can’t bite and buzz around my neck and face.  If you are a gardener or an outdoor enthusiast, you should really consider getting one.

Whether it is for a wedding, fund raiser, or corporate event, catering can be expensive!  So it’s important to get the most for your money when choosing your caterer.  Having just planned my wedding, and now in the midst of organizing a massive corporate gala, I have found the perfect Salt Lake City catering company!  Aside from their competitive pricing, the food is absolutely delectable and beyond delicious…if you happen to live in the Beehive state, check them out!