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Show Thursday, May 27, 2004 PYRAMID THE 4 Take Charge America offers tO read VOUr Prepare some tips for the grads to get prepaid cell phone contract a good handle on debt PHOENIX, ARIZ For many college students in the United States, graduation marks a major milestone in their lives. Eager to step into the real world with a degree in hand, college graduates usually have one concern on their minds finding a full-tim- Reigning over this years annual Rhubarb Festival festivities was the Queen of Rhubarb, Connie Roper. e job. While the job hunt may make graduates uneasy, Mike Sullivan, director of education for Take Charge America (TCA), one of the oldest consumer credit counseling services in the U.S., says college graduates also should be concerned about the future direction of their finances. Sullivan says TCA receives a very steady flow of adult callers soon after the colin age lege years usually ages 24-2asking for financial assistance. He says many of these situations can easily be avoided if these individuals did some financial planning and strategizing even a little in their earlier (mid-twenti- years. Ted Thompson, Defender of the Rhubarb, pledges his loyalty in this season of festivities at the annual Rhubarb Festival. Sullivan provides the following recommendations in regards to what every new graduate needs to or should know: 1. Dont be easily influenced by the availability of credit cards College students and recent graduates usually get inundated with a regular flow of credit card applications, offering great deals and free stuff to entice them. Beware of these promotional gimmicks. NOTE: The ideal number of credit cards that college graduates should have is ONLY one or two at the maximum and the credit limit should be very minimal. The more credit cards you have, the more likely you will be in debt long term. 2. Although you may not think so. . .you owe too much Pay off any credit card balances before you buy the new car, ring, or other major items. Studies have shown that the average college graduate owes this $8,200 in unsecured debt is in addition to student loans. 3. You cant afford to live an extravagant lifestyle right away Sometimes we forget it every paycheck into a savings If you wait until you account think you can afford to save, you never will Every dollar adds up in the end. This is a key element to financial freedom, yet very few individuals do anything about it. 6. Invest in your personal development from day one Never stop learning and improving yourself. Take the job that prepares you for the next job. Sometimes the job that pays the highest salary isnt always the most beneficial one long term. The future sometimes looks scary for graduates, said Sullivan. Having extra debt when you graduate can make it look even scarier. We recommend that graduates pay off as much debt as they can, either during or immediately after college. We realize that they will have other expenses after graduation, such as repaying college loans, and they have the rest of their lives to live. They dont need the extra burden of credit card or other debt hanging over their heads just as they are starting the newest chapter of their lives. About Take Charge America. Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. (TCA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-prof- it organization headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. TCA is committed to helping consumers gain control of their finances and offers a variety of services including education, budget and financial counseling, and when necessary, debt management. TCA also serves as an effective resource for the business community. We help financially distressed consumers their finances and return hundreds of millions of dollars annually to financial institutions, professional service providers, and businesses of all sizes and descriptions that may otherwise have been lost to the economy in bankruptcy. TCAs diversified programs are utilized by tens of thousands of families and single men and women throughout the United States each year. For more information, call toll free at (866) or please visit takes parents years to attain the lifestyle they gave you. Be patient and live at or below your www.takechargeamerica.org. means for the first few years, until you build up to the lifestyle you want for the future. 4. Create a budget as soon as you get a job and put it in writIf it isnt written down, it ing 528-058- 8 SALT LAKE CITY- - If you need a cellular phone, but do not contract, a prepaid cellular phone want to commit to a year-lon- g With for a be prepaid cellular phone plans, you. good option may users prepay for the airtime, much like they would buy prepaid acti-- , phone cards. There is typically no credit check, to fees termination or pay. vation fees, monthly fees early A prepaid cellular phone comes with a specified number of airtime minutes. Once you use all your minutes, you can purchase more or recharge your minutes online or by calling the toll-fre- e number on y6ur prepaid phone. The minutes you purchase are credited to your account in your cell phone and are automatically deducted when you make calls. With most plans, you will receive an automatic warning letting you know when you need to purchase more airtime minutes. Once your airtime minutes have run out, you will no longer be able to make or receive calls. While prepaid cellular phones can be great for occasional use, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggests you keep the following in mind: Be aware of the cost of a call. Calls can be more expensive on a per minute basis with a prepaid phone plan. Some calls can cost twice as much as with a prepaid plan compared to a monthly plan. Be sure you check the plans details before buying. Not all services are included. You may not be able to get extra , features, such as call waiting or caller ID, and you may not be able to surf the wireless web or use your phone in an analog area. Ask your service provider if there is a cost for these extra features. ofhow Pay attention to your expiration date. Be sure you know ten you must load new minutes. Most plans require you to use your airtime or purchase additional airtime within a specific usually 30 to 90 days. You can usually purchase airtime in 30, 60 or 90 increment minutes. If you do not recharge your airtime before the expiration date, your service will be deactivated. Be sure to read your carriers policies carefully. Ask the service provider about their coverage area. Be aware that incoming calls and voicemail messages can deplete your minutes. Ask if you will be charged for incoming or outgoing calls that are not answered. Before deciding on a service provider, be sure to check the company out with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. long-distan- long-distan- time-fram- e, Americans tightening wallets for vacations ROCKVILLE, MD- - The average American is planning percent less this year on summer vacations. to spend 5.3 According to the annual Summer Vacation Survey conducted by Myvesta, a nonprofit consumer education organization, the average summer vacation will cost $2,252 this year, down from $2,378 in 2003. While we have seen a slight rebound in our economy over the past few months, there hasnt been a big enough surge to give people the confidence to spend more on their summer getaways, said Pam Rhode, president of Myvesta. People who are taking trips are looking for more value and a lower price tag. Of those taking a vacation, 77.8 percent plan on using a credit card to pay for all, or part of their trip and 29.3 percent plan on taking three or more months to pay for their vacation charges. If the average vacation cost of $2,252 is placed on a credit card and only the minimum payment is made, it will take almost 33 years to pay off the balance and cost an additional $5,687 in interest payments. That calculation assumes an 18 percent interest rate and a monthly minimum payment of two percent. e and it can be very Everyone needs a break from tempting to pull out the plastic to finance a vacation, Rhode said. But one week of fun in the sun isnt worth 30 years of debt payments. . time-totim- isnt a budget. Without a bud- get, the likelihood of having Meisja Turner represents the Rhubarb Maiden in the 2004 Rhubarb Festival. She stands for the crisp, fresh, new start of the new growing season. fi- nancial problems will increase. Its never too late to start one! 5. Put a small amount from Underground Mining Positions Using water wise annuals Jerry Goodspeed USU EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST - You remember annuals, we plant them every spring hoping they will survive and bloom until the first frost in the fall. Of course, half of them are taken out by the last frost in the spring, which arrives exactly one week after planting them With the low water year we've had, this may be the year to try new annuais. Consider using those that are classified as wafer-wise- . They are able to survive and kxk great with limited water. The following water-wisannuals thrive in hot, dry locations. Try them in a flower bed that gets full sun or in a spot where other annuals have collapsed from heat in the past. Some may be easier to find than others, depending on your area Check with your local nursery or favorite gardening catalog. annual It has Dahlberg daisy. This is a small, yellow flowers that cover the plant until the first freeze in the fall. It struggles in the inserts in the nursery, but within a couple of weeks after planting, it eventually takes off, reaching a width of about 1 12 feet in LOGAN- e g diameter. Creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia). This is another plant that fills in large areas quickly with yellow to orange, brown-centere- d flowers. Unlike other zinnias, it is not prone to powdery mildew. Globe amaranth (Gomphrena). This plant reaches a low-growi- Bridger Coal Company is seeking qualified Managers and Supervisors for a new Underground Longwall Operation 35 miles Northeast of Rock Spnngs, Wyoming. height of 1 - 2 feet. The flowers are shaped like a large clover flower and can be found in red, pink, white, purple and yellow. This flower dries well arid the color lasts for months. Annual statice. This flower readies a height of about 2 feet, comes in a wide variety of colors and also is great for drying. The foliage resembles a fuzzy dandelion leaf and remains dose tothesoiL The flower bolts to about 18 inches, creating a spectacular show. Cockscomb (celosia). Cockscombs have Aimed flowers that can look like something from a distant planet. Although the flowers are a little different, they are very colorful and large, sometimes reaching 18 inches in diameter. They are very showy in a landscape. Gazania This annual once came only in yellow and closed up if the sun passed behind a cloud The newer varieties range in oolor from orange to pink, burgimdy and other combinations. They are also better bloomers than in the past and stay open even on a cloudy day. Melampodium. This is another plant flowers. The foliage has a much with yellow, daisy-lik- e bolder texture than the Dahlberg daisy and the flowers are larger. Salvia This can give your landscape splashes of red, pink and even blue color. The plants range from 10 inches to 2 feet tafl. They are very hardy and can be used as an accent or for a backdrop. g Each of the following positions require effective verbal and wntten communication skills and ability to work with and develop a new workforce. A strong commitment to health and safety is required. Wyoming mine foreman certification is required within 6 months of beginning employment. Experience and proven performance may be substituted for education. Mine Manager This position provides overall leadership and direction for the mine with responsibility for mine operations, maintenance, safety and engineering. Position reports to the General Manager. Qualifications include 10-1- 5 yrs of management experience in underground longwall coal mining operations. Candidate should be knowledgeable in budgeting, manpower and equipment planning, mine systems engineering and installation, operations, maintenance and safety processes. B.S. degree in mining engineering or related field is preferred. Maintenance Superintendent This position provides leadership and direction for the mine maintenance department and will be responsible for developing and administering maintenance programs. Position reports to the Mine Manager. The position will assist in surface and underground facilities design, developing specifications and equipment selection for the mine. Qualifications include 10-1- 5 yrs of related maintenance experience in underground longwall coal mining. Candidate should be knowledgeable in budgeting, manpower utilization, mine systems design, installation and maintenance, equipment maintenance, electrical systems operations and maintenance and diesel equipment operation and maintenance. MSHA underground electrical certification required. B.S. degree in miningmechanical or related field preferred. Chief Safety Engineer This position will be instrumental in developing and administering mine safety, health and Position reports to the Mine Manager. Qualifications include 5-- 7 yrs of safety, health and training experience in underground longwall coal mining. Position requires MSHA Instructor, First Aid, Dust and Noise sampling certifications. Emergency Medical Technician and CSP certifications are preferred. Position requires ability to work with training programs. regulation and enforcement agencies. B.S. degree in industrial health and safety, industrial hygiene or related field is preferred. Maintenance and Electrical Training Supervisor This position will provide underground maintenance and electrical training for existing maintenance personnel working at the Bridger Coal Surface Mine to be qualified for underground positions as well as newly hired maintenance personnel. Position also includes underground maintenance supervision. NOTICE TO BID 5-- The North Sanpete School District is accepting bids for the following: Artie Circle Commercial evaporative cooler ES830 or equivalent to side discharge, 115 volt, 1 HP motor, single speed to deliver a minimum of 5840 CFM of cooling. Fabricate and install 22x22 insulated ductwork to adapt to existing 22x18 supply air duct located in ceiling space over kitchen area. Isolate duck from existing system, 110-vo- lt power to cooler from damper motor switch in kitchen area. Cold water to be piped from kitchen dishwasher valve for easy draining of piping. Roof curb and flashing for duct penetration to be done by certified roofing contractor. Must provide Workers Compensation Insurance, Liability Insurance and Contracting License pertaining to this project. For further information contact Mike Anderson at (435) 469-051Bids will be accepted until noon. Mav 28. 2004 at the North Sanpete School District Office, 220 East 700 South, Attn: Claudia, Mt. Pleasant, 7. UT Reports to Maintenance Superintendent. Qualifications include high school diploma and 7 yrs of related maintenance and training experience in underground longwall coal mining. Position requires a working knowledge of coal mining operations including safety, production, budgeting, equipment and manpower utilization. MSHA underground electrical 84647. The North Sanpete School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. All decisions are final. certification required. Underground SectionService Foremen This position supervises and directs the safe production of coal and is responsible for meeting production requirements and leading employees to achieve company goals. Qualifications include high school diploma and 7 yrs underground supervision experience in continuous miner andor longwall operations. Position requires a working knowledge of coal mining operations including safety, production, budgeting, equipment and manpower utilization and must possess ability for upward mobility. 5-- Underground Maintenance Foremen This position supervises and directs the safe maintenance of equipment and facilities and is responsible for supporting production requirements and leading employees to achieve company goals. Qualifications include high school diploma and 7 yrs underground maintenance supervision experience in continuous miner or longwall operations. Position requires a working knowledge of coal mining operations including safety, production, budgeting, equipment and manpower utilization. MSHA underground electrical certification required. Bridger Coal Company offers not only a professional challenge, but competitive wage and benefit package, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401 (k) plan with company match; retirement; relocation, incentive plan; and paid holidaysvacations. Mail or fax resumes and work history, including certifications to: Interwest Mining Company; Attn. Human Resources 201 South Main Street BCC One Utah Center, Suite 2100 Salt Lake City. UT 84111 Fax: (801) 220-472- 5 Only written appiicationsresumes will be accepted. No telephone calls please. Deadline: June 4, 2004 Application Equal OpoortunityAffmative Action Employer 9 |