College: Public or Private?

We came across this article on Business Insider and it pairs perfectly with our Investments 101 podcast. In the podcast, we tell you the best ways to save for college. Check that our here.

Choosing between public or private institutions is the first step on that journey. Here, we take a look at the pros and cons of both:

TUITION
Tuition and fees for a public four-year institution cost $20,823 for the 2011-12 school year –– about $8,000 less than private institutions.
Hands down, public universities are the better buy by definition alone. Because their funding is subsidized by the state, public schools can pass on those savings to students. Private institutions rely almost entirely on tuition and the generosity of donors, which is why students wind up paying more. However, since private college oft have pretty robust financial aid offerings, it's possible for some students to pay less than they would elsewhere. 
Winner: Public

STUDENT DEBT LOAD
Tuition is rising at both public and private universities alike, which means more students will be forced to take on student debt to pay their way.
For the 2010-11 school year, 57% of public four-year college students graduated with student loan debt, according to the College Board –– an average of $23,800. Private students were worse off, with about two-thirds of alumnus leaving school nearly $30,000 in debt. 
Winner: Public

PRESTIGE
Even if you've never set foot on a private campus, just the word alone –– private –– lends an allure of exclusivity and prestige. The top 20 schools on U.S. News & World Report's annual  Best College rankings consistently go to private institutions for a reason. Class sizes are smaller, admission is selective, individual student attention is valued, and the curriculum is tough enough to attract top talent from around the world.
Still, it's a myth that all public universities offer subpar educations. There are public universities with enough prestige to rival private institutions, and they arguably boast an even higher roster of successful alumni based on the attractiveness of their ubiquity and low cost alone.
Winner: By reputation alone, private institutions are more prestigious.

SOCIAL SCENE
Thanks to their affordability and proximity to home for most students, state schools are like flames attracting moths in the night. That makes for a pretty healthy social scene.
But if you're interested in mingling with students from outside your home state, pursuing a degree at private institutions may be appealing. They often attract a wider variety of students from around the country (and the world), which means that although the party scene may not be  as hot as public schools, you'll get exposure to people who aren't all from the same geographic background. That in and of itself is pretty priceless.
Winner: You can't argue with the Princeton Review. Public schools are where the party's at. 

JOB PROSPECTS:
There's no doubt that college graduates –– regardless of their alma mater –– fare better in the job world. For the first three months of 2013, the unemployment rate for consumers holding a bachelor's degree was between 3.7% and 4.1% –– high school graduates saw unemployment rates twice as high.
Winner: Tie

THE VERDICT:
Public is the way to go for undergraduates. 
Public or private, your chances of making it in the job world are higher the minute you graduate from college. But whether you're willing to shell out tens of thousands of more dollars to pay for the prestige of a private 4-year degree is the question you'll have to answer. For undergrads, there isn't much a private college can offer in the way of curriculum and social life that a public institution can't. True, public classes are larger and make it more difficult for one-on-one attention, but that's why professors hold office hours, after all.

Our advice: If your state schools offer the area of study and the social vibe you're looking for, do your future self a favor and cut costs now. Pursue a graduate degree at a private university, where you'll benefit more from academic rigor and more specialized areas of study.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/public-vs-private-college-2013-4#ixzz2U3YsAp9U

Confused about Homeowners Insurance?

You aren't alone, according to this article from Insurance Journal. One Nevada Insurance Services will happily help you navigate through your insurance options.

Many homeowners do not understand what exposures are covered under their home insurance policy, according to a new consumer survey.

More than two in five Americans (41 percent) believe that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy protects against mold damage, according to new InsuranceQuotes.com survey.

“This misconception could prove extremely costly,” said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst, InsuranceQuotes.com. “Mold remediation can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It’s often not covered by homeowner’s insurance, especially if it was caused by neglected maintenance such as a leaky pipe.”

The survey also revealed that many homeowners are misinformed regarding personal belongings stolen from a car (73 percent aren’t aware that this type of theft is covered by homeowner’s insurance) and earthquake damage (51 percent don’t know that this is not covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy).

Two better understood aspects of homeowner’s insurance are fire damage (90 percent of Americans know that homeowner’s insurance covers this) and lawsuits from an injured visitor (72 percent know this is covered).

Just under one-quarter of homeowner’s insurance policyholders said that they chose their current provider primarily because of a recommendation from someone they trust (22 percent). A similar number (21 percent) said the most important factor was the service they received from their agent. Seventeen percent said their decision hinged on getting the lowest price. But only 1 percent of homeowners insurance purchasers said a radio or television commercial was the most important factor in their decision.

The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI). PSRAI obtained telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,003 adults living in the continental United States. Telephone interviews were conducted by landline (500) and cell phone (503, including 229 without a landline phone). Interviews were done in English by Princeton Data Source from April 4-7, 2013. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Source: InsuranceQuotes.com

Check, Cash or Google Wallet?

One Nevada is always striving to deliver the best services to our members to make life easier. Introducing Google Wallet--a smart, virtual wallet that securely stores your One Nevada credit and debit cards on your smartphone, making in-store or online check out fast and easy!

Here's how Google Wallet works:
-Create a Google Wallet account online or on your eligible device
-Add your One Nevada debit and credit cards
-Breeze through checkout online, or tap your phone to pay in store. 

For online purchases, you can breeze through checkouts without re-entering payment info and because your cards are password protected, your information is securely stored.

Look for this symbol at checkout: 

For in-store purchases, you can carry all of your One Nevada cards on your eligible phone and simply tap to pay at checkout. A receipt is sent to your phone and all sensitive account information is encrypted and stores on a secure server, not your phone. You'll have added security with a four-digit PIN and the ability to remotely disable your phone it is lost.

Look for these symbols at checkout:

Helping the March of Dimes Help Local Families

The March of Dimes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit family support specialists have been working hard to make Mother's Day for NICU families extra special this year.

They will hold a Mother’s Day shower for all parents who currently have a baby(ies) in the NICU on Friday May 17 at 2 p.m. at Sunrise Hospital. The shower will help supply the NICU families with the items they need to get through their first few days and weeks once they bring home their babies.  

Sunrise Hospital has the only March of Dimes NICU Family Support team in the LV/Henderson area. If you know of families or have been a NICU family yourself, you know firsthand how lovely acts of kindness can carry you through your days.

They are asking for the support of the community to help send some much-needed love to the preemie families by helping to fulfill their Babies”R”Us Registry.

Items can be picked up or delivered to the March of Dimes office located at 820 Rancho Drive, Suite 55 Las Vegas, NV 89106-3709.

TERRI BROWNELL's Baby Registry

Registry #: 49662203

Location: LAS VEGAS, NV

Expected Arrival Date: 05/11/2013

TERRI BROWNELL's Message:

Neutral colors, please

Buying a Car? Keep the 4 B’s in Mind.

Budget – How much do you need borrow?

The first thing you should do is determine how much you can afford. Sure that sports car will get attention, but does it fit into your budget? A new car will not be enjoyable or useful if you can’t afford to put gas in it.  

Borrower – Who can provide the best loan?

Once you have found a budget that you are comfortable with, it is important to compare lenders. Lenders are different in many ways, including qualification processes, interest rates, pay back penalties and added benefits. Auto dealers also offer financing designed around a payment amount and not around paying the loan off.  We usually can offer better interest rates and help you stay within your budget. 

Brand – What is the best brand for your needs?

Finding the best car doesn’t sound too difficult since you already have a good idea of what you want. Yet even if you know the brand you want, it is important to take a look at dealer locations that can service your new car. 

Behind The Wheel – The final odds and ends not to forget.

Once you have finalized the deal on your new car, remember there are still fees such as the title, license plates and insurance that can come as a surprise.

Is the Whole Family Covered? Pet Insurance is More Important Thank You Think

With names like Joey, Simon and Sasha, they could easily be mistaken for any human member of the family. They don’t sleep outside in the elements and often eat home-cooked meals of chicken and rice. 

If your family pet were sick, wouldn’t you want the best care possible and not have to worry about the cost? One Nevada Insurance Services offers pet insurance for all four-legged family members. 

Insuring your pet is as easy as 1 -2 - 3 with One Nevada Insurance Services. 

1.     Visit Your Veterinarian

2.     Submit Your Claim

3.     Receive Your Reimbursement

There are no pre-authorizations or waiting periods required and you can visit any licensed veterinarian—even specialists and emergency providers.

One Nevada Insurance Services will work with you to determine the proper coverage for your pet. All policies through One Nevada Insurance Services will receive a 5% discount. Dogs, cats, birds and most exotic animals are welcome. 

1-877-PETS-VPI

www.onenevada.org/insuranceclick on Pet Insurance

Products are not NCUA/NCUSIF insured and are not guaranteed or obligations of One Nevada Credit Union. Property, casualty and life insurance offered through One Nevada Insurance Services, LLC. IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: To offer you an accurate quote, we may need to collect information from consumer reporting agencies, such as driving record, claims and credit history reports. Future reports may be used to update or renew your insurance.

How to Manage Your Account Limits

To help protect your checking account from fraud and theft, all One Nevada accounts have built-in daily debit card spending and ATM withdrawal limits. Your card may be declined if you make purchases that exceed your daily limit, even if you know you have plenty of funds in your checking account. The limits vary depending on your relationship with the credit union.

You can ask us to temporarily lower or raise your purchase or withdrawal limits to suit your spending habits, especially if you’re anticipating a large or unusual purchase*. You can also view your ATM withdrawal limits by simply logging into your account online.

With a little planning, it’s easy to manage your limits and safeguard your account at the same time.

* There is a $5 account adjustment fee if requested by phone; the fee is waived if requested at a branch.