April 2015 - Page 2 of 3

Temporary Classrooms Becoming Permanent Problem in Los Angeles

Financiarul April 17, 2015Headlines, TechnologyLos Angeles schools, portable classrooms, students, temporary classrooms Leave a comment

Even though the Los Angeles Unified School District has dropped billions in funding on the construction of new campuses since 2003, it’s still using thousands of “portable” or “temporary” classrooms, which are becoming quite problematic. Although LA Unified has tried to reduce the number of temporary classrooms, about 30% of available class space in LA Unifed is portable, which means there are some 8,300 portable facilities still in use. Worse, the district is required to remove about 58 temporary classrooms … Continue reading “Temporary Classrooms Becoming Permanent Problem in Los Angeles”

HBO Documentary Incites Conversation Over Scientology’s Tax Exempt Status

Financiarul April 15, 2015January 11, 2021Taxes & Law Leave a comment

A recent survey in 2012 found that nearly 55% of small businesses faced legal problems, but nearly half have never even signed up for a free consultation with an attorney. After HBO’s latest documentary on the Church of Scientology (COS) debuted to a viewership of 1.7 million people (minus those who streamed the movie online), a renewed interest in this odd “religious” group resulted in some new findings about the organization’s financial contribution to the U.S. economy — or rather, … Continue reading “HBO Documentary Incites Conversation Over Scientology’s Tax Exempt Status”

Girls’ Self-Esteem is Boosted by Running Program

Financiarul April 15, 2015January 11, 2021Leadershipexercise, gymnastics, lifestyle, self-esteem Leave a comment

For many parents, getting children to be more active is a chore, especially when kids prefer to watch TV, play video games, or read books inside. To combat their children’s sedentary lifestyles, parents often turn to organized sports and after-school programs, which often have surprising side effects. In Colorado, girls in elementary and middle school benefit from the after-school program Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run aims to help girls run a 5k race at the end of … Continue reading “Girls’ Self-Esteem is Boosted by Running Program”

Is It Worth Buying a Unique House with ‘Grandfathered in’ Architectural Features? It’s a Risk the Rich Are Willing to Take

Financiarul April 10, 2015March 31, 2021Business, Economy, Investing Leave a comment

Home buyers looking for a unique resale may be paying a premium, but they also might be getting a house that wouldn’t be built today, according to zoning laws. Extra-large mansions in some areas, especially, often don’t meet current building codes, according to the Wall Street Journal. Because many cities have stricter building codes today, home builders truly don’t make them how they used to. One such home belongs to Christian de Berdouare, from Miami Beach, FL. He obtained the … Continue reading “Is It Worth Buying a Unique House with ‘Grandfathered in’ Architectural Features? It’s a Risk the Rich Are Willing to Take”

Did You Remember to Deduct Charitable Donations from Your Tax Bill? If You Haven’t Filed Yet, It’s Not Too Late

Financiarul April 10, 2015January 11, 2021Taxes & Lawcharity, clothing donations, donations, tax deductions, taxes Leave a comment

The deadline to file taxes is almost here, so if you’ve done any charitable giving for 2014, now is the time to take a look at your tax deductions again before April 15 arrives.According to U.S. News and World Report, many people overlook the smaller donations they’ve given throughout the year. Whether it was an extra dollar or two given at the supermarket checkout line for a food pantry or a one-time pledge to help a friend running a charity marathon, … Continue reading “Did You Remember to Deduct Charitable Donations from Your Tax Bill? If You Haven’t Filed Yet, It’s Not Too Late”

Supreme Court Hears Two Arguments Reflecting Personal Bankruptcy Law

Financiarul April 10, 2015May 4, 2016Taxes & Lawbankruptcy, bankruptcy law, Chapter 13 bankrupty, Chapter 7 filing Leave a comment

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing two ongoing cases that could have far-reaching impacts on personal bankruptcy law. According to an April 1 Jurist article, the justices recently heard oral arguments regarding Harris v. Viegelahn, a case in which the courts must decide how funds are to be distributed when a debtor converts his or her bankruptcy case from a Chapter 13 plan to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy petitioner Charles Harris originally filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment plan, making payments … Continue reading “Supreme Court Hears Two Arguments Reflecting Personal Bankruptcy Law”

Federal Flood Insurance Premiums Skyrocket for High-Risk Area Homeowners

Financiarul April 6, 2015Headlines, Taxes & Lawfederal insurance programs, flooding, homeowners insurance, water damage Leave a comment

Just as the winter weather is finally starting to warm up and snow-covered cities across the U.S. are starting to see sunlight, homeowners who have purchased flood insurance under the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program (NIFP) received an unwelcome surprise: starting on April 1st, policyholders have begun receiving renewal notices with substantially higher premium rates than before. According to the New York Times, the rate changes are not consistent across the board; instead, the majority of homeowners will see increases between … Continue reading “Federal Flood Insurance Premiums Skyrocket for High-Risk Area Homeowners”