The National Debt

Labor Day: Origins of a Holiday

Note: Monday is Labor Day!  Three day weekend!!!  But what is "Labor Day" about?

Labor Day is today considered a day for relaxation, BBQ's, and a nice day off of work.  But where did it begin?

Finish "Maxed Out"

Yesterday we watched the first half of the 2006 documentary "Maxed Out" by director James Scurlock.  Scurlock originally set out to make a movie about the crazy spending habits of Americans, but after he started researching the issue and interviewing borrowers, he change his focus to the lending industry and the effects of deregulation.

The Washington Post called this documentary "a matter of life and debt" and sent on to say, "This swift-moving documentary is something all American high school graduates should watch... especially before they head to college and are asked to sign up for credit cards."

The segments we watched this week discussed how the lending industry "sells debt" to companies who go after those who owe them money.  It also covers the tragedy that can happen when people get so deep into debt that they can't see a way out.

In Microsoft Word, answer the following questions (Don't print when finished because we will continue with this tomorrow):

1. What tactics do debt collectors use get people to pay?
2. Why do debt collectors push people so hard?
3. Why do some people resort to pawn shops?
4. Who funds the largest check cashing chain in the U.S.?
5. Do you think lenders are partially responsible for America's debt crisis?  How so?
6. Why does your credit card company want you to be late on your payments?
7. Why do credit card companies want customers who have filed bankruptcy?
8. Why do credit card companies want 18 year old college students?
9. Why don't Senators and Congressmen punish credit card companies for "predatory lending"?
10. Discuss your right to privacy from individuals, corporations, and the Government.

Turn them in when you have finished.

Entrepreneurship: What Business Would You Run?

HOMEWORK:

1. Define "Entrepreneur" in your own words.
2. Entrepreneurs have many personality traits / characteristics.  Create a list of at least 10 characteristics that make a good entrepreneur.
3. Continue brainstorming ideas for a small business which you would run (for the purposes of classroom exercises). 
4. Things to plan include:
• How can you describe the business [paragraph]?
• What is your product or service?
• Who would buy your product or service [target demographic]?
• Where should you locate the business?
• How can you attract customers?
• What is your competition?
• How much should you charge for your products or services?

• Some ideas / suggestions to help get you started:
• a business needed in your town
• a business using your own personal skills and talents
• a business that involves exports to another country
• a home-based business
• a business that could be started with $1,000
• a service business
• a partnership between two students in the class

Article/Video: Let's Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs

So you want to be an entrepreneur?
By Matthew Toren
Entrepreneurship can be exciting, energizing and an entre to a world of sharp, talented and creative people. You may also find yourself exhausted, broke, discouraged, and unable to even collect unemployment. While some people may fall into starting a business, most make the conscious choice to become an entrepreneur.

If you're debating whether you're ready to start your own business, answering the following questions in today's guest blog may help make up your mind...

Why? Simple on the surface, this may be the most important question you should ask yourself. Do you have a vision for a company that you think could be successful and make a difference. Have you dreamed of working for yourself? Do you want to control your own destiny?

If the first answer to why is that you want to make a lot of money, its absolutely the wrong answer. Sometimes entrepreneurs do very well financially, but often its a struggle. And people who are in it for the money first don't have the right perspective to successfully grow a business. If you want lots of money, look into selling cars or some other big-ticket item. Leave entrepreneurship to people who love the process as much as the results.

Do you absolutely love your dream? Starting your own business is the most time-consuming and absorbing thing you will ever do. Figure on spending almost all of your waking hours working on it, thinking about it, talking about it and selling it to others. Indifference just wont cut it. Without that absolute commitment, you may walk away before your business has a chance to succeed. Its that love and belief that will keep you going when things get tough, and they will.

Are you responsible? You will be asking people for money, making promises, building a group of people who will be counting on you to deliver a product or service, to generate a return on their investment in your company, to keep them employed and paid once you hire them. This means being accountable, taking responsibility, finishing what you start, executing your plans and working your butt off to keep those promises. The bottom line for everything in your business comes down to you.

Can you make tough decisions? The final arbiter on everything to do with your business is you. Are you prepared to look at problems and decide on a solution that you can live with? Can you fire someone who is just not doing their job? Can you tell people theyve made a mistake, or you have, and what needs to happen to fix it?

Are you determined? Its rare for an entrepreneur to start a business and have everything go well. You can lose customers or key employees; you can struggle to make payroll or a delivery date. Investors can walk away at the last minute. Events can fall through or flop. You can fail completely and have to start again. You may lose friends or supporters. It takes faith in yourself and your dream to survive the rough spots and keep going. You have to be able to lift yourself up and start over after every blow.

Are you willing to sacrifice? Big dreams and starting a business can easily take over your life. Personal time, extra cash, a social life, relationships often fall by the wayside because there just isnt enough time or money. Luxuries such as season tickets to your favorite sports team or dinners out at the newest restaurant will probably go by the wayside. You may not remember the last time you just sat down and read a book for fun or went to a movie. Entrepreneurs trade in many things other people take for granted to live their dreams and make them come true. If those choices arent for you, then you may want to head in another direction.

There is a glamour and magic to starting your own business. Its exciting and amazing, particularly when everything starts to come together. But it is a demanding life, and not for everyone. Make sure its a fit for you before jumping into the world of entrepreneurship.

Young Entrepreneurs:

 

 

Introducing Economics: Scarcity, Choice and Opportunity Cost

These videos will help you understand Land, Labor, Capital, and Entrepreneur -- terms you WILL need to understand.

Scarcity, Choice, and Opportunity Cost in the Health Sector:

Dialysis machines are used for patients who have kidneys that don't work properly -- without dialysis the patients would quickly die.  They are expensive -- costing about $100,000. 

Some patients can get a kidney transplant, which means they won't need dialysis any longer.

A hospital in town has one dialysis machine that can run for 30 hours per weeks.  As the boss of the hospital, you must decide who gets the treatment.

There are a number of patients who require treatment and their needs are given below:

1. Patient A: 6 year old child who needs 10 hours per week.  They are awaiting a kidney transplant which is expected to occur in one year.
2. Patient B: 55 year old man who needs 5 hours per week.  He is married with grown up children.
3. Patient C: 3 year old child who will need dialysis indefinitely.  Currently needs 4 hours per week.
4. Patient D: 78 year old female, 4 hours per week.
5. Patient E: 7 year old child, has three brothers and sisters, 4 hours per week.
6. Patient F: 8 year old child, no brothers and sisters, 5 hours per week.
7. Patient G: 30 year old female, two young children, 6 hours per week.
8. Patient H: 30 year old male, two young children, 5 hours per week.
9. Patient I: 30 year old male, no children, 4 hours per week.
10. Patient J: 45 year old man with no children.  Needs 6 hours per week but has a brother who will donate a kidney.  This will take place in six month's time.
11. Patient K: A 65 year old man who requires 10 hours per week.  As he is quite wealth, he has promised to buy another dialysis machine for the hospital if he is still alive in one year's time.

Decide how you will allocate the 30 hours, in order of preference.

Turning in Work

Important:  If you don't label your paper properly, one [or more] of the following may occur:

• It will take longer to grade your paper.
• You may lose points
• I may refuse to accept it
• Someone else may claim it as theirs

ACT Extra Credit

While I am not a proponent of testing [in general], I am an advocate of doing well on the ACT because it can help you get into the college you want, help you get scholarships, and it allows colleges to find you based on your scores and interest inventory.  For that reason, I am choosing to offer extra credit for those who take the ACT and do well.

• "20 Point Club":  50 Extra Credit Points
• "30 Point Club":  100 Extra Credit Points
• "32 Point Club":  Grade Bump (up one grade)

ACT Score must be shown to me by the last day of school.

Journal: How Would You Spend a Million Dollars?

Journal Write:  How would you spend $1,000,000?

Imagine that you suddenly won a million dollars.  What would you do?  How would you spend it?  Be specific.

Question: If you had $1,000,000 and had to spend it all in one year, how much [if divided equally] would you have to spend every single hour?

Beginning Checking: Checks and Registers

Today we're going to begin a unit on using a checking account.  First we'll do a math worksheet going over percentages, decimals, and writing amounts out in longhand. (I will be handing out a copy in class, but you can get a copy here)

Next we will explore the general layout of a personal check:

Finally we will do a quick simulation of writing checks and using a check register.  I will be passing out a worksheet with three checks and a register (you can view a copy here: Checks with Register).  Use the following scenario to complete your worksheet:

• You begin your checking account today (12/02/16) with $135.72 from your piggy bank.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 from your work and Deposit it to your checking account on 12/03/16.
• Write a Check for your rent on 12/04/13 for $525 to Jellico Green Apartments.
• You go to dinner at Jellico Steakhouse on Saturday Night (12/05/16) for $18.27 and use your Debit Card.
• You send a Check to Edward Teach in the amount of $31.19 on 12/06/16 for a lamp you bought on eBay.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 on 12/07/16 from your work and you Deposit it to your checking account that afternoon.
• You write a Check for your car payment to Jellico Auto Brokers on 12/08/16 in the amount of $224.72.
• You use Online Banking to pay $124.25 for your PG&E bill on 12/09/16.

Compare your ending balance with a neighbors to verify your accuracy.

Here are a couple video clips to explore:

RECORD ALL CHARGES OR CREDITS THAT AFFECT YOUR ACCOUNT
#	DATE	DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION	PAYMENT / DEBIT	√	DEPOSIT / CREDIT	BALANCE
			(-)		(+)	$                 135.72
DEP	12/2	Deposit: Paycheck			$    550.00	$                 685.72
101	12/3	Rent: February	$     525.00			$                 160.72
ATM	12/4	Dinner at Lyndall's	$       18.27			$                 142.45
102	12/5	Edward Teach: Ebay	$       31.19			$                 111.26
DEP	12/6	Deposit: Paycheck			$    550.00	$                 661.26
103	12/7	Airport Auto Brokers	$     224.72			$                 436.54
OL	12/8	PG&E	$     124.25			$                 312.29

Emergency Supplies: Preparing for an Emergency or Disaster

We have talked about the need to know basic first aid & CPR skills, but are you ready for an emergency?  What if we have a tornado outbreak or an electrical storm that knocks power out for several weeks or we get snowed in for a couple weeks?  What if you were evacuated from your home for some reason?  Do you know what you would take with you if you had less than 5 minutes to decide?

Many people keep an emergency "Bug Out Bag" -- a bag / backpack with emergency supplies and important necessities that they can grab and go in a moments notice.  The BOB is based on a military pack that soldiers keep at the ready, but is in use around the world for places prone to tornadoes, military strikes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, etc.

Take a few minutes and make a list of everything you would stuff into a Bug Out Bag if we were in danger of some sort of emergency scenario.  Don't share your list or help others because we will be checking to see who does the best with this.-

What are some potential emergency scenarios?  Obviously some are less likely than others, but East Tennessee has endured a variety of emergencies over the years.  We have seen tornadoes and fires and ice or snow storms.  There's a possibility we could even be in a dormant fault line for severe earthquakes.  So it's a good idea to prepare for all sorts of emergencies whether or not we plan to actually HAVE an emergency in our area.

• Floods
• Fires
• Wind Storms
• Earthquake
• Volcano
• Hurricane
• Virus Outbreak / Plague
• Chemical Weapon Attack
• Nuclear Attack
• Tornado
• EMP
• Power Grid Failure
• Military Attack / Invasion
• Revolution / Power Shift
• Economic Collapse
• Insect Infestation
• Zombie Apocalypse
• Asteroid
• Blizzard
• Aliens

Obviously there is little [or no] chance of some of these things happening [especially around here], but being prepared for anything means you are prepared for everything.

So what would be a good "starter list" to help you think about what you might want to put into a bug-out bag.  I would like you to compile a list of supplies you plan to put into an emergency backpack.  Obviously you can't get all of this into a kit, but you will have to plan accordingly depending on what is most important to you.

Try to keep your items realistic and think about the weight of what you are carrying.  You don't know if you will be in a car, walking the road, or climbing over a mountain, so your job is to be the most prepared as possible for any circumstance.

Your homework is to begin an Emergency Backpack with as many of your supplies as possible.

Getting a Roommate: Pro's & Con's

Moving out on your own can be a financial nightmare.  One way to cope with the extra bills (rent, utilities, and even transportation) is to get a roommate.  But having a roommate is not always what it's cracked up to be.  Friendships can be tested [and lost] over trivial things that you didn't think were a big deal.

A couple things you can do to prevent problems is to do a serious consideration of your compatibility (we will be working on a compatibility chart) and to work out an informal roommate contract.  The compatibility chart will bring up issues you may not have thought about and the informal roommate contract will help to settle disputes that will undoubtedly arise during your shared housing period.

The Roommate Compatibility Chart should include sections on personalities, sleeping habits, eating habits, housekeeping attitudes, social habits, etc.

The Informal Roommate Contract is not legally binding -- it's more of a guide to help you resolve little problems that come up (who is paying for what, who is in charge of taking out garbage, who is responsible for dishes on a certain day, what time visitors are allowed to stay, etc.).

In this example, Leonard meets Sheldon to discuss renting the room and Sheldon gives Leonard a compatibility questionnaire.  Although this is a parody, the idea was to prevent an incompatible person from becoming a roommate.  This is important to do even with people you have known for many years.

Beginning Check Writing and Banking

Today we're going to begin a unit on using a checking account.  First we'll do a math worksheet going over percentages, decimals, and writing amounts out in longhand. (I will be handing out a copy in class, but you can get a copy here)

Next we will explore the general layout of a personal check:

Finally we will do a quick simulation of writing checks and using a check register.  I will be passing out a worksheet with three checks and a register (you can view a copy here: Checks with Register).  Use the following scenario to complete your worksheet:

• You begin your checking account today (12/02/16) with $135.72 from your piggy bank.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 from your work and Deposit it to your checking account on 12/03/16.
• Write a Check for your rent on 12/04/16 for $425 to Jellico Green Apartments.
• You go to dinner at The Pizza Spot on Saturday Night (12/05/16) for $18.27 and use your Debit Card.
• You send a Check to Edward Teach in the amount of $31.19 on 12/06/16 for a pair of shoes you bought on eBay.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 on 12/17/16 from your work and you Deposit it to your checking account that afternoon.
• You write a Check for your car payment to Airport Auto Brokers on 12/18/16 in the amount of $224.72.
• You use Online Banking to pay $124.25 for your Jellico Electric bill on 12/09/16.

Compare your ending balance with a neighbors to verify your accuracy.

Here are a couple video clips to explore:

RECORD ALL CHARGES OR CREDITS THAT AFFECT YOUR ACCOUNT
#	DATE	DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION	PAYMENT / DEBIT	√	DEPOSIT / CREDIT	BALANCE
			(-)		(+)	$                 135.72
DEP	12/2	Deposit: Paycheck			$    550.00	$                 685.72
101	12/3	Rent: February	$     425.00			$                 260.72
ATM	12/4	Dinner at Pizza Spot	$       18.27			$                 242.45
102	12/5	Edward Teach: Ebay	$       31.19			$                 211.26
DEP	12/6	Deposit: Paycheck			$    550.00	$                 761.26
103	12/7	Airport Auto Brokers	$     224.72			$                 536.54
OL	12/8	Jellico Electric	$     124.25			$                 412.29

If You Think You Can...

"If You Think You Can, You Can"
Denis Waitley from “Seeds of Greatness.”

You can be a total winner, even if you're a beginner,
If you think you can-if you think you can, you can;
You can wear the gold medallion, you can ride your own black stallion,
If you think you can-if you think you can, you can;
It's not your talent, or the gifted birth,
It's not your bankbook that determines your worth;
And it isn't the color of your skin,
It's your attitude that lets you win!
You can upset McEnroe or Austin, win the marathon in Boston,
If you think you can, you can-if you think you can, you can;
You can profit through inflation, you can redirect this nation,
If you think you can, you can-if you think you can, you can.
It doesn't matter if you've won before,
It makes no difference what the half-time score;
It's never over 'till the final gun,
So keep on trying and you'll find you've won.
Just grab your dream and then believe it,
Go out and work, and you'll achieve it;
If you think you can, you can-if you think you can, you can.

Dave Ramsey: Saving and Investing

For the next few days we will discuss savings and investment strategies:

• Complete the worksheets as we watch the movies.
• There will be a quiz on this material next week.
• You will need to know about emergency funds, mutual funds, compound interest, liquidity, single stock investing, pinnacle point, risk/return ratio, etc.

I know savings and investing is not something everybody wants to learn, but it can literally make THE difference in your future.  Imagine never having to have a car payment or not panicking if you had to buy medicine for your children or worrying if you got laid off for a month or two.  That's why Dave Ramsey refers to his program as "Financial Peace". 

Please give it a chance and I think you'll actually learn some important lessons.

Friday Funny: Where will you sit?

When you get on the roller coaster that we call life, you have to decide where you will sit.

I see this picture as an example of this idea, and I relate it to what you decide to do with your life.  For example:

• The fourth row is sitting back and collecting a check from the government. 
• The 3rd row is an entry level (i.e. fast food) job that gets you by.
• The 2nd row is a good job with benefits and some vacation time. 
• The front row is getting paid to do something you love, every day of your life. 

You don't realize it now, but life is much shorter than you think.  Find your passions and figure out how to work that into your career.  Work hard now and then coast through life enjoying the ride.

Photoshop Example: Restore Damaged Photo

We will spend today and tomorrow restoring a photograph.  I have actually done this as a side business (see http://www.restoredtreasures.com) and did pretty well with it.  The nice thing about doing this is that you make money, but you also save someones memories.

For today, select one of the attached damaged photos to repair and restore [or locate your own].  Remember to save the original to include in your portfolio as a "before and after".  If you do not include a "Before and After" (either as one image or by uploading both) I won't grade it.

This example comes from a press release from Utah (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/08/prweb149074.htm) in which they declare October 11th to be "Historical Photo Restoration Day".

Original

Restored

I will demonstrate the tools with this image:

Here are some examples of restored photos:

In this strange example, I combined the anaglyph project with a photo restoration to give the restored picture some depth.  You can see it if you use anaglyph red/cyan glasses.

Click on an image to view it full-size, then Right-click and Save As to your computer:

Sometimes I actually replace the original backdrop in a portrait.  Here are some examples:

Here are some video tutorials showing the basic process:

Photoshop Gondola Example

Assignment:  We have accepted an assignment from a client to take a dull, scanned photograph and improve it for use in a poster, brochure, web site, etc.  The client has scanned a photograph of a gondola, but they think it is too hazy... and they don't like the speedboat in the center of the picture... and "the colors are a little blah".  We will use PhotoShop to correct these issues... and more.

Photoshop Tools/Options Used:

• Ruler
• Rotate Canvas
• Crop
• Levels
• Clone Stamp
• Dodge
• Burn
• Replace Color
• Magic Wand
• Paste Into
• Free Transform

We will be using the following images to create our final project:
(Right-click each image and save to your computer, then open them in Photoshop.)

• Gondola
• Clouds

Part I: We will begin with the Gondola picture (p_start.psd):

• Select VIEW > FIT ON SCREEN (shortcut is CTRL+0) to see the image as large as possible
• Select the RULER tool (sometimes it's hidden under the EYEDROPPER) -- a shortcut is SHIFT+I which toggles through that toolset.
• Drag the ruler along an edge that should be straight (i.e. the edge of the tower).
• Select IMAGE > ROTATE CANVAS > ARBITRARY...
• A suggested rotation is already in place based on your ruler line (this tool is trying to make the ruler line vertical or horizonal)... so click OK.
• Use the RECTANGULAR MARQUEE tool (the box shape) to select as much of the picture as possible without including the black border (it's okay if you don't get all of the photo in the square).
• Select IMAGE > CROP
• Select VIEW > FIT ON SCREEN (again, to see the maximum image size)
• Select IMAGES > ADJUSTMENTS > LEVELS
• Drag the "black triangle" in toward the very beginning of the "mountain range" -- and do the same for the "white triangle" (click the "Preview" box to toggle this change to preview what it is doing) then click OK.
• You now have a brightened, cropped image to work with for the next part.

Part II: Removing the Motor Boat / Using the Clone Stamp

• Click the CLONE STAMP tool
• Move your pointer over to a clear area of water -- about the same distance/depth as your motorboat (i.e. somewhere in the same horizontal line) and ALT+CLICK.
• Move your mouse over to the center of the motorboat and slowly paint over the boat.  Notice the "+" shape where the CLONE STAMP is copying from.

Part III: Adjusting Highlights and Shadows

• Click the DODGE tool (it looks like a black pushpin) and set the Range for HIGHLIGHTS and the Exposure to around 10%.
• Adjust your brush size as necessary with the [ and ] keys.
• Brush over the red and white striped tarp and notice how the highlights are getting brighter.  Try this on other tarps and the side of the boat which seems to get shinier.
• Click the BURN tool (it looks like a hand pinching and is found under the DODGE tool) and set the Range for SHADOWS and the Exposure to around 5%.
• Adjust your brush size as necessary with the [ and ] keys.
• Brush over the boats/tarps just to get a little contrast.

Part IV: Replace the Orange Tarp

• Use the ZOOM tool (it looks like a magnifying glass) to zoom in on the orange tarp -- making sure you can see the entire thing.
• Use the LASSO tool and draw around the orange tarp (making a selection)
• Select IMAGE > ADJUSTMENT > REPLACE COLOR
• Click on the orange part of the orange tarp.  You should see a faint "mask" of the orange shape appear in the Replace Color box.
• Hold down the SHIFT key and Click and Drag around the orange tarp trying to select ONLY the orange areas.  If you over-select (i.e. you accidentally go into the black) you can start this step over.
• When you feel like you have a nice, sharp "mask" of the orange tarps shape, drag the HUE slider left and right.  Notice the colors changing on your image.
• If you adjust the SATURATION slider and the LIGHTNESS slider, you can actually match the colors of the other tarps on the boat.

Part V: Make Blue Skies From Gray

• Open the Clouds picture (p_clouds.psd).
• Click on SELECT > ALL (or do CTRL+A)
• Select EDIT > COPY (or do CTRL+C)
• Go back to your Gondola picture.
• Click the MAGIC WAND tool (SHIFT+W toggles this)
• Click in one of the "gray" areas of the sky and notice how it selects some of the building tops.  We don't want that.
• Drop your TOLERANCE down to 10 and see how that works.  Notice that it [probably] doesn't select the entire piece.  We can compensate for that by holding SHIFT and clicking in the "unselected" areas.
• Continue SHIFT-Clicking the other "gray" areas of the sky throughout the picture.
• Select EDIT > PASTE INTO (not PASTE)
• Notice how ugly and unnatural this looks?  Don't worry -- go over to the OPACITY setting (above your LAYERS) and drag that down until it looks natural.  Mine is about 37% [this time].
• When you are satisfied with your final product, select LAYER > FLATTEN IMAGE.

Part VI: Make the Before and After

• Go to IMAGE > CANVAS SIZE
• Change "inches" to percent and change the width (since this is a picture that is taller than it is wide, a side-by-side comparison works best -- so we will adjust the width) and change the 100 to 200 (making it twice the width).
• Click on the Right Arrow (this means you want your current picture -- the "after" -- to be on the right) and click OK.
• Copy your original image (in this case, p_start.psd) and Paste it into your finished image.  Use the MOVE tool (the black arrow) to drag it to the left side.
• You may want to use your FREE TRANSFORM to rotate and resize the original so it fits better.
• Add your name to the finished image.
• Save your completed file as a JPEG image to your Thawspace. 

Part VII: Add to Your Portfolio

• Go to your Blog (http://www.blogger.com/) and sign into your account.
• Click New Post and make sure "Compose" is selected.
• Click the IMAGE/PICTURE button.
• Browse for your picture (from your Thawspace).
• Add a description about the steps you completed or the process you used in putting this together.  You could even add the reason you did the project (e.g. A virtual client wanted you to clean up an image to use for print/online media).
• Click PUBLISH POST.
• Click VIEW BLOG.

If you have difficulty following along and would like to work on this from home, here is a tutorial using the same images:

Photoshop Retouch Example

BASIC RETOUCHING

Today we are going to explore some photo retouching.  Next we will be creating a "before and after" picture to save to our portfolios.

First we will get an original source image to work with:

1. Begin by right-clicking the image below and selecting "Copy Image" or "Copy" (depending on which browser you are using). 
2. Open Photoshop and select FILE > NEW
3. Select EDIT > PASTE
4. Use the tools I demonstrate in class to touch up the photograph 

Next we will create the Before & After picture:

1. Select IMAGE > CANVAS SIZE
2. Change your settings to "PERCENT"
3. Click on the "Right Arrow"
4. Change your Width to 200% and click OK
5. You should now have an image with space on the left
6. Copy the original image (from this web page) again
7. Paste the image into your Photoshop document and drag it to the left (as the "before" image)
8. Use the Text tool to add your name to the image.
9. Save your image to your Thawspace as a PSD and as a JPG

Next we will upload these pictures to our portfolio:

1. Open your Blogger account (you may want to open Gmail and then go to http://www.blogger.com/).
2. Select your "Portfolio" page.
3. Click "New Post"
4. Click the "Image" button in the post window.
5. Locate and select your picture (the JPG version), then click "OK"
6. Click on the picture in your post and select the size you want it displayed.
7. Write a brief summary of what this project is about (either before, after, or on either side of your image).
8. Click "Publish"
9. Click "View Blog" (at the very top of your window)

Finally, choose another picture that you can retouch.  I'm attaching a couple examples, but you can select another image if you like.  (I recommend clicking the picture to view it full-size before copying it.)

Learn From Those Who Have Been There

About this project:

I think it’s important for high school juniors and seniors who are getting ready to start out on their own [whether it’s at college or in a job or both] to begin thinking about money and credit.  I also feel that it’s important to ask people who have really “been there.”  As an adult, if I want to know who has the best cell phone plans or the cheapest texting, I ask a teenager.  If I want to know the best new video games, I ask a teenager.  I do that because they have the experience to help me make a smart decision.  As a teenager, you should seriously consider who has the most experience getting out on their own, getting credit, saving money, being successful, getting in financial trouble, etc. 

That’s why for this project I want you to interview “those who have been there.”  You will choose people whose opinions you respect, and ask them a series of questions.  You will use the answers to these questions to write about what you have learned.

Instructions:

        

You will choose four people (men or women from different age groups) and interview them.

• Take notes as they answer the questions – especially on things for which they offer advice.
• Try to ask follow-up questions if you want to know more about a certain subject.
• After each interview, summarize your experience (what was interesting, what were their reactions to the questions, what was surprising, etc.) in a paragraph.
• Next week we will write an essay using these results and what you have learned in this class.

LEARN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE

#1: A person between ages 18‐23 who has been on his own for over two years:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#2: A person between ages 24‐30 who has a family:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out on your own?
• Now that you have a family, have your spending patterns changed?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#3: A person between ages 35‐60:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• How have your spending patterns changed since you were 35 years old?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• If you have a family, have your spending patterns changed?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#4: A person older than 65:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change during your child rearing years?
• How have your spending patterns changed since you were 60 years old?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• Did you use credit during your younger years?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out on your own?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

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(I will get you a copy of these questions so you don't have to copy/print)

Computer Lab: Day 1 (Accounts & Word Processing)

Don't forget to bring your draft references and résumé so we can type them up in the computer lab tomorrow!

Today we will be using the computer lab to create some Google accounts, explore the Google Drive, and use word processing software (one of the Google Docs).

Our projects will include:

• References
• Résumés
• Email

To begin with, create a new Google Account (if you don't already have one).  This will be your email address, your Google Docs login, etc.  Sometimes Google asks you for a phone number to verify that you are a real person.  If you don't have a phone, you may have to borrow one from a friend for a few seconds.

Next we will look at Email.  You can either click the Gmail button in your Google Account or you can go to Gmail.com to access the tool.  You will send an email to: askgriff@gmail.com  and the subject of the email will be your name.  You can just type "Hello" or something in the email to get full credit for this assignment.

Résumé Template:  (Click Here)