Hi

One day, a friend of mine accompanied me to a small shop to pick up some items. After we left the shop, my friend commented that I looked rather unhappy. I jokingly said that whenever I have to spend money as opposed to earning it, I feel unhappy.

Had I seriously felt that way, that would have been a very counterproductive outlook on life. If you need something that will make your life better in some way - then get it. That is the purpose of money - to make life sweeter for you.

Many people take the opposite view when it comes to investing in their education. They want the benefits education can bring - be it a better career, stronger relationships or a more profitable business. However, they are not willing to invest the time and money to achieve it.

They’ll think nothing of spending 100’s on dvds or a night on the town but reading a book or taking a course that can deeply impact their lives - is just too much of a stretch.

If you really want to improve your life in whatever area, chances are that there is a course or someone out there that can help you do it.

Ask questions, read a book, do a course at a community college -whatever it takes - invest in your education.

If money is a concern, you can save towards your education, work overtime, start a home based business, cut down on some of your expenses or get government financial aid if you want to do a college degree.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Make it a great day

David

Hi

Two million minutes - that is the approximate time spent between the beginning for the eight grade and the end of high school. How is this time being spent by U.S students vis-à-vis students in economies like China and India?

As someone who has lived in China for the past six years, I can say that Chinese students in general are pushed really hard by their teachers and parents.

Especially in high school (middle school), Chinese students work for very long hours, even going to classes on a Saturday. They don’t complain, it is a cultural thing. Their parents had to do it and so do they.

Some pundits claim that U.S students are losing their edge and point to the rapid advances in India and China as proof of this.

Whether you agree with this or not, a strong argument can be made that American students are not spending their time in high school optimally. In India and China, students appear to be more diligent and focused.

Having said that, the fact remains that America is still the richest country in the world and leads in business, technology and science. Their educational system has to be doing something right for this to be the case.

Is America’s youth really losing their edge? Is their educational system still able to compete effectively with those in fast growing economies of Asia?

Take a look at this provocative video and article and make up your own mind.

Make  it a great day

David