Everyone has a story about how their mother threw out their collection of old baseball cards but others still have their sports cards lying around in the attic.  Card collecting can be fun and even therapeutic for some.  Some sports cards can bring back memories of attending a game with a love one or remembrance of a specific sporting event like attending a World Series game. One of the most common questions that collectors want to know is what their sports cards are worth.  Knowing how to find this information out can be hard for a novice collector.  Here are some tips and tricks from the pros to help you find out what your sports cards are really worth.

Condition First

Before one can determine what his or her sports cards are worth the condition of the cards must be determined.  The condition of a sports card it determined buy a few factors that add or detract from its value.  Corners, Centering, surface and edges are the most common traits when determining a cards condition.  A card with sharp corners and good centering can sometimes be worth 10-20 times more than one that has been creased or destroyed over time.  The better the condition the more the card sells for.

Age

Older sports cards normally sell for more money than newer ones.  This is mainly due to the fact that older cards are harder to find than newer ones produced only a few years ago.  Cards form the 50’s and 60’s sell for much more money than of the players from the 80’s and 90’s.

Rookie Cards and Autograph Cards

Rookie cards are considered the first regular issued card of a given player.  Rookie cards have always been the most popular cards among collectors.  Investors tend to only purchase rookie cards of popular players hoping to make a profit in future years.  Autographed cards are also very popular with investors.  Signed cards have become so popular over the last few years that card manufacturers like Topps and Upper Deck have included them in packs of cards.

Player Popularity

Player popularity is the final key element to finding out what a card is worth.  Hall of Fame players like Nolan Ryan, Babe Ruth and Walter Payton have cards that are worth much more than common players which only managed to play in a few seasons.  Up and coming prospects can also be considered popular as they are popular with speculators and die-hard fans.

After you have had a chance to sift through your cards and have pulled out the best one’s it is a good idea to protect them from any further possible damage.  Collectors can purchase top loaders or card savers from local hobby shops to help protect their cards.  These holders are very inexpensive and do a  great job for a nominal price.

If you want to find out exactly what your cards are worth, you can also have them evaluated by professi0nal card grading companies. While many grading companies charge high prices (up to $35 per card!) you can actually find reliable companies to do it for under $5 per card so be sure to shop around.

There is no better part time job available for most college students than bartending.  In simple terms it provides:

• Better income opportunities
• The better you get the more you earn
• Incredible flexibility
• Its fun
• You aren’t in an office or outdoors subject to weather conditions
• You can apply it in bars, restaurants, hotels, for catering and parties and more ways than any other opportunity
• You can use it anywhere in the country and overseas
• There are lots of bartending jobs available

Age to Bartend

College age students have far more opportunities to bartend than they might realize.  26 states in the US allow you to bartend at 18 and above.  You can bartend at age 19 in 3 states and 1 additional state at age 20.  In the rest of the nation you need to be at least 21 years old.

States that allow 18 year olds to bartend include all of New England, most of the Mid Atlantic and other states throughout the US.  Our bartending school in Pittsburgh PA, has been training college age students for decades and helped hundreds if not thousands land bartender jobs for years.

Hands on Training

Our bartending classes provide hands-on training in a realistic bar in a fast 40 hour program that is state regulated.  The training is incredibly realistic, lots of fun, and taught by instructors with years of experience both bartending and as instructors.  Job placement assistance has resulted in students landing jobs at many of Pittsburgh’s hottest clubs, trendiest and fanciest restaurants along with neighborhood and sports bars throughout the region.

Income Opportunities

Once you get good and efficient most bartenders earn somewhere in a rough range of $100-$300/shift.  Income will vary from place to place, and day to day.  Most of the income is from tips.  The better you get, the more you earn.

While most bartenders work evenings there are many lucrative day bartending jobs, ranging from restaurants to hotels, to airport restaurants.  Still other opportunities include catering and parties.  You can work for caterers or establish your own bartending service.  Its simply an endless variety of opportunities for enthused students looking for a great way to earn income while in school.

Vacations are usually fun no matter where you go or what you do.  Sometimes though things get boring once you’ve done them too many time.  If you have a timeshare you probably understand this better than anyone.  Trying new activities at your vacation hotspot might get things going again but there’s only so much a place can offer.

Going somewhere new is a much better way to energize your vacation.  A new location will offer new sites and things to do.  Unless you’re used to finding the most adventurous places you can though, it’s likely that you’ll find somewhere a lot like the vacation you normally take.

If you want an easy way to make your vacation exciting and original don’t just look for somewhere new to go, find somewhere a bit different to stay.  Transfer your timeshare, throw out the old hat and take a look at these great and unique lodging ideas.

1. Bed and Breakfast

At a bed and breakfast you don’t just get a place to stay, you get an intimate lodging experience and personal service.  Every bed and breakfast is unique so look around a bit and find something that fits your tastes.  And remember you’re staying with someone that lives in the area.  While you’re having your hearty breakfast feel free ask them about what’s special in the area.

2. Hostel

You might not see them as much in the United States as you do in Europe, but hostels are an awesome way to travel.  If you’re on a tight budget they can help stretch your money a lot farther.  You’ll also have the chance to meet a lot of people and isn’t that part of what makes travel so great?

3. Couch Surfing

This may sound like something you do in college but with the advent of the internet it has become a great way to travel.  Through official sites you can find people that are willing to let you stay at their house for a couple days while you’re on vacation.  The websites do their best to make sure everyone is safe and has as much information as possible.  While this probably isn’t a great way to travel with kids it’s can be a great experience for anyone that feels up to it.

4. Home Exchange

If you’ve seen The Holiday then you should at least have an idea of what this is.  With a home exchange you swap homes with another person or family for a predetermined amount of time.  Sine you’re trading straight across this can be an extremely affordable way to travel.  It’s not for everyone.  If you try this out just remember you’re taking care of their home while they take care of yours.

5. Cottage Rental

Renting a place for a week or a few days can make travel much easier.  You get a kitchen and other facilities so you can save on dining out and pack fewer clothes.  Cottages are great places to rent as you get everything you need in a small package.  You can even find them in unique settings like a cozy mountain retreat or a sheep farm where you can watch the dogs round up the stock in the morning.

6. Camping

You’ve probably been camping at least once in your life even if it was just when you were a kid.  Remember how fun that was?  Now just think of what it would be like to go camping somewhere really different, like the jungle or the Rockies.  This will take a bit of research to see what camp grounds are available where you’re going but it can make things a bit more special.

7. Yurt

This is kind of like camping with better accommodations.  You won’t have the luxuries of a normal hotel room but you’re not entirely roughing it either.  Yurt vacations have become more popular recently and there are a number of places that offer yurt camping, from the Pacific Northwest to Mongolia and the Gobi Desert.

8. Jail

Jail certainly doesn’t sound like a vacation but it can be.  Quite a few old jailhouses have been converted into lodging.  Whether you look for a designer room in a fully renovated prison, somewhere that offers a taste of the real thing or something in between, a night or two in a jail turned hotel can make for an exciting vacation stay.

9. Tree house

We’re not talking about the one out in the backyard.  Tree house hotels offer full hotel accommodations all up in the canopy.  You’ll find these all over in tropical climates and there are even a few in the United States.  As long as you’re not afraid of heights this can take you vacation for ho hum to amazing instantly.

10. Igloo

A house made of snow doesn’t sound like a great place to stay but igloos are surprisingly warm.  There are a number of places in colder climates that offer igloo lodging throughout the winter months.  You’ll find these ice hotels in places like Canada, Russia, Sweden and other countries near the Arctic Circle.

11. Underwater

Ice hotels are strange enough but underwater hotels?  You’ll find them in places like Fiji, Florida and even a lake in Sweden.  You literally get to sleep with the fishes as these special rooms’ windows look directly into open water.  If sleeping on the bottom of the ocean seems like a little much you can look for aquariums that offer a similar experience.

12. Ships, Planes and More

If you do a little looking you’ll find a great many things have been converted into hotels.  You’ll find reclaimed airplanes and trains turned hotel rooms all over the place.  Old ships are another common candidate for conversion.  Germany even has a “pay what you can” hotel with rooms made out of old drain pipe.  If you want a truly unique experience you just have to look.

There are tons of offbeat places to stay if you just look for them.  Why bother with the same old same old where there’s so much to explore and do out there?  Finding weird accommodations is a great first step to making vacation memories that last.  Don’t let a timeshare, old habits or anything else keep you from having the best, most brag worthy vacation ever.

There are hidden dangers in every household a person should be aware of, because if not, it can cause an accident or the death of a family pet. The dangling cords from mini-blinds and window treatments are responsible for taking the lives of hundreds of pets each year. For this very reason, it is important to be mindful of these dangers to protect your pets.

Removing dangerous cords is the best way to prevent accidents and deaths and to keep a home safe.  Years ago, when mini-blinds were first developed, nobody thought about the dangers cords could pose. The cords used to raise and lower mini-blinds seems to be easy and convenient, however, education has brought about changes and now manufacturers are offering cordless mini-blinds for people with pets in the home, which is a much safer option.

Fitting a home with cordless blinds is the best and most economical way to update your window treatments and it is not as expensive as one might think. Companies often have a difficult time getting out the word about the dangers of mini-blinds with cords, but most websites advertise the dangers to make people aware. If you know someone that uses corded mini-blinds in their home, it is a good idea to let them know about the cordless varieties and to explain about the dangers and risks posed to pets.

Cordless mini-blinds are the perfect solution for families wanting to protect the pets in their home. These blinds are less expensive than draperies and will give pet owners, peace of mind once they are installed. People that install cordless mini-blinds in the home will find they are simple to take care of and do not require a lot of maintenance, just a simple quick dusting every few weeks or a once over with the vacuum will get rid of any dust also.

There are a wide variety of different cordless mini-blinds available on the market and these come in varying weights or gauges and a vast array of colors and patterns. Aluminum blinds offer durability and can be used for many years, which makes them an ideal choice for those on a budget and not wanting to change window treatments every few years. Some other better models can be purchased with contoured metal headrails which will hide the blinds when they are pulled up.

While cordless mini-blinds are some of the most affordable window treatments on the market, the money spent will be worthwhile, because it protects your precious and beloved pets. When your pet’s lives are at stake, it is important to remember anything a child could be hurt or harmed with can also hurt them too. Check into all the options available in cordless mini-blinds and purchase the ones which are suited to your decor and rest assured knowing your cat or dog will thank you for it by showering you with years of love, attention and companionship.

Modifying a full-size pickup truck like the Ford F-150 to handle and accelerate like a sports car might seem a bit like trying to teach ballet to an elephant. After all, the F-150 has the aerodynamics of a brick, a sky-high center of gravity and a powertrain optimized for hauling and towing, making it a less than prime candidate for a performance upgrade. Nevertheless, the improbability of the task hasn’t stopped Ford and various tuners from turning out some truly outrageous F-150’s over the years. Here is a look at five of the most memorable F-150s to go under the wrench for speed’s sake.

2007 Saleen S331

Despite its massive 23-inch wheels and low-hanging front fascia, the S331 was a truck that blended looks and performance with pickup truck functionality. At the heart of the S331 was a 5.4-liter V8 with a Saleen-designed supercharging mounted on top and running 5.5 psi of boost. With 450 ponies and 500 lb-ft of torque on tap, the S331 could knock off the zero-to-60 spring in about 6 seconds-– not bad for a 5500 pound truck! Moreover, the S331 was still fully work-capable with a 9500-pound towing capacity.

2003-2008 Shelby Super Snake F-150

Looking like the child of a Shelby GT500 Mustang and a F-150, the Super Snake was able to attack twisty roads with aplomb thanks to a lowered DJM suspension and six-piston Baer brakes with cross-drilled and vented rotors. Handling motivational duties was a 475-horespower V8 with a Whipple supercharger and Borla exhaust that made the truck sound like an angry muscle car on steroids. Outside, the truck recalled the look of the Shelby’s classic 1960s Mustangs with an offset cobra badge in the grille and a long, narrow hood scoop.

1999-2004 SVT Lightning

Created by the Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), the Lightning was a no-holds barred performance truck that minimized mass with a two-wheel drive, regular cab design and maximized speed with a potent 5.4-liter V8. Fed by a Eaton-type supercharger, the motor made 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque in its most potent form, enabling zero-to-60 runs of just over five seconds. An aggressive body kit helped improve on the normal F-150’s aerodynamics -or lack thereof – and also helped the truck look the part, as did a stylish side exhaust system that recalled hot rods of yesteryear.

2010-2012 SVT Raptor

The Raptor could be thought of as the sports-car of off road trucks. Traversing a pockmarked desert landscape full of large rocks, undulations and other dangerous obstacles at (and beyond) highway speeds, a feat that would destroy lesser trucks, is what the Raptor exists for. Along with 11.2 and 12.1 inches of front and rear suspension travel, respectively, and gargantuan 32-inch tires, the secret to the Raptor’s capability are three-stage internal-bypass shocks from Fox Racing. Often used in purpose-built racing trucks, these units offer a firm initial stage for optimum body control and softer second and third stages that allow maximum wheel travel at high speeds off-road. Signaling the Raptor’s impressive capabilities are fully functional heat extractors on the hood and fenders, sturdy hydroformed bumpers, grille-mounted LED marker lights and numerous skid plates. If you want a vehicle to ride out the apocalypse, there’s really only one vehicle you could choose before the Raptor…

Hennessey VelociRaptor 800 Twin Turbo

That truck is the VelociRaptor 800 from performance tuning specialist Hennessey. Starting with the Raptor, Hennessey ratchets up the performance to eleven by adding twin turbochargers, fortified internals and a reprogrammed engine control unit to the truck’s 6.2-liter “Hurricane” V8. The modifications almost double power from 411 to an astounding 810 horsepower. That’s more power than any production Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche…in a pickup truck. With government-mandated fuel-economy increases and ever-escalating gas prices, a truck that blends such over-the-top levels of off-road performance and sheer power may never be seen again.

Apartment shopping can be so exhilarating, can’t it?

The thrill of breaking free from home as a first-time renter or looking for that long-awaited upgrade in square foot for your growing family—whether you are in Omaha or New York City—who can resist?

Unfortunately, that excitement can turn cold if you’re not careful. Worse, your dream apartment could become a year-long nightmare.

So what can you do to avoid losing that happy streak of apartment hunting fun and move into a place that you love for years to come? Start by avoiding these top 10 common apartment shopping blunders.

1. Thinking You Can Have It All.

Most rookie apartment shoppers want—and believe—they can find an apartment that has everything. Think tradeoffs when looking for apartments. It will make your life—and those around you—easier.

2. Confusing Wants for Needs.

A pool is not a need. It’s a want. Three bedrooms…now that’s a need. Once you can distinguish between the two, you’ll make easier and smarter trade-offs.

3. Paying Too Much.

Granted, you might be able to find a place that has everything you want. The marble counters, high ceilings and pool. The only problem? It will take most—if not all—of your income. Here’s a rule of thumb: Don’t spend more than 30% of your income. And remember, unless you’re planning on renting a furnished apartment, you’ll likely have additional expenses once you move in as well.

4. Visiting the Complex Only Once.

True, the complex is safe during daylight hours. But what happens at night? During the weekends? Visit the complex multiple times at different times of the day and week.

5. Overlooking the Bad Location.

Okay. So it’s a sweet apartment in a sweet complex. Gated and guarded. Well lit. But it’s next to two liquor stores, a pawn shop and a row of abandoned brownstones. No wonder it’s a well-lit, guarded and gated community.

6. Ignoring the Distance to Your Job.

Another location trap you need to avoid when apartment shopping is finding a good apartment that’s a long, long way from where you work. Why? The obvious: average gas prices are hovering around 4 dollars a gallon.

7. Failing to Read Entire Leasing Contract.

I don’t care if you don’t like to read. If you want to protect yourself and the bliss you hope to enjoy for years to come in your new apartment, you need to sit down and read every line of your contract before you sign it. And by no means allow anyone to rush you. Demand time to read it.

8. Foregoing the Walk-Through.

Your walk through is your opportunity to make sure your landlord is giving you what he promised. If it’s not done when you move in—forget about it ever happening.

9. Confusion about the Security Deposit.

Your security deposit is NOT your first month’s rent. It’s to cover damages—assuming there are any—when you move out of the apartment. Ask your landlord to explain the security deposit policy.

10. Mistaken Assumptions about Parking.

Are you assigned parking? Is it legal to park on the street? Knowing this can help you avoid being towed or getting into a heated debates with your new neighbors. Definitely not the best way to start off your wonderful new apartment life.

Adobe recently announced Creative Suite 5.5, which is scheduled to ship in mid-May. One of the programs receiving a significant upgrade is Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5. For those of you who already own CS5, the decision to upgrade will likely depend upon how much you use HTML5/CSS3 and whether you develop for mobile devices.

Here’s a brief rundown of the new features:

HTML5/CSS3 support

The Properties area of the CSS Styles panel now supports CSS3 (including browser specific properties beginning with –moz, -webkit, etc.) in the category and list views. In addition CSS3 code hinting is supported in Code View. And, since the updated Live View is based upon the most recent version of the WebKit browser engine, CSS3 properties (including video) can be properly previewed.

W3C Validation

Dreamweaver now uses the live W3C Validation service to validate pages.

Improved Media Queries and Multiscreen Previews

Improvements to support for CSS3 media queries, which allow you to create separate style sheets for phone, pad and desktop devices, makes the feature both easier to find and easier to use. And the Multiscreen Preview feature creates Live View style previews for the different device types.

jQuery and jQuery Mobile Integration

Purchasing a new boat can be an exciting and exhilarating experience for anyone. Having your own boat can vastly increase your quality of life and increase your personal happiness. If you live in an area that has a long boating season, then you are certainly going to realize a dramatic increase in your happiness level. But of course, just buying the boat isn’t usually enough to keep you satisfied. Most boat owners will tell you that once they buy one, they can’t help but purchase new boat accessories every season in order to make their boat the best and brightest on the water. While some accessories are for looks only, there are also many that serve to increase the usability of the boat.

One such accessory is a boat cover. Many people do not realize this needed expense when they purchase the boat. But you certainly do not want the inside of your boat to be exposed to the elements as it is moored on the dock. So one of the first boat accessories you may wish to purchase is certainly a boat cover. It is important to ensure that it is one that is perfectly suited to your make and model. This information is easy to find with a quick online search. By searching online for boat accessories, you will also allow yourself to find the best possible deal for your dollar.

Buoys are another boat accessory that many people do not consider until they put the boat in the water. These are simply used to ensure that the boat isn’t banging up against the side of the dock. This can cause extensive damage to the exterior of your boat, so getting a set of buoys is a small investment that will certainly pay for itself. It isn’t necessary to get buoys that are formatted for your boat. In fact, the size of the boat will dictate what type you should purchase.

If you purchased a speed boat but are also looking to use it to fish, another great boat accessory could be purchasing a trolling motor. Since most high powered speed boats don’t come with a trolling motor, this could be a wise investment to increase the quality of your boating life. Trolling motors are used to troll the water at a slow pace with your fishing rod in the water. It is a preferred method of fishing for many people.

If you plan on using your boat for swimming, then you may wish to install ladders. These are great if you wish to bring the boat out to the middle of the lake and jump off. It can be incredibly difficult to get back into the boat in deep water without a ladder. Although many models of boats come with built in ladders, not all of them do. That is why it is important to consider exactly what you plan on using your boat for before purchasing. But if your needs end up changing after purchase, it isn’t hard at all to find the perfect boat accessories online. The online industry has been growing exponentially, so now it takes only a matter of seconds to find the perfect accessory. And by shopping online, you also gain the advantage of being able to peruse for the best possible price. Owning a boat can greatly increase your summertime happiness, so ensure that you have the best boat and accessories to make this the best summer yet.

Summer is here and now you have finally turned your attention to getting that mess cleaned up and organized in the garage. While it may seem like a daunting challenge initially, there are many garage storage options that will have your space looking much nicer and clean in no time. But that unfortunately is only half of the battle when it comes to fixing up the garage. In addition to findable suitable storage, you also need to make sure the area is functional as well. If you are constantly moving around cars parked in the garage or other objects, it is best to have everything located in a place that makes it easy to grab and use with as little trouble as possible. Here are some tips to help get the best use out of your garage space.

Keep similar items together – much like when you go shopping at a store and everything that is similar is together in one place, you want to have that same type of set up in the garage. It does no good to spend extra minutes looking for an item in the garage once it is cleaned up because it cannot be found. Keep like items together and then be sure to return them to their rightful place when done. Don’t be lazy and dump it in the first available space when you are done working. You are just going to cause yourself frustration and wasted minutes the next time you need to use the item.

Location, location, location – just like in real estate, the best way to position your garage storage solutions are in places where they will be used. For items that will be used outside or in the garden, the best location to store them is in the door that leads out to that area. For household items like detergents or tape rolls you use inside, have them stored close to the garage door that leads back into the house. Chemicals, old paint, fertilizers and other items you don’t want young children to be able to reach should be locked away in cabinets.

Up in the air – it is surprising how many people when organizing the garage still want to leave items leaning up against the garage wall because the floor has now been cleaned out. Anything that can be leaned against wall can just as easily be hung up on a hook or other type of device. Even larger items like bikes or ladders that you may think are too heavy can easily be stored in the hair without damaging garage walls.

There is a ton of room for storage space in the garage, which includes in front of the cars, on the side walls and even up in the air above the vehicles. Make sure to optimize all of the space and also be sure that whatever storage solutions you come up with are also functional as well.

If you are experiencing problems with debt, don’t worry because you certainly aren’t alone. There are more Americans working harder than ever to fight off huge debt loads that they have accumulated over the years. The experience can be both frustrating and demoralizing, and it certainly has taken an emotional toll on many hard-working people. It’s always best to not get into debt in the first place, but we all know how easy it can be to spend money that we don’t quite have in our bank accounts. So the first step is to stop beating yourself up over acquiring debt, and here are five more tips to help you to get that load off your back.

1. Americans love to eat and food is a major expense for most people. But you might be amazed at what you discover if you ever take the time to add all your food expenses up. See how much you spend on take-out and fast food, and try to find ways to save money on food you don’t need. Cooking for yourself is much more preferable, and always be on the lookout for valuable grocery coupons.

2. Cut up all your credit cards. Well, you should make sure they are paid off first, but once they are try to cut down on using any credits and leave one intact for emergencies. No more credit spending, and certainly no more instant loans or borrowing further money.

3. If you have several debts, then concentrate on the biggest one with the largest interest rate. Interest rates can be huge monsters that may seem impossible to get rid of. But if you concentrate your efforts onto one amount, you will feel a tremendous relief if you can reduce it down to zero.

4. Keep records of all your spending- and that means everything. From a cup of coffee to an ice cream, you want to keep track of everything you spend. Incorporate your findings into a budget and try to stick to it as best you can.

5. Start up an emergency fund. This might be hard to do if you are busy trying to pay off debt, but if you do manage to reduce your amount owing then make sure not to get into the same position again. Start up an emergency fund that isn’t to be touched and try to build it up as much as possible. If debt problems come calling again you can consider using this fund, but hopefully you will have made significant changes by then to ensure debt problems don’t reappear.