Bills, Expenses and Fees OH MY! Your Cell Phone

2. Bills, Expenses and Fees OH MY! Your Cell Phone Students going to high school, college, or university have even more choices when it comes to cellphone plans. The question is, are the plans promoted to students really better? Students also have a number of unique issues to think about to wisely choose a suitable plan. The Cell Plan Experts have some advice for you about what to look for, what to consider, and what to watch out for. Morgan: “A great money saving tip for your cell phone bill is use a pay as you go phone plan. This prevents racking up a huge cell phone bill without even realizing it. This allows you to limit your monthly cell phone spending and save save save!” Airtime and Long Distance Airtime and long distance are the big ticket items on most bills. Don’t forget about incoming long distance when you are outside your home calling area – this is especially important to commuter students. Many providers have small calling areas, so it is even possible that your high school might not be local. If this is an issue for you, look for plans or features that substantially reduce these costs like nationwide long distance, MY5 type features, or nationwide network calling. Some family plans allow free local or long distance calling between members on the same bill. Remember that features that are advertised for “local” calling will still cover the airtime portion of your long distance calls (but not the long distance rate). Moving to a different calling area for school? To avoid paying incoming long distance on all your calls, you should probably choose a new phone number in your new city. Be careful though: if you spend summers back home or elsewhere, you’ll be stuck with incoming long distance on all calls made during that time. If this is going to be an issue, check if your provider will let you add an option for cheaper or unlimited long distance for just those months. It’ll probably be cheaper than paying extra all year on a plan with included long distance (A nationwide plan).

3. Heading to the States (for Reading Week)? It’s a long time away yet, but if you’re going to the US for reading week or at any other time, check the “roaming” rates before you go. Better yet, check them before you commit when you’re still shopping for plans! The new providers have brought some sanity to pricing and offer rates that are over 85 percent cheaper! If that’s not an option for you, make sure to add a US roaming package before you leave. This can greatly reduce voice, text, and data rates which could otherwise give you a very painful bill hangover. Student Promotions Promotions plans can be a great deal… if it’s for something you needed anyways. Many feature National “MY5″ type features and include data service as well. However, pay attention to the drawbacks. 3 Year contract only? How about the less prominent rates for using extra. Most of all, make sure it matches your usage. Don’t get locked into a larger monthly bill than you need to. Don’t Pay For It At All! There are many freebies at school and on campus. Wireless Internet is usually available free everywhere on campus, at coffee shops, the pub, and in student houses. Get a Wi-Fi capable phone to take advantage of this and scale back or eliminate your cell plan’s data plan costs. If most of your long distance is going to be with the parents back home, arrange to use free voice services like Skype instead. Make sure their computer is setup with the software and a headset and they know how to use it before you leave. Negotiate! In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a price war on right now! Do your homework. Research the competition.

4. Childcare • If you have children who require childcare while you are in school, PLAN AHEAD! • Most childcare facilities accept children as space becomes available and usually operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Many have waiting lists. It typically takes longer to set up care for infants than for toddlers, it may take up to six months to set up care in a facility of your choice. • If you require subsidized childcare apply by contacting, Hamilton Children's Services at 905-546-4870. It can take six months or more to be approved. Apply as soon as possible. • Select a childcare centre whose hours and location allow you to attend classes as scheduled. Your daytime classes can be scheduled between 8:00am-6:00pm. • Inform Mohawk College early if there is a risk of a scheduling problem between your classes and your childcare. Documentation of the childcare's hours of operation will be required. We may be able to help resolve a potential scheduling conflict. • Discuss the best ways to manage school and family life with a counselor. Contact the Counseling Department: • Where to Find Us - Office LocationsIf you are a Mohawk College student, you can book counseling appointments with staff at each campus. • Fennell Campus (905) 575-2211, The Square – Student Services, Room C102 • IAHS Campus (905) 540-4247 ext 26750, Room 303 • Brantford Campus (519) 758-6014, Room A102 • STARRT Institute: Please call Fennell for assistance 905-575-2211 • Email us at: counselling@mohawkcollege.ca 

5. The Ontario Early Years Centre at Mohawk College The vision for Hamilton's Early Years Centres is to create a welcoming and accessible environment for all parents and caregivers. The Early Years Centres allow parents and caregivers to acquire information, resources and support they need to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life, and provide a place where parents, grandparents, caregivers and children six years of age and younger play and learn together.  The Ontario Early Years Centres in Hamilton strive to work with parents, caregivers and the community to: Promote children's optimal development and readiness to learn which will assist children to reach their fullest potential  Create an environment where all children are safe and secure within our communities. Toy lending library services are available at this location.  This program presently participates in Raising the Bar. The presence of a Raising the Bar certificate is a sign that the program is committed to maintaining provincial regulatory standards as well as local community standards.For more information please go to: www.ascy.ca/raising_info-for-parents.htm.