BookTrib’s Bites: Health, Self-Help, Spiritual and Comedic
(NewsUSA)

"A Heart’s Landscape"
by
Susan LaxUnlock a moment of joy in each day no matter how challenging
times may be. Let this beautiful collection of stories, poems and words
from the garden of the author’s heart offer insight, comfort and
healing.Some days we find ourselves on autopilot, forgetting the
preciousness of being and losing touch with our creative spirit. But on
other days, our being fills with excitement. Author Susan Lax explores
the gifts of awareness and encourages the reader to be present in the
moment. Lax offers a path to an attentive heart. On every page, her
words and timeless photographs meet your soul in the perfect place. In
times of grief, illness or life transitions, you’ll find healing and
strength within these pages. Purchase at https://amzn.to/31DoCIo."Schmooze: What They Should Teach at Harvard Business School"
by
Cody Lowry"Wow! Self-help and motivation for millennials, baby boomers,
and everyone in between."– Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback
Restaurants.In this inspirational chronicle, entrepreneur Cody Lowry
shares how the events in his life led him to become a motivational force
in the lives of others. He’ll share how being raised by a single mother
prepared him for an extraordinary life. His odd job stories will
demonstrate how reinvention is always possible.And with his marvelous
storytelling technique, Cody will encourage readers to look at their
lives differently. Through humorous, real-life stories, he’ll arm them
with a new definition of the word "schmooze" that will empower them to
unleash their full potential. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kyZGs5."Books of God"
by
Michael Haghighat There are approximately 4.4 billion Christians,
Muslims and Jews. Wouldn’t it be awesome if their common beliefs rooted
in their common God-given truths were represented in the global order by
a world religious organization?This book distills the common truths and
fundamental differences of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The author
believes the major religious institutions need to adopt a set of core
principles based on our common truths and assert themselves as an active
united front. In this global order, our major religious institutions
can work as one united entity alongside our governments and major
commercial enterprises to eradicate hunger, poverty, injustice,
inequality, environmental degradation, greed, war and other evils.
Purchase at https://amzn.to/3n71f1P."Laughing with Old Abe"
by
A.T. KabambayAbraham Lincoln is the most adored of all American
presidents, but oddly enough, two of his unparalleled qualities have
completely escaped scholars: of all the presidents, he is the greatest
jokester and the most religious.In this succinct biography of the 16th
President of the United States — perhaps the funniest biography of all
time — discover the most hilarious stories and anecdotes Lincoln has
told or experienced in his lifetime. In this difficult time of the
pandemic, economic uncertainty and global warming, enjoy the opportunity
to laugh with Old Abe. Written by a passionate historian and researcher
who specializes in American history, specifically Lincoln and the
American Civil War. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3cg4AWp.NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.
Keep Your Utility Bills Down as Home Heating Costs Rise This Winter
(NewsUSA)
– Winter 2022 promises the perfect storm for soaring home heating
bills. The convergence of surging energy prices, plummeting temperatures
and escalating demand means optimal energy-efficiency is more
challenging and critical than ever.Rising global energy prices hit home
with forecasts indicating households could see their bills increase up
to 54%, according to The United States Energy Information
Administration. Further, forecasters including the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration and the Farmer’s Almanac predict a
colder-than-normal season. Rounding out this frosty trifecta, the
COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rise of remote work which is set to
accelerate and become a more permanent fixture as of 2022, industry
observers say.The good news is that families can prevent a utility-bill
blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling
accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long
way.
If You Need Help Advertising, NewsUSA & Its Staff Can Help
(NewsUSA)
– Post-pandemic, it’s more important than ever that businesses promote
their services, offerings or events. But how to do that if you’re on a
budget?There are several ways to get your company’s message out: stating
the company mission (the equivalent of a business resume) on its
website, employing a public relations firm to garner exposure through
earned media, or advertising — that is, if you have the money to pay for
it.The problem is that small, niche companies need the same exposure
(if not more) than the Fortune 500 companies, but are hamstrung by
limited resources.Fortunately, advertising doesn’t have to be
exclusively PR-centric, but can be a blend of traditional and effective
strategies, according to PR News.In this way, Washington D.C.-based
NewsUSA does exceptionally well by specializing in writing matte
releases — feature articles that help to fill space in newspapers and
online media — for its clients.NewsUSA guarantees product placement
(around 1,000-1,400 placements per story) for its clients in various
media outlets around the world, including television sites and hundreds
of digital and print newspapers."NewsUSA’s strength is that it has all
these contracts and relationships with newspapers and online media
sources that have been built over years and can be trusted for writing
and editorial," said Rick Smith, CEO of NewsUSA. "In terms of mass
marketing to the consumer, for some of the budgets that these companies
have, there just aren’t a lot of options. That’s where NewsUSA comes
in."For NewsUSA client Security Equipment Corporation (Sabre), it
granted access to media outlets that the company wouldn’t have had
otherwise."As a first-time user of NewsUSA, I was pleasantly surprised,
not only with the number of placements we got, but the quality of our
placements," said Marisa McKay, marketing manager for Sabre. "Our
content was placed in high-profile publications that we wouldn’t have
been able to afford if we had to buy traditional advertising space."As a
result, the family-owned and -operated manufacturer of the top brand of
pepper spray had three stories distributed to more than 3,600 news
outlets, both online and in print, for a total reach of more than 90
million readers nationwide. The ad value equivalency of the campaign was
more than $1.1 million.Another client, Star Clippers, also saw a huge
return on investment when it engaged NewsUSA to write five stories about
itsultimate cruising vacation alternative — a tall ship mega-yacht
experience aboard authentic re-creations of the classic sailing clipper
ships that ruled the waves during the 1800s.In return, Star Clippers
garnered more than 6,000 placements that reached more than 319 million
readers nationwide, for a total ad equivalency of $3.8 million.For more
information, visit www.newsusa.com.
The Future for the Internationalization of Chinese Home Appliance Enterprises
(MS)
– Hisense’s future development should continue to focus on high-end
products, but meanwhile expand its business-to-business (B2B) industry,
says Zhou Houjian, the chairman of the Hisense Group.Hisense’s monthly
revenue from the international markets has exceeded $800 million, which
marks a great achievement. But, the company has yet to put more money in
its research and development in the B2B industry. Zhou Houjian points
out that going overseas in the B2B industry is a clear strategy of the
Group to deal with uncertain business risks in the future.The Group now
owns 54 overseas companies and offices, 11 research and development
institutions, 18 industrial parks and production bases. Over the past
many years, Hisense has gone from a little-known brand to one of the
most popular Chinese brands among international consumers and has become
a truly international brand.As a matter of fact, Hisense Group’s plan
to set foot in the overseas B2B industry has long been clear. Since the
beginning of this year, in the annual Canon Fair and the China Africa
Economic & Trade Expo, the Group has debuted new lines of B2B
products such as color ultrasound devices, smart transportation
solutions and commercial display solutions.The overseas sales of Hisense
commercial display products, increased by more than 240% in the first
10 months of 2021. Hisense commercial displays can now be seen in the
Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, BP oil gas station in UK, KFC
restaurants in Poland and the ice hockey arenas in Norway.In August of
this year, Hisense Medical received a big order of medical displays from
South Africa, a milestone in its overseas medical display business.Zhou
says that next year, going overseas will become an even more important
strategic development direction for Hisense’s B2B industry, which
showcases the Group’s resolve in industrial transformation and
upgrading. The Group will give key support in terms of human and
financial resources. The acceleration of overseas B2B business expansion
will catalyze Hisense technologies global influence.
Three Financial Planning Tips for New Parents
(NewsUSA)
– New parents have so much to think about that financial planning may
not be at the top of the list. However, once sleep deprivation wears
off, new parents will be thankful if they have completed some financial
planning in advance."Smart financial planning not only protects families
against unexpected bumps in the road, but also teaches children good
financial habits," says Brad Ledwith, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
professional.Three key financial considerations for new parents or
parents-to-be include:Life Insurance Plans. When you become a parent,
it’s time to be proactive about life insurance. If you don’t have a
policy, get one to ensure that your family is provided for in the event
of your death.Remember that both parents need policies, even if only one
parent is employed. "Term life insurance is generally a good option for
new parents because of its affordability and provision for income loss
in the event of one parent’s death," Ledwith explains.Education Savings
Accounts. With the cost of tuition rising annually, it is never too
early to think about college savings options. Consider setting up a 529
plan, which allows parents, grandparents and others to deposit money
into an account that grows tax-free.The proceeds must be used for
education purposes. The details vary by state, so be sure to check the
rules of your state. Go-to sites for more information on 529 plans are
Savingforcollege.com, American Funds and College America.Custodial
Accounts. Custodial accounts are a great way to keep monetary gifts to
children in a safe place with no restrictions on future use. Funds in a
custodial account can be used toward cars, housing, vacations or any
other expense.Custodial accounts also serve as educational
opportunities. As children learn how to save, delay gratification and
work toward a goal, a custodial account gives them an opportunity to
learn about fiscal responsibility. When your child is older, you can
teach him or her how to buy stocks with some of the money in a custodial
account."Eventually, the child will wind up with the means to finance
something that will serve him or her for years to come, such as a car or
their first apartment. It’s a fantastic lesson about how money can work
for you," says Ledwith.Key financial decisions for your family happen
at all life stages — whether it’s budgeting to help afford everyday
expenses when you have children, seeking tax breaks to help you save for
college or planning to financially protect your family if anything
happens to you. Working with a CFP® professional can help you adapt your
finances to meet the needs of your growing family. Visit
LetsMakeAPlan.org for more financial tips and savings information.
Students Around the Globe Participate in CME Group’s Trading Competition
(NewsUSA)
-It’s a unique educational opportunity when students get to experience
the enthusiasm, energy and decision-making behind real-time trading.
That’s why CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives
exchange, hosts an annual electronic trading competition for students
all around the world to partake in.During this year’s event, students
learned hands-on techniques for trading agriculture, energy, metals,
equity indices, interest rates and foreign exchange futures contracts
using CQG’s real-time simulated electronic trading platform. Throughout
the challenge, students also received live market updates through Dow
Jones newsfeeds and The Hightower Report."It’s an exciting time to learn
about how derivatives markets are used to manage risk and capture
opportunities across the global economy," says Anita Liskey, CME Group
Senior Managing Director of Global Brand Marketing and Communications.
"Our annual competition provides a collaborative educational experience
that is driven by global financial professionals and innovative
technology. Each year, we are delighted to bring together students from
all over the world to learn how to apply real-life trading strategies to
everyday markets."This year’s four-week competition included 386 teams,
comprised of more than 1,500 actively enrolled graduate and
undergraduate students from 24 countries. Students on the top five
winning teams are eligible to receive a cash prize and are invited to
attend an exclusive one-day, virtual market education event this
month.The first-place winner was the University of Bogota Jorge Tadeo
Lozano, which is the second consecutive Latin American team to top the
global competition. The 18th Annual CME Group University Trading
Challenge Winners are: First Place: University of Bogota Jorge Tadeo
Lozano (Colombia);Second Place: Loyola University Chicago (U.S.);Third
Place: Virginia Tech (U.S.);Fourth Place: University of Illinois
(U.S.);Fifth Place: Southern Illinois University (U.S.)."The CME Group
University Trading Challenge is an excellent way to learn about
derivatives markets and develop skills that can be put into practice in
the future," said the first-place team from the University of Bogota
Jorge Tadeo Lozano. "Trading through the CQG platform and having access
to live market updates also helps students build an understanding of how
these markets operate."CME Group provides a wide range of risk
management education, including its CME Institute education hub, which
offers detailed courses, webinars and videos on trading futures on
options markets, as well as a trading simulator.CME Group also partners
with other industry organizations to offer educational tools, such as
Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource to help learners
of all levels understand futures markets and the role they play in
everyday life.
Let Your Small Business Thrive with Smart Financial Planning
(NewsUSA)
– Sales on Small Business Saturday and during the holiday season can
often make or break a small business.During this time, many small
businesses are focused on revenues and operational efficiency. But they
should also dedicate time to address their financial risks.Small
business owners can manage these risks by adapting their individual
financial plans to the risks of business ownership.The top financial
planning areas of concern for small business owners are:1. Tax planning.
Businesses and individuals have different marginal tax rates at
different income brackets. A CFP® professional can help you coordinate
your business and personal income taxes for maximum returns.2. Insurance coverage.
Small businesses require specialized insurance coverage beyond what the
owners may have for themselves and their families. Small businesses
need to have a safety net in the event that they are affected by a
natural disaster, death or disability of the owner or other key
individual, loss of property, or lawsuits from negligence or defective
products.3. Retirement. Small business owners need more
retirement planning rather than less. The good news is that business
ownership affords all sorts of tax-advantaged ways to save for
retirement. The ability to put aside amounts is considerably larger than
what is permissible to non-business owners.4. Investments. Most
small businesses are self-financed by their owners. This may mean that
the business is the owner’s major or only investment. Small business
owners who have extra capital may want to reinvest the money back into
the business. CFP® professionals may help you diversify your investments
to offset your financial risk as an owner.5. Succession planning.
Small business owners need to have a plan for what they want to do with
their business after retirement. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly
added a great deal of complexity to the lives of small business owners
who wish to monetize their life’s work and pass on their business to
someone else. Working with a CFP® professional can help small business
owners determine all the options for a successful transition.If you are a small business owner or thinking about starting your own business, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more information on how to find a CFP® professional and how smart financial planning can help your small business succeed.
Financial Planning Now Means Financial Security Later
(NewsUSA)
– For many people, the idea of creating and sticking to a budget is
intimidating. The thought of investing, managing debt and saving for
major purchases, such as a house or car, can leave anyone overwhelmed.
“A budget is a necessity for controlling spending and working toward
financial goals,” says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Ross
Levin, CFP®. “But what people don’t remember is that budgeting is
actually about making choices.”
One smart (but ironic) choice you can make is to budget for a financial
planner — who will help you better manage your budget. A skilled
financial planning professional can help you build a workable budget and
give you the tools and encouragement to stick with it.
Flyers Help Your Business Take Off
(NewsUSA)
– Consumers are swamped with messages about products and services.
Effective advertising will cut through the clutter and capture a
prospective customer’s attention with a targeted message.To be effective
and reach a target audience, the best advertising is credible, unique,
and memorable. Using flyers is a relatively simple and inexpensive way
for small and mid-sized businesses to make an impact in the local
community."The goal behind designing a flyer is to capture someone’s
attention within three seconds of them walking up to their front door,"
says Stefanie McKinney, founder and owner of The Flyer Guys, a
family-owned, Arizona-based company that specializes in creating
memorable advertising with flyers.To make the most of your advertising
campaign using flyers, keep these points in mind:- A picture is worth
1,000 words. Don’t underestimate the power of images. People look at
pictures before they start reading any text, and a funny picture in
particular can make an impression.- Less text for more impact. Once you
have a picture, think about text. Keep your text concise, and use bullet
points when possible, in order to allow more white space for quick and
easy reading.- Catchy headlines. Along with a photo, a headline is the
first thing to catch a customer’s eye. No matter what headline you
choose, consider using color for added impact, and keep your font choice
easy to read.- Contact information and call-to-action. This is where
the nuts and bolts of your product or service comes in, so give it the
proper attention. Even something conventional such as "Call Us" or
"Order Now" can have greater impact with fonts and colors. Online
businesses, make sure your website address is clearly visible, so your
audience is likely to keep the flyer as a reference. For in-person
businesses, simple directions and even a small map can help ensure that
you are on the customer’s radar.- Enlist happy customers. Sincere
testimonials can have a significant impact on attracting new customers.
When your customers compliment your product or service, ask whether you
can use their comments, either anonymously or with their name, to help
promote your business. The more specific the comments, the better.For
more information about the power of flyers, visit theflyerguysaz.com.
Healthy Tips For Going Back to the Office Post-COVID
(NewsUSA)
-Whether you are just starting out with your first job and apartment,
or entering the later stages of your working life, there is no wrong
time to plan for retirement.For Millennials and Generation Z, saving may
seem less important, but don’t discount its importance."Even though
retirement is decades away, acting now can lead to better financial
security throughout your entire life," says Mark Wernig, CFP®, Lead
Advisor and Principal at Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors.For those
who are younger, take some smart steps now, and you can reap the
benefits whenever you retire. The following tips can help you to save
for the future:- Make saving automatic. Young adults should invest in a
401(k) plan with their employers, with an automatic contribution. This
makes saving easy, you don’t have to think about it, and you will reap
the rewards later.- Put money back. Many adults deal with debt from
student loans, car loans and mortgages. Set financial goals and know the
interest rates on your loans, so you can make a budget and try to pay
them off as soon as possible.If you are a Baby Boomer farther along in
your career and retirement is fast approaching, don’t despair. It’s
never too late to maximize your savings with these smart strategies:-
Play catch-up. The "catch up" provision for individuals ages 50 years
and older lets you add extra money to many corporate retirement plans,
such as 401(k)s, traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and
Roth IRAs."Workers age 50 and older can make an extra $1,000 catch-up
contribution to an IRA in 2021, for a maximum possible IRA contribution
of $7,000 in 2021," says Spencer Betts, CFP®, Chief Compliance Officer
and financial consultant at Bickling Financial Services.- Postpone
Social Security. Age matters. The full retirement age for Social
Security is 67 for anyone born after 1960. For every year you delay
taking your Social Security (age 68 to 70), you increase your benefit by
8%.- Revisit your health care plan. Health expenses are one of the top
sources of spending in retirement. Make sure your health insurance plan
meets your needs and do some research to switch plans if necessary. In
addition, be aware of health care savings accounts (HSAs), which are
pre-tax savings accounts that allow tax-free withdrawals for health
expenses. HSAs also have a catch-up option for those over the age of
55.Regardless of your age, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional
can provide guidance and advice as you consider these points in
retirement planning:


0 Comments