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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Due</title> <atom:link href="https://due.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://due.com/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 01:08:29 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.4</generator> <item> <title>12 End-of-Year Teacher Gifts to Wow An Amazing Teacher</title> <link>https://due.com/12-end-of-year-teacher-gifts-to-wow-an-amazing-teacher/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Deanna Ritchie]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 14:00:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget-friendly gifts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[end of school year]]></category> <category><![CDATA[teacher appreciation gifts]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=56985</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>We’re coming to the end of another school year. But if you want to start your summer vacation right, tell the teachers who helped shape your scholars’ minds and shaped them as people over the past year how much you appreciate them. They definitely deserve it. But what should you buy as an end-of-year gift? […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/12-end-of-year-teacher-gifts-to-wow-an-amazing-teacher/">12 End-of-Year Teacher Gifts to Wow An Amazing Teacher</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We’re coming to the end of another school year. But if you want to start your <a href="https://due.com/budgeting-for-summer-vacation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">summer vacation</a> right, tell the teachers who helped shape your scholars’ minds and shaped them as people over the past year how much you appreciate them. They definitely deserve it.</p><p>But what should you buy as an end-of-year gift? Most teachers say they really need thoughtful notes from their students. Let’s be honest, though — it’s time to give them more.</p><p>No matter your <a href="https://due.com/6-types-of-budgets-and-how-to-choose/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">budget</a>, we’ve got ideas for you — specifically, these 12 end-of-year<a href="https://due.com/teacher-appreciation-gifts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> teacher gifts</a> for amazing teachers.</p><h2>1. Gift cards/certificates.</h2><p>I know. <a href="https://due.com/is-your-gift-card-expired/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gift cards</a> are nice, and they’ll let them get what they want. However, they can feel impersonal.</p><p>Then again, gift certificates to Target and Amazon are always good. This way, your teacher can pick something they really need or want. According to actual teachers, <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/25-holiday-gifts-teachers-really-195600879.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gift cards are the best teacher gifts</a>.</p><p>If you want to make it personal, give them a gift card or certificate to their favorite coffee shop, salon, or restaurant.</p><h2>2. Personalized gifts.</h2><p>Your teacher will appreciate these thoughtful gifts, which demonstrate your thoughtfulness. You can customize mugs, water bottles, or jewelry.</p><p>However, I especially like this personalized teacher stamp from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/386108236/personalized-female-teacher-rubber-stamp?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=teacher+stamps+personalised&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&frs=1&etp=1&plkey=93f5e91a0048d68834e5dfadb138dbe8ed05a3fd%3A386108236" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Etsy</a> for just $27. Every aspect of this stamp can be customized, from the teacher’s appearance to the font and message. It will be fun to add a personal touch to their assignments.</p><h2>3. Gift baskets.</h2><p>You can show how much you appreciate your teacher with gift baskets. It can be filled with snacks, drinks, and other treats they enjoy.</p><p>But, if you’re stuck there are plenty of gift basket options on Amazon. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teacher-Appreciation-Student-Retirement-Christmas/dp/B0C1RHHCV9/ref=sr_1_21_sspa?keywords=teacher+gift+baskets&qid=1685715609&sr=8-21-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFUQlIxMjlKMkFTWlEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzU1MzcxQUc0OVYwRU43RFVBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwMjM3NzUzRFBSSjExMjNGVEhVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This gift set,</a> for example, contains scented candles, sticky note notebooks, wooden pen holders, simulated succulents, wooden bookmarks, wooden keychains, and thank you cards. Plus, it’s under $30.</p><h2>4. Educational gifts.</h2><p>Is your teacher always trying to find new ways to engage students? You may want to consider giving them an educational gift if this is the case.</p><p>There are a variety of learning resources available, from <a href="https://due.com/best-finance-books-for-kids-to-learn-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">books</a> to bolster their classroom library to magazine subscriptions like NatGeo.</p><h2>5. Handmade gifts.</h2><p>A handmade gift shows your appreciation in a thoughtful and personal way. You can make your teacher a card, jewelry piece, or baked goods if you’re crafty.</p><p>This <a href="https://hip2save.com/diy/ruler-succulent-planter-teacher-appreciation-gift-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruler succulent planter</a> is a cool idea I came across. With wooden rulers embellished, it makes a stylish and cute teacher appreciation gift.</p><h2>6. Tickets to a show or event.</h2><p>Consider buying your teacher tickets to a show or event if they enjoy going to the theater, concerts, or sporting events. Doing this allows them to share an experience with you and show them how much you value their time.</p><p>If you aren’t 100% sure what tickets to purchase for them, consider a StubHub or Ticketmaster gift card.</p><h2>7. A plant or flowers.</h2><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4419447/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> shows that plants can reduce stress and improve productivity — so a potted plant could make an excellent gift. In the classroom, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Altman-Plants-Assorted-Live-Succulents/dp/B077ZMMTBC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this three-pack of succulents</a> will add some greenery. These are low-maintenance and budget-friendly at under $16.</p><h2>8. A coffee mug or water bottle.</h2><p>You can give your teacher a practical gift like a coffee mug or water bottle that he or she will use every day. If you want to make it even more special, you can add their name or initials.</p><p>Personally, I like the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Rambler-Insulated-Stainless-MagSlider/dp/B09HL4NFL9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yeti Rambler 14-ounce mug</a>. It’s great for transporting coffee, chili, and soup, as well as snacks and lunch. The compartment is double-walled and vacuum-sealed to maintain the perfect temperature, and the sliding lid prevents anything from sloshing out. Furthermore, you can select from a wide variety of colors.</p><h2>9. Gifts that help them relax and de-stress.</h2><p>Nearly three-fourths of teachers and 85 percent of principals <a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/stress-burnout-depression-teachers-and-principals-are-not-doing-well-new-data-confirm/2022/06" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> frequent job-related stress, compared to just one-third of working adults. Compared to other workers, 49 percent of teachers and 48 percent of principals feel burned out.</p><p>Teachers will appreciate any gift that helps them relax and de-stress. Gift certificates for massages, bath products, scented candles, and cozy blankets are all good ideas.</p><h2>10. Donations to their favorite charity.</h2><p>Consider making a donation in your teacher’s name to their favorite <a href="https://due.com/how-giving-to-charity-can-help-your-finances/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charity</a> if they are passionate about a particular cause. By doing this, you show your support for their work and their values.</p><p>In particular, I would check out <a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DonorsChoose</a>.</p><p>Teachers can set up funds at DonorsChoose to fund their own classroom projects. Teachers might consider active seating for their classrooms, ukuleles for some, and cursive writing workbooks for others. Giving directly to the project is possible, and sometimes you can just give to the school or teacher generally. Matching donations are often sponsored throughout the year, allowing you to make a bigger impact.</p><h2>11. A handwritten note.</h2><p>A handwritten note shows how much you appreciate your teacher personally and heartfeltly. Tell them how they have impacted your or your child’s life by writing them a note.</p><p>For a more unique gift, consider the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Succulent-Appreciation-PARBEE-Christmas-Thanksgiving/dp/B08R878ZXK" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thank You for Helping Me Grow Succulent Tag</a>.</p><p>This wooden tag (plant not included) offers a heartfelt meaning for only $10. This kit includes 20 tags, so you can give one to each child in your class or keep them for use throughout their academic career.</p><h2>12. A hug.</h2><p>There are times when a simple hug is the best gift. You can show your appreciation for your teacher by hugging them. In fact, <a href="https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/hugs.html#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20frequent%20hugging,heart%20rate%20and%20blood%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a> shows that hugs can improve relationships, relieve pain, lower stress, and increase happiness.</p><p>In some schools, however, physical contact between teachers and students is outright forbidden. If this is the case, consider alternatives like high fives, fist bumps, or even a handshake.</p><h2>FAQs</h2><h3>Is it okay for teachers to accept gifts?</h3><p>Generally, gifts of nominal value, such as an apple or a greeting card, won’t cause any problems. Some public and private school teachers, however, are forbidden from accepting gifts or may be restricted or required to report any gifts.</p><h3>What is the proper amount to spend on teacher gifts?</h3><p>Teacher gifts should always be given a little extra thought so they are appropriate and appreciated by the recipient. Teachers may use the item in the classroom, take it home to enjoy, or display it. A memorabilia gift holds a special place in the hearts of most teachers who have fond memories of their classroom experiences.</p><p>When selecting a teacher’s gift, keep the budget modest, between $25 and $50. To increase the price point and ensure everyone feels included, you could organize a gift involving the whole classroom and each child’s family.</p><h3>What is the perfect gift to give a teacher on the last day of school?</h3><p>Most students and teachers feel mixed emotions as the school year draws close. While they appreciate the time off from homework and grading papers, they are happy to be released from those tasks. However, they will miss their classmates, teachers, and classmates.</p><p>As an end-of-the-year gift, choose something to bring back memories, such as a scrapbook with a memento from every student, a photo album, or a bound collection of letters.</p><h3>Do I really have to buy a teacher a gift at the end of the year?</h3><p>You do not have to give a gift to any teacher or professional who works with your child. They are simply doing their jobs and getting paid for them. It is common, however, for parents to give something to a staff member when their child has a special bond with them or when they know that someone has gone out of their way to help them.</p><p>This being said the best gift you can give a teacher is a handwritten note telling them what they like about them and their class. If you want to recognize the teacher’s hard work and dedication, you can write a letter of appreciation and give it to the principal or an administrator.</p><p>Featured Image Credit: Photo by Max Fischer; <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/teacher-asking-a-question-to-the-class-5212345/">Pexels</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/12-end-of-year-teacher-gifts-to-wow-an-amazing-teacher/">12 End-of-Year Teacher Gifts to Wow An Amazing Teacher</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/12-End-of-Year-Teacher-Gifts-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Understanding and cultivating inner peace</title> <link>https://due.com/understanding-and-cultivating-inner-peace/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Keith Crossley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 13:00:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Prosper With Personal Growh]]></category> <category><![CDATA[better decisions with inner peace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[recognize strength]]></category> <category><![CDATA[reduce stress]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81765</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>In the pursuit of tranquility and serenity, it’s not uncommon for individuals to find themselves looking in all the wrong places. The search for inner peace often leads them to seek peace in their external environment, material possessions, other people, and even societal validation. However, the secret to finding inner peace isn’t found in the […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-and-cultivating-inner-peace/">Understanding and cultivating inner peace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the pursuit of tranquility and serenity, it’s not uncommon for individuals to find themselves looking in all the wrong places. The search for inner peace often leads them to seek peace in their external environment, material possessions, other people, and even societal validation. However, the secret to finding inner peace isn’t found in the outer world but within oneself. This exploration aims to delve into the concept of <a href="https://due.com/embracing-self-discovery-and-inner-peace/">inner peace</a>, its significance, and how one can cultivate it.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6xDxxVvtyV/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6xDxxVvtyV/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Crossley – Business Coach and Author of Immune to Suffering<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>What is inner peace?</h2><p>Inner peace, as the name implies, is a state of being that originates from within. A sense of calmness, contentment, and tranquility transcends external circumstances. It’s a state of mind that isn’t easily swayed by the ups and downs of life. Inner peace is a <a href="https://due.com/understanding-parenthoods-profound-impact/">profound understanding</a> and acceptance of oneself, one’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It’s a state of being where one is at peace with who they are, where they are, and how they feel.</p><h2>Debunking the misconception about inner peace</h2><p>A common misconception about inner peace is that it’s tied to external circumstances. Many people believe they will find peace when they achieve certain milestones, possess certain things, or are in certain places. However, this is a flawed understanding of peace. Inner peace isn’t about the absence of conflict or chaos in one’s life. It’s about maintaining a state of <a href="https://due.com/meditation-mastering-calm-in-daily-chaos/">calmness and tranquility amidst the chaos</a>. It’s about <a href="https://due.com/understanding-suffering-and-embracing-acceptance/">accepting and embracing</a> life’s imperfections and finding contentment in them.</p><h2>The significance of inner peace</h2><p>Inner peace isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a <a href="https://due.com/simplify-your-financial-life/">way of life</a>. It’s a crucial element for overall well-being. It promotes <a href="https://due.com/improve-mental-health-next-year-by-breaking-financial-rules/">mental health</a> by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It enhances emotional stability, promoting feelings of happiness and contentment. Inner peace also contributes to physical health by reducing the risk of stress-related diseases.</p><p>Moreover, inner peace fosters <a href="https://due.com/embracing-pain-for-personal-growth/">personal growth</a>. It allows individuals to accept and embrace their flaws and strengths, promoting self-awareness and self-acceptance. It enables individuals to live in the present moment, appreciating the beauty of now rather than worrying about the past or the future.</p><h2>How to cultivate inner peace</h2><p>Cultivating inner peace is a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance. It begins with the understanding that peace comes from within and not from the external world. Here are some ways to cultivate inner peace:</p><p>1. Self-Awareness: The first step towards inner peace is self-awareness. It involves understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s about recognizing one’s strengths, weaknesses, and triggers. Self-awareness allows individuals to understand their reactions to different situations and manage them effectively.</p><p>2. Acceptance: Acceptance is a crucial aspect of inner peace. It involves accepting oneself, one’s life, and one’s circumstances. It’s about embracing life’s imperfections and finding contentment in them. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation or complacency; it means understanding that life is a mix of good and bad and finding peace in that understanding.</p><p>3. Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present moment. It involves focusing on the here and now rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness promotes inner peace by <a href="https://due.com/reduce-stress-during-retirement/">reducing stress</a> and anxiety, enhancing emotional stability, and promoting a sense of calmness and tranquility.</p><p>4. Self-Care: Self-care is an essential part of cultivating inner peace. It involves caring for one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It includes activities like eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and engaging in activities that bring joy and happiness.</p><h2>Wrapping up the journey to inner peace</h2><p>In conclusion, inner peace is a state of being that comes from within. It’s not tied to external circumstances but results from self-awareness, acceptance, mindfulness, and self-care. Cultivating inner peace is a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance. It’s about finding tranquility and serenity within oneself amid the chaos of the outer world. It’s about understanding and embracing the way one feels doesn’t have to be tied to circumstance. So, to find inner peace, one must look inside.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What is inner peace?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Inner peace is a state of being that originates from within. A sense of calmness, contentment, and tranquility transcends external circumstances. It’s a state of mind that isn’t easily swayed by the ups and downs of life. Inner peace is a profound understanding and acceptance of oneself, one’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It’s a state of being where one is at peace with who they are, where they are, and how they feel.</p><h3>Q. What is a common misconception about inner peace?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">A common misconception about inner peace is that it’s tied to external circumstances. Many people believe they will find peace when they achieve certain milestones, possess certain things, or are in certain places. However, this is a flawed understanding of peace. Inner peace isn’t about the absence of conflict or chaos in one’s life. It’s about maintaining a state of calmness and tranquility amidst the chaos. It’s about accepting and embracing the imperfections of life and finding contentment in them.</p><h3>Q. Why is inner peace significant?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Inner peace isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a way of life. It’s a crucial element for overall well-being. It promotes mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It enhances emotional stability, promoting feelings of happiness and contentment. Inner peace also contributes to physical health by reducing the risk of stress-related diseases.</p><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Moreover, inner peace fosters personal growth. It allows individuals to accept and embrace their flaws and strengths, promoting self-awareness and self-acceptance. It enables individuals to live in the present moment, appreciating the beauty of now rather than worrying about the past or the future.</p><h3>Q. How can one cultivate inner peace?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Cultivating inner peace is a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance. It begins with the understanding that peace comes from within, not from the external world. Some ways to cultivate inner peace include self-awareness, acceptance, mindfulness, and self-care. These involve understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, accepting oneself and one’s circumstances, living in the present moment, and caring for one’s physical, mental, and emotional health.</p><h3>Q. What is the conclusion about the journey to inner peace?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Inner peace is a state of being that comes from within. It’s not tied to external circumstances but results from self-awareness, acceptance, mindfulness, and self-care. Cultivating inner peace is a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance. It’s about finding tranquility and serenity within oneself, amidst the chaos of the outer world. It’s about understanding and embracing the fact that the way one feels doesn’t have to be tied to circumstance. So, to find inner peace, one must look inside.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-and-cultivating-inner-peace/">Understanding and cultivating inner peace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cultivating_inner_peace-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>21 Simple Tips for Frugal People to Lead a Great Life</title> <link>https://due.com/21-simple-tips-for-frugal-people-to-lead-a-great-life/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Angela Ruth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 13:00:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[better life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[financial tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frugal living]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead a Great Life]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=80025</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>There are a lot of unflattering words associated with the word “frugal.” Cheap or tightwad are the two most common words thrown around. Additionally, it brings to mind images of deprivation, sacrifice, and lack. However, I’ve noticed that they represent stereotypical notions of frugality. In turn, frugal people are unlikely to be attracted to these […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/21-simple-tips-for-frugal-people-to-lead-a-great-life/">21 Simple Tips for Frugal People to Lead a Great Life</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are a lot of unflattering words associated with the word <a href="https://due.com/frugal-living-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“frugal.”</a> Cheap or tightwad are the two most common words thrown around. Additionally, it brings to mind images of deprivation, sacrifice, and lack.</p><p>However, I’ve noticed that they represent stereotypical notions of frugality. In turn, frugal people are unlikely to be attracted to these descriptors as they tend to undervalue, discount, and confuse this philosophy.</p><p>When it comes down to it, though, frugality isn’t about pinching pennies or denying yourself everything. The key is to live your life purposefully, align your spending with your values, and make conscious choices.</p><p>Now that I’ve said that, here are some simple tips on being frugal while living a great life.</p><h2><b>1. Define your values and goals.</b></h2><p>In order to <a href="https://due.com/spending-habits-impacting-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">be mindful of our spending</a>, we must first understand what matters most to us. That might be easier said than done. To find out, ask yourself the following questions:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">Are there any core values you hold dear?</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">What are your long-term goals?</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Are you pursuing your passion project, financial security, early retirement, or travel?</li></ul><p>Having a clear vision will help you make better financial decisions. Rather than impulse purchases, you’ll put your hard-earned money towards experiences and things you truly enjoy.</p><h2><b>2. Think about what’s necessary and what’s luxury.</b></h2><p>The next step is to distinguish necessary expenses from luxury expenses. By making this distinction in your spending money, you can stop overspending on things you don’t really need.</p><p>A necessary expense is one that is incurred to ensure that basic needs are met. A necessary expense could include rent, <a href="https://due.com/12-things-to-do-to-become-mortgage-free-sooner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mortgage payments</a>, car payments, <a href="https://due.com/how-to-stockpile-food-on-a-budget-a-comprehensive-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food</a>, gasoline, utilities, medicine, and any expenses associated with childcare.</p><p>On the other hand, luxury spending refers to unnecessary discretionary expenses to maintain basic needs. Fine dining, entertainment, vacations, jewelry, and high-end vehicles are included in luxury spending.</p><p>Make a list of all your regular expenses and categorize them as necessary expenses or luxury expenses. Then, prioritize your necessary expenditures and try to minimize your luxury expenditures.</p><p>Does this mean you shouldn’t spend money on luxury items? Not exactly. The key here is to make sure you prioritize your spending correctly to save more than you spend.</p><h2><b>3. Prioritize quality over quantity.</b></h2><p>Being frugal means adjusting your spending habits. You can shift significantly by focusing on quality rather than quantity of possessions. In other words, you should buy higher-quality clothing, furniture, and appliances that will last for a longer time. By replacing your things less often, you will spend less and save more money over time.</p><p>For example, rather than buying clothes that only last one season, invest in wardrobe staples that last for years and can work in multiple seasons. In the long run, you will save more by <a href="https://due.com/build-your-quality-of-life-by-investing-in-your-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investing in higher-quality</a> items than in items of lower quality.</p><p>Don’t buy more; buy better.</p><h2><b>4. Create a budget.</b></h2><p>In order to be frugal, one must create a <a href="https://due.com/why-budget-isnt-a-filthy-word/">budget</a>. Fortunately, most expenses, such as rent/mortgage payments, utility bills, car payments, credit card payments, etc., are paid monthly, making it easy to plan your budget.</p><p>You can determine your monthly income by dividing your annual net income by 12. To figure out your monthly expenses, add them all up. For example, if you heat your house in the winter, divide your yearly gas bill by 12. What’s left over from your income after your monthly expenses is what you use for living expenses, such as food, clothing, fuel for your car, entertainment, or travel.</p><p>Finally, money should always be left over for monthly savings. The need to save for unforeseen short-term expenses and long-term financial goals like retirement, college, and buying a house is crucial.</p><h2><b>5. Set up an automatic financial system.</b></h2><p>You can’t ignore the importance of <a href="https://due.com/set-your-money-on-autopilot-how-to-save-with-financial-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">automating your finances</a>. Unless you consciously try to change your spending habits, you will likely fall into overspending again.</p><p>For example, you can start saving for retirement through your employer by automating your savings. Next, consider automating all of your bills. Take a look at your finances to see if there are any ways you can automate your finances and use frugal living tips.</p><h2><b>6. Set a spending limit.</b></h2><p>Are you struggling to keep your expenses under control? It’s actually easy with spending caps. Prepaid cards, for instance, can help you keep your spending under control so that you stay within your budget.</p><p>In addition to using cash envelopes, you can divide funds into different sections of your budget using envelopes. Your budget can be organized using envelopes so that you can easily understand what you need to do. Additionally, this helps you visualize your budget more clearly.</p><h2><b>7. Don’t go large, go small.</b></h2><p>You don’t have to live in a larger house just because you can afford it. Instead, live in a small house that still feels comfortable to you.</p><p>I’m not suggesting you should live in a two-room apartment with your family of five. If you live in a smaller house, though, you will be able to save thousands of dollars each year. Often, if you get rid of clutter from your home, you won’t need a large one.</p><p>Also, choosing a smaller car can save thousands of dollars. Choosing a car instead of an SUV, for instance, can save a lot of money. You can keep it comfortable without going overboard. Additionally, you’ll <a href="https://due.com/save-money-on-gas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save money on gas</a>.</p><h2><b>8. Prioritize value over price.</b></h2><p>There is a misconception that frugal living means always buying the cheapest item. The truth is that frugality isn’t only about focusing on quality but also about prioritizing value over price. When you spend money, whether on physical items or services, consider what you get instead of the cost.</p><p>It makes sense to pay upfront for a full year of an online subscription instead of paying monthly since the annual rate is more affordable. You may have to buy in bulk and spend more upfront for a lower price per item. Instead of focusing on the cost of a product or service, pay attention to the value it offers.</p><h2><b>9. Use a 30-day list</b>.</h2><p>You can curb impulse purchases by creating a 30-day list. This list should be used for anything other than a true necessity like medicine or food. Put the date on the list when you add the item.</p><p>After you make the list, don’t buy anything for at least 30 days. Follow through with it. This system will result in you buying a lot less.</p><h2><b>10. Make sure you live within your means.</b></h2><p>To <a href="https://due.com/stop-living-beyond-your-means-14-ways-to-master-your-finances/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">live within your means</a>, you must manage your individualized finances and expenses in accordance with your current income and resources. You must spend money thoughtfully and wisely while remaining aware of your financial goals and limitations.</p><p>You can also live within your means by following these tips:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Don’t succumb to lifestyle inflation.</b> You shouldn’t feel pressured to inflate your lifestyle as your income increases. Focus on what matters to you instead of keeping up with the Joneses.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The more you cook at home, the better. </b>Eating out can drain your budget significantly. Take on the challenge of exploring the world of home cooking. In addition to being cost-effective, it’s also healthier and allows you to control portion sizes and ingredients. You can find recipes online and in cookbooks for every taste and skill level. Moreover, you’ll learn valuable cooking skills you’ll use for the rest of your life.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Take advantage of free and low-cost activities. </b>Entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive, right? There are tons of free or low-cost things to do. Visit your local parks, libraries, museums (many offer free admission days), or community events. You can also make lasting memories with board game nights, potlucks with friends, or movie marathons at home.</li></ul><h2><b>11. Get a handle on bargaining.</b></h2><p>When you bargain or haggle with a supplier, you are negotiating the price of a good or service.</p><p>However, there are appropriate and inappropriate times to bargain down prices. Don’t hesitate to negotiate and use this frugal tip when the time is right.</p><p>Also, negotiating and bartering are more than just talking down a price. As an alternative to cash, bartering can also involve trades and exchanges. You could, for instance, exchange some of your fresh produce with your neighbors for watching your dog if you have a garden.</p><h2><b>12. Be careful when using credit.</b></h2><p>Instead of using credit to buy things you can’t afford, use it for convenience rather than accumulating debt. In other words, you should also be strategic about using your <a href="https://due.com/credit-card-cutback/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credit card</a>. You can leverage credit cards for savings if you practice healthy habits like monitoring your credit utilization, making purchases you plan for, and paying your balance off each month.</p><p>Further, use credit cards without annual fees and automatically offer cash back on each purchase, for example. You can save money by getting money back on your everyday purchases like utility bills or groceries.</p><h2><b>13. Find ways to save money on groceries and home goods.</b></h2><p>Home goods and food are necessities for everyone. It is possible to save money, however, if you shop carefully.</p><p>For instance, you can opt for store brands when you can for a cheaper alternative. Furthermore, consume more vegetables than meat and seafood, which can be expensive. Plenty of fresh, inexpensive vegetables and grains will be at your local farmer’s market during the summer months. You’re also supporting local farmers by doing this.</p><p>If you have access to a bulk consumer goods store like Costco or Sam’s Club, you can save a tremendous amount on the most common essentials. However, these items sell in bulk, so you’ll need a pantry or other storage space at home to store them, sometimes for months at a time.</p><h2><b>14. Stay healthy.</b></h2><p>While it may seem easier said than done, <a href="https://due.com/healthy-aging-healthy-finances-how-prioritizing-your-health-can-help-you-save-for-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">staying healthy</a> is something that can save you a lot of money in the long run when it comes to doctor’s visits, hospital bills, and prescription medicine. Remember, a little prevention goes a long way. So, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.</p><p>In addition, exercise doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s easy to stay active by doing bodyweight exercises, watching free workout videos online, or walking or running outdoors. There are also many free fitness programs and classes offered in many communities.</p><h2><b>15. Shop savvily.</b></h2><p>When it comes to money, time, and other resources,<a href="https://due.com/things-frugal-people-do/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> frugality</a> is about making wise decisions. For smart spending choices, become familiar with consumer resources. Here are a few strategies to consider:</p><ul><li><b>Make a shopping plan.</b> By making a list and sticking to it, you can avoid impulse purchases. If it makes sense for your household, you may want to consider buying staples in bulk.</li><li><b>Use coupons and discounts.</b> Despite their bad rap, coupons are a form of currency. You can purchase the things you need using coupons and discount codes.</li><li><b>Price-match policies.</b> Most retailers honor lower prices if you find the same item at a competitor. You can also take advantage of this policy when shopping online.</li><li><b>Price adjustments.</b> Retailers also often offer price adjustment policies, such as price protection, where they will refund the difference in price if the price of an item you purchased falls within a certain period of time.</li><li><b>Embrace the pre-loved. </b>It’s okay to buy secondhand items. Consignment shops, thrift stores, and online marketplaces are treasure troves waiting to be discovered. Almost anything you can imagine can be found gently used at a fraction of the retail price. In addition to saving money, you will contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.</li><li><b>DIY whenever possible. </b>There is a wealth of information available online that can teach you how to do everything from simple repairs to home décor projects.. You can save a lot of money by<a href="https://due.com/saving-money-on-home-improvement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> learning basic DIY skills</a> in the long run. Moreover, completing a project on your own is an experience that is unbeatable.</li><li><b>Product warranties. </b>When you buy a product, follow any manufacturer’s requirements, like registering your product. If your item breaks before the warranty expires, this can inform you about recalls and allow you to replace it rather than repurchase it. In addition, many credit cards offer extended warranties on qualifying purchases, so make sure to check your terms.</li></ul><h2><b>16. Reuse and recycle.</b></h2><p>Try getting creative with used items to save money. It’s crazy what you can do with old stuff. Plus, you might have a lot of fun.</p><p>For instance, instead of throwing old clothes away, you can reuse them as sewing fabric or cleaning rags.</p><h2><b>17. Cut down on home expenses.</b></h2><p>Rising home utility costs can be tackled in a variety of ways, though some may require upfront expenditures that will be repaid in the long run. Despite being more expensive, the energy consumption of LEDs is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/03/style/led-lights-improving.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90 percent less than incandescent bulbs and their lifespan can be up to 25 times longer</a>.</p><p>Furthermore, low-flow showerheads and limiting the time and frequency of lawn irrigation systems reduce water use. You can also reduce your winter heating bills by lowering the thermostat and wearing sweaters and blankets more.</p><p>And, don’t forget, even if you aren’t using your printer, coffee maker, or phone charger, they are still consuming energy. So, another way to <a href="https://due.com/household-expenses-you-can-cut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut household expenses</a>, is to unplug them when you aren’t using them.</p><h2><b>18. Put your money into experiences.</b></h2><p>Take a moment to think about the things that make you the happiest. Would you rather have material possessions that collect dust, or adventures you share with loved ones? After all, your memories will last a lifetime, not your possessions.</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Experiences are more important than possessions.</b> Material possessions cannot replace experiences such as traveling, trying new hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The art of travel hacking.</b> You don’t have to break the bank to travel. Consider alternative destinations that might be less expensive, look for deals on flights and accommodations, and <a href="https://due.com/simplifying-your-travel-can-save-you-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">travel during off-seasons</a>.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Get to know your own backyard.</b> You probably don’t realize how much there is to see and do in your own city or town. Visit historical sites, explore parks and nature trails, or take advantage of free local events.</li></ul><h2><b>19. Each week, post three items on Craigslist, Facebook, or the newspaper.</b></h2><p>This week, find at least three items you don’t need and list them for sale wherever you can post free ads. If you weren’t aware, it’s always free to list an item on Craigslist, Facebook, and some newspapers if it’s under a certain price.</p><p>As such, it might be a good idea to sell three items you don’t need each week. In addition to getting rid of things around the house you don’t need, you’ll make a little extra money. It is also easier to take inventory before shopping with less clutter.</p><h2><b>20. Keep your stuff in good condition.</b></h2><p>We often don’t think about this, but the idea is a no-brainer: take care of what you have so that it lasts longer. This will result in less money spent on buying new things.</p><p>As such, make sure you read the maintenance manual and create a maintenance checklist for any item you plan to maintain. Note important things on your calendar, like oil changes and tune-ups.</p><h2><b>21. Understand why you overspend.</b></h2><p>Food, shelter, and clothing are hardwired into the human brain to ensure survival. While our brains are pretty much the same as they were 10,000 years ago, these things are much more abundant for us today. We can get a rush from finding a great deal on a pair of jeans, just as when they snared rabbits for dinner.</p><p>In popular psychology, there is even a term for the feeling generated by shopping — retail therapy. Among Americans, <a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/emotional-spending/#:~:text=while%20feeling%20down.-,But%20some%20still%20seek%20retail%20therapy.,booster%20than%20men%20(40%25)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">49% have bought something to boost their mood</a>, and 63% of parents whose children are younger than 18, and 60% of millennials have done the same.</p><p>The occasional treat is fine as long as it doesn’t lead to <a href="https://due.com/are-you-guilty-of-overspending-try-these-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overspending</a> or prevent you from sufficiently saving for the future. If this continues to occur, you might be able to create a more balanced budget with the help of a financial advisor or credit counselor.</p><h2><b>Living a Rich Life on a Budget</b></h2><p>Frugality doesn’t mean depriving yourself; it means being intentional with your money. It is possible to achieve financial security while living an enriching and fulfilling life—a life filled with experiences, connections, and personal growth—without compromising your finances.</p><h2><b>FAQs</b></h2><h3><b>What is frugal living?</b></h3><p>To live frugally, you must be intentional about spending your money. You shouldn’t be cheap or deprive yourself of getting the most value out of your money. Among the things that can be involved are:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping your spending to a minimum</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Putting needs before wants</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Spending less on everyday expenses</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Wisely investing your money</li></ul><h3><b>Isn’t frugal living the same as being cheap?</b></h3><p>Not at all!</p><p>Being frugal means being mindful and intentional about your spending. You need to make smart choices to save money and reach your financial goals. On the other hand, being cheap means getting something for the least amount of money, regardless of quality or value.</p><h3><b>Why be frugal?</b></h3><p>A frugal lifestyle has many benefits. Among them are:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Financial security.</b> To save money, you must pay off debt, build an emergency fund, and invest in your future.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Less stress.</b> It is not uncommon for people to be stressed out financially. By being frugal, you can feel more secure and in control of your finances.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Freedom.</b> The freedom to pursue your passions and live on your terms is enhanced when not burdened by debt.</li></ul><h3><b>Can I live frugally on one income?</b></h3><p>Absolutely. Frugality is about making the best of what you have, regardless of your income.</p><h3><b>How can I get started with frugal living?</b></h3><p>To get you started, here are a few tips:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Track your spending.</b> By doing this, you will be able to identify areas where you can save money.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Create a budget.</b> Knowing what you need and want will help you allocate your money more effectively.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Cook more meals at home.</b> It can be expensive to eat out.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Find free or low-cost entertainment.</b> It is possible to have fun without spending a lot of money.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Challenge yourself to spend less.</b> You can take part in many no-spend challenges.</li></ul><p><em><strong>Image Credit: cottonbro studio; Pexels</strong></em></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/21-simple-tips-for-frugal-people-to-lead-a-great-life/">21 Simple Tips for Frugal People to Lead a Great Life</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pexels-cottonbro-studio-6069557-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>The U.S. banking industry wins battle in $8 credit card fee war</title> <link>https://due.com/the-u-s-banking-industry-wins-key-legal-battle-in-8-credit-card-fee-cap-debate/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 01:07:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81808</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. court system has delayed the rule to cap credit card late fees at a maximum of 8 dollars monthly, a win for major banking institutions. The legislation, a crucial step in protecting consumer interests, was championed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPS) and, unfortunately, was stalled in federal court on Friday, May […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/the-u-s-banking-industry-wins-key-legal-battle-in-8-credit-card-fee-cap-debate/">The U.S. banking industry wins battle in $8 credit card fee war</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. court system has delayed the rule to cap credit card late fees at a maximum of 8 dollars monthly, a win for major banking institutions.</p><p>The legislation, a crucial step in protecting consumer interests, was championed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPS) and, unfortunately, was stalled in federal court on Friday, May 11.</p><h2>Credit card late fee cap stalled</h2><p>The <a href="https://accountable.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Injunction.pdf">injunction</a>, halts the implementation of a regulation that would have gone into effect Tuesday, May 14. This new rule would have capped the late fees on <a href="https://due.com/six-of-the-largest-us-banks-take-part-in-a-federal-reserve-exercise/">American banks</a> at 8 dollars, but they would have lost a strong seam of constant revenue.</p><p>CFPB spokesman told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/10/the-rule-capping-credit-card-late-fees-at-8-is-on-hold-heres-what-it-means-for-you.html">CNBC</a> on Friday “Consumers will shoulder $800 million in late fees every month that the rule is delayed — money that pads the profit margins of the largest credit card issuers.”</p><p>Judge Mark Pittman of the Northern District of Texas would support the plaintiffs’ pleas for the rule to be delayed. The U.S. Department of Commerce was involved in the suit as one of the most vocal critics of the new rule.</p><p>CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a March <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/statement-of-cfpb-director-rohit-chopra-on-the-final-rule-to-close-the-credit-card-late-fee-loophole/#:~:text=It%20will%20help%20consumers%20keep,cover%20their%20actual%20collection%20costs.">release</a> that his department was “taking action to rein in junk fees on credit cards, increase competition, and put billions of dollars back in the pockets of American families. We are finalizing a rule that will lower the typical late fees charged by big credit card issuers from an average of $32 down to $8 in most cases. We estimate this change will save families $10 billion every year, an average savings of $220 per year for the more than 45 million people who are charged late fees.”</p><p>It remains to be seen when this new legislation will be enacted, but for now, the banks still have their lucrative well of monthly billions, at the expense of <a href="https://due.com/90-of-american-homes-see-a-price-rise-according-to-q1-report/">American</a> families.</p><p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/gqCqupmgRgeKnzUTr3wJSg/1">Ideogram</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/the-u-s-banking-industry-wins-key-legal-battle-in-8-credit-card-fee-cap-debate/">The U.S. banking industry wins battle in $8 credit card fee war</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/US-credit-card-companies-win-battle-in-late-fee-war.jpg" width="800" height="508"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Deciphering the truth about online earning</title> <link>https://due.com/deciphering-the-truth-about-online-earning/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Rose]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 21:20:39 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Amazon Associates]]></category> <category><![CDATA[online earnings]]></category> <category><![CDATA[truth about online earnings]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81520</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>In our increasingly digital world, the appeal of making money online has never been stronger. The internet is awash with tales of young entrepreneurs who boast about earning staggering sums from the comfort of their own homes or even while globetrotting. One such story that made the rounds was of a 21-year-old who claimed to […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/deciphering-the-truth-about-online-earning/">Deciphering the truth about online earning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In our increasingly digital world, the appeal of making money online has never been stronger. The internet is awash with tales of young entrepreneurs who boast about earning staggering sums from the comfort of their own homes or even while globetrotting. One such story that made the rounds was of a 21-year-old who claimed to rake in $45,000 a month through Amazon Associates. This article aims to critically examine this claim and shed some light on the reality of such online earning methods.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jWxydrOYl/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jWxydrOYl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeff Rose – CFP® – Finance (@jjeffrose)<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>Decoding Amazon Associates</h2><p>Amazon Associates is an <a href="https://due.com/affiliate-marketing-a-practical-way-to-make-extra-money-in-retirement/">affiliate marketing</a> program that enables users to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products. The process is simple: sign up for the program, recommend products, and earn a commission on every sale through your referral link. However, the question that begs to be asked is: can one really make $45,000 a month promoting $15 products on Amazon?</p><h2>Unveiling the reality of earning through Amazon Associates</h2><p>Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as straightforward as the process itself. While earning substantial amounts through Amazon Associates is technically possible, it’s not as easy or as common as some might lead you to believe. The commission rates for Amazon Associates range from 1% to 10%, depending on the product category. This means that to earn $45,000 a month, one must generate sales worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.</p><p>For a 21-year-old — or anyone, for that matter — to achieve this feat, they would need an incredibly high-traffic website or a massive <a href="https://due.com/social-media-automation-tools-to-scale-up-online-engagement/">social media</a> following. Even then, the conversion rate — the percentage of visitors who actually make a purchase — would need to be exceptionally high. This is not impossible, but it is highly unlikely, especially for someone just starting out.</p><h2>Exposing the bait-and-switch tactic</h2><p>The claim of making $45,000 a month through Amazon Associates is often a bait-and-switch tactic. The person making the claim isn’t genuinely trying to get you to sign up for Amazon Associates. Instead, they’re trying to get you to sign up for their program or buy their course.</p><p>This is a common <a href="https://due.com/seven-tactics-fund-your-online-business/">tactic used by many online</a> entrepreneurs. They lure you in with the promise of easy <a href="https://due.com/uncomfortable-truths-about-money/">money</a>, then try to sell you their course or program. There’s nothing inherently wrong with promoting a course or program. However, it becomes problematic when the promotion is deceitful.</p><p>The person making the claim isn’t actually <a href="https://due.com/75-fast-and-easy-ways-to-make-extra-money/">making money</a> through Amazon Associates but through the sale of their course or program. They’re using the allure of easy money to sell their product. This is not only misleading, but it also creates unrealistic expectations for those who sign up for Amazon Associates expecting to make a fortune.</p><h2>Concluding thoughts</h2><p>The internet is a powerful tool that has opened up countless opportunities for <a href="https://due.com/side-hustles-to-earn-money-online-after-retirement/">earning money</a>. However, it’s essential to approach these opportunities with a critical eye. Not all that glitters is gold, and not all who claim to make a fortune online are telling the truth.</p><p>While making money through Amazon Associates is possible, it’s not as easy or as lucrative as some might lead you to believe. It requires hard work, dedication, and a significant amount of traffic to your website or social media platforms.</p><p>So, the next time you come across a claim of making thousands of <a href="https://due.com/easy-ways-to-save-a-few-extra-dollars-each-month-in-2023/">dollars a month</a> through Amazon Associates, take it with a grain of salt. Do your research, understand the process, and set realistic expectations. Remember the familiar adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What is Amazon Associates?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Amazon Associates is an affiliate marketing program that enables users to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products. Users sign up for the program, recommend products, and earn a commission on every sale made through their referral link.</p><h3>Q. Can one really make $45,000 a month promoting $15 products on Amazon?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">While earning substantial amounts through Amazon Associates is technically possible, it’s not as easy or as common as some might lead you to believe. To earn $45,000 a month, one would need to generate sales worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, which would require an incredibly high-traffic website or a massive social media following.</p><h3>Q. What is the bait-and-switch tactic in relation to Amazon Associates?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The claim of making $45,000 a month through Amazon Associates is often a bait-and-switch tactic. The person making the claim isn’t genuinely trying to get you to sign up for Amazon Associates. Instead, they’re trying to get you to sign up for their program or buy their course. They’re using the allure of easy money to sell their product.</p><h3>Q. Is it easy to make money through Amazon Associates?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">While it’s possible to make money through Amazon Associates, it’s not as easy or as lucrative as some might lead you to believe. It requires hard work, dedication, and a significant amount of traffic to your website or social media platforms.</p><h3>Q. What should I do when I see a claim that I can make thousands of dollars a month through Amazon Associates?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">When you come across such a claim, take it with a grain of salt. Do your research, understand the process, and set realistic expectations.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/deciphering-the-truth-about-online-earning/">Deciphering the truth about online earning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/online_earning_truth-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Decoding America’s escalating debt crisis</title> <link>https://due.com/decoding-americas-escalating-debt-crisis/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 17:55:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[$34 trillion debt crisis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81778</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The United States is currently in the throes of a staggering $34 trillion debt crisis, which has economists, policymakers, and the general public engaged in heated debates. The country’s debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is at an all-time high, a situation attributed mainly to unprecedented money printing. This has led to inflation and a looming […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/decoding-americas-escalating-debt-crisis/">Decoding America’s escalating debt crisis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The United States is currently in the throes of a staggering $34 trillion debt crisis, which has economists, policymakers, and the general public engaged in heated debates. The country’s debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is at an all-time high, a situation attributed mainly to unprecedented money printing. This has led to inflation and a looming social security crisis, with the government admitting that it may not be able to fully pay social security starting in 2034. This article will delve into the causes of this <a href="https://due.com/terms/european-sovereign-debt-crisis/">debt crisis</a>, its potential impacts, and the possible ways the government can navigate out of this predicament.</p><h2>Unraveling the causes of the US debt crisis</h2><p>The current US debt crisis is a result of several factors, the most significant being the unprecedented <a href="https://due.com/uncomfortable-truths-about-money/">money</a> printing. The <a href="https://due.com/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-tomorrow/">Federal Reserve</a> has been pumping money into the economy to stimulate growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this strategy has helped keep the economy afloat, it has also led to an increase in the <a href="https://due.com/three-methods-to-alleviate-national-debt/">national debt</a>.</p><p>The consequences of this strategy are already being felt, with <a href="https://due.com/inflations-impact-on-the-stock-market/">inflation</a> rates rising. Inflation erodes money’s purchasing power, meaning consumers need to spend more to buy the same goods and services. This can lead to decreased living standards, especially for <a href="https://due.com/how-to-enjoy-a-frugal-retirement-on-a-fixed-income/">fixed-income people</a>.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ywnBMOSDv/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ywnBMOSDv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns – CFP®, CIMA®, MBA – Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>The looming social security crisis</h2><p>Another worrying consequence of the rising national debt is the impending <a href="https://due.com/the-buying-power-of-social-security-was-downgraded-by-36-heres-what-it-means-for-you/">social security</a> crisis. The government has admitted that it may not be able to fully pay <a href="https://due.com/how-to-maximize-your-social-security-benefits-in-2023/">social security benefits</a> starting in 2034. This is a significant concern, as millions of Americans rely on social security for their <a href="https://due.com/retirement-income-sources-and-million-dollar-strategies/">retirement income</a>. If the government cannot meet its obligations, poverty among the elderly could significantly increase.</p><h2>Exploring possible solutions to the US debt crisis</h2><p>Despite the grim picture painted by the current debt situation, there are several ways the government can <a href="https://due.com/student-loan-crisis-navigating-financial-struggles/">navigate out of this crisis</a>.</p><p>Firstly, <a href="https://due.com/economic-growth/">economic growth</a> is one of the most effective ways to reduce the national debt. When the economy grows, <a href="https://due.com/profitable-business/">businesses make more profits</a>, and individuals earn more income. This leads to higher tax receipts for the government, which can be used to pay down the debt. However, achieving sufficient economic growth to reduce the debt significantly is challenging, especially in the current economic climate.</p><p>Secondly, the <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-u-s-governments-debt-cycle/">government can reduce the debt</a> by cutting spending on various programs. This could include healthcare, welfare, foreign aid, and education. However, these cuts would have to be significant to make a dent the debt, and they could have serious <a href="https://due.com/terms/social-economics/">social and economic</a> consequences.</p><p>Thirdly, the government could also choose to increase <a href="https://due.com/ireland-records-750m-in-tax-revenue-amid-brexit-windfall-reports/">taxes to raise more revenue</a>. The last time the US debt-to-GDP ratio was near its current level was after World War II, and the highest marginal <a href="https://due.com/terms/tax-brackets/">tax bracket</a> was above 90%. However, raising taxes is a politically sensitive issue and could have economic repercussions, such as reduced <a href="https://due.com/terms/growth-investing/">investment and economic growth</a>.</p><p>Lastly, the final option, though highly unlikely and catastrophic, would be for the government to default on its debt. This would mean not paying back its treasury buyers, which would have severe consequences for the US and <a href="https://due.com/geopolitical-conflicts-impact-on-global-economy/">global economy</a>.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The US <a href="https://due.com/terms/debt-issue/">debt crisis is</a> complex and has no easy solutions. While economic growth, spending cuts, and increased taxes are potential ways out of the crisis, each comes with its own set of challenges and potential consequences. As the government grapples with this issue, it will need to carefully consider the potential impacts of each option on the economy and the American people. The decisions made today will have far-reaching implications for the US economy’s future and its citizens’ well-being.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What are the causes of the US debt crisis?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The current US debt crisis is a result of several factors, the most significant being the unprecedented money printing by the <a href="https://due.com/biden-vs-powell/">Federal Reserve</a> to stimulate economic growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategy, while helpful in keeping the economy afloat, has led to an increase in the national debt.</p><h3>Q. What are the consequences of the US debt crisis?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The consequences of the US debt crisis include rising <a href="https://due.com/eurozone-inflation-rate-is-inflation-worse-in-europe-or-the-us/">inflation rates</a>, which erode the purchasing power of money, and a looming social security crisis. The government has admitted that it may not be able to fully pay social security benefits starting in 2034, which could lead to a significant increase in poverty among the elderly.</p><h3>Q. What are the possible solutions to the US debt crisis?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Possible solutions to the US debt crisis include economic growth, spending cuts, and increased taxes. Economic <a href="https://due.com/terms/jobs-and-growth-tax-relief-reconciliation-act-of-2003-jgtrra/">growth can lead to higher tax</a> receipts for the government, which can be used to pay down the debt. Spending cuts on various programs could also reduce the debt, but these cuts could have serious social and economic consequences. Increasing taxes is another option, but it is politically sensitive and could have financial repercussions. The final option, though highly unlikely and catastrophic, would be for the government to default on its debt.</p><h3>Q. What are the potential impacts of the US debt crisis?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The potential impacts of the US debt crisis are far-reaching. The decisions made today will have implications for the US economy’s future and its citizens’ well-being. The crisis could lead to a decrease in living standards, especially for those on fixed incomes, and a significant increase in poverty among the elderly if the <a href="https://due.com/terms/government-security/">government cannot meet its social security</a> obligations.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/decoding-americas-escalating-debt-crisis/">Decoding America’s escalating debt crisis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/decoding_americas_debt-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>BP is eyeing a $1bn buyout of Tesla charging facilities</title> <link>https://due.com/bp-is-eyeing-a-1bn-buyout-of-tesla-charging-facilities/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 13:25:10 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BP Pulse Americas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[British Petroleum]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Elon Musk]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sujay Sharma]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supercharger sites]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tesla]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81763</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Oil giant BP is investigating the Supercharger facilities and staff that are in limbo after Tesla’s mass cuts. Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer founded by billionaire Elon Musk, recently decided to axe a substantial amount of its headcount in a cost-cutting exercise, a move that has significant implications for the industry. One of those implications […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/bp-is-eyeing-a-1bn-buyout-of-tesla-charging-facilities/">BP is eyeing a $1bn buyout of Tesla charging facilities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oil giant BP is investigating the Supercharger facilities and staff that are in limbo after Tesla’s mass cuts.</p><p>Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer founded by billionaire Elon Musk, recently decided to axe a substantial amount of its <a href="https://due.com/tesla-and-musk-announce-more-spring-layoffs/">headcount</a> in a cost-cutting exercise, a move that has significant implications for the industry.</p><p>One of those implications is the circling of other companies around Tesla’s Supercharger facilities. These stations had been a critical win for Tesla as they agreed to let competitors who manufacture electric vehicles use these locations in a landmark deal.</p><h2>Supercharger sites up for sale?</h2><p>BP is one of the largest energy brands and continuously seeks to strengthen its power in alternatives to fossil fuels as climate change legislation looms from the White House.</p><p>If this deal were to go through for BP, it would be a significant win, as first reported by <a href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/bp-keen-to-buy-tesla-supercharging-sites-for-us-expansion-1.2071084">Bloomberg</a>. It would effectively take Telsa’s hard work and blueprint for electric vehicle charging stations and sell them to the oil and gas powerhouse.</p><p>Sujay Sharma, CEO of BP Pulse Americas, casually told Bloomberg, “If there are stranded real estate partners who are looking for someone to call, they should feel free to pick up the phone and call me or look me up on LinkedIn.”</p><p>If this deal were to go through for the existing Supercharger sites, then BP would be ahead of its commitment to spend $1 billion by 2030 on more charging facilities.</p><p>The company paved a business roadmap that is leading to them having a bigger chunk of the American electric vehicle charging station market. BP intends to have over 3,000 electric charging stations and 12 major Gigahub sites in key states in the U.S.</p><p>It remains to be seen if <a href="https://due.com/tesla-trims-workforce-by-14000/">Tesla</a> will look to offload their major business win to a rival, but Elon Musk’s sights seem to be set on the land of artificial intelligence over car manufacturing.</p><p>Tesla and Musk made a recent call to <a href="https://due.com/tesla-cuts-global-prices-after-week-of-crisis/">slash the price</a> of all major models of their vehicles globally amid the headcount. This can only mean they are looking desperately to recoup lost funds from a turbulent year for the manufacturer.</p><p>Image: <a href="https://www.bppulse.co.uk/">BP</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/bp-is-eyeing-a-1bn-buyout-of-tesla-charging-facilities/">BP is eyeing a $1bn buyout of Tesla charging facilities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BP-is-eyeing-a-1bn-buyout-of-Tesla.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Understanding the Financials of Venturing into a Livestock Business</title> <link>https://due.com/understanding-the-financials-of-venturing-into-a-livestock-business/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Porteous]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 12:58:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Do your due diligence!]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Livestock Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Livestock Business venture]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81174</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Retirement opens opportunities to transition into a new career or business you are passionate about. Many retirees consider venturing into agriculture and livestock, believing farm life can be a relaxing and fulfilling experience compared to a conventional nine-to-five in the urban jungle. As with any business venture you may undertake — do your due diligence. […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-financials-of-venturing-into-a-livestock-business/">Understanding the Financials of Venturing into a Livestock Business</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Retirement opens opportunities to transition into a <a href="https://due.com/efficiency-unleashed-how-document-automation-software-is-transforming-business-operations-in-a-post-ai-world/">new career or business</a> you are passionate about. Many retirees consider venturing into agriculture and livestock, believing farm life can be a relaxing and fulfilling experience compared to a conventional nine-to-five in the urban jungle.</p><p>As with any business venture you may undertake — do your due diligence.</p><p>The livestock industry offers many benefits. Some non-monetary rewards could be being close to nature, living in a slower-paced rural environment, working on an activity you enjoy, and having a flexible schedule.</p><p>Agriculture generates hundreds of billions of dollars for the US economy annually. Livestock supports the livelihoods of over 1 billion people around the world. Running a livestock business can be a rewarding and profitable endeavor. It’s a vital part of the agricultural economy, providing products like milk, eggs, and meat to domestic consumers. It also exports leather and wool to international markets.</p><p>Animals and animal products generate billions of dollars each year for the US. According to the Department of Agriculture, animal food sources contributed <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/farm-animals-livestock-economy">$258.5 billion</a> to the US in 2022. In the same year, the USDA found that cattle and calves were the most profitable animals, accounting for $86.1 billion of that revenue.</p><p>Here, we discuss the financials of investing in and running a livestock business. Before you venture into livestock, you must understand the financial requirements of running a farm. You also need to understand the key numbers to meet to stay profitable.</p><p>Moreover, we will discuss best practices that lead to an efficient and thriving livestock business.</p><p>With better financial knowledge, transitioning into livestock farming in retirement will bring a fulfilling new career working with animals and the land, long-term security, and promising returns.</p><h2>Farm Financials: A Must for Agricultural Producers</h2><p>The livestock sector is highly dynamic. It is a pillar of the national economy and global food system, and it contributes to food security, poverty reduction, and agricultural development.</p><p>Livestock are essential assets for all communities. Globally, people rely on livestock herding for food and income and as a way to store wealth. It can also be a form of collateral and a safety net in difficult times. Locally, these production systems help preserve biodiversity and could contribute to carbon sequestration via biomass and soils.</p><p>Additionally, livestock is the only way to convert natural resources into fiber and work power in harsh environments like drylands and mountains. It is a formidable contributor to local resilience. As a fast-growing sector, it must keep pace with demand, which increases with changing diets, rising incomes, and population growth.</p><p>With its vital role in fulfilling many needs and essential activities, livestock is undoubtedly an ideal business choice.</p><p>However, its financial aspects can be overlooked.</p><p>Would-be farmers need to study its financials in-depth, as it has many unique elements, including the inclusion of live animals, seeds, and plants under your assets.</p><h2>Farm Financial Statements: Key Components</h2><p>Whether starting a livestock farm from scratch or carrying on a tradition by returning to the family farm, it can be challenging to come to grips with the financial aspect of the business. The following vital measures help you establish a solid financial foundation:</p><h3>1. Balance Sheet</h3><p>Lenders often refer to a farmer’s <a href="https://due.com/terms/balance-sheet/">balance sheet</a> for a financial reference. To borrow capital for your business, you must provide a snapshot of your financial position. As an owner, the balance sheet helps you gauge your net worth.</p><p>Your net worth or equity is the dollar amount or total value of your reported assets. Even if you don’t need a loan to start or expand your livestock business, it’s always a good idea to track your growth and financial position at any given point as a reference for making decisions.</p><h4>Farm Assets and Liabilities</h4><p>As a livestock farmer, you must identify which business aspects fall under assets and liabilities. The knowledge will help you formulate your balance sheet and net worth statement.</p><h4>What are your assets?</h4><p>As a farmer, your assets comprise everything you own under the business. Examples of assets are cash, equipment, and real estate. You divide them into three categories:</p><h5>Current assets</h5><p>Current assets are items in your business that can be sold or used up within a year. These include fertilizer, seed, feed, crops in the ground, and feeder calves you must sell within the year.</p><h5>Intermediate assets</h5><p>These are the items your business owns that support production. They usually last 2 to 10 years. Examples of intermediate assets include vehicles, equipment, and breeding livestock.</p><h5>Long-term or fixed assets</h5><p>These assets are things you own that are permanent. They typically last for over ten years. Examples of assets in this category are shelters, barns, and real estate.</p><h4>What are your liabilities?</h4><p>As a business owner, you need to take stock of your liabilities. Liabilities are the things you owe. Examples of liabilities are mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debt. They fall under the following categories:</p><h5>Current debts</h5><p>You must pay these debts within a year, like an operating loan.</p><h5>Intermediate-term debts</h5><p>These are what you need to pay within 1 to 10 years, such as equipment loans.</p><h5>Long-term debts</h5><p>You must pay these business debts over ten years, like those involving real estate.</p><h4>Creating your business balance sheet</h4><p>Understanding your assets and liabilities, you are ready to create your balance sheet. A livestock business balance sheet has two columns—one for assets and another for liabilities.</p><p>Under current assets, you would typically list cash, feed, seed, supplies, prepaid expenses, investments in growing crops, crops intended for resale, market livestock, and other liquid assets of your business.</p><p>Under intermediate assets, you typically list dairy, vehicles, equipment, and breeding livestock.</p><p>Under fixed assets, you could list center pivots, buildings, and real estate.</p><p>Add the value for all three categories at the bottom of your assets column and document your total assets. The formula for calculating total assets is the sum of your current, intermediate, and fixed assets.</p><p>Under current liabilities, you can add accrued expenses, accounts payable, operating loans, loans with less than one year term, and the current portion of your term liability principal due within 12 months.</p><p>Under intermediate liabilities, you can include the business loans with a term between 1 and 10 years and your capital leases.</p><p>Under your long-term liabilities, you list your loans with a term greater than ten years.</p><p>Your total liabilities will be the sum of your current, intermediate, and long-term liabilities.</p><h4>Computing the owner’s net worth or equity</h4><p>To determine your net worth or equity, subtract your total liabilities from your total assets. Your net worth statement summarizes the property and financial assets owned, all the debts owed, and the net worth of your business at a point in time.</p><h3>2. Income Statement</h3><p>You use an income statement to report your farm’s financial performance over a specified period. Income statements are usually created to summarize the business’s cash flow for an entire calendar year.</p><p>To come up with the actual profit of your business operation, you create an income statement for all the income earned and expenses for a crop or product regardless of the calendar year, called accrual income.</p><p>Many farms use a fiscal year as their tax year to measure accrual income. The accrual income statement contains net farm income, one of the farms’ and livestock producers’ most important financial measures. It measures the actual performance of the farm during the year.</p><p>In a farm’s income statement, you focus on the following essential items:</p><h4>Income</h4><p>Income reflects money generated from product and service sales. This category includes crop sales, government payments, patronage income, livestock sales, and other farm income.</p><h4>Gross income</h4><p>This figure is the total income from the livestock operation in a given year. It does not show whether the business made a profit. The only way to determine profit is to deduct expenses.</p><h4>Expenses</h4><p>These are the costs incurred by the farm operation associated with growing crops or animals. Examples are seeds, the payroll or labor required, land rent, chemicals, fuel, medications, and breeding costs.</p><h4>Profit margin or gross margin</h4><p>This indicates the profit or loss of the year’s crop or livestock. This measure does not consider the fixed cost of the operation. It is understood that the business should have sufficient gross profit margin to cover its fixed costs.</p><h4>Overhead or fixed costs</h4><p>This figure reflects the <a href="https://due.com/terms/overhead-rate/">costs to the operation</a> regardless of its livestock production. Examples of business operations items that fall under this category are interest, repairs, salaries and living expenses of employees, equipment depreciation, insurance, taxes, utilities, and marketing expenses.</p><h4>Net profit or net income</h4><p>Your <a href="https://due.com/terms/net-income-ni/">net income</a> reflects the livestock business’s actual profit and loss picture. It shows whether the farm’s operating income is enough to cover its overhead and production expenses.</p><h3>3. Value of farm production</h3><p>The <a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c1-05.html#:~:text=Value%20of%20farm%20production%20%E2%80%93%20The,or%20loss%2C%20and%20miscellaneous%20income.">value of farm production</a> benchmark is calculated by summing up the accrual gross revenue from a farm’s livestock, the gain or loss on the sale of breeding livestock, crop insurance proceeds, agricultural program payments, and other income. You subtract the cost of purchased grain, feed, and livestock.</p><p>In the agricultural industry, the value of farm production is a measure of gross income. Remember that net farm income is computed by subtracting the total expenses of the operation from the value of farm production.</p><h3>4. Cash flow statement</h3><p>You can create a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or semiannual cash flow statement. The more detailed it is, the easier it is to understand <a href="https://due.com/transforming-cash-flow-management/">how cash moves in and out of the business</a>. You can also formulate a cash flow budget that predicts future flows, including expected payments.</p><p>The following items are included in a comprehensive cash flow statement:</p><h4>Cash from operating activities</h4><p>Under this entry, you include the sales receipts from selling market livestock. You also include other operating income from payments under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs or Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC).</p><p>You record all the expenses for the livestock business’s operating activities—all expenses the farm needs to run. These include any money spent on items intended to be resold, like feeder livestock or feeds. Operating expenses include money spent on fertilizers, fuel, seed, marketing, labor, and chemicals. You also include interest expenses in this section. This line is the interest paid on any loans. In addition, you record income taxes paid under this section.</p><h4>Net cash income from operating activities</h4><p>This section is all the cash earned from sales and other operating income subtracted from the costs of running the farm.</p><p>When evaluating cash flow, pay attention to the parts of the year when your incoming cash is higher than your expenses. Likewise, identify the months when the incoming money is lower than expenses.</p><h4>Cash generated by investing activities</h4><p>This section refers to all the <a href="https://due.com/terms/profitability-index-pi-definition-components-and-formula/">cash earned or spent</a> on investment items. An investment item is anything used for over one year in the business. These include the purchases or sales of breeding livestock.</p><p>You also include any sales or purchases of equipment or real estate here. You commute the net cash from your investing activities by deducting cash spent on investment items versus money earned from investment items.</p><h4>Cash from financing activities</h4><p>This section of your cash flow statement reflects all the cash generated by financing activities—anything received from term debt financing or operating loans. You also include non-farm income used to pay for farm expenses. Gifts or inheritances are also included in this section, plus cash from sales of personal assets, retirement accounts, and investment income.</p><p>Under this section, you record all cash used for financing debt, which means any payment on the principal of finance leases, operating and CCC loans, and term debt. Moreover, all owner withdrawals for unpaid labor and management fees should be included.</p><h4>Cash flow summary</h4><p>Your business’s cash flow summary reflects all the cash received from investing, financing, and operating activities deducted from all monthly expenses. You state the beginning cash balance in this part of the cash flow statement. It is the amount of cash available at the start of each month.</p><p>Under the ending cash balance, you take the beginning cash balance and add the month’s net cash income. The net cash income refers to cash from investing, operating, and financing activities.</p><p>The net change in your business’s cash will show you the most profitable months.</p><h2>Values That Help Understand Farm Financials</h2><p>Knowing how to create a balance sheet is not enough. You need to know the values that help you understand your business’s financial health.</p><p>The farming business has risks, but there are ways to avert or prevent these risks. You need to augment your management skills by identifying financial and production projections. These values are crucial in decision-making. For example, they predict sales of farm products or calculate the investment amounts for livestock purchases or acreage.</p><h3>Farm financial benchmarks and ratios</h3><p>In livestock production, financial ratios will show you how every aspect of your operations relates to one another through assets and liabilities. These ratios can be used to assess how you measure up against industry-specific standards. This way, you can see whether you are in step, lagging, or ahead of the game compared to the rest of the producers in the livestock industry.</p><h4>Working capital</h4><p>Working capital—<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/workingcapital.asp">net working capital or NWC</a>—is the difference between your livestock company’s current assets and liabilities.</p><p>As previously explained, current assets are owned assets that can be sold within a year. These may include accounts receivable or unpaid customer bills, cash, raw materials inventories, and finished goods. The business’s current liabilities include its debts and accounts payable.</p><p>Working capital is a valuable measure of your livestock company’s short-term health. You can also define it simply as the money to fund your daily operations. A positive working capital value indicates that your livestock business can pay its short-term obligations immediately.</p><p>In this specific industry, this can look like dollars per acre or dollars per cow.</p><h4>Current ratio</h4><p>Your <a href="https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/current-ratio-formula/">current ratio</a> can also be called your working capital ratio. It measures your business’s capability to meet short-term obligations due within a year.</p><p>This ratio considers the weight of your total current assets versus your total current liabilities. As a livestock business owner, you must aim for a minimum 1:1 ratio. This minimum guarantees you have enough assets soon convertible to cash or cash to pay your bills for the reported period—one year.</p><p>It is another measure of your company’s financial health and how it can maximize the liquidity of its current assets to settle payables and debt.</p><p>The formula for the current ratio is:</p><p>Current ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities</p><p>You could develop benchmarks for a strong, mediocre, “needs improvement,” or “critical level” current ratio. For example, a solid current ratio for your business would look like a value of 2 and over. A mediocre current ratio could be between 1.3 to 2. A critical level or “needs improvement” current ratio would be a value of less than 1.3. By that point, you could take swift intervention.</p><p>When your current ratio needs improvement, you have several options. You could sell non-return-generating capital assets like unused equipment. You could also retain net profits in cash to improve your ability to pay for current liabilities. Your net farm profits can also be used to pay debt.</p><p>You could also look at cash or profits for long-term asset investments like equipment or land. Pull back on these purchases if your current ratio is insufficient.</p><p>If you find that the operating loan of your farm is close to its maximum principal, or if your business has some operating debt carried over from last year, you could opt to refinance some of your farm’s operating debt and shift to longer-term refinancing to make your burden bearable.</p><h4>Liquidity</h4><p>Liquidity is the ability of your livestock business to meet its debts or financial obligations as they become due. It determines whether you have enough near-cash or cash assets to cover short-term obligations without interrupting or disrupting your everyday operations.</p><p>Working capital and current ratio are both measures of liquidity. A good formula for calculating liquidity is working capital as a percentage of your business’s annual expenses, expressed as the following:</p><p>Liquidity = (Current assets – current liabilities)/ Livestock farm expenses</p><p>A value of over 50 percent generally indicates a comfortable position. It means you can maintain over half of your yearly farm expenses with your current funds for your daily operations. A value of 20 to 50 percent means you need to monitor your finances more closely and be ready to devise a backup plan.</p><p>The next question in every business owner’s mind is how to improve liquidity. The solution can be challenging because the sale of assets and building cash reserves take time. The quickest way to improve liquidity is to run a lean and profitable business, retaining net farm profits as cash.</p><p>When you keep your net farm income as cash reserves, you forgo using the funds to purchase new assets, investments, or reduce debt.</p><p>You could also look into selling non-vital assets. Old equipment is an example of something you can sell for cash. Look for sprayers, planters, tractors, or harrows sitting idly and largely unused.</p><p>The final option is borrowing money. Farms commonly use operating loans to increase their liquidity. However, taking out a loan on long terms is not advisable simply to hold cash on your balance sheet. This practice may have a severe negative impact on equity and debt servicing.</p><h4>Profitability</h4><p>The profitability ratio is essential for a livestock business because it helps you decide whether you are ultimately making money from your assets. What assets do you own, and are they earning for you? Is there an opportunity to sell or repurpose assets such as vehicles, livestock, or equipment to put your business in better standing?</p><p>You use the Return on Assets (ROA) formula to determine the percentage of your assets’ profitability—how good they are at generating revenue. The formula for calculating is:</p><p>ROA = (Net income + interest)/ Total assets of the livestock farm</p><p>To improve your profitability, you consider both income and expenses. You must find a way to maximize each commodity you produce. Your yield should pull its weight in terms of profit. As you evaluate your overall profitability, note all your costs and income for every acre of your farm or per farm if you have multiple farms.</p><p>You need to ask essential questions targeted toward the analysis and improvement of specific aspects of the operation:</p><ul><li>Can you plant other crops or varieties that produce higher yields?</li><li>Do you have lands that are under-producing?</li><li>Must you consult a commodity expert to help guide you on product pricing?</li><li>Are you overpaying for rent?</li><li>Are there less expensive suppliers of livestock feed, such as cooperatives?</li><li>Are there ways to increase farm yield and reduce costs without compromising profitability?</li></ul><p>Like in any well-run business, a livestock farm owner must know how every dollar spent affects the operation’s final yield on a per-head or per-field basis. Not every acre or field has the same degree of profitability, but you do need to understand the performance of every section of your farm.</p><h4>Efficiency</h4><p>Efficiency measures the amount of money you can make versus your expenses. You must ensure you pay your expenses and make money on top of your costs.</p><p>The formula to determine efficiency is the Operating Expense Ratio (OER). This shows the relationship between your farm’s operating expenses and gross revenue. The formula for OER is:</p><p>OER = Farm expenses/Farm income</p><p>As efficiency is a measure of profitability, you improve efficiency by using the same strategies to improve profitability.</p><h2>Master Farm Financials To Run a Successful Livestock Business</h2><p>The livestock business presents many opportunities for retirees. However, if you’re not careful, it is also a minefield of hidden costs, seasonal challenges, and debt traps.</p><p>When you venture into livestock, understand you are dealing with a unique product—high demand and consumed daily. You are also dealing with unique pressures to produce, market, compete, and earn as much as possible and ensure that you have invested in the right assets to make it happen.</p><p>It is easy to get lost in farm operations and fail to see the big picture. By mastering farm finances, you become better at management and troubleshooting. You can spot problems before they become unsurmountable.</p><p>By understanding financial indicators, you know what you are working with, can track your progress as you go, and, more importantly, know which levers to pull to improve your profitability. Again, due diligence.</p><p>Beyond the love of nature, raising animals, and creating a meaningful business, you must be ready to deal with the numbers to maximize your investment. By being skilled at creating balance sheets, understanding and <a href="https://due.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-effective-cash-flow-management/">managing cash flow</a>, and interpreting critical benchmarks, you are better equipped to become a successful livestock entrepreneur.</p><p>Featured Image Credit: Photo by Samet Kaplan; <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/view-of-cows-grazing-on-a-pasture-19807380/">Pexels</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-financials-of-venturing-into-a-livestock-business/">Understanding the Financials of Venturing into a Livestock Business</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Livestock-Business-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Trump Media Insider Trading Case Sees Investor Convicted</title> <link>https://due.com/trump-media-insider-trading-case-sees-investor-convicted/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 01:55:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81760</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>A federal jury in Manhattan has found the investor involved in the recent, highly significant Trump Media merger guilty. Bruce Garelick was convicted of five counts of securities fraud and conspiracy for his part in insider trading relating to a significant financial merger. Insider trading case sees Garelick convicted Garelick was at the helm of […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/trump-media-insider-trading-case-sees-investor-convicted/">Trump Media Insider Trading Case Sees Investor Convicted</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A federal jury in Manhattan has found the investor involved in the recent, highly significant Trump Media merger guilty.</p><p>Bruce Garelick was convicted of five counts of securities fraud and conspiracy for his part in insider trading relating to a significant financial merger.</p><h2>Insider trading case sees Garelick convicted</h2><p>Garelick was at the helm of a shell company that merged with former President Donald Trump’s <a href="https://due.com/trump-media-stock-plummets-again/">Trump Media</a>. He would then release sensitive insider information that tipped off traders ahead of the official merger, gaining the ire and the hammer of the Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC).</p><p>The original filing revealed the extent of the financial gains made through illegal means <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-charges-four-separate-insider-trading-cases-against-10">stating</a>, “In October 2021, MICHAEL SHVARTSMAN, GERALD SHVARTSMAN, and BRUCE GARELICK together made more than $22 million dollars in illegal profits by trading in securities of Digital World Acquisition Corporation (“DWAC”) based on MNPI about DWAC’s planned but not yet public business combination with a media company founded by former President Donald J. Trump.”</p><p>Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC) shares skyrocketed just before the significant business deal to make <a href="https://due.com/trump-media-execs-take-home-windfall-whist-share-price-halved/">DJT</a> public, primarily due to the information Garelick disclosed.</p><p>“Bruce Garelick was part of a sophisticated group of individuals invited to invest in Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC), a special purpose acquisition company that had raised funds with the intention of later investing in a target company, Trump Media & Technology Group, not yet known to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a statement released by the Justice Department’s <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/statement-us-attorney-damian-williams-conviction-bruce-garelick">newsroom</a>.</p><p>“When he was given that opportunity, Garelick promised to keep the information about DWAC’s interest in acquiring Trump Media secret and not use it to trade in the stock market.”</p><p>Garelick hasn’t yet been sentenced for these five securities and trading fraud counts, but the penalty could be harsh.</p><p>Each count of securities fraud under Title 15 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of securities fraud under Title 18 carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.</p><p>Williams aptly concluded saying, “As a unanimous jury has just found, Garelick blatantly violated the law by using the information that he obtained as an insider at DWAC to trade and tip others. Garelick’s federal conviction is yet another stark reminder that insider trading is always a losing bet.”</p><p><a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/x1Lvi4PKRQyUPz4iC-JYnw/2">Ideogram</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/trump-media-insider-trading-case-sees-investor-convicted/">Trump Media Insider Trading Case Sees Investor Convicted</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Trump-Media-Insider-Trading-Case-Sees-Investor-Convicted.jpg" width="700" height="700"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Six of the largest US banks take part in a Federal Reserve exercise</title> <link>https://due.com/six-of-the-largest-us-banks-take-part-in-a-federal-reserve-exercise/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 23:39:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81756</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Federal Reserve has released a statement detailing that some of the largest American banks participated in a new exercise. The Climate Scenario Analysis Exercise (CSA) involved some of the biggest names in banking and sought to asses their climate risk-management practices. Banks take part in climate exercise Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/six-of-the-largest-us-banks-take-part-in-a-federal-reserve-exercise/">Six of the largest US banks take part in a Federal Reserve exercise</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Federal Reserve has released a statement detailing that some of the largest American banks participated in a new exercise.</p><p>The Climate Scenario Analysis Exercise (CSA) involved some of the biggest names in banking and sought to asses their climate risk-management practices.</p><h2>Banks take part in climate exercise</h2><p>Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo participated.</p><p>According to the Fed “the exercise highlighted data gaps and modeling challenges that arise when estimating the financial impacts of highly complex and uncertain risks over various time horizons.”</p><p>The <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/csa-exercise-summary-20240509.pdf">result</a> was to stress test and challenge these banks to identify, estimate, monitor, and manage climate-related financial risk strategies.</p><p>“Large banking organizations and the broader financial system are exposed to climate change through macroeconomic and microeconomic transmission channels associated with physical and transition risk drivers,” according to the study results.</p><p>Physical risks relate to the damage that can be inflicted on property and people from many sources. These can range from natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and heat waves to detrimental effects on humans and locations such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification.</p><p>Transition risks comprise stress inflicted on institutions and sectors, such as policy shifts or the transition to a lower-carbon economy.</p><p>The exercise was used to identify and test the resilience of these national banking icons’ measures to address climate-related financial risks.</p><p>The Fed said that the exercise was “exploratory in nature and does not have capital consequences. Drawing on lessons learned from the exercise, the Board will continue to engage with participating banks regarding their capacity to measure and manage climate-related financial risks.”</p><p>The Fed has been in the news recently, with the US economy being a big talking point in early 2024. The government has been keen on bringing inflation down since the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the body has made no change to <a href="https://due.com/interest-rates-remain-unchanged-due-to-a-lack-of-progress-on-2-inflation-according-to-fed/">interest rates</a>.</p><p>The regulator dismissed worries of a <a href="https://due.com/stock-market-banishes-fed-rate-hike-worries/">rate hike</a>, and Wall St stocks soared in a stormy week of trading, leading to clearer economic skies.</p><p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/_Drc6T7OTgWeYgZIjHuICQ/3">Ideogram</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/six-of-the-largest-us-banks-take-part-in-a-federal-reserve-exercise/">Six of the largest US banks take part in a Federal Reserve exercise</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Banks-take-part-in-major-Fed-climate-test.jpg" width="800" height="435"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Dominance of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stocks</title> <link>https://due.com/dominance-of-the-magnificent-seven-stocks/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 15:05:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA['Magnificent Seven' Stocks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Amazon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[and NVIDIA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Meta (formerly Facebook)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tesla]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81568</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Seven stocks have emerged as the dominant forces in finance and investment, earning the moniker “The Magnificent Seven.” These stocks belong to Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA. Their combined market capitalization is so vast that it surpasses the total market capitalization of every company in China, France, Canada, the UK, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/dominance-of-the-magnificent-seven-stocks/">Dominance of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Seven stocks have emerged as the dominant forces in finance and investment, earning the moniker “The Magnificent Seven.” These stocks belong to Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA. Their combined market capitalization is so vast that it surpasses the total market capitalization of every company in China, France, Canada, the UK, and Japan combined. This is a testament to these companies’ immense value and influence in the global economy.</p><p>Apple, the tech giant known for its innovative products and services, has a <a href="https://due.com/terms/nasdaq-capital-market/">market capitalization</a> that often fluctuates around the $2 trillion mark. Meta, the <a href="https://due.com/terms/parent-company/">parent company</a> of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has over $900 billion in market capitalization. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has a <a href="https://due.com/terms/capital-market-line-cml/">market capitalization</a> of over $1.5 trillion, while electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla has over $800 billion.</p><p>Microsoft, a pioneer in the software industry, has a market capitalization of over $2 trillion. Amazon, the e-commerce behemoth, has a market capitalization of over $1.7 trillion. Lastly, NVIDIA, a leading designer of <a href="https://due.com/terms/what-is-a-graphics-processing-unit-gpu-definition-and-examples/">graphics processing units</a>, has a market capitalization of over $500 billion. The combined market capitalization of these seven companies is a testament to their dominance in their respective industries and their influence on the <a href="https://due.com/geopolitical-conflicts-impact-on-global-economy/">global economy</a>.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6q59m3OCJc/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6q59m3OCJc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns – CFP®, CIMA®, MBA – Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>Return of the Magnificent Seven</h2><p>The returns on these <a href="https://due.com/terms/long-put-definition-example-vs-shorting-stock/">stocks have been nothing short</a> of magnificent. These companies have consistently delivered strong returns to their shareholders, reflecting their robust <a href="https://due.com/terms/business-models/">business models</a>, innovative products and services, and strong market positions.</p><p><a href="https://due.com/apples-stock-a-potential-meltdown/">Apple’s stock</a> has steadily risen over the years, driven by its innovative products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac and services like the App Store, iCloud, and Apple Music. Meta’s <a href="https://due.com/terms/growth-stock-what-it-is-examples-growth-stock-vs-value-stock/">stock has also seen significant growth</a>, driven by its vast user base and strong advertising revenue. <a href="https://due.com/the-report-cards-are-in-microsoft-and-google-stock-predictions/">Google’s stock</a> has grown steadily, driven by its dominant search engine and cloud business.</p><p>Tesla’s stock has seen explosive growth, driven by its leadership in the electric vehicle <a href="https://due.com/terms/futures-market/">market and its ambitious plans for the future</a>. Microsoft’s stock has consistently grown, driven by its strong software business and growing cloud services. Amazon’s stock has grown significantly, driven by its dominant e-commerce business and growing cloud services. NVIDIA’s stock has seen rapid growth, driven by its leading position in the graphics processing unit market and its <a href="https://due.com/business-data/">growing data center business</a>.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The Magnificent Seven stocks have a significant <a href="https://due.com/artificial-intelligences-impact-on-stock-market/">impact on the global stock market</a>. Their combined market capitalization is larger than the total market capitalization of every company in several major economies, reflecting their immense value and influence. Their strong returns are a testament to their robust business models, innovative products and services, and strong market positions. As these companies continue to innovate and grow, they will likely continue their dominance in the global <a href="https://due.com/stock-market-banishes-fed-rate-hike-worries/">stock market</a>. This is not just a story of <a href="https://due.com/financial-success-of-business/">financial success</a>, but also a story of innovation, resilience, and the power of technology to transform industries and economies.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. Who are the “Magnificent Seven” in the world of finance and investment?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The “Magnificent Seven” refers to seven dominant <a href="https://due.com/real-estate-vs-stock-investments-whats-better/">stocks in the world of finance and investment</a>. These stocks belong to Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA.</p><h3>Q. What is the combined market capitalization of the “Magnificent Seven”?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The combined market capitalization of the “Magnificent Seven” is so vast that it surpasses the total market capitalization of every company in China, France, Canada, the UK, and Japan combined.</p><h3>Q. How have the “Magnificent Seven” performed in terms of returns?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Each of these companies has consistently delivered strong returns to their shareholders, reflecting their robust business models, innovative products and services, and strong market positions.</p><h3>Q. What drives the growth of these “Magnificent Seven” stocks?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The growth of these stocks is driven by various factors such as innovative products and services, strong market positions, vast user base, strong advertising revenue, leadership in their respective markets, and ambitious future plans.</p><h3>Q. What is the impact of the “Magnificent Seven” on the global stock market?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The “Magnificent Seven” stocks have a significant <a href="https://due.com/understanding-inflations-impact-on-the-stock-market/">impact on the global stock market</a>. Their combined market capitalization is larger than the total market capitalization of every company in several major economies, reflecting their immense value and influence.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/dominance-of-the-magnificent-seven-stocks/">Dominance of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/dominance_magnificent_seven-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Understanding the intricate fear-ego relationship</title> <link>https://due.com/understanding-the-intricate-fear-ego-relationship/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Keith Crossley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 14:02:43 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business Tips]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=80952</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Fear is a universal human experience, an emotion that is as much a part of our lives as joy, sadness, or anger. It’s a primal instinct that has been hardwired into our brains to protect us from potential threats and dangers. However, fear can also be a barrier, a wall that prevents us from reaching […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-intricate-fear-ego-relationship/">Understanding the intricate fear-ego relationship</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Fear is a universal human experience, an emotion that is as much a part of our lives as joy, sadness, or anger. It’s a primal instinct that has been hardwired into our brains to protect us from potential threats and dangers. However, fear can also be a barrier, a wall that prevents us from reaching our full potential and living our lives to the fullest. This article delves into the complex relationship between fear and ego, exploring how our fears often reveal the presence and influence of our ego.</p><h2>Defining fear and ego</h2><p>To <a href="https://due.com/understanding-fear-and-courages-symbiosis/">understand the relationship between fear</a> and ego, we first need to define these two concepts. Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats. It’s a <a href="https://due.com/exploring-the-brains-survival-mechanisms/">survival mechanism</a> that alerts us to danger and prepares our bodies to either fight or flee. On the other hand, ego is our sense of self; it’s the part of our identity that we consider our “self.” The ego is responsible for our feelings of self-worth and self-importance.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C52H0XXRvvP/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C52H0XXRvvP/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Crossley – Business Coach and Author of Immune to Suffering<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>The protective role of the ego</h2><p>The ego’s primary <a href="https://due.com/jobs-report-shows-positive-signs-for-the-u-s-economy-and-fed/">job</a> is to protect us from mental and emotional pain. It creates a protective barrier between us and the world around us. This barrier is often manifested as fear. The ego uses fear as a tool to protect us from potential physical and emotional harm.</p><p>When we are afraid, we are less likely to take risks or put ourselves in situations that could potentially cause us harm. This is the ego’s <a href="https://due.com/safeguard-financial-investments/">way of protecting</a> us. However, this protection often comes at a cost. The fear that the ego creates can prevent us from pursuing our dreams, taking chances, and living our lives to the fullest.</p><h2>Fear as a mirror to our ego</h2><p>Our fears often reveal our egos. When we are afraid, it’s usually because our ego is trying to protect us. The fear manifests the ego’s desire to keep us safe and secure. However, this fear can also reflect our ego’s insecurities and vulnerabilities.</p><p>For example, if we are afraid of failure, it may be because our ego is scared of the potential damage to our self-worth and self-esteem that failure could cause. If we fear rejection, it may be because our ego is afraid of the potential harm to our sense of belonging and acceptance that rejection could cause.</p><h2>The cyclical nature of fear and ego</h2><p>There is a cyclical relationship between fear and ego. The ego creates fear to protect us, and then we respond to this fear by reinforcing our ego. This <a href="https://due.com/investing-inheritance-creating-a-cycle-of-wealth/">creates a cycle</a> of fear and ego reinforcement that can be difficult to break.</p><p>For example, if we are afraid of failure, we may <a href="https://due.com/ditch-the-debt-fuel-the-dream-alternative-funding-strategies-for-small-businesses-avoiding-loans/">avoid taking risks or pursuing our dreams</a>. This avoidance reinforces our ego’s belief that we must be protected from failure. This, in turn, leads to more fear, and the cycle continues.</p><h2>Breaking free from the fear-ego cycle</h2><p><a href="https://due.com/generational-poverty/">Breaking the fear-ego cycle</a> requires self-awareness and courage. We need to recognize when our fears are a manifestation of our ego and challenge these fears. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones, taking risks, and facing our fears head-on.</p><p>By confronting our fears, we can break down the protective barrier our ego has created. This can lead to <a href="https://due.com/embracing-pain-for-personal-growth/">personal growth</a>, increased self-confidence, and greater freedom and fulfillment.</p><h2>Wrapping up</h2><p>Fear and ego are intricately linked. Our fears often reveal our ego, which frequently creates our worries. While this relationship can be a source of protection, it can also be a source of limitation. By <a href="https://due.com/understanding-and-overcoming-judgment-fear/">understanding the relationship between fear</a> and ego, we can begin to challenge our fears, break the fear-ego cycle, and live our lives with greater courage and freedom.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What are fear and ego?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats, a survival mechanism that alerts us to danger. Ego, on the other hand, is our sense of self, responsible for our feelings of self-worth and self-importance.</p><h3>Q. How does the ego protect us?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The ego protects us from mental and emotional pain by creating a protective barrier between us and the world. This barrier is often manifested as fear, used as a tool to keep us safe from potential harm.</p><h3>Q. How does fear reveal our ego?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Our fears often reveal our ego. When we are afraid, it’s often because our ego is trying to protect us. However, this fear can also be a reflection of our ego’s insecurities and vulnerabilities.</p><h3>Q. What is the cyclical nature of fear and ego?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The ego creates fear to protect us, and then we respond to this fear by reinforcing our ego. This creates a cycle of fear and ego reinforcement that can be difficult to break.</p><h3>Q. How can we break free from the fear-ego cycle?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Breaking the fear-ego cycle requires self-awareness and courage. We need to recognize when our fears are a manifestation of our ego and challenge these fears. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones, taking risks, and facing our fears head-on.</p><h3>Q. What is the relationship between fear and ego?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Fear and ego are intricately linked. Our fears often reveal our ego, and our ego often creates our fears. Understanding this relationship can help us challenge our fears, break the fear-ego cycle, and live our lives with greater courage and freedom.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-intricate-fear-ego-relationship/">Understanding the intricate fear-ego relationship</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/intricate_fear_relationship-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Balancing Retirement Planning and the Cost of Education</title> <link>https://due.com/balancing-retirement-planning-and-the-cost-of-education/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kiara Taylor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 11:02:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81177</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Saving for retirement and funding your children’s education can be a real challenge for many families. On one hand, you want to ensure you have enough money for a comfortable retirement. On the other hand, the rising costs of college tuition, room and board, and other educational expenses can put a big strain on your […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/balancing-retirement-planning-and-the-cost-of-education/">Balancing Retirement Planning and the Cost of Education</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Saving for retirement and funding your children’s education can be a real challenge for many families.</p><p>On one hand, you want to ensure you have enough <a href="https://due.com/retirement-income-sources-and-million-dollar-strategies/">money for a comfortable retirement</a>. On the other hand, the <a href="https://educationdata.org/college-tuition-inflation-rate">rising costs of college tuition</a>, room and board, and other educational expenses can put a big strain on your finances.</p><p>Striking the right balance between these two crucial goals is no easy task. The timelines don’t align — retirement planning requires decades of <a href="https://due.com/retirement-investment-options/">steady savings and investing</a>, while education costs are often concentrated in a shorter period.</p><p>Additionally, both expenses have been growing faster than inflation in recent years, adding to the financial pressure.</p><p>This article will explore practical strategies and insights to help you navigate this delicate balancing act without burning yourself out.</p><h2>Why Is Saving for Retirement Important?</h2><p>Saving for retirement is crucial for securing your long-term financial well-being. People live<a href="https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/3847532-more-people-are-living-to-be-100-heres-why/"> longer these days</a>, meaning your retirement savings must last several decades. Without proper planning, you risk outliving your money.</p><p>Additionally, the cost of living goes up over time, eroding the purchasing power of your savings. Investing for growth helps your money keep pace with inflation.</p><p>Another crucial consideration is <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/plan-for-rising-health-care-costs">healthcare costs</a>. Medical expenses tend to rise in retirement, and Medicare may not cover all your needs. Robust savings can help you afford quality healthcare and avoid financial strain.</p><p>Once you stop working, your regular paycheck disappears, so retirement savings provide the income you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle. Having ample retirement funds also gives you the freedom to choose how you spend your golden years rather than relying on others.</p><p>Hence, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/select/why-you-should-start-saving-in-your-20s/">the sooner you start saving, the better</a>. Even modest contributions can grow significantly over time thanks to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/compound-interest/">the power of compounding</a>. Make retirement planning a priority, and you’ll enjoy a secure and fulfilling future.</p><h2>Strategies for Balancing Retirement and Education Savings</h2><p>Saving for retirement and funding your children’s education are both critical financial goals, but they can be challenging to balance. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help manage these competing priorities:</p><h3>1. Prioritize Retirement Savings</h3><p>The consensus among financial experts is that retirement savings should generally take precedence over education. The rationale is straightforward: while various forms of aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans, are available to fund education, no such options exist for retirement.</p><p>Additionally, using funds earmarked for retirement to pay for education can significantly impact your future financial security due to the loss of compounding interest and investment growth over time.</p><p>Here are some tips to get you started:</p><ul><li>Take full advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s, which often include matching contributions.</li><li>Contribute as much as possible to tax-advantaged retirement accounts like <a href="https://due.com/self-directed-iras-how-to-unlock-your-investment-potential/">Traditional or Roth IRAs</a>.</li><li>If eligible, make catch-up contributions to boost your retirement savings, especially as you approach retirement age.</li></ul><p>In summary, maximize all <a href="https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/tax-advantaged-accounts-a00701af">tax-advantaged accounts</a>, such as 401(k)s, IRAs for retirement, and 529 plans. These financial products offer various tax benefits that can enhance your saving efforts. Also, always stay on top of the numbers and investigate any anomalies immediately.</p><h3>2. Start Early with Both Goals</h3><p>Starting to save early for both retirement and education can leverage the power of compound interest, significantly growing your investments over time. The power of compound interest means that even small amounts saved early can grow considerably over time.</p><p>For retirement, <a href="https://due.com/retirement-savings-when-and-how-to-start/">contribute to a 401(k) or IRA</a> as soon as you start earning, taking advantage of any employer match, which is essentially free money.</p><p>When saving for education, <a href="https://due.com/529s-coverdell-esas-and-more-a-comprehensive-guide-to-saving-for-college/">setting up a 529 plan</a> when your child is much younger maximizes growth potential over time. Automate contributions to both to keep savings consistent, and consider increasing these as your earnings increase. For both these obligations, starting early lessens the financial burden later and maximizes your investment growth.</p><h3>3. Automate Savings and Increase Contributions Over Time</h3><p>Set up automatic transfers from your checking account <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/automatic-transfer-of-funds.asp">to your retirement and education savings accounts</a>. This ensures consistent contributions without having to remember to do it manually. Start with what you can afford, even if it’s small. Then, increase your contributions over time, such as when you get a raise or bonus.</p><p>Boost your 401(k) or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits">IRA contributions</a> by 1% each year. For your children’s education, gradually raise your monthly 529 plan deposits as your budget allows. In this regard, automating and increasing progressively your savings takes the guesswork out and helps you stay on track with your long-term financial goals.</p><p>But, one should also consider automation in a wider sense—the notion of outsourcing all the manual tracking and bookkeeping to software. Whether it’s accounting apps like Freshbooks or <a href="https://apryse.com/blog/document-generation-comparison">using document generation tools</a> for tax statements, it’ll lift a burden off your shoulders and let you devote more time to financial planning.</p><p>This approach leverages your growing income to boost your savings without significantly impacting your lifestyle. Your savings grow alongside your income, helping you reach your financial goals more effectively and efficiently.</p><h3>4. Learning How to Invest Smartly</h3><p>Smart investing is a crucial step in balancing your education and retirement goals. The key is to diversify your portfolio and maximize returns while managing risks.</p><p>Start by understanding your risk tolerance and investment timeline. In addition to the standard retirement savings account, you can consider a mix of low-cost index funds, bonds, and potentially some individual stocks for higher growth potential. This can be used for both retirement and education funds.</p><p>As mentioned earlier, leverage the power of compound interest by consistently contributing to your investments, even if it’s a small amount. <a href="https://www.finra.org/investors/insights/dollar-cost-averaging">Dollar-cost averaging</a>, where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, can help smooth out market fluctuations.</p><p>Lastly, review and rebalance your portfolio periodically to keep it aligned with your financial objectives. Smart investing takes discipline, but it can pay dividends in securing your family’s long-term financial future.</p><h3>4. Engage in Open Discussions About College Funding</h3><p>Have open and honest conversations with your children about <a href="https://due.com/your-guide-to-paying-for-college-the-role-of-scholarships-and-grants/">college funding</a>. Explain the family’s financial situation and set realistic expectations about what you can contribute. Encourage your kids to research scholarships, grants, and work-study programs to supplement your savings.</p><p>Discuss the pros and cons of different college options, factoring in both academic fit and financial considerations. This conversation should include <a href="https://due.com/college-education-to-go-or-not-to-go-your-ultimate-decision-guide/">exploring different educational paths</a>, such as community college or vocational training, alongside traditional four-year colleges.</p><p>Be upfront about any limitations on your ability to cover the total cost of their education. An open dialogue helps set clear expectations, encourages financial responsibility, and involves your child in the planning process.</p><h3>5. Reassess Your Financial Plan Regularly</h3><p>Review your retirement and education savings plan at least once a year. Look at your progress, monitor all your sub-accounts with equal care, adjust as needed, and ensure your investments align with your goals. Update your plan accordingly as your family’s circumstances change, such as changes in income or new financial obligations.</p><p>Consult<a href="https://due.com/decoding-the-certified-financial-planners-role/"> a financial planner periodically</a> to get an outside perspective and ensure you’re on the right track. Regularly reassessing your plan allows you to stay flexible, adapt to new realities, and effectively make informed decisions to balance your retirement and education savings.</p><h2>Advanced Strategies for Balancing Retirement and Education Savings</h2><p>As you become more sophisticated in your financial planning, there are some advanced tools and techniques you can leverage to help balance your retirement and education savings:</p><h3>Leverage Predictive AI Models</h3><p>These models can analyze your financial data and simulate different savings scenarios. Despite being <a href="https://www.pyramidanalytics.com/generative-bi/">mainly used in business analytics</a>, predictive models can help you determine the best way to allocate your money between retirement and education funds based on factors like future costs and investment returns.</p><p>This <a href="https://www.fool.com/terms/m/monte-carlo-simulation/">involves Monte Carlo simulations</a>, where randomness simulates scenarios for returns over time or even engaging in <a href="https://www.tableau.com/learn/articles/time-series-forecasting">time-series forecasting</a> to deduce the impact of specific variables on your investments. While a skilled expert would take days and a four-figure sum to execute all this, an AI <a href="https://zapata.ai/fast-alternative-to-monte-carlo-finance/">can do it in seconds</a>.</p><h3>Use Budgeting Software</h3><p>Nowadays, you can find various types of software (AI-assisted or not) to help you manage your finances by <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/ask-a-nerd-how-can-i-use-ai-for-budgeting-and-saving">creating custom budgets and savings plans</a>. Just input the relevant data about your financial situation, and it’ll guide you on how to reach your goals.</p><p>This tech makes planning easier and offers tips on spending less. But, for complicated financial advice, talking to a professional might be better. Budgeting tools and AI models alike are still known to make grave errors and leak data, which is why there’s no point in risking your funds or well-being.</p><h3>Implement Dynamic Rebalancing</h3><p>Instead of a static asset allocation, use AI-powered tools to regularly monitor and automatically adjust your investment portfolio. This can help you adapt to changing market conditions and the timelines of your education and retirement needs.</p><p>After establishing target allocations for each asset class you’re investing in, you must monitor the market movements and look for deviations in terms of life and market conditions.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>Achieving financial security for your retirement and your children’s education is undoubtedly a complex challenge, but it will all be worth it. With careful planning, smart investing, and a proactive approach, it is a goal well within reach for middle-class families.</p><p>The key is to stay focused, take actionable steps, and not lose sight of the big picture. With the right mindset and resources, you can ensure your loved ones are cared for, both in their educational pursuits and golden years. Commit to making financial security a top priority, and you’ll be well on your way to providing the best possible future for your family.</p><p>Featured Image Credit: Photo by Yan Krukau; <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-reading-a-book-to-the-children-8613089/">Pexels</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/balancing-retirement-planning-and-the-cost-of-education/">Balancing Retirement Planning and the Cost of Education</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Balancing-Retirement-Planning-1024x683.jpg" width="800" height="534"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>90% of American homes see a price rise according to Q1 report</title> <link>https://due.com/90-of-american-homes-see-a-price-rise-according-to-q1-report/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 01:41:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81681</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>A first-quarter report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that more than 90% of homes across the U.S. saw their prices rise. The report, which comprehensively analyzed home prices in the first quarter of the financial year and the overall state of the housing market, provides a reliable snapshot of the current housing […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/90-of-american-homes-see-a-price-rise-according-to-q1-report/">90% of American homes see a price rise according to Q1 report</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A first-quarter report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that more than 90% of homes across the U.S. saw their prices rise.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/more-than-90-percent-of-metro-areas-home-price-increase-1Q-2024">report</a>, which comprehensively analyzed home prices in the first quarter of the financial year and the overall state of the housing market, provides a reliable snapshot of the current housing situation.</p><h2>National Association of Realtors report</h2><p>The report also found that 30% of the 221 tracked metro areas recorded double-digit growth. The same recorded figure in 2023 was 15% less, so this doubling of the amount of <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-new-normal-in-housing-prices/">homes</a> seeing this growth is impressive.</p><p>NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said of the reported surge, “Astonishingly, greater than 90% of the country’s metro areas experienced home price growth despite facing the highest mortgage rates in two decades.”</p><p>Home price declines were recorded in the first quarter of 2024, but they were halved compared to the last quarter of 2023. At the tail-end of last year, the 14% price decline seemed steep, but a rosier 7% decline was recorded in comparison.</p><p>“The expensive markets in the West, where home prices declined last year, are roaring back,” Yun said. “Price dips in that region were viewed as second-chance opportunities by many buyers.”</p><p>The average <a href="https://due.com/mortgage-refinancing-how-does-it-work/">mortgage</a> payment for a single-family home was $2,037, 20% down from quarter 4 of 2023. However, this was still up compared to the same time in 2023, when it was 9.3%—or $173.</p><p>“In the current market, rising prices are the direct result of insufficient housing supply not meeting the full demand,” says Yun.</p><p>Eight of the most expensive regions were all in California. Those markets were:</p><ul><li>San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. ($1,840,000; 13.7%)</li><li>Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, Calif. ($1,365,000; 14.2%)</li><li>San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif. ($1,300,000; 14%)</li><li>Urban Honolulu, Hawaii ($1,085,800; 5.5%)</li><li>San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. ($981,000; 11.5%)</li><li>San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif. ($909,300; 7%)</li><li>Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif. ($908,700; 7.6%)</li><li>Salinas, Calif. ($899,200; 4.1%)</li><li>Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, Fla. ($850,000; 9.4%)</li><li>Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. ($823,000; 10.2%)</li></ul><p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/bY923nOqSfOe4WNy7s9xdQ/3">Ideogram.</a></p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/90-of-american-homes-see-a-price-rise-according-to-q1-report/">90% of American homes see a price rise according to Q1 report</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/90_-of-US-homes-see-price-rises.jpg" width="800" height="653"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Understanding wounded masculinity and femininity</title> <link>https://due.com/understanding-wounded-masculinity-and-femininity/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Keith Crossley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 22:55:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Prosper With Personal Growh]]></category> <category><![CDATA[branding behaviors is misleading]]></category> <category><![CDATA[toxic femininity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[toxic masculinity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wounded]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81566</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Phrases like ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘toxic femininity’ have become commonplace, often employed to categorize certain negative behaviors associated with each gender. However, a deeper dive into these terms reveals that what we frequently label as ‘toxic’ is, in reality, a manifestation of ‘wounded’ masculinity or femininity. This piece aims to delve deeper into this concept, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-wounded-masculinity-and-femininity/">Understanding wounded masculinity and femininity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Phrases like ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘toxic femininity’ have become commonplace, often employed to categorize certain negative behaviors associated with each gender. However, a deeper dive into these terms reveals that what we frequently label as ‘toxic’ is, in reality, a manifestation of ‘wounded’ masculinity or femininity. This piece aims to delve deeper into this concept, exploring the roots of these behaviors and their implications on our society.</p><p>The idea of wounded masculinity and femininity originates from the belief that certain behaviors, often tagged as toxic, are not inherently tied to one’s gender. Instead, they result from emotional wounds or traumas that have not been adequately addressed or healed. These wounds can manifest in various ways, leading to behaviors detrimental to oneself and others, hence the term ‘toxic.’</p><p>However, branding these behaviors as ‘toxic masculinity’ or ‘toxic femininity’ can be misleading and harmful. It suggests that these behaviors are inherent to one’s gender, which is not the case. Instead, these behaviors reflect the individual’s emotional state and personal experiences, not their gender.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6pDwpvy4Bs/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6pDwpvy4Bs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Crossley – Business Coach and Author of Immune to Suffering<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>The pitfalls of demonizing and victimizing</h2><p>One of the most significant issues with the terms ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘toxic femininity’ is that they often lead to the demonization of one gender and the victimization of the other. This is a dangerous and unproductive approach, as it creates a divide between genders and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.</p><p>Demonizing one gender to victimize your own is a total cop-out. It is a <a href="https://due.com/compliance-issues/">way of avoiding</a> personal responsibility and accountability for one’s actions. It is much easier to blame an entire gender for one’s problems than to look inward and address the root causes of these issues.</p><h2>The ego’s role in the narrative</h2><p>Ego plays a significant role in this dynamic. Ego 101 is making an individual or a group superior or inferior to another. This is a common defense mechanism used to protect oneself from feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. By placing oneself above or below others, one can avoid confronting their own shortcomings and insecurities.</p><p>However, this approach is not only harmful to oneself but also to others. It creates a culture of superiority and inferiority, where individuals are judged based on their gender rather than their character or actions. This is not conducive to a healthy and equal society.</p><h2>Recognizing the human factor</h2><p>At the end of the day, we are all just human beings. We all have our <a href="https://due.com/terms/strength-weakness-opportunity-and-threat-swot-analysis/">strengths and weaknesses</a>, our successes and failures. We all have the capacity to act in ways that are harmful or beneficial to ourselves and others. This has nothing to do with our gender but everything to do with our humanity.</p><p>When we are wounded, we can and we <a href="https://due.com/terms/lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-definition-history-impact/">definitely do act</a> in ways that are toxic. However, it is important to remember that these behaviors are not a reflection of our gender but of our emotional state and personal experiences.</p><h2>Conclusion: A call for understanding and compassion</h2><p>In conclusion, it is crucial to move away from the terms ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘toxic femininity’ and instead focus on understanding and addressing the root causes of these behaviors. By doing so, we can create a more understanding and compassionate society, where individuals are not judged based on their gender but on their actions and character.</p><p>Furthermore, it is important to remember that we are all just human beings. We all have the capacity to act in ways that are harmful or beneficial to ourselves and others. This has nothing to do with our gender but everything to do with our humanity. By acknowledging this, we can begin to heal our wounds and move towards a healthier and more equal society.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What is the concept of wounded masculinity and femininity?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The concept of wounded masculinity and femininity originates from the belief that certain behaviors, often tagged as toxic, are not inherently tied to one’s gender. Instead, they are the result of emotional wounds or traumas that have not been adequately addressed or healed. These behaviors are a reflection of the individual’s emotional state and personal experiences, not their gender.</p><h3>Q. What are the pitfalls of demonizing and victimizing in the context of gender?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Demonizing one gender to victimize your own is a <a href="https://due.com/messy-money/">way of avoiding</a> personal responsibility and accountability for one’s actions. It creates a divide between genders and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It is much easier to blame an entire gender for one’s problems than to look inward and address the root causes of these issues.</p><h3>Q. How does the ego play a role in the narrative of wounded masculinity and femininity?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Ego plays a significant role in this dynamic. Ego 101 is making an individual or a group superior or inferior to another. This is a common defense mechanism used to protect oneself from feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. However, this approach is not only harmful to oneself but also to others. It creates a culture of superiority and inferiority, where individuals are judged based on their gender rather than their character or actions.</p><h3>Q. What is the importance of recognizing the human factor in the context of gender?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">Recognizing the human factor means understanding that we all have the capacity to act in <a href="https://due.com/stop-living-beyond-your-means-14-ways-to-master-your-finances/">ways</a> that are harmful or beneficial to ourselves and others. This has nothing to do with our gender but everything to do with our humanity. When we are wounded, we can act in ways that are toxic. However, these behaviors are not a reflection of our gender but of our emotional state and personal experiences.</p><h3>Q. What is the conclusion and call to action regarding wounded masculinity and femininity?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">It is crucial to move away from the terms ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘toxic femininity’ and instead focus on understanding and addressing the root causes of these behaviors. By doing so, we can create a more understanding and compassionate society, where individuals are not judged based on their gender but on their actions and character. By acknowledging our humanity, we can begin to heal our wounds and move towards a healthier and more equal society.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-wounded-masculinity-and-femininity/">Understanding wounded masculinity and femininity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/wounded_masculinity_femininity-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Biggest covid companies record $1.5tn market value loss</title> <link>https://due.com/biggest-covid-companies-record-1-5tn-market-value-loss/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 22:37:43 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[and Ring Central]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Financial Times]]></category> <category><![CDATA[healthcare]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Peloton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steven Blitz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tesla]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Zoom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81658</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>According to a recent report by the Financial Times, the biggest corporate earners of the COVID-19 era are now facing losses of $1.5tn. Companies like Peloton and Ring Central, which have been pillars of home fitness and remote working during that difficult time for all Americans, have recorded losses after their exponential and untenable growth. […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/biggest-covid-companies-record-1-5tn-market-value-loss/">Biggest covid companies record $1.5tn market value loss</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to a recent report by the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/8faaafb4-e170-48ce-8957-9f93c0f41c4a">Financial Times</a>, the biggest corporate earners of the COVID-19 era are now facing losses of $1.5tn.</p><p>Companies like Peloton and Ring Central, which have been pillars of home fitness and remote working during that difficult time for all Americans, have recorded losses after their exponential and untenable growth.</p><h2>Big companies see market cap slide</h2><p>These massive companies played a crucial role in meeting the national and global needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were the supply that met the demand of employers needing remote working solutions, the fitness enthusiasts striving to stay healthy, and the logistics providers making deliveries a little easier. Their success is a reflection of our collective resilience and adaptability.</p><p>The Financial Times combined statistics from a Bloomberg benchmark report and the data recorded by S&P Global, one of the leading lights in economic analysis. The contrast is startling but not without a huge slice of the expected market trajectory.</p><p>Companies like Zoom, the remote video and hosting provider, have seen an exponential rise in share value of 768%. No company can consistently maintain that margin of growth in the face of the world waking up again. According to Bloomberg data compared by the FT, this loss relates to a $77bn decline since the end of 2020.</p><p>Employers, for example, are no longer solely dependent on the remote working environment to deliver their services, so the need placed on Zoom and its contemporaries has lessened. As we reported, the <a href="https://due.com/jobs-report-shows-positive-signs-for-the-u-s-economy-and-fed/">jobs report</a> by the U.S. Department of Labor showed signs of American employment needs stabilizing to pre-pandemic levels.</p><p>Steven Blitz, chief US economist at TS Lombard, told the FT, “Some companies probably thought that (share increase) shock was going to be permanent. Now they’re getting a painful bounce back from that.”</p><p>Barry McCarthy, the CEO of Peleton, who had kept the fitness levels of Americans at a dizzying height of profit and growth for the company, has decided to step down. Four hundred workers will follow McCarthy out the door on the back of around $49bn in market capitalization losses.</p><p>Peloton, Tesla, Zoom, and Ring Central all contributed to the U.S. economy and labor market staying stable during a difficult time, but that time has now ended.</p><p>Image: <a href="https://ideogram.ai/g/nAGny_JHQoukYcjRbi-RCg/3">Ideogram</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/biggest-covid-companies-record-1-5tn-market-value-loss/">Biggest covid companies record $1.5tn market value loss</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biggest-covid-companies.jpg" width="450" height="450"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Understanding the U.S. government’s debt cycle</title> <link>https://due.com/understanding-the-u-s-governments-debt-cycle/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Taylor Sohns MBA, CIMA®, CFP®]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 19:11:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[debt cycle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[government bonds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[government budget]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81647</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The United States, like any other country, operates on a budget. This budget is a balance between income and expenses. The income primarily comes from individual and corporate taxes, while the costs are allocated to various sectors such as social security, healthcare, defense, infrastructure, and interest paid on debt. However, the U.S. government’s budget management […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-u-s-governments-debt-cycle/">Understanding the U.S. government’s debt cycle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The United States, like any other country, operates on a budget. This budget is a balance between income and expenses. The income primarily comes from individual and corporate taxes, while the costs are allocated to various sectors such as social security, healthcare, defense, infrastructure, and interest paid on debt. However, the U.S. government’s budget management has often been criticized for not being run like a good business.</p><h2>The projected deficit</h2><p>In 2024, the U.S. government’s income is projected to be $1.6 trillion less than its expenses, adding to the current debt level of $34 trillion. This deficit is a significant concern, but the U.S. government has a unique tool at its disposal to manage this situation—the ability to print <a href="https://due.com/uncomfortable-truths-about-money/">money</a>.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tv_BEuSSd/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tv_BEuSSd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taylor Sohns – CFP®, CIMA®, MBA – Finance (@lifegoalinvestments)<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>The process of money printing</h2><p>The process of money printing is not as straightforward as it sounds. It involves issuing <a href="https://due.com/should-you-invest-in-treasury-bonds/">treasury bonds</a>, essentially IOUs, to individuals, corporations, or foreign countries in return for money. The government promises to repay the money borrowed, plus a level of interest, in the future.</p><p>For instance, if a treasury <a href="https://due.com/understanding-bonds-as-investment-tools/">bond</a> buyer gives the government $1,000, the government must repay them $1,000 plus $50 in interest. This $50 in interest is not part of the original amount borrowed; it is essentially created out of thin air or, in other words, printed.</p><h2>The problem with this process</h2><p>However, this process becomes problematic when the government owes the money back and continues to have less income than expenses. In such a scenario, the government repeats the money printing process, leading to an increase in the <a href="https://due.com/three-methods-to-alleviate-national-debt/">national debt</a>.</p><p>This cycle is similar to an individual racking up <a href="https://due.com/what-are-the-hidden-dangers-of-minimum-credit-card-payments/">credit card</a> debt. The more debt the individual accumulates, the <a href="https://due.com/is-inflation-slowing-down-from-higher-interest-rates/">higher the interest</a> they <em>have to</em> pay. Similarly, the more debt the government accrues, the higher the level of interest it has to pay. This cycle, if not appropriately managed, can lead to a vicious <a href="https://due.com/solution-to-the-us-debt-spiral/">debt spiral</a>.</p><h2>The debt cycle explained.</h2><p>The U.S. government’s debt situation is akin to the predicament your cousin Joey might find himself in if he continually racks up <a href="https://due.com/credit-card-cutback/">credit card debt without a plan to pay</a> it off. The more debt Joey accumulates, the higher the interest he has to pay, and if he continues to spend more than he earns, he will find himself in a never-ending cycle of debt.</p><p>The U.S. government’s situation is similar but on a much larger scale. The government continues to spend more than it earns, leading to an increase in the national debt. To <a href="https://due.com/debt-in-retirement/">manage this debt</a>, the government prints more money, which only increases the debt further due to the interest that needs to be paid on the borrowed money.</p><h2>The implications of the debt cycle</h2><p>This cycle of debt is a significant concern for the U.S. economy. If not managed properly, it can lead to severe economic consequences. However, it is essential to note that the government has the tools to manage this situation.</p><h2>Looking ahead</h2><p>In the next part of this article, we will delve into potential solutions to this problem and discuss the level of concern we should have regarding the U.S. government’s debt situation. Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of how we can navigate out of this economic quagmire.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What is the projected deficit for the U.S. government in 2024?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">In 2024, the U.S. government’s income is projected to be $1.6 trillion less than its expenses, adding to the current debt level of $34 trillion.</p><h3>Q. How does the U.S. government print money?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The process of <a href="https://due.com/terms/united-states-treasury-money-mutual-funds/">money printing involves the issuance of treasury</a> bonds, which are essentially IOUs, to individuals, corporations, or foreign countries in return for money. The government promises to repay the money borrowed, plus a level of interest, in the future.</p><h3>Q. Why is the process of money printing problematic?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">This process becomes problematic when the government owes the money back and continues to have less income than expenses. In such a scenario, the government repeats the money printing process, increasing the national debt.</p><h3>Q. What is the debt cycle?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The debt cycle is a situation where the government continues to spend more than it earns, increasing the national debt. To manage this debt, the government prints more money, which only increases the debt further due to the interest that needs to be paid on the borrowed money.</p><h3>Q. What are the implications of the debt cycle?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">This cycle of debt is a significant concern for the U.S. economy. If not managed properly, it can lead to severe economic consequences. However, it is important to note that the government has the tools to manage this situation.</p><h3>Q. What will be discussed in the next part of the article?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">In the next part of this article, we will delve into potential solutions to this problem and discuss the level of concern we should have regarding the U.S. government’s debt situation.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/understanding-the-u-s-governments-debt-cycle/">Understanding the U.S. government’s debt cycle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/us_government_debt-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Embracing change: overcoming fear for growth</title> <link>https://due.com/embracing-change-overcoming-fear-for-growth/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Rose]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 18:31:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Money Tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Prosper With Personal Growh]]></category> <category><![CDATA[embracing change]]></category> <category><![CDATA[fear of growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[overcoming fear]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81649</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Change is a constant, an inevitable part of life that we cannot control. Yet, many of us fear it. This fear often stems from the unknown, the uncertainty that change brings. However, a profound saying resonates deeply with many of us: “When the pain of the current reality becomes greater than the fear of change, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/embracing-change-overcoming-fear-for-growth/">Embracing change: overcoming fear for growth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Change is a constant, an inevitable part of life that we cannot control. Yet, many of us fear it. This fear often stems from the unknown, the uncertainty that change brings. However, a profound saying resonates deeply with many of us: “When the pain of the current <a href="https://due.com/how-virtual-reality-is-becoming-a-game-changer-in-the-business-landscape/">reality becomes</a> greater than the fear of change, that’s when we change.” This statement encapsulates a profound truth about human nature and our capacity to adapt and evolve.</p><h2>Understanding the quote</h2><p>The quote suggests that we, as humans, are more likely to <a href="https://due.com/embracing-the-unknown-understanding-faith/">embrace</a> change when the discomfort of our present circumstances outweighs our fear of the unknown. It’s a testament to our <a href="https://due.com/embracing-resilience-in-lifes-journey/">resilience</a> and our ability to adapt to new situations, even when they seem daunting or overwhelming. This concept isn’t just applicable to our personal lives, but also to our professional lives, societal norms, and global issues.</p><div><div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tglP9Ltmw/" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tglP9Ltmw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeff Rose – CFP® – Finance (@jjeffrose)<br /></a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></div><p> </p></div><h2>Interpreting the pain of the current reality</h2><p>The first part of the quote, “When the pain of the current reality becomes greater,” refers to a state of discomfort or dissatisfaction with our present circumstances. This could be anything from a <a href="https://due.com/jobs-report-shows-positive-signs-for-the-u-s-economy-and-fed/">job</a> that no longer fulfills us, a relationship that is causing us more harm than good, or a societal issue that we feel strongly about. The pain could also be physical, such as a health issue that requires us to change our lifestyle.</p><p>This pain or discomfort is a signal that something needs to change. It’s a wake-up call, a nudge from our subconscious mind <a href="https://due.com/things-no-one-tells-you-about-early-retirement/">telling</a> us that we are not happy with how things are. It’s a sign that we need to take action and make a change to <a href="https://due.com/ways-to-improve-your-financial-situation-in-1-hour/">improve our situation</a>.</p><h2>Overcoming the fear of change</h2><p>The second part of the quote, “becomes greater than the fear of change,” refers to the fear and apprehension that often accompany the prospect of change. Change is scary because it involves stepping into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar and venturing into uncharted territory. It requires us to step out of our comfort zone, to take risks, and to face potential failure.</p><p>However, when the pain of our current reality becomes too great to bear, it outweighs our fear of change. We reach a <a href="https://due.com/remote-work-during-retirement/">tipping point where the prospect of staying</a> the same is more terrifying than the prospect of change. This is when we find the courage to embrace change, to take that leap of faith, and to step into the unknown.</p><h2>The process and rewards of change</h2><p>This process of change is not easy. It requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to face our fears. It involves letting go of old habits, beliefs, and behavior patterns that no longer serve us. It requires us to be open to new possibilities, to be willing to learn and grow and to be adaptable in the face of new challenges.</p><p>However, the rewards of embracing change are immense. Change brings growth, evolution, and progress. It allows us to break free from the shackles of our past and move forward towards a better future. It gives us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves, discover new strengths and abilities, and create a life that is in alignment with our true selves.</p><h2>Embracing change for a better future</h2><p>In conclusion, the quote, “When the pain of the current reality becomes greater than the fear of change, that’s when we change,” is a powerful reminder of our capacity to adapt and evolve. It’s a testament to our resilience and our ability to overcome challenges. It encourages us to embrace change, not as something to be feared — but as an <a href="https://due.com/terms/net-present-value-of-growth-opportunities-npvgo/">opportunity for growth</a> and transformation. So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where the pain of your current reality is greater than your fear of change, remember this quote. Use it as a catalyst to embrace <a href="https://due.com/the-future-of-business-finances-how-ai-is-changing-the-game/">change and to create a better future</a> for yourself.</p><hr style="margin: 30px;" /><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Q. What does the quote “When the pain of the current reality becomes greater than the fear of change, that’s when we change” mean?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The quote suggests that humans are more likely to embrace change when the discomfort of our present circumstances outweighs our fear of the unknown. It’s a testament to our resilience and our ability to adapt to new situations, even when they seem daunting or overwhelming.</p><h3>Q. What is meant by “the pain of the current reality”?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The “pain of the current reality” refers to a state of discomfort or dissatisfaction with our present circumstances. This could be anything from a job that no longer fulfills us to a relationship that is causing us more harm than good or a societal issue that we feel strongly about. The pain could also be physical, such as a health issue that requires us to change our lifestyle.</p><h3>Q. How can we overcome the fear of change?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;"><a href="https://due.com/legitimate-retirement-fears/">Overcoming the fear</a> of change often happens when the pain of our current reality becomes too great to bear, outweighing our fear of change. We reach a tipping point where the prospect of staying the same is more terrifying than the prospect of change. This is when we find the courage to embrace change, to take that leap of faith, and to step into the unknown.</p><h3>Q. What does the process of change involve?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The change process requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to face our fears. It involves letting go of old habits, beliefs, and patterns of behavior that no longer serve us. It requires us to be open to new possibilities, to be willing to learn and grow and to be adaptable in the face of new challenges.</p><h3>Q. What are the rewards of embracing change?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The rewards of embracing change are immense. Change brings growth, evolution, and progress. It allows us to break free from the shackles of our past and to move forward towards a better future. It gives us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves, to discover new strengths and abilities, and to create a life that is in alignment with our true selves.</p><h3>Q. How can we use this quote to embrace change for a better future?</h3><p style="margin-left: 25px; color: dimgray;">The quote powerfully reminds us of our capacity to adapt and evolve. It encourages us to embrace change not as something to be feared but as an opportunity for growth and transformation. So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where the pain of your current reality is greater than your fear of change, remember this quote. Use it as a catalyst to embrace change and to create a better future for yourself.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/embracing-change-overcoming-fear-for-growth/">Embracing change: overcoming fear for growth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/embracing_change_growth-1024x585.png" width="800" height="457"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Credit Card Processing Fees and Their Impact on Consumers</title> <link>https://due.com/the-hidden-cost-of-convenience-credit-card-processing-fees-and-their-impact-on-consumers/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Rampton]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 14:16:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[credit card facts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[credit card processing fess]]></category> <category><![CDATA[customer experience]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=80377</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>We all know how convenient it is to swipe our credit cards for everyday purchases. In fact, as of 2022, 82% of U.S. adults had a credit card, making it the most common consumer lending product. In addition, according to a Forbes Advisor survey from December 2023, less than 10% of Americans prefer to pay […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/the-hidden-cost-of-convenience-credit-card-processing-fees-and-their-impact-on-consumers/">The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Credit Card Processing Fees and Their Impact on Consumers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We all know <a href="https://due.com/credit-cards-can-simplify-your-financial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how convenient it is to swipe our credit cards</a> for everyday purchases. In fact, as of 2022, <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105269#:~:text=Credit%20cards%20are%20the%20most,race%2C%20ethnicity%2C%20and%20income." target="_blank" rel="noopener">82% of U.S. adults had a credit card</a>, making it the most common consumer lending product.</p><p>In addition, according to a Forbes Advisor survey from December 2023, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/credit-card-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less than 10% of Americans prefer to pay with cash</a>. With 53% of consumers using physical or virtual debit cards, and 37% using physical or virtual credit cards, debit cards and <a href="https://due.com/how-to-keep-track-of-multiple-credit-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credit cards</a> are the most common payment methods.</p><p>There is, however, a complex world of fees associated with credit card processing behind the seamless experience. Often invisible to consumers, these fees can have significant effects on the overall price of goods and services. Moreover, these fees are far more common than you may realize.</p><p>“It’s relatively common for merchants to add a surcharge for credit card payments, as 79% of Americans say they have been charged this type of fee, according to <a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/credit-card-processing-fees-survey/135074" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WalletHub’s latest survey,</a>” says WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe.</p><p>In addition, Happe notes that Americans dislike being charged extra fees to use credit cards, with 85% saying that it makes them feel nickeled and dimed.</p><p>Although credit card processing fees are often unavoidable, let’s unravel the web so that you can make more informed financial decisions.</p><h2><b>Unveiling the Fee Structure: A Breakdown</b></h2><p>There are multiple parties involved in credit card transactions, each incurring a specific cost. Here is a breakdown of the key players and their fees:</p><h3><b>Merchants</b></h3><p>Businesses pay a <a href="https://due.com/a-merchant-breakdown-of-credit-card-processing-fees/">processing fee</a> each time a credit card transaction is processed. There are usually two components to this fee:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Interchange fee:</b> This is the percentage paid by the merchant’s bank to the issuing bank, which issues the consumer’s credit card.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Assessment fees:</b> Payment processors and banks charge merchants fees for network costs, security measures, and processing fees.</li></ul><h3><b>Issuing Banks</b></h3><p>In addition to <a href="https://due.com/high-risk-credit-card-processing-fraud-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fraud prevention</a> and rewards programs, banks that issue credit cards incur customer service costs. In exchange for interchange fees, merchants’ banks recoup some of these costs.</p><h3><b>Card Networks</b></h3><p>There are four major credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. To facilitate communications between issuing and acquiring banks, they charge network fees.</p><h3><b>Payment Processors</b></h3><p>Several companies, such as Stripe and Square, provide merchants with payment processing solutions and collect processing fees from banks.</p><p>The processing fee, which can range from 1% to 3% or more, can substantially affect a merchant’s bottom line.</p><h2><b>Who Pays the Price? Understanding Credit Card Fees at Checkout</b></h2><p>Although merchants technically pay the processing fees, consumers ultimately bear the burden. Typically, these are the fees you pay when using a credit card. Let’s take a look at it in more detail.</p><h3><b>Credit Card Surcharges</b></h3><p>These are optional fees that merchants can add to <a href="https://due.com/reducing-small-business-credit-card-processing-fees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cover the processing costs of credit cards</a>. Most states in the U.S. allow them, but with certain restrictions:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Maximum:</b> 4% of your transaction value.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Disclosure:</b> The merchant is responsible for informing customers in-store and online about surcharges before checkout. Customer receipts should also indicate the surcharge amount.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Limited to Credit Cards:</b> A surcharge cannot be applied to a debit or prepaid card.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Brand vs. Product Level:</b> Merchants can add a surcharge to all cards from a particular network (Visa/Mastercard) or to specific card types (Visa Signature).</li></ul><p>There is one more thing you should know. Only four states currently prohibit credit card surcharges: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oklahoma. Currently, Colorado allows credit card surcharges to be no more than 2%.</p><h3><b>Convenience Fees vs. Surcharges</b></h3><p>These are flat fees, not surcharges. Depending on the network, their rules may differ:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://due.com/terms/visa-card/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Visa</b></a><b>:</b> A non-standard payment method, such as online ticket purchases, is permitted.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://due.com/terms/mastercard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Mastercard</b></a><b>:</b> Only available to specific merchants, such as government agencies.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://due.com/terms/american-express-card/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>American Express</b></a><b> & </b><a href="https://due.com/press/due-ceo-shares-advice-discover-combining-finances-significant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Discover</b></a><b>:</b> There are no specific convenience fee rules.</li></ul><h3><b>Minimum Purchase Requirements</b></h3><p>In credit card transactions, merchants may set a <a href="https://due.com/require-minimum-accepting-credit-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum purchase amount</a>, but it must be less than $10. This requirement should be clearly communicated to customers.</p><h3><b>Why Some Stores Don’t Take Credit Cards</b></h3><p>Some businesses, especially small ones, can be burdened by processing fees, typically between 1 and 3% per transaction. As a result, they may:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">In all transactions, avoid accepting credit cards.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Only specific networks with lower fees, such as Visa and MasterCard, are accepted.</li></ul><p>You may find this a lot of information to take in. However, if you understand these fees, you can make informed decisions about your credit purchases.</p><h2><b>The Ripple Effect: How Fees Impact the Shopping Experience</b></h2><p>Again, credit card processing fees aren’t just a business expense. In addition, there are domino effects on you, the consumer:</p><h3><b>Higher Prices</b></h3><p>In many cases, businesses factor processing fees into their pricing structure. By using a credit card instead of cash or debit, you may unknowingly pay a little more for goods and services.</p><p>“The credit card networks charge merchants a fee every time they perform a credit card transaction, so many places try to pass that cost back to consumers by charging more,” explains Happe. For example, gas stations typically charge more for payments made with credit compared to cash or debit cards.</p><h3><b>Spending Habits</b></h3><p>Processing fees embedded in product prices are more likely to affect consumers who frequently use credit cards for everyday purchases. This situation is particularly dire for people with low incomes.</p><p>Furthermore, according to the most recent survey by WalletHub, half of Americans will not use their credit cards if there is a fee.</p><h3><b>Limited Reward Programs</b></h3><p>It can be difficult for businesses to offer <a href="https://due.com/hidden-credit-card-offers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lucrative rewards programs</a> due to high fees. The result may be fewer points earned per dollar spent or even reduced rewards programs.</p><h3><b>Discouragement of Small Transactions</b></h3><p>When a merchant accepts small-ticket purchases, processing fees can affect profits. As a result, credit cards will be less likely to be accepted for transactions of low value. When this happens, consumers may be forced to pay cash or incur minimum purchase requirements.</p><h3><b>Reduced Credit Card Acceptance</b></h3><p>The high processing fees may discourage some small businesses from accepting credit cards, especially those with low-profit margins. As a result, you may be forced to carry cash and have fewer payment options.</p><h3><b>Hidden Fees Masked by Convenience</b></h3><p>Using a credit card is easy, which can cause <a href="https://due.com/how-to-avoid-impulse-buys-and-make-smarter-purchases/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">impulsive spending</a>. In addition to higher prices due to processing fees, this can put a monkeywrench into your budget.</p><h2><b>Navigating the Feescape: Strategies for Consumers</b></h2><p>Although consumers can’t always avoid processing fees, there are ways to minimize their impact:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Choose your payment method strategically.</b> <a href="https://due.com/paying-for-small-purchases-cash-is-still-dominant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For small purchases, use cash</a> or debit cards, since they typically have lower processing fees, if any at all. Use your credit card for large purchases whenever possible for maximum reward points.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Be supportive of businesses that follow fair practices. </b>Look for businesses that offer reasonable prices regardless of how you pay. It shows that responsible companies are taking fees into account.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Optimize your rewards. </b>You should choose a credit card with a rewards program that matches your spending habits if you prefer the convenience of a credit card. If you frequently buy groceries or gas, find a card with a lower interchange fee.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Take advantage of cash-back cards.</b> A cash-back card provides a flat percentage rebate on purchases, making it a good choice for consumers with a variety of spending patterns. As a result, merchants can reduce the impact of credit card processing fees.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Make use of merchant promotions.</b> Some merchants offer discounts when you pay with cash or debit. For a discount on credit card processing fees, keep an eye out for signs or promotions.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Transparency is a must.</b> In WalletHub’s survey, 48% of respondents said merchants don’t disclose fees when charging credit card payments. As such, businesses and organizations should be encouraged to increase credit card processing fee transparency.</li></ul><h2><b>The Takeaway</b></h2><p>In the end, understanding credit card processing fees will help you make more informed buying decisions and keep your budget intact. By understanding the costs associated with different <a href="https://due.com/exploring-new-company-payment-methods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">payment methods</a>, you can choose your payment methods consciously and support businesses that adhere to your values and preferences.</p><h2><b>FAQs</b></h2><h3><b>What are credit card processing fees?</b></h3><p>Businesses pay credit card companies and processors fees each time a credit card is used. These fees pay for fraud protection, transaction authorization, and network maintenance.</p><h3><b>Do I, as a customer, ever have to pay these fees?</b></h3><p>The answer is usually no.</p><p>In most states, businesses cannot charge surcharges on debit cards, and credit card surcharges are limited to 4% or less. It is possible, however, for some businesses to:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">Provide a cash discount to make cash purchases more affordable, effectively incorporating the credit card processing fee into the price.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">For smaller transactions, set a minimum purchase requirement to offset processing fees.</li></ul><h3><b>Why are processing fees a concern for me?</b></h3><p>Typically, you won’t pay them directly, but high processing fees can have several impacts on your business:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">To cover these fees, businesses may raise their prices, affecting your purchase price.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Credit cards may be less likely to be accepted by businesses, limiting your options for payment.</li></ul><h3><b>Can I avoid these fees?</b></h3><p>Yes, you can. A few options are listed below:</p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use cash.</b> The business may offer a cash discount if you pay with cash. Plus, you won’t have to deal with credit card processing fees.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Ask about minimum purchases for credit cards. </b>To offset processing fees on smaller transactions, some stores require a minimum purchase for credit cards.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use debit cards.</b> Typically, debit cards have lower processing fees for businesses than credit cards. Again, debit cards cannot be surcharged, only credit cards.</li></ul><p><em><strong>Image Credit: energepic.com; Pexels</strong></em></p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/the-hidden-cost-of-convenience-credit-card-processing-fees-and-their-impact-on-consumers/">The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Credit Card Processing Fees and Their Impact on Consumers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Credit-Card-Processing.jpg" width="400" height="300"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> <item> <title>Equinox to launch exclusive $40,000 gym membership to beat Father Time</title> <link>https://due.com/equinox-to-launch-exclusive-40000-gym-membership-to-beat-father-time/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian-Damien Morgan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 19:18:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CNN]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Function Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jonathan Swerdlin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Julia Klim]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://due.com/?p=81598</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Equinox, the fitness chain known throughout the United States, is set to launch an expensive personal fitness membership for $40,000. The program “Optimize by Equinox” is being developed in connection with Function Health to delay the ravages of Father Time. Optimize by Equinox Most Americans will undoubtedly be unable to afford the super-expensive fitness plan, […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/equinox-to-launch-exclusive-40000-gym-membership-to-beat-father-time/">Equinox to launch exclusive $40,000 gym membership to beat Father Time</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Equinox, the fitness chain known throughout the United States, is set to launch an expensive personal fitness membership for $40,000.</p><p>The program “Optimize by Equinox” is being developed in connection with Function Health to delay the ravages of Father Time.</p><h2>Optimize by Equinox</h2><p>Most Americans will undoubtedly be unable to afford the super-expensive fitness plan, but this all-inclusive health membership is no less intriguing.</p><p>Co-founder of Function Health, Jonathan Swerdlin, told CNN, “It’s really a paradigm shift in how we’re able to live with vitality and avoid suffering.”</p><p>The program hopes to take advanced testing techniques and merge them with the company’s experience with biotech and nutrition to slow the effects of the aging process.</p><p>“It (the membership) deals with what’s above the surface, your abs and glutes, which you can see in the mirror that are great. But it also deals with what’s below the surface and what you can’t see in the mirror. And that’s revolutionary.”</p><p>New members embarking on the membership will undergo a battery of tests by Equinox and Function Health.</p><p>The expensive gauntlet of tests, starting with Function Health, targets everything from the immune system to heart health and cancer markers. Equinox then does its own swathe of physical and motion testing.</p><p>Julia Klim, vice president of strategic partnerships and business development at Equinox, said, “It’s the same as Formula One or an athlete, where you are given a team of top experts in all these different verticals to design a program based on all the data that we collected.”</p><p>As <a href="https://due.com/leading-u-s-companies-are-having-their-best-patch-in-two-years-says-data-provider/">we reported</a> this week, the biotech and medical science market is booming. So, this partnership aims to test Equinox’s ability to mix their offering with advanced bioscience.</p><p>According to a CNN report, Equinox completed a recent round of funding worth $1.8 billion, which refinances $1.2 billion in existing debt for the physical fitness leader.</p><p>According to Equinox, this new Optimize program will be launched in New York City and Highland Park, Texas, before being rolled out nationwide in major cities.</p><p>Image: <a href="https://twitter.com/Equinox/status/1785716841257521566/photo/1">Equinox</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://due.com/equinox-to-launch-exclusive-40000-gym-membership-to-beat-father-time/">Equinox to launch exclusive $40,000 gym membership to beat Father Time</a> appeared first on <a href="https://due.com">Due</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <media:content xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.due.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Equinox-to-launch-gym-membership.jpg" width="520" height="465"><media:credit role="illustrator" scheme="urn:ebu">Due</media:credit></media:content> </item> </channel></rss> <!--Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. 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