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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Are all those stories about crippling student debt having an effect on college campuses? Just ask post-Millennials now trying - albeit not always successfully - to avoid being saddled with the same heavy burden of debt as their predecessors.

    According to Fidelity Investments' new "College Savings: Lessons Learned Study," not only did 83 percent of current college students surveyed consider what their total costs would be before matriculating - just 69 percent of recent graduates had such foresight - but 39 percent of them said the potential price tag was such "a huge factor" that they purposely limited their choice of schools to the most affordable. Only 32 percent of recent graduates, alas, had shown similar restraint.

    "It seems today's college students are perhaps more aware of the financial situation they entered into than those who graduated before them," said Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity's vice president of retirement and college leadership. "That's a positive development."

    All told, student debt in the U.S. now totals more than $1.5 trillion - second only to mortgage debt, Forbes reported. And the 69 percent or so of the Class of 2018 who took out student loans graduated with an average debt balance of $29,800.

    So you can understand why recent graduates would be so stressed out over whether they'd ever be able to pay off their loans that they're now having second thoughts about their decisions:

    * 40 percent said that while they don't regret going to college, they would've made different choices in hindsight.

    * Only 14 percent felt the value of their education was worth more than the money they'd spent.

    Oh, and future college students should listen up for this sage advice from the more than 4,000 respondents surveyed - all recent graduates, current undergraduates, and parents of either or both - on what would've done wonders to ease their own stress levels.

    "When asked 'If you knew then what you know now when it comes to school selection, what would you do differently?' the number one answer for all respondents was 'I would've started saving earlier,'" Ridolfi said.

    Which logically brings us to another key finding of the study: Only 17 percent of current students and recent graduates had taken advantage, prior to college, of what's arguably one of the best ways to fund higher education: 529 savings plans.

    Unlike regular bank savings accounts, they provide a tax-advantaged way to save money to cover tuition, books and other education-related expenses at most accredited two- and four-year colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools.

    The key phrase being "tax-advantaged." Meaning, earnings grow federal income tax-deferred and withdrawals for qualified expenses are free from federal (and, in many places, state) income taxes - thus affording the opportunity to have even more saved for college.

    Significantly, Ridolfi said families using a 529 plan managed by Fidelity have been starting to sock money away earlier than ever before, with contributions beginning on average when the child is about age six and a half. Thirty-six percent of Fidelity 529s are even opened for beneficiaries under - yes - age 2.

    You say a child hasn't even uttered his or her first complete sentence before they're two? Probably not. But just so you're not bushwhacked when they suddenly hit their late teens, free online resources like Fidelity's College Savings Learning Center and College Savings Quick Check - a calculator that even shows you the impact of saving a few dollars more a month - can help prepare you for what lies ahead.

    Ref: Education - in Blogs
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    Rebecca Ebert Rebecca_Ebert


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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Preparing to pop the question this Valentine's Day, but unsure how to choose the right engagement ring? Read on for all the tools you need to make the perfect pick!

    While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding the ideal diamond engagement ring.

    Set your price limit.

    Before you start shopping, know how much you want to spend. There is no right or wrong amount to put toward a ring, and many beautiful stones and styles are available to suit any budget. It's important to note that lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40 percent less expensive than mined stones.

    Learn the "4 C's" of diamonds.

    These are: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Here's the translation:

    Cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its fire, brilliance, and sparkle.

    Color: Not all diamonds are clear; some have varying tints of yellow.

    Clarity: A measure of the number of flaws or inclusions in the stone.

    Carat: A measure of the weight of the diamond. However, more weight also indicates a bigger size.

    Consider shape.

    The common diamond shapes used in engagement rings are round, cushion, pear, oval, princess, radiant, and emerald.

    Each of these shapes has its fans and distinctive features. For example, a round diamond is the classic engagement ring style, but the larger facets of a cushion style can enhance brilliance, and the elongated emerald cut presents a bold look that can make a diamond appear larger than its carat weight.

    Choose a setting.

    Deciding the right setting or diamond shape for your stone is a personal decision. Some people have specific ideas for a setting, and take more time on the stone, or vice versa.

    However, not all settings accommodate all shapes so it's important to prioritize one or the other if you are set on a particular shape or setting.

    Typical engagement ring styles include the solitaire, a simple band that showcases any diamond shape; halo, in which a central stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds; classic, which features a row of accent diamonds along the ring band; and vintage, which replicates design styles from different time periods.

    Contemplate your center stone.

    When it comes to your center stone, there are a few different options to choose from. Although diamonds are the most popular, birthstones, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are also great budget-friendly options.

    In regards to diamonds, there are two types to choose from: mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds.

    While mined diamonds are extracted from the earth, lab-grown stones are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and, as mentioned above, up to 40 percent less expensive.

    Both types are identical in terms of chemistry and physical appearance. However, interest in lab-created diamonds has surged in recent years as more couples are concerned with sustainability, as well as beauty and romance.

    Ref: Dating - in Blogs
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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - As the calendar flips to another year, many employees will consider starting the new year on the hunt for a new job. In today's changing workforce, it is more important than ever for companies to realize that a salary alone is no longer enough to recruit or retain strong employees. According to a recent survey by Aflac, small businesses deserve a round of applause for their ability to keep employees happy. The report found that 85 percent of small-business employees are happy in their current job and more than half (51 percent) agree that most of or all of their happiness in their current job is because is a result of working for a small business.

    The keys to happiness

    Nearly a quarter of participants (23 percent) stated that the feeling of importance was the best part of working for a small business. Small businesses have the unique ability to make employees feel appreciated, respected and valued on a personal and professional level. In a small business environment, there are typically fewer layers between newcomers and leadership. This tight-knit structure of small businesses can create a family-like atmosphere that allows employees to feel that their opinions matter and that they play a significant role in the business's mission.

    Flexibility is also vital in creating employee happiness. According to the report, 30 percent of respondents noted that flexible scheduling was the best part of working for a small business. This can include working from home, leaving work early to play in a summer sports league or giving new parents an extra week of paid time off to help care for their newborn. A workplace that promotes healthy work-life balance can create happier, less stressed employees and can also increase employee productivity on the job.

    Unlocking improvements

    Although small businesses excel at keeping employees happy, there is always room for improvement. In a small-business community, money does not seem to be the only motivator. In fact, 65 percent of small-business employees indicate that an improvement in their benefits offerings would make them happier employees. By offering a robust benefits plan that includes voluntary benefits, small businesses can ensure that their employees are able to find the right benefits to meet their individual needs.

    Learn more at https://aflac.com/smallbusiness


    Ref: Business - in Blogs
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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - You probably don't think much about the fate of old, worn-out uniforms from restaurants, stores, healthcare facilities, sports teams, and other industries. But the fact is that many end up in landfills. However, one company is doing its part to lessen this carbon footprint by repurposing these old uniforms into new.

    Eco Tek 360, a forward-thinking fiber technology company and a division of Global Fiber Technologies, Inc. a public company, (GFTX), has developed a proprietary technology that removes the fibers from fabrics that have reached the end of their useful life cycle. The fibers are extracted from a landfill-destined garment and used to create yarn, make new fabric, and then get sewn into fabric which is turned into "rejuvenated" uniforms. Each time the uniform comes back to the client, the process creates a true circular economy and reduces carbon footprints.

    "It takes between 500 to 700 gallons of water to grow one pound of cotton and Eco Tek 360 can help save billions of gallons each year through utilization of its patent- pending process," says Chris Giordano, president and co-chairman of Global Fiber Technologies.

    "We will take corporate uniforms at the end of their useful life that would otherwise head for disposal and re-purpose them back to the same company as sustainable, high quality uniforms for their employees," says Giordano.

    "Our primary raw material is sourced from uniforms being disposed of by our corporate clients, allowing us to be competitive on price," says Paul Serbiak Global's CEO.

    There are three steps to the ECOTEK process:

    - Recovery: Companies collect old uniforms and send them to Ecotek. Customers earn a credit towards new uniform purchases.

    - Rejuvenation: Rejuvenation is the heart of the Ecotek philosophy. The company uses a patented procedure to remove old fiber from fabric, restore it, and create new fabric. The rejuvenated fiber is soft, strong, and comfortable, and looks like new.

    - Re-creation: The fabric made from the rejuvenated fiber is then used to make new uniforms.

    "The entire process takes place in the USA, ensuring fair labor practices and extremely high quality standards," according to the company. Ecotek will offer customized design in large and small batches with quick turnaround times.

    Buying uniforms made with rejuvenated fibers not only saves water and energy, it saves money, and allows employees to feel proud and look great with options for customized style and sizing.

    Surveys show that a majority of entry-level employees prefer to work for an environmentally friendly company and more than half of consumers prefer to buy from companies with a green reputation.

    For more information about how your company can go greener and look great doing it, visit https://globalfibertechnologies.com/ecotek-360

    Ref: Business - in Blogs
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    Shauna Castorena whiskeychickofficial
    I’m doing it. I am finally calling out something that bothers the **** out of me in country music, and that is Dump Truck Country Marketing. Why is it that one of the best songwriters in modern country music, Miss Lainey Wilson, has to market on the strength and size of her ample posterior instead of just getting credit for the music that she makes? Why is it Priscilla Block had to immediately be the first to pick on herself through songs like “Thick Thighs Save Lives” in order to be taken seriously on any stage?

    These women are unfortunately forced to pick on themselves or accept the image they’re being sold as for the very reason that society might discourage them from gaining any kind of celebrity, and that is their ample rears. Their voluminous posteriors seem to be the focus of all their press releases, of all their news coverage, and quite honestly, I’m sick of it. Now, I’m a fan of a nice, round rear, but I don’t understand what that has to do with the music you make other than if you fall on your ***, it might not hurt as much. When are we going to stop marketing bodies and start marketing music again? I’m all for body positivity, but this is a pain in MY ***.

    The sexualization and objectification of women in the music industry have been an ongoing issue for years. Despite the industry’s progress towards body positivity and female empowerment, there are still remnants of antiquated marketing tactics that prioritize the physical appearance of female artists over their musical abilities.
    Read the rest at CountryMusicNewsBlog
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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Independent films are the heart and soul of the movie industry. These original works of art have the potential to push the boundaries of film; engage new, underserved audiences and, just maybe, develop into blockbuster hits seen by millions of viewers worldwide.

    This journey of growth, however, is no easy task. For an independent filmmaker, distribution can be the difference between a flop and a million-dollar success.

    How can filmmakers trump this trend? The Movie Studio (TMS) evolved with an answer to this ever-important industry problem.

    The TMS model is two-fold. The company both creates its own movies and simultaneously distributes other independent films. The combination provides TMS with a full library of diverse work that appeals to a broad network of buyers worldwide.

    Currently, TMS is focused on English-speaking films. Plans are in the works, however, to enter the foreign films language market in the near future.

    Gordon Scott Ventures, CEO, stated, "We are very excited to assist many independent producers, with their collective team in their quest for having their efforts rewarded by reaching audiences around the globe."

    TMS' growth comes through enrolling indie producers from the top film schools and film festivals. If recruited, producers have the opportunity to share their work with audiences in more than 60 countries. These moviemakers can also become a member of TMS' growing family of followers, shareholders and supporters, ultimately working together for a mutual profit.

    In addition, TMS continues to prove its value through its finesse and speed, period. The organization prides itself on giving viewers the power to decide for themselves if a film is successful.

    As a pledge to its commitment to the industry, the TMS team has solidified a powerful, well-coordinated media platform through NewsUSA and FilmFestival.com. This platform will boast a strong social media program intended to reach new independent producers and savvy film watchers alike.

    With the indie industry begging for more options to grow, TMS could be in the right position at the right time to swiftly become a leader in the entertainment industry at large.

    To learn more, please visit www.TheMovieStudio.com.

    Ref: Entertainment - in Blogs
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    Aric Feeney Aric_Feeney


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    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - When you combine the acting talent of Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Spiderman 3, Divorce), Alice Eve (Before We Go, She's Out of My League), and Finn Wittrock (La La Land,The Big Short, Unbroken, American Horror Story) with a twisted tale of deceit, passion, and dark humor, what do you get?

    Deception Road, an upcoming film set for production in the summer of 2019.

    The story gets rolling when the character of Oscar (Wittrock) is traveling through the American Southwest. He hitches a ride with haunted war veteran Hal (Church), but all is not as it seems, and a simple car ride is only the beginning of a complex and mysterious journey. Instead, Oscar finds himself in the middle of a game of cat and mouse with Hal, his lovely, young wife, Jessie, and the situation goes from bizarre to dangerous, but with a dose of dark comedy. The cast is rounded out by newcomer Jack Tynan.

    The film is being produced by Wild Invention Pictures along with George Parra and Michael Goodin. It will be shot on location in Utah, where the stark, stunning landscape serves as an ideal background for the mystery and danger that unfold. The screenplay was written by Dallas Mitchell Brennan and will be directed by Max Mayer, whose credits include Adam and As Cool as I Am.

    "I look forward with great joy to working with such a dynamically gifted team to tell a story I find so darkly funny, compelling, and emotionally truthful," says Mayer.

    The film will be distributed domestically by Smith Global Media, headed by CEO Harry Smith.

    "The Smith Global team is excited to have acquired the domestic distribution rights to Deception Road. This quirky thriller will entertain diverse audiences and the wonderful cast is bound to deliver exceptional performances," says Smith.

    The film is financed by executive producer Neil Shroff and has an excellent shot at artistic and commercial success based on its combination of stellar acting and tight plot. Early analytics suggest that it will be popular with a large range of audiences, which makes the film a great opportunity for investors.

    Investment opportunities are available at deceptionroadmovie.com.

    "We are excited to bring this film from script to screen as it has the potential to become an enduring classic working with Max Mayer and this talented production team and cast," says Brennan.

    Visit deceptionroadmovie.com for more information about the movie, the production team, and investment opportunities.

    Ref: Celebrities - in Blogs
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