Category Archives: Financial Independence

In 2018, Thejaswi Nayak, lost her husband and it made her a widow at the tender age of 23. With a 3-month-old fetus in her womb, she decided to challenge patriarchy with love and compassion. An experience brings up a tumult of bittersweet thoughts and emotions for most people is that of becoming a parent after the death of a parent.

My childhood was great until I was 15. I lost my father. But my mom was a strong working woman and she was financially independent. She brought me up alone and was able to support me with education. She played a major role in making me what I am today, Thejaswi explains.

She fondly recalls a memory of when she was in fifth standard and she went to ask her dad about a Physics equation. The man who was at the time, Head of the Physics Department at Mangalore University obliged in offering her every solution. I had no clue about the amount of research he used to do behind every concept. He explained the equation in a very simple manner. Later on, I got to know that if you teach something to a child, you are a brilliant teacher and I think he really was one. That is something I will never forget and keep it forever long in my life. She says, not in grief that he is no more, but feeling thankful that he once was.

With a strong educational background, Thejaswi majored in Electronics and Communication as a graduate and now works with a Bangalore-based organization. But it was at her previous workplace that she bumped into the love of her life and the two bonded over tech. Their marriage was an inter-cultural affair between the two families and religions - Bengalis and Mangaloreans. I thought it was a fairy tale wedding but it wasnt. I never thought inter- cultural weddings would have so much clash of beliefs and rituals. When you are marrying someone from a different culture, you need to respect each others culture. It is in place from hundreds of years and you cant mock someones culture just because its not yours, fretted Thejaswi.

All too soon, Thejaswi had felt the chill from her mother-in- laws cold shoulder. No matter how hard she tried, she revealed that her mother-in- law used to shun her. His mom used to taunt, Shaadi mei kuch nahi mila. On the other hand, in my culture dowry is a big no. We dont really shower groom with a lot of things, argues Thejaswi.

After her husbands unexpected demise in 2018, she was 3 months into her pregnancy and her life changed completely. Although she had support from her mother all this while, she spent the rest of her pregnancy coming out of the trauma and dealing with the patriarchy. My mother-in-law made comments like she didnt feed my son, she didnt cook for my son and the baby in her womb is a kalank, because of which my son died. Today I am able to tell you this with a firm voice, but three years back those comments just stabbed me, rues Thejaswi.

She explains how life came to a full stop after she lost her husband. She recollects spending moments lost in void. I did try killing myself. I have a mark on my left wrist. But something came up and I stopped myself. My mum was there with me to overcome my thoughts. Looking at her was an inspiration. If she could overcome my dads death then even, I had to overcome this. Thejaswis mom helped her overcome the grief of her husband. Thejaswi found comfort and solace in her presence.

In the initial stage of her pregnancy while she was still dealing with her loss, many relatives and the doctor recommended her to terminate the pregnancy, thinking of her future aspects in terms of child rearing and her career. But yet again, giving birth was her sole decision. It was a turning point in her life where she decided to never look back. I had to go for a regular scan for my baby where they show you the fetus and make you listen to the heartbeat. The thought of another human growing inside me, that moment just changed me as a person, physically and mentally.

She started seeking therapy which helped her to deal with the grieving, and pre and postpartum stress. When I lost my husband, it was a double trauma because after my dad, I was looking for a dream man. I was completely shattered. After that moment, my perspective towards life changed. I told myself that I have to live on my own. Nobody can come and rescue me, stated Thejaswi.

Its indeed hard to draw the line between whats helpful and supportive, but in Thejaswis case, her co-workers were striking a balance between the two for her. They made sure that even while she was on leave for a couple of months, she didnt go through any financial strain. She said, That day when I found out that he was no more, it was somewhere around 12 o clock at night. The first person I called was my colleague. He informed his managers and came home with the team. They assisted me with the proceedings, made sure I was okay and helped me gather the courage to break the news to my mum and my in- laws."

In these tough times, one thing that didnt let Thejaswi down was her financial independence. She stated, The greatest advice my mom has always given to me is to become financially independent. Itll always save you from drowning in the worst. Initially, the moment my husband passed away, we had a cars loan, but luckily his father took care of it. After that I never got any financial assistance. But because I was getting a monthly salary to support me and my daughter, I didnt have to struggle much financially. I always give a piece of advice to everybody- Dont quit your job after marriage. Career is different, marriage is different. Both have their own roles to play.

Thejaswi accepted the challenges and responsibilities of single parenting without self-pity and bitterness. Despite lack of time, she recognized the importance of self-care and attempted to do so through physical, spiritual and emotional means. Even after giving birth, my mom babysits my daughter and I still go out with friends for half a day or something whenever I get time. One of the main things which healed me was writing my feelings out and music and singing. I would do the things I love that eventually helped me heal. Thejaswi chose to see positive aspects in stressful situations and felt that she has succeeded despite many doubts.

Amazingly, when asked about her consideration of remarrying, she believes in prioritizing her daughter and her life at the moment, as the pain is still a bit all-consuming for them. Thejaswi has shown interest in choice motherhood without seeking any validation from society.

In India, where patriarchy is quite prevalent, a single mother is treated differently from someone who has a husband. There are many things that single mothers have to hear from the society but strong mothers like Thejaswi manage to function as both parents with the utmost strength and grace. Thejaswis success mantra is to never give up. Her message to all the single mothers out there is- I just want the world to know that I was just a normal girl who was dreaming of her prince charming but reality hit me differently. There will be many challenges in life no matter how much you love a person. Even after that, its you and your efforts thatll make everything work in your life. Both good and bad people will come, both good and bad things will happen, but its how you react and how you change things for yourself, she signs off.

Also Read:Colours of Courage: Meet the Dancing Dadi, Ravi Bala Sharma who refused to dance to her ages tunes; EXCLUSIVE

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Colours of Courage: Single mum battles societal stereotypes to raise her daughter with dignity - PINKVILLA

ByJennifer Nelson, Next Avenue

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Traditional financial advice like the kind you got from your parents is often true but even experienced investors might rely on maxims that are outdated and no longer serving your financial well-being.

In fact, quite the opposite, as sticking to adages like "cash is king" (money is more valuable than other investments like stocks and bonds) and "all debt is bad" may be financial relics that you can stand to update.

Here are 5 money thoughts that you can ditch to keep a young financial mind:

One rule that may have become obsolete is paying down your mortgage faster than usual. With mortgage interest rates low, there's a good argument that putting that money elsewhere and earning a higher return over time may be a better bet than paying down your mortgage early. "Trying to decide between eliminating debt and investing for the future can be a difficult decision," says Jason Laux, retirement advisor atSynergy Group, a retirement planning firmin White Oak, Penn.

"But mortgage debt isn't always a bad thing. If you put off saving for retirement in order to pay off your mortgage early, you may end up house rich but cash poor," says Laux.

Instead, prioritize your personal finances. Use any extra money to max out contributions to your 401(k) or IRA. "Saving and investing for retirement is going to offer you a better return over time," Laux says.

Over the long run, holding significant amounts ofcashensures that you'll suffer significant lost opportunities, explains Robert R. Johnson, professor of finance at Heider College of Business, Creighton University, and the co-author of "The Tools and Techniques of Investment Planning, Strategic Value Investing and Investment Banking for Dummies."

He explains that when it comes to building wealth, you can either sleep well or eat well. If you invest conservatively, you sleep well because of little volatility. But it doesn't allow you to eat well because your account won't grow large enough to keep you well-fed.

According to data compiled by Ibbotson Associates, large capitalization stocks (think S&P 500) returned 10.3% compounded annually from 1926 through 2020.

Over that same time, long-term government bonds returned 5.5% annually and T-bills returned 3.3% annually.To put it in perspective, $1.00 invested in the S&P 500 at the start of 1926 would have grown to $10,945 (with all dividends reinvested). That same dollar invested in T-bills would have grown to $21.71. "The surest way to build wealth over long-time horizonsisto invest in a diversified portfolio of common stocks," says Johnson.

Twenty years ago, if you had disposable income, you gave it to a financial advisor, who invested your money into safe, boring vehicles earning roughly 7% 10% per year, explains Stefan von Imhof, CEO ofalts.co, one of the world's largest alternative investing communities. "Today, retail investors are increasingly shunning financial advisors, and managing investments themselves."

Imhof explains that a decade ago, 57% of households with $500K+ in net worth and a prime earner under 45-year-old had an investing style considered "mostly self-directed." By 2019, that number has shot up to 70%.

"New generations are self-educating and taking on higher levels of risk to get higher returns," says Imhof. They look to invest in alternatives, which usually aren't an option with mainstream advisors," he says. Today, managing your portfolio on your own or with light guidance from an occasional financial check-up with a professional may be the preferred way to go.

"Sure, this advice will work for someone who plans on working until their mid to late 60s," says Ty Jones, a personal finance and retirement blogger who blogs atAskTheSavingsGuy, a Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) advocacy blog, "but if you want to retire in your 50s, you'll need to save much more aggressively."

By saving 25% of your income, a 30-year-old with no retirement savings could reach their retirement goal by age 55 instead of age 63, which is what it would be if they were to contribute only 15% per year based on the 4% rule and assuming an 8% return. Bumping up your 10% percent retirement savings to 20 or 25% can ensure both a more robust retirement portfolio and allow for earlier retirement, explains Jones.

This rule says you can spend 4% of your retirement funds annually and not run out of money. Johnson says, research, most notably by WadePfauof The American College of Financial Services, shows that while historically that rule of thumb worked in the United States, the current environment of low bond returns increases the likelihood that retirees may well run out of money if that ruleisapplied going forward.

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5 Money Thoughts That Might Be Aging You - Forbes

Cupid is airborne on this Valentines weekend with his quiver stocked with arrows. From my vantage point, his aim is still precise. Hallmark cards are flying off the shelves, red roses are being delivered and restaurants are decked out in red hearts. And why not? Being in love is grand.

Like most of you, I have felt intoxicated from a jab of Cupids arrow. When we are love-struck, the mere thought of our beloved can cause us to feel euphoric. In this limerence stage, we metaphorically wear love goggles. We can only see certain parts of our belovedand those parts are all roses. And thats the rub: Roses come with thorns. Love is grand until its not.

Domestic violence is on the rise, more so amid the COVID crisis. Sometimes these violent acts make headlines, but most times not. Many couples soldier on, ensnared in unsafe relationships

The most harmful abuse sometimes does not look like abuse at all. These abuses will hit a person in their soul where it hurts the most. Some folks excuse or justify their partners behavior with: Thats the way she is or He was having a bad day. Really? Physical, verbal, sexual, and emotional abuse should never be tolerated. We owe no loyalty to abusive people.

People ignore the danger signs in a relationship by thinking the injurious behavior is an anomaly and will magically pass. Sometimes we trip over the red flags, trying to convince ourselves that our partner will changeand all the while our knees are metaphorically bleeding. Sometimes we dont realize we were in an abusive or toxic relationship until the relationship comes to a catastrophic end.

The signs of a toxic or abusive relationship can be subtle. Communication is paramount. However, if every discussion turns into an argumentabout the same thing look closer. These failed discussions are red flags, partially buried. If repeated requests to be heard are ignored, this can be a form of emotional abuse.

Most folks assume they can identify verbal abuse. This type of abuse can be insidious. An innocuous statement from the abuser about ones weight, family or cooking style can, over time, erode the victims confidence.

Constantly correcting, making demeaning comments, put-downs and a prolonged silent treatment can cause the victim to question their abilities. The victim slides into complacency while the abuser eases into control.

Does one stand by their partner or kick them to the curb when unfaithfulness is discovered? Oftentimes, cheating is tolerated or ignored. Studies show that the cuckolded party sometimes feels they are not good enough and shoulders the blame.

That so many wronged partners manage to turn the other cheek is admirable. I wonder why they dont show their wandering mates out the door. How many chances can you give another person before one is victimized themselves?

Historically, sexual relations within a marriage were recognized as the right of a spouse. No. Your partner is not your property and non-consensual relations is considered rape. Yet only 34.8 percent of victims report the crime for fear of retaliation.

Financial abuse is domestic abuse. It hurts victims by stripping away their control over their own finances. Cases where the abuser takes charge of the finances and leaves the victim in the dark are well-documented. In extreme cases, the abuser forbids the victim to work or sabotages their current employment.

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that often occurs in an abusive relationship. The abuser tries to take control of their victims sense of reality. The abuser sedulously denies they ever said something or twists or retells events to shift the blame on the victim. People who are subject to gaslighting, often feel confused, anxious, and are unable to trust themselves.

I worked in a womens center before moving to the North Fork. We sought to alter the sequence of abuse and violence and forestall homelessness. Yet, many smart intelligent women couldnt let go of their partners. These victims were locked into a repeat performance cycle.

It is a natural and healthy to want to share ones life with a partner. Unfortunately, some folks settle for good enough. We know what we have and the prospect of putting ourselves out there is daunting.

The fear of being alone keeps couples in destructive situations. Insecurity can be enough of a glue to stick with a relationship. Some folks never attain financial independence and trade security for abusive behavior. Some women feel they need a man to take care of them; likewise, a man needs a cook and bedwarmer.

Speaking from personal experience I know how hard it is to leave an unhealthy relationship. Sometimes we give so much of ourselves away that we erroneously feel we have no self to rely on. Finding the courage to dig deep enables one to uncover their authentic selves. Theres no doubt about it: Our authentic self is buried alive beneath the debris of an unhealthy relationship.

Author Autumn Kohler writes: A bad relationship is like standing on broken glass; if you stay you will keep hurting, if you walk away, you will hurt but eventually heal.

When we have the courage to walk away from an unsafe relationship, we will eventually realize that our value is non-negotiable.

Dear readers, on this Valentines weekend, may you find a wonderful love in yourself for yourself.

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Column | When Cupid's arrow has a poisoned tip - RiverheadLOCAL - RiverheadLOCAL

When it comes to personal finance, we talk about saving taxes, growing wealth, investing, yada yada but the actual thought at the back of our collective minds, whether said or unsaid, is always - Whats the goal here? Some people get into personal finance to ensure stability, some do it to ensure a better future for their children, some do the same because they have a big expense planned which theyre working towards - the goals can be many.

Amidst all of these groups, theres one that bases their actions on a more existential idea - human beings werent meant to work for a living all their lives. And so, people in this group aim for Financial Independence, so that they can Retire Early. They call it the FIRE movement (also written as FI/RE or FI,RE).

The movement appeals to those who:

Want to quit work

Are generally against unchecked consumerism

Want financial independence

Want to move their retirement age forward

It would be an understatement to say that achieving the above is not exactly easy. But the people who champion this cause did lay out a framework on how one can go about their financial independence/early retirement goal.

This involves:

Saving as much of your income as possible (up to 70%)

Living extremely frugally

Paying off all kinds of debt (education, home loans, car loans, etc)

Not owning/using credit cards

Is there a magic FIRE number?

In a way, yes, but its not the same for everyone, because not everyone has the same expenses. So its not exactly a number, but more of a calculation. FIRE says you need to first figure out your average annual spending, and then go about trying to build your net worth that is 25 times that number. Once you reach that number, you withdraw a maximum of 4% of that every year.

But its not just that. You know how they say If you want to make god laugh, tell him about your plans? To counter some of that unpredictability FIRE also suggests you have 3-6 months worth of salary saved up in a separate pot.

Also, just because you have your savings in place, doesnt mean your money shouldnt grow. Having a diverse investment portfolio is crucial - because FIRE or no FIRE, the power of compounding is universal.

If you can achieve all of that, you can then say youve met your FIRE goal.

Some FAQs about FIRE -

Q. Is FIRE for everyone? Or can only a select few afford to live that life?

A. It is true that there are some factors that make it easier for some people to start their FIRE journey sooner than others. For example, FIRE is an easier road for those with great education, because that leads to getting high-paying jobs relatively earlier in ones career. While someone who has to spend a few years grinding/hustling/struggling early on, for lower pay, will ideally have to wait a few years to start their FIRE journey. But that doesnt mean its impossible.

Q. When can one start their FIRE journey?

A. Ideally, the sooner the better. If you start earning at say 22, and youve already marked out some FIRE goals, youre in a better place than someone whos in their 30s. Having said that, know that FIRE has flexible goalposts - meaning, you can adjust your retirement age goal, from say 40 to 50, and allow yourself some leeway.

Q. Which is more important for FIRE - high income or high saving rate?

A. While a high income obviously helps, at the end of the day FIRE is way more a variable of your saving rate. A person who earns 1.5L a month but spends 1L, will have a tougher time achieving their FIRE goal than someone who earns 1L but spends only 35-40K.

Q. Why no credit cards?

A. Because of the monster named intuitive spending. When you have a credit card, you often end up spending money you dont have because your brain tells you you can earn the money in the future and make up for it. Thats kind of counterproductive to the FIRE journey.

So here's the interesting thing if you're on the fence about the FIRE movement. Just because they say there's a goal doesn't mean not meeting the goal is failure. Even if you get close to your goal without actually hitting the desired number, it's still a win, because at the end of the day, money saved is money earned, right?

Read more:

What Is The FIRE Movement And How Can You Start Your FIRE Journey? - The Quint

When Lakisha Simmons retired in May 2021, it wasn't just the end of her professorial career, it was also the first time she had stopped working since she was 14.

The 41-year-old mother of two says she always considered having a job to be a matter of financial security. Watching family members work with their hands doing "cleaning jobs, janitorial jobs, nanny jobs" instilled in her a strong work ethic, she says.

"There was no job below my family. They taught me that you do what you have to do to take care of your family," Simmons tells CNBC Make It. "But I also knew that I wanted better and they wanted better for me, too."

I knew that I wanted better and [my family] wanted better for me, too.

For the past decade, Simmons has worked in academia, most recently as an associate professor at Nashville's Belmont University. In 2020, she earned $150,000 between her salary and side hustles. But last spring, Simmons retired after accumulating $850,000 in investments.

Though her journey toward FIRE which stands for "financial independence, retire early" had been in the works since she decided in 2017 that she wanted to retire by 45, Simmons had a hard time allowing herself to step away from her work.

"I was really nervous about quitting my full-time job," she says. "I had so much anxiety around it because all I've known is how to work."

But now several months into her retirement, Simmons isn't looking back.

Simmons went through a divorce in 2017 a process that she called "devastating" but which also made her reevaluate her finances and decide to retire early.

"When I learned about FIRE, it completely changed my perspective," she says. "I was exposed to this idea that [if you] save and invest more than the status quo then you can have all the time in the world to enjoy and pursue your passions because you don't have to work for someone else."

In order to save up enough to be able to retire early, Simmons' first move was to find ways to cut down her expenses. She quickly realized that "the elephant in the room" was the $2,400 monthly mortgage on her five-bedroom, four-bathroom house, so she decided to sell the home and move into a two-bedroom apartment with her kids.

"[The house] was absolutely gorgeous and beautiful, but it sucked me dry monetarily," she says. "As a single mom in that huge house, I just felt swallowed."

[The house] was absolutely gorgeous and beautiful, but it sucked me dry monetarily. As a single mom ... I just felt swallowed and it wasn't sustainable

Simmons also switched to a prepaid cell phone plan, got rid of cable and started making more meals at home.

Though at first she had a hard time finding places to cut her spending, it became easier over time, she says. "I always tell people, even if you cut something out of your budget, it's not as if you can't ever put it back," she says. "If you realize that you really miss something, then add it back for sure."

During her first year of saving, Simmons managed to put $100,000 into her investment accounts. From there, she saw her money grow quickly.

"It wasn't just doubling, it was almost tripling every year. I couldn't believe it," she says. "That made me inspired to keep investing more."

Simmons keeps more than 50% of her investment portfolio in an S&P 500 index fund, around 25% of her money in a total stock market index, and the rest in a mix of bonds and "some individual stocks in companies like Apple and Amazon," she says.

Lakisha Simmons retired at 41 with $850,000 in investments.

Sam Mirpoorian

Simmons says that she never felt "deprived" of anything she really wanted. In fact, she made sure to always set aside money to travel with her children "because that's what I value."

Though her original plan was to retire when she had saved up $1 million, Simmons decided to leave her job at the end of the 2021 spring semester in part because she was burnt out by teaching remotely while also homeschooling her own children and because she felt the money she had saved up was enough.

"My investments have grown even though I haven't contributed anything since I left my job May 31, 2021" she says. "Now I have around $910,000."

Even though she doesn't need to report to work every day, Simmons likes to keep herself busy. She starts her mornings around 6:30 a.m. to get her children ready for school before heading off to the gym.

Simmons also makes time to enjoy her new lifestyle.

"I do make time to go to lunch with girlfriends," she says. "I like to do other hobbies like painting. I like to try new recipes and books."

She then takes time to work on her side hustles, which include a financial coaching service and an Etsy shop. Combined, her side hustles bring in between $1,000 and $3,000 in revenue depending on the month.

She says that teaching people about finances helps her scratch the same itch that being a professor did.

"I've always been a master of my money and figuring out my goals and doing the research to make those goals happen," she says. "But just recently I started helping others because I realized what good is it if I'm getting ahead financially and building wealth but my own family and friends aren't able to build wealth too?"

Update: This story has been updated to reflect Simmons' 2020 combined earnings from a salaried job and side hustles.

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Don't miss: This 42-year-old saved $660,000 and moved to Mexico after losing her 6-figure job

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How a 41-year-old single mother of 2 retired on $850,000 in Tennessee: 'I've always been a master of my money' - CNBC

A tour of almost completed houses allowed us to observe the progress high school students have achieved under the supervision of construction experts.

In my last article, I shared the amazing commitment and dedication that The Immokalee Foundation has devoted to the education and success of Immokalee students, from early learners to high school students with support for postsecondary education.

To briefly review, from 1991 the Immokalee Foundation has made a commitment to assist low-income, at-risk, academically qualified students by providing early learning to postsecondary educational opportunities. In partnership with Take Stock in Children, the lives of more than 12,000 students have improved through their efforts. Their commitment and involvement with 1,400 students per year at various school levels speaks volumes for their dedication to changing the lives of Immokalees youth.

With the support of donors, mentors, volunteers and the community, The Immokalee Foundation provides students with the resources, training and confidence to follow pathways to success to meaningful careers and financial independence, according to one of the Immokalee Foundation brochures. To witness the program elements is truly inspiring.

How do they accomplish these goals? Parents are involved early in the process so they can learn about the professional opportunities that their children can experience. This is especially important to the continuity and understanding of the families so they can support their children every step of the way.

Starting in middle school, students can take surveys to identify and refine their interests and focus on a career. They have the opportunity to change their minds after what they discover.

Here are some more opportunities for students that I didnt include in Part One:

The HEST Program (Heavy Equipment Service Technician) is a specialized curriculum consisting of nine courses totaling 1,800 hours over two years. This program is supported by some of the heavy equipment industries biggest names, which provide shop training, classroom instruction and software instruction as part of the program. The graduates of the rigorous HEST training are prepared to join the HEST workforce without having to participate in a formal dealer apprentice program. And this is really fortuitous; because of their training and experience, the HEST program graduates also receive seniority within the companies they join. What a bonus for their hard work and they have the ability to progress in their field.

The Collier County Sheriffs Office partners with The Immokalee Foundation on a Public Safety Career Program to train students as 911 dispatchers. The impetus for this partnership came from the sheriffs office which wanted to develop public interest in dispatching as a career, while increasing opportunities for partnerships in the Immokalee community.

The extensive training involves learning how to operate the communication equipment; location mapping skills and the procedures and policies for taking, screening and dispatching calls. Understanding the legality of privacy laws is important as is the Florida public records law, how to testify in court cases involving 911 calls and stress management. The extent of the course is the need to complete 232 hours of training which is a prerequisite to taking the exam for state certification as a public safety telecommunicator in Florida. This makes me wishful of support like this when I was in K through12 schooling. Frankly, I didnt even know these were possibilities, and maybe they werent back in the Stone Age!

I dont know about you, but its comforting to me to understand the extent of the training that goes into these certifications, and the competency that our students can achieve by participating. The truly inspiring aspect of these trainings is that students, thanks to the Immokalee Foundation and Take Stock in Children, are given the opportunity to learn about possibilities, identify their interests and have the mentoring and support they need to be successful in their chosen field.

These opportunities for employment are not dead ends! There is support for the students when engaging in middle school/high school training to continue their education to the college level if they want to pursue more expertise.

The Middle School Career Exploration enables students to explore a broad range of careers. The six-week rotation focuses on each of the four career pathways including career panels, group mentoring, field trips and a four-week summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy, workshops, career interest and aptitude assessments.

High school curriculum is robust and each student will graduate with an industry recognized certification. Mentoring is key. Students also receive foundational skills training in professional effectiveness in financial literacy, CRP certification and intense career programming tailored for each of the four career pathways and more.

As students postsecondary endeavors continue, theres an emphasis on the goal of career success. Financial independence is achieved via financial planning. Advocates also assist with scholarships and work with Foundation partners to provide guidance to connect Foundation partners with students; possibilities include internships, job opportunities and professional introductions that help make career dreams become real.

This is one of the most positive and effective endeavors that Ive witnessed since entering the Collier County School District as a teacher. The Immokalee Foundation and Take Stock in Children, along with countless volunteers, have demonstrated the ability to reach those students who need support to make their dreams a reality. My sincere appreciation and respect to all involved with this endeavor.

Jory Westberry is an active educator and advocate for quality education. She presently serves on the Marco Island Historical Society Museum Board and the Collier County School Board and is running for re-election in 2022.

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How the Immokalee Foundation Makes Learning Efficient and Productive - coastalbreezenews.com

TCS will enable Nitstone Finserv to gain access to real-time data and customer insights, enhancing business simulations for improved revenue, costs, and optimized operations further increasing its digital and platform positioning through advanced digital capabilities.

The partnership will also provide the customersa seamless access to a suite of financial solutions that they're able to tap on their path to financial independence.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is one of the largestIT services company in the world bymarket capitalisation and operates in 149 locations across 46 countries.

Nitstone Finserv launched in 2018, provides quick financial solutions throughpersonal loans, gold loans, and consumer durable loansto customers through online platforms and branches. The business model is uniquely characterised by a data-powered segmentation strategy, efficient and effective operating workflows and a robust governance mechanism.

"Our partnership with TCS helps us to enhance the digital footprint for the strategic growth of our business through a well-tailored origination solution, mitigating key risk parameters as well as providing the best customer experience," said Mr. Govindankutty Edaden, Executive Director, Nitstone Finserv. "The TCS partnership will support the ambitious growth plans of Nitstone Finserv."

About Nitstone Finserv

Nitstone Finserv is a Bengaluru based Fintech- Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) with a radical approach to lending and meeting the financial requirements for personal loans, gold loans, and consumer durable loans, catering to various segments of customers including employed, self-employed professionals and others.

From unprecedented products and tools to faster service, we are all about helping our consumers get ahead, grow and find success.

To know more, visit-https://www.nitstone.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744190/Nitstone.jpg

SOURCE Nitstone Finserv

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Nitstone Finserv announces TCS as its technology partner - PR Newswire India

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Bay Area-based organizations dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among teens, Palo Alto Education Group and LaunchFIT, have partnered with trading app moomoo to launch #Investeen, a campaign aimed at improving financial literacy and equity investment knowledge in adolescents and high school students across the U.S.

The #Investeen campaign will feature a host of engaging educational programs, including livestreamed virtual classes and the 2022 Global Teen Investment Competition (GTIC). The GITC includes a paper trading competition hosted in a specially programmed environment in the moomoo app. The top-ranked regional teams will be invited to create an equity portfolio pitch to a judging panel comprised of investment professionals, finance media veterans and executives from investment firms.

"An adequate financial literacy education will benefit today's youth for a lifetime. This is especially important now, as young investors increasingly enter the financial markets on the heels of the meme stock craze and wider adoption of trading apps," said Carolyn Bao, Vice President at Moomoo Inc. "We have long-admired Palo Alto Education and LaunchFIT's dedication to financial literacy education and are thrilled to partner with them on this important campaign."

In conjunction with the #Investeen campaign, moomoo and Palo Alto Education today released polling data from its survey of 120 teenagers between the ages of 13-18 on their experiences and education surrounding financial literacy and investing.

Investing education from a trustworthy source is especially important at this stage of life, given an overwhelming majority (92%) of adolescents have interest in investing in the stock marketeven though more than seven in ten teens (71%) report that they are currently receiving limited education about investing, or none at all. When asked to rate their knowledge of investing in the stock market, most adolescents (69%) claimed to have some basic knowledge only while 13% of participants say they have absolutely no idea.

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When asked why they were interested in investing, financial independence was the most common response, with 82% of participants citing it as a motivator. The data also showed that teens are prioritizing future needs, such as paying for college (54%) and building up retirement savings (43%) over short-term luxuries, such as buying a car (25%).

The majority of adolescents say they turn to friends and family (76%) or financial websites (66%) for investment guidance and ideas. Although nearly half of teens (43%) learn about investing through online forums and social media, their trust in influencers' investing guidance is lowwith fewer than 13% of surveyed teens responding that they trust influencers for investment recommendations and ideas.

Notably, despite the buzz surrounding cryptocurrency, teens surveyed report that they prefer traditional assets like stocks (73%) and savings accounts (43%) over cryptocurrency (25%) and NFTs (12%).

"It's crucial for teens to begin learning about financial literacy now because they have the power of time on their side," said Joyce Lin, Co-founder of LaunchFIT, a nonprofit created by teens for teens. "The earlier they learn, the more compounding potential their money will have. Unfortunately, many schools do not go into depth on topics such as saving and investing, which is where FIT comes in. We hope to fill the knowledge gap left by schools."

Between now and February 14th, students can register for the GTIC paper trading competition on moomoo's website. Winners will be named and prizes will be awarded in April 2022.

About Palo Alto Education Group

Based in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Education Group aims to ignite the passion and maximize the potential of each student in finance, investing and AI with social equity, in preparation for global competitiveness. http://www.thePaEdu.com

About LaunchFIT

LaunchFIT (Financial Intelligence for Teens) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with the goal to empower teens through spreading financial knowledge, teaching the power of responsible decision making, and financial literacy. http://www.launchFIT.org

About Moomoo Inc.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Moomoo Inc. is a company that offers a commission-free* professional trading app. With advanced research tools, free in-depth market data, and one of the most active online communities, moomoo empowers individual investors to trade like a pro. In the United States, securities are offered by Futu Inc., a licensed broker dealer regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Futu Inc is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). For more information about moomoo, please visit the company's official website http://www.moomoo.com.

*Commission-free trading is available only to U.S. residents trading in the U.S. markets.

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Bay Area Organizations Partner with Trading App Moomoo to Improve Financial Literacy for Teens - Yahoo Finance

Because of recent changes to existing law, Hoosiers with disabilities are now able to save even more under the states INvestABLE Indiana program.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the annual contribution limit for ABLE accounts increased from $15,000 to $16,000. This increase of over 6% will allow savers to deposit even more into their accounts and experience lower fees. The contribution limit is tied to the annual gift tax exclusion limit, which saw an increase this year.

ABLE plans have been making headlines across the country, too. The National ABLE Alliance, of which Indiana is a proud member, recently crossed a significant threshold, exceeding $250 million in program assets. That automatically reduced the Program Management Fee from 30 basis points (0.30%) to 28 basis points (0.28%), bringing further savings to the program and Hoosiers.

Im thrilled to announce that INvestABLE Indiana account owners can now not only contribute more annually toward their savings goals but also experience lower fees, said Amy Corbin, Executive Director of the ABLE Authority. The lowering of fees comes as a direct result of more individuals enrolling in ABLE and saving for their or their loved ones future. As INvestABLE Indiana continues to grow, it is heartening to see more individuals with disabilities achieving increased financial independence and economic empowerment.

INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, including a checking account option with a debit card. Up to $16,000 per year can be saved in an account, with a maximum account balance of $450,000. For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they can save up to $100,000 in their INvestABLE Indiana account and not risk losing their monthly SSI benefit. Money can be withdrawn and spent on qualified expenses or INvestABLE Indiana account holders can choose to grow their finances and create long-term savings with tax-free earnings. Contributions and earnings in INvestABLE Indiana accounts are not subject to federal or state income tax if spent on qualified expenses. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars.

More information about INvestABLE Indiana, including how to open an account, can be found athttps://in.savewithable.com.

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Hoosiers with Disabilities can Save More and Experience Lower Fees - am1050.com

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Investing can help you achieve financial independence, which is the term given when investments can cover someones day-to-day living expenses. Granted, it wont happen overnight. When it truly comes down to it, financial independence requires a source of income greater than or equal to the income you would expect to get from a job. Therefore, its imperative that investors find stocks that can supply a solid source of income over many years. In this article, Ill discuss three stocks that could do just that.

When looking for stocks to hold, with the goal of generating passive income, investors should turn to the list of Canadian Dividend Aristocrats. This is a list of companies that have been able to increase dividend distributions for at least five consecutive years. Near the top of the list, investors can find Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS). At 47 years, it claims the second-longest active dividend-growth streak in Canada.

Fortis is able to do this because of intelligent capital allocation by its management team. Investors may notice that Fortiss payout ratio is much higher than some other Dividend Aristocrats. However, its management team has been able to navigate financial waters at such a high level, that even the Great Recession didnt stop it from raising its distribution. Fortis is a top TSX dividend stock that should be in your portfolio.

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) announced its initial dividend at a rate of 3% per year in 1833. Since then, the company has never missed a dividend payment. That means Bank of Nova Scotia has managed to pay a dividend for 189 years. Today, its dividend offers investors a of 4.28%, making it a very attractive stock to hold. Investors may not that the company is only listed as having a dividend-growth streak of 11 years. This is because Bank of Nova Scotia was unable to continue growing its distribution through the Great Recession.

Bank of Nova Scotia is a member of the Big Five. This is a group of five banks which dominate the Canadian banking industry. What differentiates Bank of Nova Scotia from its peers is its international diversification. With 2,000 branches and offices across 50 countries, it is known as Canadas most international bank. With that level of diversification, Bank of Nova Scotia should have protection against a massive slowdown in its business if one region were to experience a period of economic uncertainty.

Investors should also take note of how fast a company is able to raise its dividend. A failure to beat the rate of inflation will result in a loss in buying power over time. Personally, I aim to hold companies that raise dividends at a compound growth rate of 5% or greater. That would even keep a stocks dividend growing at a faster rate than inflation has over the past year and a half. goeasy (TSX:GSY) is a stock whose dividend has grown at a very fast rate over the past seven years.

Since 2014, goeasys dividend has grown 776%! That represents a compound annual growth rate of 34%. Although goeasys forward dividend yield is quite low (1.74%), so is its payout ratio. This means that the company could be able to continue growing its distribution without issue in the coming years.

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3 Stocks That Could Give You a Solid Source of Passive Income - The Motley Fool Canada