Category Archives: Financial Independence

Republican Harold Weilbrenner and Democrat Janice Weiner are running for the open Iowa Senate seat covering Iowa City and University Heights in District 45.

Weilbrenner is a first-time candidate, U.S. Army veteran and retiree from Iowa City. He was nominated to run for this seat by a convention of Republicans after no candidate ran in the party's primary in June.

Weiner is a former U.S. diplomat from Iowa City and an City Councilor who has served for nearly four years since being elected in 2019. She won a contested primary against Democrat John Raley in June with 86% of the vote.

Senate District 45 is a seat being vacated by longtime state Sen. Joe Bolkcom after he announced his retirement last year.

To help voters, the Press-Citizen sent questions to all Iowa City area legislative candidates. Their answers appear in alphabetical order by last name and have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Weilbrenner participated in two voter forums alongside Weiner but he missed a third with the League of Women Voters. A recording of the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition candidate forum can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVdbrvFo1pA.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election starts Oct. 19. More information about how to register to vote, what's on the ballot and where to vote can be found athttps://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/auditor/elections.

More:Johnson County voting guide 2022: What's on the ballot, how to register and how to vote early

Age:73

Party:Republican

Where did you grow up?Ottumwa

Current town of residence:Iowa City

Education:Bachelor of arts in history from Central College, Pella

Occupation:Retired from Iowa Workforce Development after 31 years, with the last 25years helping veterans find jobs.

Political experience and civic activities: Served six years on the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Age:64

Party:Democrat

Where did you grow up?Coralville

Current town of residence:Iowa City

Education:West High School grad; Princeton University 1980 AB; Stanford Law School 1984 JD

Occupation:Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer

Political experience and civic activities: Field organizer 2016; ran in state Senate primary in 2018 (lost); First vice chair Johnson County Democrats, 2018-January 2022; City Council at large, elected November 2019; president, board of Congregation Agudas Achim; work free lunch with the JC Dems; previously on the board of Shelter House and JCUNA, plus ICFRC program committee; sang with Hospice Singers; play in Community Band.

Weilbrenner: Despite the intentions of those promoting the Green New Deal, the policy is built on the backs of children working in cobalt mines. This needs to stop! I shall sponsor legislation in the Iowa Senate to ban the sale of electric vehicles in Iowa until this issue is resolved.

Weiner: Protecting our fundamental rights: abortion and reproductive rights; voting rights; and the right to an excellent public education. We must shine a light on these rights across the state. I'm learning from UIHC doctors about the serious ramifications of a possible abortion ban for Carver Med School and UI, plus the ability to draw doctors to this state. If elected, that will form the core of conversations with lawmakers. Iowa suffers from a brain drain and worker shortage; young people are leaving the state. By protecting these rights, we can reverse that trend and ensure our future.

Weilbrenner: We need to fight inflation by eliminating redundant and unnecessary state regulations.

Weiner: Inflation is real and people are hurting, especially those in low-wage jobs. We must raise the minimum wage no one can live on $7.25/hour and increase SNAP benefits. We also need to change the tax system. Iowas income tax has long skewed toward the wealthy, and the new flat tax exacerbates that, while reducing state revenues available for schools and other essential programs. We should revert to a progressive system, raise the Earned Income Tax Credit, create a child tax credit similar to the federal one, and fund the states low-income renters and homeowners property tax credit.

Weilbrenner: I am anti-abortion with the exception of rape, incest, and in defense of the mothers life.

Weiner: We should codify Roe. I believe in choice and bodily autonomy. The vast majority of abortions occur in the first trimester. Those that occur afterward result almost solely from fetal abnormalities incompatible with life and/or a threat to the health of the mother. Making contraceptives easily available and increasing reproductive care (i.e., funding Planned Parenthood) would be positive steps. Abortion will always exist the question is, will it be safe? Neither I nor most members of the Legislature are medical professionals. We dont belong in the exam room. This is a decision between a woman and her doctor.

Weilbrenner: Parents should have the choice in how their children are educated. Likewise, we also need to support teachers who will enable kids with the essentials on how to meet their maximum potential with the appreciation of financial independence and practical life skills. Any future proposed legislation will be evaluated with above priorities in mind.

Weiner: No. Public dollars are for public schools, which serve 98% of Iowa's children. Taking more money from public schools would be particularly detrimental to rural schools (many of which are already dealing with consolidation), would also hurt urban schools and likely push up property taxes to compensate. Public schools serve all, including those with IEPs; private schools pick and choose.

Weilbrenner: Strict scrutiny requires the government to demonstrate that the law is written to specifically fulfill the intended goals of the law and uses the least restrictive means to achieve that laws purpose. Since the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is an inalienable right, I strongly support the public measure to add the amendment to the Iowa Constitution that states: the right of the people of Iowa to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed and any and all restrictions of this right should be subject to strict scrutiny.

Weiner: We need everyone to vote no on Public Measure No. 1, so we retain the ability to enact common-sense gun safety laws that save lives. Strict scrutiny would take away that ability. We already have the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. We need a red flag law to permit police to petition a state court to order temporary removal of firearms from a person they believe presents a danger to others or themselves, and we need to close the boyfriend loophole. Permitless carry does not keep us safe we should require permits. And we need universal background checks.

George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reportercovering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307,GShillcock@press-citizen.comand on Twitter@ShillcockGeorge

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Where Harold Weilbrenner and Janice Weiner stand on issues in the Senate District 45 race - Iowa City Press-Citizen

In music scenes across Africa, the most influential tiers are often dominated by young people. These individuals bear the mark of the digital age, where geographical boundaries are blurred and their taste in art, regardless of place, remarkably heightened. Moliy Ama Montgomery creates for this generation. Her records are soft and audacious, colored by the Ghanaian-American artists shimmering vocals and lyrical awareness that is informed by her femininity and independence.

Moliy moved to the US for college, but found the system to be tiring. Monthly rents and tight schedules marred what should have been her settlement period. I came back to Ghana [towards] the end of 2019 to put records together and make something happen, she told OkayAfrica one recent evening, Cause I felt like that was the one thing I was really passionate about. It was a gamble, recording the records and all of those things. I had no idea it would actually work out or be acknowledged at all.

She was eventually acknowledgedand not much long after. By the following year, Moliy released the Wondergirl EP, a concise demonstration of her singing abilities. Over beats as shiny as her vocals, she unfurled stories of young love and ambition. I was trying to create something that people can identify with me, she says, recalling her entry into the Ghanaian music scene. I wanted to make an impact because at that point I wasnt a known artist. I was only known for the content I released on my social media; the most Id done was post some freestyles and some covers on there... but mostly freestyles of stuff that I wrote, that was the only thing out there that kind of identified me as an artist, and I wanted to be taken more seriously.

Moliy.Image courtesy of the artist.

Around this time, the pandemic had become a thing and Moliy sought financial independence. Introspection birthed songs with rough, honest edges. In the closing months of 2020, Moliy appeared on SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY, a standout off fellow Ghanaian singer Amaaraes debut album, The Angel You Dont Know. Singing the catchiest sections of the record, Moliys mellifluous vocals greatly contributed to its appeal. The next year, the record joined the growing cache of TikTok hits. Its global acclaim was cemented by a Kali Uchis-assisted remix, debuting at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100. A short-lived controversy about unpaid royalties sprang up earlier this year, but Moliy declined to speak about it.

Moliy has swam considerably well against the tides of mainstream Afropop. Her artistic sensibilities are more Western than Ghanaian, but shes quite immersed in the traditions of the West African country. After her stellar showing on "Sad Girlz Luv Money," her peers, and forebears, became familiar with her game. Legendary rapper M.anifest was one of those, featuring her on No Fear alongside American rapper of Ghanaian descent Vic Mensa. Earlier this year, Moliy joined on alte pioneer BOJs record In A Loop, alongside her younger sister Mellissa.

I feel like no doubt, obviously there are dope artists. If they make music that I feel like sonically would blend into mine, thats something I really take into consideration, she says of her collaborative ethos. She however went the solo route on Mahogany St, an EP whose title took from an actual location in her neighborhood of Lapas, Accra. Through its three songs, Moliy solidified her standing among the countrys audiences.

Moliy - HARD ft Moonchild Sanelly [Official Audio]www.youtube.com

None was as poignant as 9 to 5, the opening record which underlined her zeal to make it as a musician. See the pain in my eyes, what I did to survive, she sings over colorful reggae production, stitching narrative grit into her established style of sultry bops. The Prince Dovlo visuals fittingly carried the vision as well, casting Moliy in scenes which ranged from an airy room stacked with flowers to the kitchen in an eatery, and finally inside a nightclub bursting with colored lights.

Moliy came of age in a house that stands beside a restaurant/pub owned by her mother. She describes the music that was played there as everything thats popular"from highlife, to hip-Hop, to artists ranging from Celine Dion to Daddy Lumba, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. All of them sparked Moliys interest in the art form. I remember a lot of the time, going to school, we would just be singing all the way in the parlorme, my mum, my brother and my sister. My mum was very free with us. She even got us iPods and like a piano kind of keyboard; I couldnt play it but we just played around with the different settings. We had freedom to just be creative and enjoy things in life at that point in life, at an early age. So I still find that joy in it presently, in that passion, even though its turned into a career. This is how I obviously wish to be successful.

Moliy.Image courtesy of the artist.

In the latter periods of last year, Moliy began recording the songs that would make Honey Doom. She already had the title, and knew she wanted to push the boundaries of her art coming fromWondergirl. The project had a romantic twist, its like my idea of a relationship gone horribly wrongsee how you would have a honeymoon, so flip the words around to make it honey doom, she says with a half-laugh. It just shows what things are like to me right now.Moli

The lush soundscape of Honey Doom was provided by a mix of familiar and first-time collaborators. Shes worked previously with Mikemillzonem, while Moliy also welcomed beats from Juls and P Priime, who was in Ghana during its creation. Juls' trademark percussive rhythms embolden Together, the opener which sees Moliy seek the understanding of a troubled lover. Together is a must, love me whatever the cost, she coos over the bubbly production, coating her delivery to match the beats liquid energy. Prisoner is suffused with Priimes dramatic flair, a somber tone which carries the songs ideas with masterful ease. This be more than physical, Moliy sings in Ghanaian lingo, maintaining the records tension.

Hard was a song Moliy wanted a feature on, primarily because its dominant genre of hip-hop wasnt one she frequently dabbled in. I wanted someone else to bring something new to it, she says, and without much deliberation the eccentric South African singer Moonchild Sanelly came to mind. A member of Moliys team knew someone from their side and the connection struck. It was pretty smooth; no delays, says Moliy, I think I got her verse in, like, a week. And she loved the song; she ended up coming to Ghana, a few months after and we connected, went to turn-up together, and it was great. Shes a really cool, cool chic.

All the colorful exploration on Honey Doom demonstrates the ever-developing craft of Moliy. Posed with the question of how the project showcases her growth, she mentions the confidence in her vocals and how shes increasingly trying out new sounds and songwriting techniques. I feel like my sense of writing and storytelling is way more mature and way more opinionated in terms of romance, she says. The more I grow, the more I feel at ease showing who I am and what I feel. It shows how versatile I can be as well.

I want it to carry on the footprints that Im trying to make in this world, she says about her vision for Honey Doom. I want it to open more doors, to be able to pull crowds from this and do massive shows. I also want it to unlock way more collaborations-cos I love doing collabs, you know, and in releasing Wondergirl I had multiple artists Ive worked with now reach out to me. So I want a better reaction to what's already happened by creating something really dope.

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Moliy Is Swimming Against the Tide of Mainstream Afropopand Succeeding - OkayAfrica

Sometimes overnight success takes many years of hard work and dedication. Thats what Mike Koshatko discovered when he moved from Ukraine to the United States with just $300 in his pocket. The only food he could afford to eat was ramen noodles. Today, he is a serial entrepreneur with successful businesses like Ofirio, an innovative real estate website.

Mike Koshatko exemplifies a modern day rags to riches story beginning with the chaotic start to his life in America in 2014. He initially settled in Denver and moved cross-country multiple times in search of a better life.

His journey included living in North Carolina, where he and some friends hitchhiked and walked for seven hours to reach a commune. A stranger helped them find a safe place to stay and allowed them to pay later. Then came North Dakota, where he lived and worked on a farm. Unfortunately for Mike, his isolation triggered a depressive episode. He then moved to Key West, where he started out as a salesman and soon moved up to a managerial position.

But he never allowed himself to get stuck in a comfort zone. It turned out that this restlessness was his biggest advantage in business. Moving around and looking for new and better opportunities inspired Mike to seize every chance he could get, all the while learning lessons and skills along the way.

He soon realized that if he couldnt find the opportunities he longed for, he would have to create them for himself.

Things finally started to turn around for Mike when he moved to Miami. He met a real estate agent who encouraged him to get into the business. He took an expedited real estate course and became a licensed realtor just two weeks later. Mike jumped at the chance to work with international real estate management clients in Europe. Always looking for the next opportunity, he launched a vacation rental management company.

But the true start of Mikes financial independence began when he launched his first e-commerce company. This allowed him to learn marketing, SEO, sales, conversions, and online business through courses and on the job. Most importantly, he applied everything he learned.

After achieving success selling on Amazon, he met Jurgis Plikaitis, through a real estate listing. The two became friends and they decided to become business partners. In-depth research revealed that there was a gap in the arts and crafts market. That prompted them to start Arteza, a company that sells art supplies. At first, they started selling better quality pencils. Arteza later expanded to carry all sorts of arts and crafts products. The company grew by a whopping 7500% and landed in 32nd place out of 5000 arts and crafts stores a massive win early in the companys career.

Mike and his co-founder Jurgis were working 12-hour days to keep Arteza up and running. Eventually, Mike found himself in the hospital for burnout. This event was a big lesson for him. He learned that he needed to achieve more balance in his life by incorporating breaks, taking family time and also taking time out for himself to have some fun.

Mike exited Arteza in 2020 and started dabbling in stocks and real estate. He quickly realized that there was a gap in the market for helping investors and individuals work out a propertys potential long-term value. This led to the startup that Mike is currently working on, Ofirio. Ofirio provides in-depth information that allows investors and individuals to look at the rental properties available and immediately see their value, the return on investment and other financial metrics. Ofirio allows people to make the best real estate investment decisions to achieve their goals.

There are many lessons in business and in life that can be taken from Mike Koshatkos story. First, it takes focus and applying what youve learned to achieve success. According to Mike, to succeed in your business career you need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and trust the process.

Another takeaway is that removing yourself from your comfort zone and seeking better opportunities for yourself is what creates a better life. Mike could have chosen to stay in many positions, but instead he opted to venture out and reach for something better. He truly believes that comfort zones breed stagnancy, and stagnancy is what kills your dreams.

Mike believes that there is no such thing as overnight success. True and sustainable success takes years of hard work. It has been eight years since Mike Koshatko began his journey. He believes in his future goals and that he still has many opportunities in front of him still to come.

@mikekoshatko

Ofirio.com

Release ID: 414564

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From Chaos to Success: The Mike Koshatko Story - Digital Journal

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) protects investors and maintains a fair, orderly, and efficient marketplace. While the SEC has historically focused its enforcement efforts on public companies, recent announcements from Acting Chief Accountant Paul Munter suggest the SEC is taking a closer look at other actors who play a role in fair and efficient markets: auditors. In the past decade, the SEC has brought only four enforcement actions for standalone violations of the auditor independence rulea rule that requires auditors to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed by an auditor engagement as evaluated by a fully informed investor. But perhaps more enforcement in this area is on the horizon.

In June, Acting Chief Accountant Munter started making headlines when he issued a statement regarding The Critical Importance of the General Standard of Auditor Independence and an Ethical Culture for the Accounting Profession.[1] The statement emphasized the importance of auditors in the process of providing decision-useful financial information for the benefit of investors and the vital role they play in investor protection and investor confidence in financial statements.[2] The statement also reminded readers of the SECs Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, which sets forth the auditor independence requirements and emphasizes the importance of an accountants independence from its audit client in both fact and appearance.[3] The statement was released the same day The Wall Street Journal reported that Deloitte and Ernst & Young, two of the Big Four accounting firms, were exploring plans to split their global audit and consulting practices.[4] Munters statement warned that new, complex business arrangements could undermine auditor independence and cautioned firms to carefully consider the implications for auditor independence when considering alternative practice structures.[5]

On August 29, Munter released a second statement on the auditor topic and again emphasized the importance of auditor independence, specifically noting concerns regarding restructuring transactions by accounting firms involving private equity investment structures.[6] The statement explained that if a private equity fund holds an investment in an accounting firm, the Office of the Chief Accountants would likely believe that such a fund has a financial interest in the accounting firm and by extension the auditing wing.[7] Munter warned that [i]f, post-transaction, accounting firms are unable to comply with [the auditor independence]requirements, enforcement investigations and proceedings by the Commission, the [Public Company Accounting Oversight Board], or both may result.[8]

Munters latest statement released on October 11 again stressed the importance of auditor independence, while also highlighting another observed shortcoming related to responsibilities over the detection of material misstatements due to fraud that auditors should keep in mind as they perform their vital role for the public trust.[9] Munter noted that the SEC had undertaken enforcement actions against audit firms and their personnel for issues in this area.[10] These actions included one against the accounting firm CohnReznick LLP, which agreed to pay a $2 million penalty based on accusations that the firm ignored red flags, resulting in two clients filings of false financial statements.[11]

In light of these statements, one thing seems quite clear: Munter and the Office of the Chief Accountant are focused on auditors, and they are willing to take action when it comes to concerns regarding auditor independence or inadequate completion of their duties.

[1] Paul Munter, Acting Chief Accountant, The Critical Importance of the General Standard of Auditor Independence and an Ethical Culture for the Accounting Profession, Off. of the Chief Accountant (June 8, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-20220608.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Jean Eaglesham and Corrie Driebusch, Deloitte Explores Splitting Auditing Consulting Arms, Following Ernst & Young, The Wall Street Journal (June 8, 2022), https://www.wsj.com/articles/deloitte-exploring-splitting-auditing-consulting-arms-following-ernst-young-11654709024.

[5] Munter, The Critical Importance, supra n1.

[6] Paul Munter, Auditor Independence and Ethical Responsibilities: Critical Points to Consider When Contemplated an Audit Firm Restructuring, Off. of the Chief Accountant (Aug. 29, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-statement-auditor-independence-and-ethical-responsibilities-082922.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Paul Munter, The Auditors Responsibility for Fraud Protection, Off. of the Chief Accountant (Oct. 11, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-statement-fraud-detection-101122.

[10] Id.

[11] See Press Release, SEC, SEC Charges CohnReznick LLP and Three Partners with Improper Professional ConductLet (June 8, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-102.

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SEC Warns Auditors to Take Their Role and Independence Seriously - JD Supra

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If you're thinking of joining the FIRE movement, you may want to read Suze Orman's advice.

The FIRE movement is an online trend and a way of life for many. It stands for Financial Independent, Retire Early. It promotes extreme saving and frugality, often involving a lot of sacrifice to reduce living expenses to bare bones. The purpose is to enable investing and reduce the cost of living so you can retire at a very young age and be financially independent.

While living frugally to retire ahead of schedule may sound like a good thing, finance expert Suze Orman has stated unequivocally that she actually hates the FIRE movement. Here's why.

In a 2018 interview with Paula Pant of Afford Anything, Orman was asked what she thought of the FIRE movement. Her answer was unequivocal. "I hate it. I hate it. I hate it, she said.

This may seem like a surprising response to a question about a movement that promotes saving to retire early. But Orman had plenty of justifications for why she doesn't believe embracing this approach is a good idea.

The big problem with the FIRE movement, according to Orman, is that retiring at a very young age -- which most people in the movement aspire to do -- can leave you with too little money to support yourself over the course of your life. That's true even if you think you are well prepared and have plenty of funds to cover what you need.

When you retire very early, there's a lot more time in your life for something to go wrong that drains your nest egg. And if that happens, you'll have many, many more years when you have to support yourself -- but it may be difficult to jump back into the working world after a long absence.

If you only have a few hundred thousand, or a million, or two million dollars, I'm here to tell you if a catastrophe happens, if something happens, what are you going to do? You are going to burn up alive, Orman warned.

Orman also indicated that while many people in the FIRE movement may want to retire in their 30s, they could be left with serious regrets. "The FIRE enthusiast will retire at 35. And that's the biggest mistake a person could ever make in their life."

Orman is absolutely right that retiring at a very young age leaves you extremely vulnerable.

It can be hard enough for people who are in their 60s and 70s to plan for every expense they'll face over the course of their life, and ensure they have the funds even for surprise costs such as unexpected medical bills. Someone who retires in their 30s, on the other hand, could end up trying to rely on their investments for 60 or 70 years and it's almost inevitable that big surprises will happen during that time that can affect their ability to do so.

Of course, not everyone who is in the FIRE movement actually wants to stop working so young. Some people just want the ability to do so, but will keep earning income even after achieving financial independence. While that's not necessarily a bad goal to set, if you are hoping for very early retirement, you may want to heed Orman's warning that doing so could set you up for a disaster later.

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Suze Orman Hates the FIRE Movement. Here's Why - The Motley Fool

The survey showed that 42% are financially aware, and only 12% of them are homemakers.

A recent survey by Tata AIA Life Insurance indicates that there might be an increase in the influx of women in the professional sphere; however, many have still not found their financial independence and freedom. At least 59% of working women still do not take decisions regarding their money.

The survey also pointed out that 44% of the women in the sample were ready to take the step forward to decide where they should spend or invest their money if given the choice.

One of the key highlights of the survey was that 89% of married women were dependent on their husbands to make financial decisions on their behalf. Before marriage, it was their father or patriarch of the family who guided them or made money-related decisions on behalf of the women in the family.

It clearly indicates that the financial power shifts from one man to another. It is assumed that men have the knowledge to make sound decisions when it comes to money. The survey said that the average age of women getting married was between 20 and 22 years in India. They did not have the liberty to make financial decisions.

The survey findings state that 39% of women were making money-related decisions, but they were restricted to only planning the monthly budget. Of the 42% of women who are financially aware, only 12% of them are homemakers.

The report mentioned that being financially independent and having the freedom to decide on money matters are two different things for working women. At least 59% of working women do not take financial decisions. In the tier-3 markets, the number rises to 65%.

While the government has been introducing many schemes for women's empowerment and has been tightening laws to ensure safety and equality, financial freedom is a whole different conversation that hardly gets addressed. Women are going out, working hard and earning money, but they do not get to decide the flow of their finances.

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The only upside of COVID-19 is that 79% of women think life insurance is essential post-pandemic (which we are still striving for). When it comes to deciding on savings plans term insurance follows life insurance. Many also prefer pension and Unit Linked Insurance Plan solutions.

In tier-2 cities, women are opening up to take responsibility for investing and spending. Lifestyle upgrades and increased awareness have reportedly contributed to this change. 62% of women have also shown their interest in investing in banks with fixed deposits and such.

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But when it comes to speaking about their preferences, they trust their spouses to make the decision and guide them. Hence, it is men again who are driving their flow of money.

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59% Of Working Women Rely On Patriarchs To Take Financial Decisions - HerZindagi English

Launches Excell REPRESENT, a first-of-its-kind, community-building event

OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Women make up more than half of the U.S. population, but only 20% of financial advisors. The underrepresentation of women in wealth management has plagued the industry for decades, and while there's been a lot of talk, little has changed.

(PRNewsfoto/Carson Group)

That's why four industry leaders Carson Group, Fidelity Institutional, Financial Independence Groupand Mariner Wealth Advisorsare joining forces to host a first-of-its-kind industry event, Excell REPRESENTto address the issues most critical to women in wealth management and problem solve to make industry worthy of the women it's attracting.

"We felt it was important to send a message together that underrepresentation is bigger than just one company, it's something that all of us need to solve together," says Teri Shepherd, president of Carson Group. "We're happy to work with competitors and different advice channels to move the needle on representation and create something that's 100% about the betterment of the industry and the advancement of women."

The inaugural event will take place November 9-10, 2022, at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, Tenn., and will feature a mix of main-stage speakers including 4-time Olympian, Lauryn Williams, CFPand Molly Fletcherwho spent nearly two decades as one of the world's only female sports agent, as well as breakout sessions on subjects like leadership, innovation, financial planning, practice management, and creating meaningful client connections.

"As a firm where 47% of our associates are female, we recognize it's more critical than ever for women investors to be able to work with a female wealth advisor if that is their choice," said Marty Bicknell, president and CEO of Mariner Wealth Advisors. "There are many trends in the industry to support this, including a recent study that found 94% of women believe they'll be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. These are among the many reasons why we are pleased to be a sponsor of this inaugural conference specifically designed for women in the industry."

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The event will bring together a problem-solving community committed to tackling the barriers women face when joining and staying in the financial planning profession, recruiting more women into the profession, and helping firms grow more forward-thinking, inclusive cultures.

"Women are prioritizing what's important to them: finances, career and overall well-being,"Trevor Norton, senior vice president, head of multi-family office and strategic accounts at Fidelity Institutional. "This event reinforces Fidelity's ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community that provides the tools and resources advisors need to achieve their long-term career goals."

"Represent will be the most exciting and impactful gathering of women financial professionals the nation has ever witnessed.The ideas, collaboration, and experience will showcase the outstanding caliber of women in finance today, and set precedent for generations to come," adds Nicholas Ross, chief distribution officer, Financial Independence Group.

A limited number of seats are available for this year's inaugural event. To register for the event or to view the full agenda visit,https://www.carsongroup-events.com/event/7c4d2947-4761-443e-9806-4b44507520c8/summary.

Carson Group

Founded in 1983 by Ron Carson and headquartered inOmaha, Nebraska, Carson Group serves financial advisors and investors through its three businesses Carson Wealth,Carson Coaching andCarson Partners. Carson Group has created an ecosystem dedicated to helping financial advisors unleash the full potential of their firms by providing marketing, compliance, technology, investment strategies, succession planning, M&A support, and coaching. All three organizations share a common mission to be the most trusted for financial advice.

Carson Partners offers investment advisory services through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Coaching and CWM, LLC are separate but affiliated companies and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Carson Group Holdings, LLC. Carson Coaching does not provide advisory services.

Financial Independence Group

Financial Independence Groupempowers financial professionals to serve their household planning needs in insurance planning and brokerage.Its core lines of distribution include Life, Annuity, Care Planning, and Disability Income insurance in both fixed and registered capacities.Financial professionals may use its services transactionally or customize an offering to include full-service household client servicing.

Fidelity Institutional

Fidelity Institutional provides a comprehensive clearing and custody platform, brokerage services, trading capabilities, and practice management and consulting to registered investment advisers (RIAs), including strategic acquirers and professional asset managers, as well as retirement recordkeepers, broker-dealer firms, banks, and insurance companies through National Financial Services LLC (NFS) or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Members NYSE, SIPC. In addition to providing services to third-party institutions, the NFS brokerage platform supports all the clearing and custody businesses at Fidelity, including Fidelity's retail and capital markets businesses, bringing NFS assets under administration to more than $4.3 trillion.

Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments is an independent company, unaffiliated with CARSON. There is no form of legal partnership, agency affiliation, or similar relationship between CARSON and Fidelity Investments, nor is such a relationship created or implied by the information herein. Fidelity Investments has not been involved with the preparation of the content supplied by CARSON and does not guarantee, or assume any responsibility for, its content. Fidelity Investments is a registered trademark of FMR LLC. Fidelity Institutional provides clearing, custody, or other brokerage services through the National Financial Services LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Members NYSE, SIPC. [eReview number 1051884.1.0].

Mariner Wealth Advisors

At Mariner Wealth Advisors, we provide 360 advice designed to last. We focus on one thingpartnering with clients to create a financial strategy for today and beyond that's flexible enough to change along with them. The ultimate goal? Helping clients identify what is important so they can achieve their goalswe're committed to being here for everything life brings their way. We've built our firm around what our clients need. We began by offering wealth planning resources and then added services from tax planning to insurance all under one roof. We believe this integrated approach to wealth management helps simplify our clients' lives. Founded in 2006 with $300 million in assets under advisement, Mariner Wealth Advisors and its affiliates now advise on over $60 billionin assets (as of 6/30/2022).

Press Contact:Carson GroupMegan Belt531.213.2539meganbelt@carsongroup.com

JConnellyLisa Aldape973-525-6550LAldape@jconnelly.com

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SOURCE Carson Group

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Unprecedented collaboration launched to take on the underrepresentation of women in financial advice - Yahoo Finance

Dianne and Guillermo Rastelli retired in 2018 at ages 44 and 47, respectively, with $2.2 million. The pair decided to move abroad, first to Mexico, and then to Lisbon, Portugal, where they currently reside.

They spend their days running a Youtube channel where they document their financial journey and ongoing search for a "forever home" overseas, which still leaves them plenty of time to enjoy their hobbies and meet for happy hour every day at 5 p.m.

It's a lifestyle that's tough to criticize even for Grant Sabatier, creator of finance websiteMillennial Moneyand author of "Financial Freedom,"a book that helps guide people toward the kind of financial independence the Rastellis enjoy.

For one, he thinks the couple were wise to move abroad to cut down their cost of living, a move known in the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) community as "geo-arbitrage."

"Portugal is like cheating when it comes to FIRE, because I think the cost of living is like 25% or 30% what it is in the U.S." Sabatier tells CNBC Make It. "So if they've saved $2.2 million, that effectively means they have $6 or $7 million in U.S. dollars."

Sabatier also admires the Rastellis' commitment to investing their savings. The couple's 2018 net worth of $2.2 million had grown to $2.6 million as of June 2022.

"They've been able to participate in the end of what was really one of the best bull markets in history," Sabatier says.

The market has since experienced a steep decline, making it tough for retirees to live off their portfolio, since any withdrawal from their accounts today means selling investments after they've slid in value. A silver lining for the Rastellis: They enjoy rental income from three properties they own in northern Virginia.

Before they left the U.S., they sold the house they were living in for around $120,000, a move that Sabatier views as suboptimal. "That's one of the fastest appreciating markets in the country," he says. It would have been financially smarter to hang onto it as a rental for as long as possible."

Sabatier also wonders if the Rastellis have been too conservative with their day-to-day expenses. By moving to Lisbon, the couple slashed their living expenses to $3,700 a month, down from a $7,000 monthly budget in the U.S.

"They have like 70 times their expected expenses based on where they're living in Portugal," Sabatier says. "My guess is they could have FIREd maybe three, four, five years earlier."

Overall though, they have done everything right "maybe too much right."

"I would encourage them not to be too beholden to their spreadsheets, and maybe take a little bit more risk in their life," Sabatier says. "Maybe spend a little bit more money if they can to see how it makes them feel."

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37-year-old millionaire reacts to couple who retired early with $2.2 million in Portugal: It's 'like cheating' - CNBC

HOUSTON, Oct. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: ICD) today announced that it will release its third quarter 2022 results before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. This release will be followed by a conference call for investors at 11:00 a.m. Central Time (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the Company's third quarter 2022 results.

The call can be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (855) 239-3115 or for international callers, (412) 542-4125. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529 or for international callers, (412) 317-0088. The passcode for the replay is 2879534. The replay will be available until November 8, 2022.

Interested parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the Company's website at http://www.icdrilling.com in the Investor Relations section. A replay of the webcast will also be available for approximately 30 days following the call.

About Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.

Independence Contract Drilling provides land-based contract drilling services for oil and natural gas producers in the United States. The Company owns and operates a fleet of pad optimal rigs that are specifically engineered and designed to accelerate its clients' production profiles and cash flows from their most technically demanding and economically impactful oil and gas properties. For more information, visit http://www.icdrilling.com.

Investor Contacts:

Investor Relations:

Investor.relations@icdrilling.com(281) 598-1211

Independence Contract Drilling (PRNewsFoto/Independence Contract Drilling)

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SOURCE Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.

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Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. Announces Timing of Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Conference Call - Yahoo Finance

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Cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, NFTs, Metaverse are all concepts that have been spreading across the internet like wildfire over the past few years, but how many people truly understand what all of this means? Out of 5 billion people worldwide that have access to the internet, only 3% hold cryptocurrencies, while 1% consider themselves knowledgeable in the field. With these statistics in mind, Waves, the "peoples blockchain", is introducing their own free cryptocurrency academy - Waves School.

About Waves

Having launched in 2016, Waves is a secure, accessible and transparent blockchain platform that pursues the goal of democratizing and decentralizing the world of open finance, personal identification, gaming, sensitive data and much more. The Waves community is integrated across a mix of DAO's, next generation DeFi protocols, launchpads and flagship NFT markets. Considering the extremely low number of people that have a full understanding of all of the above terms, Waves School was born - to freely educate the world on all things crypto.

About Waves School

Waves School is a first of its kind. A free crypto training academy, available in over twenty different languages and accessible simply through internet access, Waves School aims to connect people worldwide through its free crypto training initiative. With mass misinformation floating around the web, Waves School is here to offer students a verified, structured and easy to understand course which will break down the barriers of crypto knowledge, allowing students across the globe to be financially free and independent.

About The Course

The Waves School course is for anyone and everyone, no matter their current knowledge in the crypto sphere. The most primitive and basic concepts around crypto and money will help to set the foundation of the course. Not only will students be immersed in a plethora of crypto information, but they will also be given the tools and taught the strategies to make responsible investments. The course content is reviewed by experts in the field, to ensure that misinformation on the internet does not steer people into the wrong direction.

Each module will test students on their knowledge, ensuring that they are confident in the skills that they have gained, students will have access to the official Discord channel.

Waves, together with their new initiative Waves School are truly bridging the gap of crypto education, allowing students worldwide to access free training material, which will give them financial independence and freedom. Will you be joining this revolution in crypto training?

Visit link:

Get Started in the Crypto Sector with the Free Waves School Course - Entrepreneur