Are you throwing your money away?
8SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr by: Ryan BaileyDespite advances in the financial services industry, managing money today isn’t easy. New services and technologies like payment-to-payment systems are being developed on a regular basis, but they aren’t replacing old ones like cash checking services. With an excess of money management tools to choose from, it can be difficult for consumers to know which will make their lives easiest while being the most cost effective.In fact, many people today are managing their money in ways that are unnecessarily costing them. Recent research from TD Bank found that nearly one-quarter of Americans with a bank account have used alternative banking products such as check cashing services (12 percent), money transfer agents (11 percent) and payday loans (4 percent). When they were asked why they used these products, 16 percent said they did not have a particular reason.Making decisions like this could add needless cost to your monthly budget. Here are some ways consumers can ensure they’re banking properly and not throwing their money away:Have conversations with your banker It’s your banker’s job to stay on top of all of the latest money management tools. So if you’re ever unsure whether or not you’re properly managing your money, call or stop by your local store to sort it out. This is especially important if you are paying for services such as payday loans. Your bank could offer a similar service at a less expensive rate – and merging the two services under one roof could be more convenient for you. Consider scheduling regular check-ins with your banker throughout the year. That way, you won’t miss out on any new tools or services – or, any relationship benefits you might qualify for if you use more than one product or service at your bank. continue reading »
16SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr Federally insured credit unions recorded another strong performance in the second quarter or 2015, according to data released Thursday by the National Credit Union Administration.“Across America, there’s a growing recognition that credit unions offer solid value to their members,” said NCUA Chair Debbie Matz. “More people see credit unions as an affordable financial services alternative. Credit unions continue to increase lending while taking steps to shed certain investments that would pose risk when interest rates inevitably begin to rise. All these trends are signs of a robust system.”Total memberships in federally insured credit unions rose to 101.1 million as of June 30, up by 1.1 % during the quarter and 3.2% over the previous 12 months.Growth was strong in several credit union categories. For instance, assets were up to $1.17 trillion, 0.8% above last quarter and 5.9% above the second quarter of 2014. Credit unions’ earnings (return on assets) rose modestly from 78 basis points in the first quarter to 84 basis in the second; and these earnings, combined with modest asset growth, raised the credit union overall net worth ratio from 10.81% in March to 10.92% in June. continue reading »
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Despite its colossal size, the August Complex fire has burned in remote, sparsely populated areas, keeping property losses relatively low – about 160 buildings destroyed – though a contract firefighter was killed by the blaze.By comparison, no serious injuries have been reported in the much smaller Glass Fire, but nearly 1,500 homes and other buildings have been reduced to ruins in Napa and neighboring Sonoma County, including at least two wineries.The fire broke out in the midst of the region’s grape harvest after a spate of other large blazes during the summer, putting some of Napa-Sonoma’s 2020 vintage into question.Since January, wildfires across California have burned well over 4 million acres (1.6 million hectares), or 6,250 square miles, nearly the combined land mass of Connecticut and Delaware, and more than twice California’s previous annual record from 2018.The bulk of that acreage was incinerated amid an unprecedented outbreak of wildfires across the entire Western United States this summer, stoked by frequent, prolonged bouts of extreme heat, high winds and dry lightning storms.Scientists have pointed to the region’s incendiary weather, along with supercharged fuel beds overgrown with tinder dry grass and scrub, as consequences of climate change.California wildfires since January have claimed a total of 31 lives and destroyed nearly 8,700 structures.The August Complex alone, sparked by lightning on Aug. 17 and now 54 percent contained, has burned twice as much landscape as the next largest California wildfire on record – the 460,000-acre Mendocino Complex of July 2018.Nearly 2,400 personnel are on the front lines of the monster blaze, including National Guard troops and firefighters from as far away as Texas and New Jersey.Five of California’s 20 largest wildfires on record have occurred in 2020, according to Cal Fire.Topics : Firefighters aided by calmer winds made significant strides on Monday against flames wreaking havoc in northern California wine country, as a separate blaze – already the largest in state history – grew to over 1 million acres burned.In Napa Valley’s wine-growing region, diminishing gusts late on Sunday and early on Monday helped crews gain some ground over the Glass Fire, after heavy gusts and scorching weather kept firefighters on the defensive over the weekend.”We’re cautiously optimistic we’re going to get this thing under wraps pretty soon,” Cal Fire spokesman Dave Lauchner said of the Glass Fire, which erupted Sept. 27 near the Napa resort town of Calistoga, some 75 miles (120 km) north of San Francisco. The 2020 wildfire season has shattered records, with scientists and state officials putting much of the blame on global warming.The August Complex fire burning in and around the Mendocino National Forest between Napa and the Oregon border surpassed 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) on Monday, leaving a footprint greater than all California fires from 1932 to 1999 combined.”If that’s not proof-point testament to climate change, I don’t know what is,” California Governor Gavin Newsom told a Monday news conference.The 1-million-acre milestone marks California’s first “gigafire,” a term coined by academics to describe the growing presence and scope of massive wildfires in the US West.
Freddie Ljungberg reveals how his Arsenal side will differ to Unai Emery’s Advertisement Comment Metro Sport ReporterSaturday 30 Nov 2019 12:37 pmShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link470Shares Emery defends Arsenal team’s performance after Frankfurt lossTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Play VideoLoaded: 0%0:00Progress: 0%PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration Time 6:03FullscreenEmery defends Arsenal team’s performance after Frankfurt losshttps://metro.co.uk/video/emery-defends-arsenal-teams-performance-frankfurt-loss-2059112/This is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.Both looked distraught and disinterested marooned on the bench and Ljungberg admits he needs to find a way to energise his squad in order to unlock its full potential.AdvertisementAdvertisement‘I’ve been at Arsenal for a long, long time I like entertaining football, he told Arsenal’s official website.‘Of course, at the same time you can’t conceded goals that’s the tricky balance to find.More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing Arsenal‘For me happy footballers play the best football. That’s what I learned as a player. There is a time to work hard but at the same we must enjoy what we are doing.‘Often if the players we have they enjoy playing offensive football it will make them more happy.’Who should be Unai Emery’s permanent replacement at Arsenal?Freddie Ljungberg0%Mauricio Pochettino0%Mikel Arteta0%Carlo Ancelotti0%Nuno Espirito Santo0%Share your resultsShare your resultsTweet your resultsMORE: Granit Xhaka accused of lying to Arsenal boss Unai Emery about injuryMORE: Granit Xhaka accused of lying to Arsenal boss Unai Emery about injury Freddie Ljungberg insists his Arsenal team will play attacking, progressive football (Picture: Arsenal FC)Freddie Ljungberg insists his Arsenal side will committed to playing attacking, progressive football.The club legend will take charge of his first match since being appointed as interim manager at Norwich on Sunday following the sacking of Unai Emery.Arsenal’s board gave Emery his marching orders on Friday following a shambolic defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday with the Gunners having won just once in their last nine matches.While results were deemed unacceptable, Arsenal fans had also grown tired of the Spaniard’s negative tactics, constant tinkering and baffling team selections.ADVERTISEMENTRecord signing Nicolas Pepe and star striker Alexandre Lacazette were both left on the bench on Thursday with Arsenal desperately searching for an equalsier. Advertisement
The European Commission’s impact assessment of the revised IORP Directive has been slammed for lacking balance and evidence, while failing to identify all “reasonable” options for reforming Europe’s pensions sector.The report, prepared by the Ex-Ante Impact Assessment Unit, the European Parliament’s department responsible for scrutinising the Commission’s proposals, said the executive’s initial impact assessment (IA) from 2013 examined only an artificial range of options, negatively affecting the depth of the analysis undertaken.While accepting the IA quoted from a range of sources, it criticised that three of the charts included were based on data provided by a single company and was therefore “lacking the necessary balance”.“Generally speaking, the IA does not seem to identify all reasonable options for addressing the problems,” the report continued. It noted that many areas targeted for reform under IORP II could conceivably be tackled in a different manner – such as allowing pension funds to employ an external auditor rather than insisting schemes build up an internal audit function.“Only in one case – for the safe-keeping and oversight of assets functions and the appointment of a depository – are two alternatives presented and, on the face of it, policymakers are given a tool to choose among competing actions,” it said.Prepared for the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON), the report remained diplomatic and praised the IA for attempting to tackle “in a logical way some real problems”.“However, the evidence corroborating some statements of the IA is lacking,” it added.“Furthermore, the framing and analysis of the options is rather artificial.”It also said it was “perhaps significant” that the two countries with the largest defined benefit markets – the Netherlands and UK – had raised concerns over the suitability of the Commission’s attempt to regulate a matter best left to member states.“Finally, it should be noted that the Commission appears to have adopted the proposal for this recast Directive without a positive opinion of the Commission’s Impact Assessment Board on the accompanying IA, despite its internal rule that such an opinion is, in principle, necessary before adoption,” it said.The Directive, published in spring this year, has undergone a number of revisions under the Italian presidency of the Council of the EU.Most recently, a compromise draft attempted to strip the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) of its ability to set the standards behind the proposed risk-evaluation for pensions.
As a new report reveals that shipping is of great value to Canadians across the country, the industry, represented by the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia (COSBC), seeks assurance from the Government of Canada that coastal management will recognize the need to secure marine trade corridors through a focused spatial planning effort.The Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping recently released a study, “The Value of Commercial Marine Shipping to Canada”, estimating the economic value of commercial shipping at CAD 30 billion (USD 22.3 billion). At 1.8% of the Canadian economy, ships move more than CAD 200 billion worth of goods to and from global markets.According to the Chamber of Shipping, these figures reflect a dependence on marine transportation to support trade activity as Canada pivots its focus to markets overseas and increasingly away from a historic over-reliance on its US neighbor.While Canadian international trade continues to grow, the federal government is moving to meet its commitment to protect 10 percent of Canada’s coastal waters by 2020. This includes an announcement dated May 24 of establishing a large marine protected area to the approaches of binational waters and major ports in Canada and the US on the west coast.“As important as this effort is, government actions to date lack integration of risk planning and mitigation, conservation and protection, and trade objectives,” the chamber said.“Coastal management must also address areas of high activity where the need for sustainable growth should be proactively managed,” Robert Lewis-Manning, Chamber of Shipping President, commented.“This should include the establishment and management of marine trade corridors with provisions that build confidence for indigenous and coastal communities. The current federal approach is overly focused on large area targets and does not appropriately address current and future trade needs,” Lewis-Manning added.The chamber said it supports and recognizes the importance of the protection of the country’s pristine coast.Ports in British Columbia were the first to implement ballast water exchange programs and shore power technology in Canada, according to the chamber. Furthermore, in August 2017, vessels will support a voluntary speed reduction trial in Haro Strait to assist in the development of a recovery strategy for Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao led thedistribution of the native piglets on Wednesday. Provincial Veterinarian Dr. RomeoMagdato said the provincial government purchased the native piglets from localhog raisers at P2,500 each. Cadiao told the sugar migrants to begood stewards of the piglets given to them for free. SAN JOSE, Antique – Twenty sugar migrants from the southern part of theprovince received 40 heads of native piglets to boost their livelihood. The remaining 60 piglets will be givento other sugar migrants in northern Antique this December. Magdato said the purchase of thenative piglets for the sugar migrants was delayed because of the reported casesof the African swine fever in Luzon that prompted the province to implement aban on the entry of pigs from other areas. (With a report from PNA/PN) Two native piglets were given to eachsugar migrant who will breed it and ultimately become one of the suppliers ofnative pork in support of Antique’s quest to become the “Native Lechon Capitalof the Philippines.” With the declaration, the provincialboard approved P10 million from the PDRRM QRF to assist the affected farmers,including the sugar migrants who incurred some P50 million damage in theircrops.
“The governor wanted to prioritize thesugar migrants in the distribution of the native piglets,” Magdato said. The 20 sugar migrants came from thetowns of San Remigio, Hamtic and Anini-y. “We are distributing the nativepiglets as assistance to the sugar migrants,” she said. Antique was declared under the stateof calamity by the provincial board last June 13, 2019, due to the El Niño dryspell. A sugar migrant holds the native piglet he received as livelihood assistance from the provincial government of Antique. ANTIQUE PIO He added a total of P250,000 from theQuick Response Fund (QRF) of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction andManagement (PDRRM) was appropriated for the purchase of 100 piglets.
Malacañang, however, still has no say onthe issue but Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has called on the public toabide by quarantine protocols as it was the “new normal.” Earlier, presidential adviser onentrepreneurship Joey Concepcion suggested the gradual opening of malls, withpriority for high-demand shops. He added that public transport, construction,and all manufacturing activities to resume. “Kapag binuksan natin ang lahat ng negosyo maaaring malagay sa [alanganin] ang kalusugan ng mamayan,” says secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response. PIA “Ang [physical] distancing ay new normal na kinakailangan hindi na nagkukumpul-kumpulan. Hindi ko alam kung paano ‘yung sa jeepney. Meron na tayong espasyo at ito ay panandalian habang wala pang vaccine o gamot sa COVID-19,” Roque said./PN
MANILA – Reopening of malls amidthe threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will trigger more infections, accordingto secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19response. “Kapagbinuksan natin ang lahat ng negosyo maaaring malagay sa [alanganin] ang kalusugan ng mamayan,” Galvez told GMA’s Dobol B sa News TV. Galvez also said the public should expect a “new normal” with the wearing offace masks and social distancing required even if the ECQ is lifted byPresident Rodrigo Duterte.“New normal is social distancing, wearing of masks, protecting elders… andbig congregations wala na muna ‘yan,”Galvez said. “‘Yung mga i–o-open natin na mga negosyo kailangan responsable sa kanilang mga employeeat kanilang mga buyer.”
Aston Villa have confirmed Brett Holman’s contract has been terminated mutually. Press Association A statement on Villa’s official website read: “The club can confirm that Brett Holman’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent.” 
The Australia international midfielder joined on a free transfer from AZ Alkmaar a year ago and played 27 times in Villa’s Barclays Premier League campaign last season. However, Al Nasr have expressed their interest in the 29-year-old, who is now expected to finalise a move to the United Arab Emirates club. 