#Cetera Financial Group

[rexsecuritieslaw]

Centaurus Broker Atul Makharia Subject of Regulatory Sanctions/ Customer Complaints Over Sale of Variable Interest Rate Structured Products- Lexington, SC

Atul Makharia Investigation Sold Variable Interest Rate Structured Products July 2023-Lexington, SC The FINRA records of Atul Makharia, currently employed by Centaurus Financial, disclose a  regulatory event, 9 prior customer disputes and 2 pending customer disputes. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms.…

[kiefbowl]

you know, it's okay that different women have different goals within feminism. like, we're diverse and have different skills, resources, and life experiences. a group of politically minded mothers organizing for a oh idk a free baby formula bill or something and then a group of financially able child free women creating a self-sufficient co-opt are, like, both cool. literally no reason to ask one group to drop everything for the other cause like what help would they be. sometimes I think a lot of people like that they can go on social media and puff a lot of hot air using highly divisive terms like "prioritize" and what not bc it makes them feel smart but it's just caterwauling sometimes. why is it necessary for everyone to be in complete lock step for a movement to be considered successful? and just bc I know ppl like bad faith reads they love them they eat them up yum yum yum slurp slorp slop I am NOT saying women can't criticize any women or that "everything is feminism" or w/e. I'm just saying that feminist goals can be diverse, and I just don't understand the impulse of needing unifying discourse over every single issue. lest we miss out on things like art archivists bc it isn't "as important," when some people are really really good and in a great position to be very successful feminist art archivists. extrapolate any other feminist issue close to your heart et cetera

[lavenderbrigade]

hi guys. it’s a pretty mournful day for US politics today. (global politics atp. I hate that our shitty country has this much power.)

i’m a trans man. i’m white, relatively financially stable, and i live in a blue state. i’m part of an extremely marginalized group, yes, but it’s important that i check my privilege within it, and utilize it to help my community.

a lot of people in my community are going to die. a lot of us will probably lose access to healthcare, be forcibly outed, ostracized, hate crimed, killed. et fucking cetera. a lot of us are going to die. and the thought weighs heavily on me.

it’s going to be a rough four years. we will see the other side, but I worry about the damage that will be done in the meantime. I pray to whatever deity may or may not exist that it is not irreversible. in the meantime we must stay together. we must have each other’s backs. be mindful of propaganda, stay alert, and stay critical. do not let yourself get distracted- that is what they want.

it overwhelms me to think about the fact that we are watching a fascist oligarchy take over in real time. i’m tired. i’m sad, and i hurt for everyone, in my community and outside of it, who will be hurt or worse as a direct result of political violence.

i’m going to be less active for a while. i’m exhausted and feeling powerless, and doomscrolling is making me feel worse. I’ll still be active, because I want to stay in contact to some degree, but I will be doing my best to limit my screen time in the coming weeks as we adjust to this terrifying new reality.

stay safe, stay strong, stay alert, everyone. fuck elon musk. fuck donald trump. fuck this entire government and the system that let the world get this way.

we will make it out of this. we have to believe we will.

[thesmithslover2]

Here’s my long awaited ramble about why I love constitutional monarchism. I’m almost entirely referring to the British monarchy here because I am British and live in Britain.

In a constitutional monarchy, your monarch is a figurehead. A unifying figure for the people of the nation. The monarch is like a living embodiment of centuries of your nation’s history. So on and so forth. King George VI stayed in London during the Blitz for example, showing solidarity with his people and acting as a symbol of Britain’s unwavering determination in WWII. The king is still in London, we are still in London. Here we are still, facing the music. Et cetera. The monarch is a non-partisan figure, acting as a unifying figurehead when partisan politics become increasingly divisive. I like constitutional monarchism in particular because I feel that the monarchy and the government have this symbiosis wherein they both ensure the other is acting constitutionally. Say some undemocratic group tried to coup the government, the king could dissolve parliament. The constitution limits the monarch so society remains democratic. Constitutional monarchy is this combination of the best parts of democracy and the best parts of monarchy in my opinion. Heads of government can come and go but a monarch remains as long as they live.

So why a constitutional monarchy rather than a republic? In a republic, the president represents their party, not the nation. Their allegiance belongs to the party. Their allegiance belongs to securing reelection, protecting their image, and so on. However, the monarch represents the nation. The monarch’s non-partisan alignment allows them to act a figurehead for the whole country, not just the Labour Party for example. Thus ensuring stability. When Britain faces its darkest hours, the people can look to the monarch as a symbol of British identity and so on (again George VI during WWII). The roles of head of state and head of government are separated under a constitutional monarchy. This removes some of the burden for holders of both of these roles. Governments can be volatile (like Liz Truss’ disastrous premiership). However, the monarchy is infallible. When the monarch rises to the throne, they swear an oath to serve their nation for life. Hardly a legitimate point but it’s more fun than a republic. The pomp of it all is fun. It looks amazing. The coronations and the crowns and the palaces and everything looks so cool.

The heir is raised to take the throne when their parent dies. Thus, they spend their life preparing to take on this role. They are raised knowing that they have a great responsibility to fulfil. They know the role that will one day fall upon them, so they are trained for this role.

Now, the cost. The Sovereign Grant funds the maintenance of royal residences and the official duties of the head of state. In exchange, the monarch sacrifices revenue from the Crown Estate. In 2022-23, the total Sovereign Grant amounted to £86.3 million, around £1.29 per person in the U.K. Here is the royal family’s financial reports for 2022-23. As of 2024, the Sovereign Grant is set at 12% of the Crown Estate’s revenue. The Crown Estate amassed £1.1 billion net profit in 2023-24. Here is parliament’s website about the monarchy’s finances. The net recurring benefit of this is estimated to be £197 million annually and the non-recurring benefit to be £761 million (https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9807/CBP-9807.pdf)

Furthermore, I think a constitutional monarch maintains democracy through acting as a figurehead and the power to dissolve parliament in the event of figures in parliament threatening democracy. Here is The Economist’s Democracy Index. Notice that quite a few of the highest ranking nations are constitutional monarchies (so Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands).

Another thing I would like to add is that generally members of the royal family engross themselves in charities and the like. HM King Charles III, for example, is a staunch environmentalist and has been for many decades. He’s campaigned for things like the environment and sustainability and walkable cities and so on. For example, the town of Poundbury in Dorset and his founding of Duchy Originals (now partnered with Waitrose) - whose profits go The Prince’s Charities. Furthermore, Prince William also founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020 which awards £1 million to winners that contribute towards environmentalism. The royal family also funds the arts, for example, King Charles III is a patron of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

To conclude, I believe constitutional monarchy is the most beneficial system of government because of the continued stability it offers to a nation. The monarch is a non-partisan head of state and thus the people unite under the monarch as a symbol of the nation and its rich history and traditions. Both democracy and monarchy work together in this symbiosis to uphold each other. The constitutional monarchy is the culmination of centuries of history, it has evolved and grown from autocracy to the modern day’s liberal democracy.

[pastel-sweet-jirai]

Introductory post

Hello. You can call me Sugar. Basic info included here, more (extensive DNI, BYF, interests and so on) below the cut.

ꨄ 25 y/o MNDI, may post content inappropriate for minors (ageless blogs are subject to possibly being blocked. I won't block minors that just like my posts in passing (esp reblogs)- but you're on thin ice.)

ꨄ 'Lifestyle jirai' menhera demigirl. They/She pronouns (no he plz)

ꨄ This is a vent blog. Blog content warnings include: discussion of, or artwork depicting- S/H, E/D/dieting, hypochondria/health anxiety, suicidal ideation, OCD/ intrusive thoughts, financial trouble (I won't ask for money or provide avenues for donation or anything- I just want to vent), chronic illness, malingering, alcohol consumption and general sexual content. -- If any of this will be triggering for you, reconsider following or interacting and do what's best for your health. If any of this will be bothersome for you, just block and move on, plz don't report. I need this space. I don't have anywhere else. {Note- I will edit this post to include tags for theses topics so that my posts containing triggering content can be properly avoided. I do not condone unhealthy behavior, and would never encourage others to participate in any of the harmful behavior I may display.}

Interests

♡ Manga. I do not watch anime- I do collect and read a lot of manga. ♡ GL/Yuri (I'm so very gay, I love women) ♡ Alt J-Pop/chiika idol groups and girl bands. -(Faves are Minnanokodomochan, Zenbukiminoseida, Phantom Siita, CARAMEL CANDiD, MAD MEDiCiNE, AdamLilith and Misolade-Edison) ♡ Horror video games -esp classic action like ResEvil and Silent Hill -but also, Outlast, FNAF, Phasmophobia, Homicipher, I'm on Observation Duty, It Moves, and loads more -My alltime fave game ever is Yume Nikki ♡ Visual Novels - Faves include Subahibi, DDLC, 7 Days with the Ghost, Katawa Shoujo, and many more

BYF

♡ I kin spiritually- but I'm largely A-OK with doubles.

♡ I don't concern myself with pro/anti stuff. I don't personally like (or endorse) ships that include things like incest or pedophilia or whatever. But I don't care to censor or abolish that kind of content existing, and I consume content containing taboo subjects often, and with a critical mind. If that stance bothers you, feel free to block.

♡ I'm shy, so sorry if I don't respond to DMs- but I'll probably follow back if you follow me. I will say, while I want to be supportive and be a listening ear, please don't come to me for support when it comes to considering dying. I've had too many horrible past experiences with sui-baiting and I will NOT be in any position to give you the help you need.

♡ I am pro recovery, even if I don't center recovery in my venting. I'm currently in therapy by my own volition. ♡ I do wear the fashion- I like 'dark girly-kei'/'landmine' fashion, medikawa, and many other j-fashion substyles. I don't really know or care to know about discourse having to do with Jirai "fashion" vs. "lifestyle" or whatever. If I say something incorrect feel free to correct me. I like asking clarifying questions, and I never use sarcasm or have the intention to be passive aggressive, and my questions are always genuine.

♡ I have a poor memory (among other issues) due to my physical and mental health, so I might post similar (or the same) things, over and over again. Sorry if it's annoying. Genuinely can't help it right now.

DNI

✗ Bigots (Racist, Transphobic, Homophobic, et cetera.) ✗ Zionists ✗ Pedos (or even just adults who think being 23 and dating a 16 year old is chill.) ✗ Minors (I mean it)

About Me

Wow, you read to the bottom, thanks. I've struggled with S/H for something close to a decade now, and with depression and anxiety much longer than that. My E/D struggles are recent and I'm only coming up on a year of having it. I'm chronically ill and have been my whole life. I find it hard to interact and connect with people. I mask so hard constantly so I think people think I'm a better person than I really am. I literally just need a space where I can speak freely without burdening everyone around me all the time. If anyone wants to talk at me about tips on how to navigate tumblr feel free

[thelaughingmuse]

I've bought a LOT of coloring books. I wanted to get things purchased and shipped before the tariffs hit. So I'll be all set for quite a while, especially since I scan all my coloring books so that if I end up loving just a few designs out of the book, I can print additionals and use different palettes or even emphasize different elements. I also bought a large set of glitter gel pens because I didn't really have any....and they weren't too expensive. (Shuttle Art, so probably not tip-top quality, but not utter garbage either.)

I also ordered some sheer curtain panels and tension rods. I have a few windows that get full afternoon sun, and I wanted to cut the solar intensity without entirely blocking the light. I found sheer curtains in deeper colors - evergreen, dusty blue, maroon - but could only get the sizes I wanted on AmaUS. Also, tension rods aren't easily found in Mexico, so I bought several of those too.

Command Strips were available during the winter holiday season (presumably for folks hanging lights, stockings, et cetera) but they kind of disappeared from store shelves. I tried ordering from AmaMex, but they arrived in different packaging and without the adhesive strips. So...there's another thing from AmaUS.

Taking into account the slightly uneven Mexican electric supply, with its tales of surges, mini brownouts, and of course lightning strikes during storm season, I decided to invest in some more surge protectors, especially for the big appliances that I bought when I got down here. Some folks that I asked online said "Yeah, no problems at all" and others said that new-bought appliances were basically irreperable after 3-4 years...so, yeah. Surge protectors for everything! (But more purchases from AmaUS.)

I'm eyeballing an air fryer/convection oven combo. I want to be able to bake without pumping a lot of heat into the house, especially in summer. Being able to bake smaller quantities is also nice, since it's often just me. I've almost narrowed my choice down, but I have to figure out the best way to purchase. The oven is about the same price through AmaMex and AmaUS, but I can't get all of the accessories (trays and shelves and whatnot) through AmaMex. I don't know if there are other places in Mex I can purchase this one. I may check out Liverpool or Coppel.

In some unreservedly good news, BabyJ finally got his proper meds to stop his snotty-sniffly-sneezy. (The vet put him on a different antibiotic that almost worked but didn't quite, and then had me to try this other antibiotic ointment that I had to PUT ON HIS EYEBALLS and from there the antibodies would work their way down the nasal passages. Neither I nor BabyJ were fond of that little experiment.) The upside: yay, doxycycline! The downside: pill form! In the US I'd always get Justin's liquid stuff from a compounding pharmacy. I don't doubt that such a thing exists somewhere in the country, but it's probably not super common.

I need to learn how to edit Google Forms to add a field. To save my own sanity, I'm limiting Radio Free Monday to personal and small-group fundraising links, but folks have been sending lots more types of links my way: notices about pet food recalls, notices about communities for community organizing and hyperlocal politics. If I'm not careful, I'll burn out faster than Copperbadge did. But at the same time, I know that these communities are important, especially with the Stonewall park scrubbing all mentions of trans and queer people and the CDC being muzzled and the US withdrawing from the World Health Organization and fucking Felon and fElon screwing around with peoples' faith in the financial institutions. (Personally, I'm so. very. glad. that I pulled the bulk of my money down to Mexico before they went on their ShenaniganStravaganza.) I want a way to permanently link to any communities that others start to share this type of information, so I want to set up a field that lets people indicate a mutual-aid community, or a fundraising link.

Today I made my breakfast, washed the dishes, swept the floors and the stairs, cleaned the catboxes, and took out the trash. That's enough housework for one day, though I do also need to wash my car. (Qro is DUSTY AF, y'all.) And I should change the bedding. And maybe organize my clothes so that I can empty another box. (Dammit, the list never ends...)

[carmeloffie]

things i need to do: upload my proof of residency, send emails about financial aid, text my group partner about being sick, finish outlining this drawing i’m doing for school, possibly email tad milbourn. et cetera.

[aromancy]

You know, a lot of companies have made HUGE changes lately; foolish changes, leading to long-term damage to their brands for short-term financial gains. Just this year, Warner Bros canceled multiple upcoming films already mostly finished just for tax breaks; Unity tried to take a cut of the profits from every person who downloaded their games; the Escapist fired the head of their video team; Wizards of the Coast had the Pinkertons scandal, the 5e OGL scandal, the controversies around One D&D...

This is unusual, right? For one company to shoot themselves in the foot is an accident; for several to do so in rapid succession seems to me like a strange new pattern.

But why? Why prioritize a short-term paycheck over long-term profits? The people in charge of these companies may be stupid, but they're not that stupid; they've been in charge of these companies for years (well, most of them; the Escapist was bought out by Gamurz last year, but Gamurz hasn't stepped it's foot in it this bad before, so my point still stands) and not done stupid shit on this level before.

I've seen others who recognize this pattern postulate that it's for investment purposes. Investors dom't care about what's best for the long-term survivability of a company; they care only for the signs of quarter-to quarter growth, and will pull their investments if they don't see a quarterly return. This does make some measure of sense, but I don't understand how it's only recently gotten this bad if this was always standard operating procedure? Have these businesses always been doing this, and only recently has it been noticed?

I have another potential explanation. In 2017, Douglas Rushkoff was invited to deliver a keynote speech to a huge group of exhorbitantly wealthy individuals. The purpose? To explore the future of technology. While he thought it would be a lighthearted exploration of exciting new technologies and what they could mean for society going forward, it quickly became clear that most of the attendees were more concerned with the threats technology posed.

Several of them referenced "The Event," a nonspecific apocalypse that might occur as a result of societal unrest, environmental destruction, nuclear war, et cetera. This seemed to be quite a pressing issue; the attendees grilled Rushkoff for over an hour on how one might thrive in a post-apocalyptic setting.

I think the wealthy elite of this world expect The Event to come soon. And I think that several wealthy people are trying to make a whole lot of money right now so that they'll be ready when The Event arrives.

[ratboomerang]

kit dekarios

I just finished Baldur's Gate III for the first time. Yeah I'm in my emotions 😭 If there's anywhere to do the necessary gushing about my tav(and the game in general)(mostly the game in general), I figured this is probably the place to do it. cue the recipe blog exposition:

So here they are, in all their glory. I feel like getting sappy so here we go. Before Baldur's Gate, the only PC game I ever really played was the Sims 4. Even then, I only ever really build, as that's the fun part for me. I didn't realize how much I actually enjoy games that have more concrete depth and plot progression.

I didn't even know Baldur's Gate was a thing until I started seeing the flood of posts about a flamboyant vampire I'd never seen before. My first thought, deadass, was "alright, who's this cunt then?" because boy, had this caught my interest. Of course then I dove in. I've been blessed with multiple weekly D&D 5e games for a few years now, which I'm so thankful for. Fantasy vibes are absolutely a special interest of mine and D&D is an amazing resource to get consistent delicious content for it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any way to play this game. At the time, I was unemployed and facing the monster that is student loans. I didn't have a gaming laptop—just a macbook air from 2017 with a shitty battery life due to my 1000+ hours on the sims over four years. I was feeling MAJOR fomo as my friends all played, having fun conversations about what their unique experiences were like. I got so self-conscious, fearful that it would be blatantly obvious that I wasn't as "in-the-know" as everyone else participating. Fake fan, and all that. Of course, this was not a rational thought, but it was definitely a worry of mine at the time.

Cut to me finally getting a job—at my alma mater, no less. Almost immediately, I felt the weight of financial instability decrease significantly. To celebrate this accomplishment, I treated myself to a gaming laptop and Baldur's Gate. As a D&D player, to say this game is impressive is an understatement. I will continue to recommend it to folks who don't have as much luck when it comes to finding D&D groups. To actually SEE a fantasy world and my character in it is incredible. Theatre of the Mind is fantastic, but getting to see my characters in front of me, realistically animated, is something so special.

That's where Kit (they/he) comes in. For my first play through, I didn't want to use a character I already had. I wanted him to be my Baldur's Gate Character TM. I had finished a mini campaign as a monk a few months prior, and was sincerely missing him. Thus another trans monk was born.

When it came to romance, all I knew going into the game was what I had learned through assimilation. With that, I had come to the conclusion that if I had to guess, Gale or Wyll would win me over. Proud to say I was absolutely correct in my prediction. Wyll is charming as hell, and I am looking forward to the day where I start a run with the intention of romancing him. Something about this LOSER of a wizard though... (something something relatable trauma about self-worth, et cetera.) I'm currently working on a Gale cosplay, so wish me luck as I try to navigate constructing and sewing a costume from scratch for the first time.

I'm so happy with the way my game ended. Karlach lived. Gale proposed. Our party is tadpole-less. I accomplished things that, despite taking a few reloads, seemed impossible for a while (looking at you Raphael and the Boss Battle to End All Boss Battles). I've grown to love these characters so much, and Kit will always have such a special place in my heart as my first hero of Baldur's Gate as well as my first to romance Gale, hehe.

Anyway—this ended up being not SO much about Kit and more about my emotions finishing the game, but maybe I'll end up posting more about them. Shoutout to me for thinking to record the final blow of that last battle as well as the epilogue, and to my computer for swallowing the hour+ video like a champ. Now I have this little token of a gif to celebrate, and I'm so happy with it. I decided to combine that with a photo of Kit super early on at camp, versus him toasting at Withers's party. He went through no actual magic mirror changes, but he LOOKS older. LOOKS accomplished. I love it.

I think that's all I really have to say for now, I do indeed have work tomorrow (today) and it's past midnight. Just,,,,,,,, wanted to write out a sincere love letter to the game, as I'm feeling so lifted and satisfied right now. This is far from the end though—I've got two other active campaigns running, one multiplayer, and where I decided to pursue Astarion, which proved to be a challenge at first as someone who was having a hard time not being the most good-aligned hero. I'm excited though! There's so much more to explore! My heart is full.

[rexsecuritieslaw]

Centaurus Broker Ricky Alan Mantei Subject of Numerous Customer Complaints Ordered to Cease and Desist- Lexington, SC

Ricky Alan Mantei Investigation Former JP Turner & Centaurus Customers Have Sued for Damages July 2023-Lexington, SC The FINRA records of Ricky Alan Mantei, currently employed by Centaurus Financial and formerly a broker with now defunct JP Turner, disclose a 3 regulatory events, 35 prior customer disputes and 2 pending customer disputes. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the…

[nursingwriter]

Healthcare system is large, spending accounted for 17% of the GDP in 2011 and was expected to increase (Kaplan & Porter, 2011). By 2014 this had risen to 17.5% of GDP, with a monetary value of $3 trillion, equal to $9,523 per capita, employing approximately 10 million people within the sector (CDC, 2016). The largest single costs are those associated with hospitals, accounting for 32.1% of all healthcare expenditure, providing approximately 1,200 stays for every 10,000 members of the U.S. population, with physician and clinical services accounting for 19.9%, prescription drugs 9.8% and nursing care/continuing care retirement facilities 5.1% (CDC, 2016). The cost of healthcare far exceeds costs seen in other high income countries, for example in 2013 when healthcare costs were 17.1% of GDP in the U.S., they were 11.6% in France, 11.5% in Sweden and 8.8% in the UK (Squires & Anderson, 2016). Despite this higher spending level, there are poorer healthy outcomes and life expectancy compared to other developed nations (Squires & Anderson, 2016). There are numerous reasons for the differential, including a higher use of technology in the U.S. a, but there are also higher healthcare process (Squires & Anderson, 2016). The structure of the healthcare industry in the U.S. is different, with healthcare provided through private decentralised suppliers, without any significant Federal Presence. There are different ownership structures and organisation type. Of the 5,627 hospitals register in the U.S., 4,926 are community hospitals, with 213 Federal hospitals, 403 non-Federal psychiatric hospitals, 75 non-federal long-term care hospitals, and 10 institutional hospitals, such as prison hospitals will contribute in families et cetera (AHA, 2016). Of the 4926 community hospitals, 2870 operate as nonprofitmaking, 1053 are for profit facilities, and 1003 are operated by state or local government as community hospitals (AHA, 2016). The majority of hospitals are located in urban areas, with 3071, and only 1855 or in rural areas (AHA, 2016). Committee hospitals are part of the larger group, with 3183 being part of a system, where membership is made up of at least three different hospitals, and 1690 part of a network, working with other agencies (AHA, 2016). This indicates the fragmentation within the U.S. health service. With this in mind, it may be unsurprising that Kaplan & Porter, (2011) argue that one of the main problems with the service is the inability to accurately cost the way in which healthcare is delivered resulting in reimbursement that is based on inaccurate, or arbitrary assumptions regarding care. Furthermore, they argue that where different elements of the service cannot be measured accurately, there are likely to be misunderstandings regarding the way in which costs are incurred, as well as reduced ability to improve performance or reduce costs (Kaplan & Porter, 2011). At One approach which may be utilised to help improve control over healthcare, by providing accurate input information including consideration is the use of the balanced scorecard (BSC). This has been demonstrated as useful, for example Motorola reduced costs by trimming 33% of the time of their manufacturing cycle using results from the BSC (Morgan, 1998). The BSC can be designed to meet the needs of different organisation, and also used as a tool for benchmarking, while giving a holistic view of the organisation. Performance is measures on four dimensions; financial, internal business processes, learning and growth, and customer (Kaplan & Norton, 1996). Each dimension will have different measures, set against objectives and targets that are directly linked to the vision and strategy, and maybe benchmarked against other similar facilities. For example, it may be determined that the customer satisfaction level should be measured as part of the customer perspective, with measures taken from a customer satisfaction survey, and a predetermined average score to be attained. Another approach may be to measure the number of patients taking part in preventative programs in order to reduce treatment costs, with the measures being the number of patients, measured against previous years. Business processes may include measures of quality of care, and quality of outcomes, financial measures may include measurements such as the average cost per case/per visit incurred by the facility, the operating profit margins, and patient safety measured through accident logs, examining number and cost of those accidents. Learning growth objectives may be considered in the context of training development, including a number of individuals gaining post-qualification training, number of training hours, as well as measures such as the level of innovation within the facility. By bringing all these elements together, a good overview may be gained of the facility. With the emergence of consumer driven healthcare, which refers to the presence of 30 health insurance plans, where patients may use that health savings accounts or reimbursement accounts to meet their medical costs. These plans often have a very high initial deductible, with the plan primarily protecting individuals from very significant healthcare costs. With a high deductible, the insurance premiums will be less, consumers will be covering more the cost for themselves. The plans are named in this way, the consumer controls the way in which the funds are spent (Wouters et al., 2016). The consumer driven healthcare plans have been impacted by the Affordable Care Act, which requires there to be the presence of routine health maintenance claims where there is no cost sharing to the consumer. It was speculated that with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there would be a greater level of consumerism in healthcare, which would increase competition and drive down prices. Costs for the insurance companies decrease, and those consumers with a greater level of control over a pot of money to be spent may also choose to spend the money more wisely. However, this relies on consumers having relevant information, which is not always the case. However, it appears that the opposite is occurring; as the individual consumers do not have the same power as the insurance companies, they are seeing increased rather than decreasing prices (Potter, 2015). Importantly, it is those families that may need the most help which are most adversely impacted, as they may choose a consumer driven health care plan due to the lower associated premiums due (Potter, 2015). Therefore, this, along with the Affordable Care Act, which has significantly impacted on the amount of healthcare required, resulting in a demand which is exceeding supply in many, are increasing the pressures on prices in U.S., and are likely to result in further healthcare inflation. These pressures emphasise the need for healthcare providers to undertake new measures in order to identify the sources of costs, and better manage and control costs for the benefit of the organisation, as well as the patients. References AHA. (2016). Fast Facts on U.S. Hospital. Retrieved 3rd May 2016 from http://www.aha.org/research/rc/stat-studies/fast-facts.shtml CDC. (2016). Health Expenditures. Retrieved 3rd May 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/health-expenditures.htm Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1996). Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System. Harvard Business Review, 74(1), 75-85. Kaplan, R. S., & Porter, M. E. (2011). How to Solve The Cost Crisis in Health Care. Harvard Business Review, 89(9), 47-64. Morgan, M. W. (1998). Improving business performance: are you measuring up? Manage, 49(2), 165-181. Potter, W., (2015). Consumer Driven Health Plans Are Pushing Prices up. Newsweek. Retrieved 3rd May 2016 from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:s9AJeNtZ5tIJ:europe.newsweek.com/families-skipping-health-care-because-high-deductibles-334265+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk Squires, D., Anderson, C. (2015), U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective: Spending, Use of Services, Prices, and Health in 13 Countries, The Commonwealth Fund, Retrieved 3rd May 2016 from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2015/oct/us-health-care-from-a-global-perspective Wouters, Olivier J., Cylus, Jonathan, Yang, Wei, Thomson, Sarah and McKee, Martin (2016), Medical savings accounts: assessing their impact on efficiency, equity, and financial protection in health care, Health Economics, Policy and Law pp. 1- 15, retrieved 3 May 2016 from http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/65448/1/Medicalsavingsaccounts.pdf Read the full article

[kevinlkelly]

How to Stress Less During Divorce: Simple Tips for Peace

Getting divorce is a major life event that may put an emotional strain on anyone. It is fraught with feelings, big choices and legal minefields. Stress is expected at a time like this, but there are practical ways to cope. With the help of a divorce and family law attorney in Portland, ORand some healthy coping strategies, you can achieve some clarity and peace during the process. Let’s discover how to��cope with divorce stress successfully.

Summary: In which some aspect of your champion (your divorce lawyer or attorney) should also represent you in the best light. Working with a divorce lawyer in Portland, OR can guide you through legal issues while keeping you calm emotionally. These simple steps can help you navigate your divorce with resilience and confidence, from building a support network to staying organized and making time for self-care.

Understanding Divorce Stress and Its Impact

Divorce is usually accompanied by anxiety, sadness and insecurity. These emotions can affect:

Physical health: Stress can cause insomnia, fatigue or lowered immunity.

Mental health: Chronic stress can lead to depression or anxiety disorders.

Decision-making: At times when essential decisions about money, custody, and the division of assets needs to be made, overwhelming feelings may lead to decisions that feel right at the moment but end up causing harm in the future.

The Role of a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Portland, OR

Guidance Through Legal Complexities:Divorce entails complex legal procedures like filing documents, working on settlements, and managing custody agreements. A good lawyer ensures that your rights are safeguarded.

Reducing Conflict: Divorce lawyer Portland helps mediate disputes and build communication, which greatly reduces unnecessary conflict and stress.

Advocacy in Court: Your attorney negotiates on your behalf, and if negotiations do not result in a fair resolution, then your attorney fights for you in court.

Simple Tips and Tricks for Managing Your Stress After Divorce

Build a Support System: Rely on friends, family or support groups to talk to about your feelings and get some perspective. Professional counseling can also offer effective coping strategies.

Stay Organized: A separate folder for legal documents, financial statements, court dates, et cetera. Being organised helps reduce the chaos that only adds to your stress.

Set Realistic Expectations: Recognize that the divorce process is lengthy. Work on realistic goals and solutions  with a divorce lawyer Portland, Oregon.

Prioritize Self-Care:

Like exercising regularly like walking, yoga or swimming.

Try practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.

Maintain a balanced diet and get plenty of sleep.

Communicate Effectively: Practice patience with your ex-partner in negotiations. For situations that are overly emotional, allow your divorce attorney to take the communication reigns so that things don’t escalate to a level of conflict that wastes time and money.

Focus on the Future: Visualize the life you want to build post-divorce. Focus on your goals and take small steps toward achieving them.

The Importance of Hiring a Divorce Attorney in Portland

Local Expertise: Family law differs state to state, but a divorce lawyer Portland Oregon expert is well versed in the ins and outs of local family law.

Emotional Relief: By handing over legal matters to an attorney, you can concentrate on your own recovery while being assured that your case is in good hands.

Custom Solutions: With every divorce being different, an experienced lawyer customizes strategies according to your individual requirements, be it a custody battle or asset division.

Conclusion

Divorce stress can be debilitating, but you can learn to manage it. You can approach it confidently with the help of a divorce and family law attorney in Portland, OR, and by practicing stress-reducing activities. Keep in mind, this chapter is a chance for you to start over. Make sure to put your health first, get recovery services from professionals and do your best to heal and start a new life.

[charlotteswebbbbb]

What's the vibe? #66

Okay, so we have our first budget on its way 31st of October in the UK. A 22bn short fall in finances was found by chancellor Rachel Reeves. I'm predicting austerity tbh (a la George Osbourne style), but there may be some positives to public sector pay rises.

Speaking of budget... luxury fashion is in a tough time right now. Even though LVMH are sponsoring the Olympics, they're still struggling for big growth. Even champagne sales aren't great (down 15% in the first quarter) and China is having an economic slowdown.

Something else in Chinese society is happening where the government is controlling the optics of the rich. "But the downturn is being compounded by mounting government pressure on China’s wealthy not to flaunt their riches, recalling a slowdown in the mid-2010s linked to an anti-corruption push" - BOF

“Champagne is quite linked with celebration, happiness, et cetera,” Chief Financial Officer Jean-Jacques Guiony said during an earnings call earlier this week. “Maybe the current global situation, be it geopolitical or macroeconomic, doesn’t lead people to cheer up and to open bottles of champagne." - from USA Today

 "Among those bucking the trend were Hermès, which delivered a solid 13 per cent growth, as ultra-wealthy shoppers continued to prove resilient. Consensus expectations for Prada Group (that is reporting its numbers on Tuesday) are a year-on-year increase of 13.7 per cent, including a 5.7 per cent for Prada brand and a dazzling 62.9 per cent for Miu Miu. Moncler Group held up well: the Moncler brand’s revenue was up 5 per cent." - Vogue

Everything feels mid but how do we get out of it? Question for the ages. Maybe I'm pushing it but it's also August: culture slowdown, reflection, go on holiday, touch grass.

I just wanted to say 'brat' felt like one of the most sort of marketed campaigns that worked. People were able to use what Charli XCX gave them and apply it to themselves - Von Dutch is the universal hot-bitch-in-charge song which sets off the tone. The Boiler Rooms are irl meeting spots, places to clang and show off remixes. It's an out of control thing. The whole 'Kamala is brat' thing made (some) people dislike Charli XCX and then you have that moment where *Bloomberg*

starts paying attention because they think she is the voice of young people. The Mayor of London using it to explain the ULEZ is working and clearing the air for Londoners.

(To verbalise, Kamala is brat is obvi not serious at all. The thing is that you can't control memes. You can only maybe add like The Mayor of London. You can't control the spiral when it's moving fast like this - is there a point? Relax.)

It irritates people to this day, British Vogue....Dazed...Pitchfork...everyone wants to call time on a big moment.

The thing is with truly organic moments is that unlike other things made by writers or commentators of culture....these people aren't in charge. It isn't their rodeo. They think they're in it and their word is law. It's akin to being on the dance floor and not vibing with the music the DJ is playing and them wanting to stop the party. But you're not that important. You're just another dancer on the dance floor so......

Speaking of endurance! There’s this trend for "real life features" to the forefront: Vibram toes (cc Georgia Graham), flat shoes ideally for running, long lasting make up, short hair cuts.

“The top-growing makeup trends in search data reveal a consumer preference for long-lasting and low-maintenance beauty solutions. Tubing mascara is popular for its smudge-proof quality and ease of removal, while brow stain shows a desire for lasting, low-effort brow enhancements. Lash bonding reflects a shift towards fuller, more defined lashes that avoid the need for frequent touch-ups. Silicone-based foundations and primers, meanwhile, highlight a demand for smoother application and finishes.” - Vogue Business

People are doing long endurance days and want long endurance good looks. Could also be connected to the rise of the handbag (alongside the fact that brands are pushing for profit on accessories), or it's feeding that or that's feeding us?

Democrats are now using the word “weird” against Republicans. Does that affect us? Will there be an evaluation on the word "weird" in the next year?

In the UK, it would lack context as I feel like Labour and the Conservatives believe in similar things. There's parts of youth culture in the UK that are weird and the government or wider society doesn't really vibe with it. But then that's how punk culture was born and mod culture and nature/mysticism/folk is born and cultivated. ~My subculture is not a costume~ is something to explore as we go on ...

Fashion Week schedules are up again if you're interested. London Fashion Week is celebrating 40 years but lets see if the government is going to give Fashion anything in it's budget.

Paris is going to be an interesting time with the Gucci and Loewe rumours floating. But we'll see. When will the interesting women get their turn though to helm a house?

Things to explore:

Flaky by Denai Moore is opening up in Dalston Yard this summer.

https://www.instagram.com/flakybydee/

New Two Shell x Sugababes collaboration coming up....this interview made me laugh.

This video I guess is going viral but similar to maybe something like Icelander where you play on the tropes of the country to deliver something interesting for people to pay attention to.

[bitcoincables]

Cetera Financial Group Approves Bitcoin ETFs for Investment Portfolio

The Cetera Financial Group has recently approved the listing of four Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its platform, signaling a significant step towards mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency investment options. This decision allows Cetera's advisors to offer their clients access to diversified exposure to Bitcoin through these ETFs. The move reflects the growing interest in digital assets among traditional financial institutions and showcases a willingness to embrace the potential benefits of blockchain technology in investment portfolios. With the inclusion of Bitcoin ETFs, Cetera aims to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of investors seeking alternative ways to diversify their wealth.

By incorporating Bitcoin ETFs into its offerings, Cetera aims to provide its clients with a convenient and regulated channel to invest in the cryptocurrency market, minimizing the barriers to entry and simplifying the investment process. This strategic decision underscores Cetera's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving financial landscape and meeting the demands of customers looking to explore new asset classes. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs on Cetera's platform opens up avenues for retail investors to participate in the digital currency space through trusted and established channels, bridging the gap between traditional financial services and the emerging decentralized economy.

The inclusion of Bitcoin ETFs on Cetera's platform represents a significant milestone in the integration of cryptocurrency assets within mainstream financial services, signaling a shift towards greater acceptance and integration of digital currencies in investment portfolios. This move not only broadens the investment opportunities available to Cetera's clients but also highlights the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class with the potential to deliver long-term returns. As the adoption of digital assets continues to gain momentum, Cetera's approval of Bitcoin ETFs reflects a strategic alignment with the evolving preferences of investors seeking exposure to the dynamic and innovative world of blockchain technology.

Read the original article #CeteraFinancialGroup #BitcoinETFs #CryptocurrencyInvestment #FinancialInnovation

[christinaaa-grasyaaa]

Entrepreneurial Blog #4

On November 9, we were tasked with creating a 3- to 5-minute start-up video explaining how our service works. So we gathered up and started to brainstorm for ideas, and we came up with the idea of a regular CMU student having financial problems. So we recorded our first scene in a classmate's house, where our main subject wakes up from his mother's call, saying they don't have any money left. After the landlord asks for his monthly rent, at the same time, his professors ask him to buy a book required for his schoolwork. Then he arrives at school and walks to a friend, where his friend introduces Kassanga Funds, where he can borrow money. Then after that, in the video, it explains how to avail of our services and how they work, like the process, fees, et cetera. Good thing the editing process went well and no scenes were changed. And we were able to do all the scenes in 2 days and the editing in 2 days as well. During the shooting of our 30- to 60-second promotional video, we first plan our concept and how we will be able to promote our startup in a way that will capture the audience's attention. We enjoyed the whole shooting, even when we were under the scorching sun. However, we faced a certain difficulty when it came to the editing of the video and how to make it look better. Nevertheless, we were able to conquer that difficulty, and the video turned out to be good and funny. Thankfully, we were able to pass it on time and then proceeded to the preparation for our final pitching.

On the final week of our entrepreneurial journey, together with our groupmates, we created our final PowerPoint presentation on our final pitching. It was tough, we admit, but it doesn't mean we give up. Upon gathering the necessary information, we created our PPT smoothly. Two days before we defend our venture, we practice and practice the things we do and speak in front of the panelist. Sometimes there is misunderstanding, thinking and focusing on our goal that is to have a better grades, we choose to lower our pride and respect each other. On the day of our final pitching, we can't hide the fact that even though we are already prepared on that day we can't still hide our nervousness. Furthermore, upon presenting our venture, we just focused, concentrated and do what we practiced just to run through our venture smoothly. Then there were questions need to be synthesized, but the panelist gave us a big congratulations because we defended our final pitching confidently. And that concludes our entrepreneurial journey.

Conclusion After our final pitching, our group was chosen to present our entrepreneurial startup "Kasangga Funds" for the GEE16 - The Entrepreneurial Mind Demo Day and Pitching event to be held on December 7, 2023 at COE Atrium. It was really unexpected since I, myself have low expectation on our venture. Honestly, this startup idea has its potential to integrate innovative technological aspects yet we chose the safest option possible. But overall, I'm still happy and proud for my group as being chosen out of all startup venture from our section. Initially, I was so excited to go on this entrepreneurial journey. I was filled with a lot of hope with regard to my group members as I've always look up to them as the striving and hard-working students. However, that determination gradually decreased as I've encountered disappointments on our journey. The simultaneous rejection and discouragement on our startup together with the some certain group member's least contribution and weighing leadership burden, really brought me down. This has taught me how distressing it is to set high expectations on someone. Especially since, I have not known them yet as a person and I have no idea about what they can attribute. Other than that I've also discovered that I have not firmly established my optimism which is why I get so easily discouraged when facing a lot of rejections. Other than that, the situation also made me realize how hard it is to lead an already established group. They are already friends, so they've known each other well enough even the dynamics of their group in accomplishing an endeavor. I was not fit to be the leader in that circumstance, so I've decided to step down and let other member take over. Which really worked wonderfully and resulted to the group's succession in this entrepreneurial journey.