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A strike at the Dolese Brothers rock crushing plant, northwest of Sasakwa, continues and work has completely stopped, a spokesperson for the firm said this morning. The strike, which began Tuesday morning, is being sponsored by the International Union of Operating Engineers. All 35 union employees of the Dolese Brothers plant are honoring the strike.
Read moreTwo kids were arguing just outside my window the other day. Now that school’s out, they have more time for the important issues of life, of course. This time, the subject was ghosts and whether or not they are real.
Read moreRetirement is a life-changing experience. For some older adults it can be relaxing, for others it can be energizing. Bu it should never be stressful. But Retirement in the United States can be expensive, and even savvy seniors who have budgeted for this phase of their lives may feel squeezed in areas such as housing and health care. COVID-19 has made things even harder for many. Many older Americans who have worked hard all their lives are unaware that they qualify for a range of public and private benefits to help pay for food, medicine, utilities, and many more essentials that ensure a safe and stable retirement. Every year, $30 billion in benefits go unclaimed because eligible older adults don’t know the programs exist or how to apply. These programs are not scams, and they are not loans. They are legitimate public and private funds designed to help older adults boost their budgets. The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the nation’s oldest and most trusted nonprofit working on behalf of seniors, offers the latest information on benefits programs on its free and confidential website, BenefitsCheckUp. org. The site includes a simple search tool to help retirees and their caregivers safely and securely identify programs that may help meet their financial needs. There are benefits that help pay for medication and other health care costs (including home care and nursing home care), as well as food, housing, and utilities. For those living on a fixed income, an extra $200-$300 a month can make a significant difference in their standard of living and quality of life. Approximately half of all Medicare beneficiaries live on incomes below $26,200 a year. For those who qualify, Medicare’s special programs can save them thousands of dollars annually on their premiums, medications, deductibles, and co-pays. BenefitsCheckUp.org also includes information on employment and volunteer programs, programs for veterans, property tax relief, travel and recreation discounts, and support for families and caregivers. To raise awareness about these valuable benefits, NCOA is introducing an educational campaign called Boost Your Budget Week: Find Your Benefits to Age Well. Planned for July, the week is a great time for older adults to learn about opportunities to boost their budget with benefits. Interested older adults can visit ncoa.org/ Boost to start their free BenefitsCheckUp. Or they can connect with one of NCOA’s local community organizations across the country for in-person assistance. Partners can be found on ncoa.org/Map.
Read moreWomen often juggle many important duties. They are caregivers, business owners, household managers, community leaders and volunteers. Balancing these varied responsibilities often affects their financial needs and outlook, and it can present some challenges to reaching their personal and financial goals. Working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional can provide some clarity for women who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about their finances. CFP® professionals are trained to provide competent, ethical financial advice and can be trusted advisors who help you see the bigger financial picture. Here are five benefits of holistic financial planning for women.1. It alleviates financial stress. Changes in employment, family circumstances or housing are just a few of the things that can cause concerns about your financial future. A CFP® professional can help you weather these ups and downs, recommending sound financial strategies that keep you on track to reach your goals.2. It supports career transitions. Many women take time off from their careers to care for children and family members. Millions of others may be reevaluating their current jobs against their needs and values, potentially leading to a career change. These decisions have important implications for your income, earning potential and retirement savings. A CFP® professional can help you clarify your priorities and plan for your next career move.3. It helps your business thrive. If you own a business (or would like to), a CFP® professional can collaborate with you to create a financial plan to guide you through the start-up phase, company growth and expansion, and succession planning.4. It lets you determine your legacy. Estate planning is important for all women, but especially those who have considerable assets, such as real estate, insurance policies and retirement accounts, to bequeath. A CFP® professional can help you develop a thorough estate plan that fulfills your financial desires.5. It gives you confidence in your tomorrow. Creating a holistic financial plan that helps you establish short- and long-term life goals is a crucial step in mapping out your financial future. When you have a strategy and a financial plan, it’s easier to make financial decisions and stay on track to reach your goals.
Read moreCredit increased savings is something that doesn’t get talked about enough for American investors who want to be better prepared financially for retirement.
Read moreFor too long, Millennials have gotten a bad rap about money and their ability to save for a rainy day or retirement.
Read moreOklahoma State University officials announced Wednesday that OSU surpassed the $50 million fundraising goal for the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall with the generosity of more than 600 donors. The milestone comes two and a half years after publicly launching the campaign, which will help build a state-of-the-art teaching, research and Extension facility for OSU Agriculture.
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