Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Take Charge America Shares Top Tips for Financial Compatibility in a Relationship

Nonprofit credit counseling agency helps couples make financial vows with healthy financial habits

PHOENIX – (Feb. 1, 2018) – It’s common knowledge that money is a point of contention for many couples, but the issue is not necessarily a lack of money. Differences in spending habits or attitudes toward money can be the culprit too, contributing to financial incompatibility.

“Money lessons are learned in childhood and will often guide decision-making later in life,” said Michael Sullivan, a personal financial consultant with Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “Whether they emulate their parents or do the opposite of, successful couples make communication a priority, work to understand one another’s habits, and get on the same page about spending and saving.”

Sullivan shares eight habits of couples who enjoy financial bliss:

• Money Doesn’t Talk: Talking about money is one of the top habits of financially successful couples. Sit down each month or every quarter to set a budget, review income and expenses, clear up any disagreements, and ensure you’re aligned.
• Come Clean: Honestly is essential. Fully disclose your financial situation – even if it’s ugly – before you tie the knot especially. This includes outstanding debts, alimony and child support, income sources and investments. This also means no secret spending and no secret accounts.
• #Relationship Goals: Work together to set financial goals that fire you up and keep you motivated. Whether it’s a tropical vacation, a new home or a hefty 401(k), set clear goals and motivate each other to fulfill them.
• What’s Mine is Yours: An easy fix to financial tiffs is to divide and conquer shared expenses. You may pay the rent or mortgage while your partner covers the groceries, phone bill and loan payments. Whether you have individual or shared bank accounts, this can strengthen your commitment to good money management.
• For Richer, Or Poorer: Create a plan to pay down credit cards, student loans and other debt together. The debt issue can wreak havoc on relationships, so commit to combat debt from the start.
• Fun Fund: Budgeting is all well and good, but couples must have some freedom in their spending. Budget in some fun money that each partner can freely spend, in accordance with your income and expenses.
• Ties that Bind: Agree to consult one another before making big purchases. For example, make a pact to discuss any spending above $100, $500, or whatever is appropriate for your budget. It’s a clear and simple solution that will bind you closer while safeguarding your finances.
• Better Together: Gym memberships, cell phone plans and even auto insurance are less expensive when you sign up together. Comparison shop to find the best deals, and earmark any savings for your fun fund, a joint purchase or to build your nest egg.

For more information on managing and paying off debts, call (888) 822-9193 or visit www.takechargeamerica.org.

About Take Charge America, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 1.6 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit www.takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.

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HUNGOVER

Signs To Smartpunk Records

Announces WILT EP Re-Release

Out March 30th, 2018

MAR 8TH | SOME GUY'S GARAGE | PROVO, UT

Orlando, FL - 2018 promises to be the biggest year yet for Orlando's own Hungover, who are thrilled to announce that they have signed with Smartpunk Records. The band will be re-releasing their latest EP WILT, featuring three brand new tracks, on March 30th, 2018.With a sound as polished as it is personal, Hungover is ready to bring their unique pop-heavy brand of rock to listeners everywhere. Check out their most recent single "Irish Goodbye," here: youtu.be/OkUBns_8MyI. For additional information, please visit: www.wearehungover.com

On signing with Smartpunk Records, the band shares: "We are beyond excited to be joining the Smartpunk family! WILT is a very important record to our band and we can't wait to punctuate that with this re-release. We've really expanded on the sound we cultivated initially. It's something new listeners can come to love and old ones can celebrate with us."

Hungover is Marc Cortes (vocals), Evan Colson (guitars, vocals), Sean Connors (guitar), Austin Barney (bass, vocals), and Gabriel Santiago (drums).

The past two years have been a whirlwind for the quintet, including their first ever cross-country tours, the release of their EP WILT in 2016, and print features in Alternative Press and Rock Sound - plus placement on BBC Radio 1's Radio One Rock Show.

All of this has culminated in their signing to Smartpunk and the upcoming re-release of WILT with brand new tunes. With a combination of catchy hooks, dynamic instrumentals, and angsty lyrics, the group is set to take over 2018 with refreshing pop vibes that are sure to make you move and put you in your feelings all at once.

Hungover will be re-releasing WILT via Smartpunk on March 30th, 2018. The vinyl release will be limited to 1000 copies: 500 black (distro), 350 crimson (tour exclusive), 150 Crimson Side A, Golden Side B (Smartpunk exclusive).

For More Information, please visit:

Website: www.wearehungover.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hungoverband

Twitter: www.twitter.com/hungoverband

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hungoverband

WHO: Hungover

WHERE: Some Guys' Garage | 719 N 600 W | Provo, UT

WHEN: Thursday, March 8th

Upcoming Tour Dates:

2/17 - Jacksonville, FL @ Nighthawks

2/18 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Wilbury

2/20 - Baton Rouge, LA @ 524 Studios

2/21 - Houston, TX @ Firehouse Saloon

2/22 - Dallas, TX @ Curtain Club

2/23 - San Antonio, TX @ Jack's

2/24 - El Paso, TX @ Love Buzz

2/25 - Mesa, AZ @ Club Red

2/27 - San Diego, CA @ The Merrow

2/28 - Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar

3/3 - Sacramento, CA @ The Silver Orange

3/4 - Medford, OR @ Bamboo Room

3/6 - Portland, OR @ Analogue Café

3/7 - Boise, ID @ The Shredder

3/8 - Provo, UT @ Some Guy's Garage

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USDA TO SURVEY FARMERS’ PLANTING INTENTIONS FOR 2018 

 Denver, CO – February, 2018 -- As the 2018 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.  “Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said Bill Meyer, Director of the NASS Mountain Regional Office. “The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one of the most important surveys we conduct each year.”   NASS will mail the survey questionnaire in February, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2018, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. NASS encourages producers to respond online or by mail. Those producers who do not respond by the deadline may be contacted for a telephone or personal interview.  NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.  Survey results will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks report to be released on March 29, 2018. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information call the NASS Mountain Regional Field Office at (800) 392-3202. 

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NASS is the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture and is committed to providing timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. We invite you to provide occasional feedback on our products and services. Sign up at http://bit.ly/NASS_Subscriptions and look for the “NASS Data User Community.” 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.