Saint Mary’s starts financial literacy program
This year, the Saint Mary’s financial aid office implemented a financial literacy program called $avvy to help students learn more about personal finance.Selvin Quire, assistant director of financial aid, said the financial aid office decided to start the $avvy program last year. “We found that students want to learn more about personal finance but had obstacles that prevented access to this information, such as a limited number of available courses or space within students’ schedules,” Quire said. “$avvy is … intended to make resources available to all students without those limits.”Students will learn the basics of different financial literacy topics and ways to apply it to their own personal expenses and financial concerns, Quire said. He said the program is run through a variety of activities and that there will be presentations, guest speakers, tabling events, question and answer sessions, demonstrations and interactive activities, as well as providing free access to financial tools through an online resource called CashCourse, which features courses, quizzes and interactive worksheets. $avvy features a theme for each month, including budgeting, credit, saving, investing and financial aid, Quire said. There will be events every month, along with CashCourse assignments that are completely voluntary and do not take up too much time, Quire said. “Though we do not require a minimum score for completion, a student’s quiz or test results will give them an idea of what they know about the topics,” Quire said. “The assignments are self-paced, so students can work through the assignments comfortably and as many times as they please.”Quire said the program is still changing and adapting to fit the needs of students. “Since this is the program’s first year, we do not have a typical seminar or workshop format yet,” Quire said. “We plan on delivering the information in a variety of ways to keep the program engaging. We hope to expand to more interactive events, such as scavenger hunts, as well as collaborate with other departments and groups on campus.”Quire said the program is beneficial to the Saint Mary’s community by enhancing the learning experience outside of the classroom.“Personal finance management is something that everyone encounters on a daily basis,” Quire said. “Students will have the opportunity to build these practical skills now and prepare themselves for life after college.”Tags: $avvy, Financial Aid Office, Financial Literacy, saint mary’s
If Georgia farmers want to maximize their profits, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension economist Amanda Smith says that, like all business owners, they first need to know their costs of production.Whether you’re talking about seed costs, fertilizer or fuel, farmers need to calculate their total expenses to maximize their profitability during the harvest season. That’s the message Smith has been communicating to producers during this year’s winter crop meetings.“In the case of peanuts, if growers are planning on shortening their crop rotation, they know they’re likely to take a hit in terms of yield,” Smith said. “I want them to also be thinking about how it’s going to impact them from a cost-of-production standpoint.”Making a change like this could result in lower yields due to more disease or insect pressure, she said. “If growers anticipate more disease and insect pressure, they can expect a higher cost to manage it, through additional disease-control sprays or other measures.”With assistance from fellow UGA Extension agricultural economists Adam Rabinowitz and Don Shurley, Smith has formulated a cost-of-production table — the “2017 Row Crop Comparison Tool” — that allows row crop farmers to estimate their total variable costs per acre, and their return above variable costs. Variable costs are what it costs to plant, grow and harvest a crop.Based on a survey of local input suppliers conducted in cooperation with UGA Cooperative Extension agents, Smith calculates what farmers can expect to pay for seed, chemicals, fuel, insurance, labor, fertilizer and irrigation for row crops like cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and grain sorghum. The costs vary depending on the commodity.“Seeds are generally one of the higher costs for several row crops. As far as peanuts are concerned, disease control is where (growers) spend much of their chemical expenses,” Smith said.For irrigated peanuts, disease control represents 13.2 percent of total variable costs. Disease control is 8.7 percent of total variable costs for non-irrigated peanuts, she said. Fertilizer costs represent a larger portion of the total variable costs of cotton and corn production.“Irrigation can also be expensive for cotton, corn and peanut crops, depending upon the weather,” Smith said.Land rent is also a cost factor. In Georgia during 2016, irrigated cropland cost an average $189 per acre and nonirrigated cropland cost $63 per acre, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service survey on cash land rents.UGA Extension’s estimates of costs in the crop enterprise budgets are based on a typical production year, assuming an average year in terms of rainfall and crop rotations and calculating what’s expected to be the average season price and yield per acre. Smith recommends growers use UGA’s estimates as a guideline and adjust the numbers to reflect their management decisions and historical yields.Based on expectations for the upcoming year, peanuts seem the most attractive crop for farmers as far as return above variable cost per acre, according to UGA Extension experts. However, peanut acreage is expected to be near, or over, 700,000 acres in Georgia this year. This means farmers will likely shorten crop rotations, Smith said.“At county meetings, we stress that if you are changing crop rotations, you’ll need to make some revisions to your budget. It doesn’t just impact yield, but it can also increase your costs. You need to add a little bit more for input costs for improving soil quality or reducing pests likes weeds, insects and diseases,” Smith said.With planting season a few weeks away for corn growers and a couple of months away for cotton and peanut farmers, Smith said most have an idea of what they’re planning to plant and where. For example, many farmers signed contracts for peanuts early in December.“With contracts ranging anywhere from $425 to $475 per ton on a portion of yield, combined with good management, many peanut farmers figured that they could cover their cost of production. When you can forward contract at a price above your cost of production, you can reduce your risk,” Smith said.According to Smith, UGA Extension Economists have provided farm enterprise budgets for Georgia farmers for over fifty years. The UGA Extension farm budgets for beef, corn, dairy, peanuts, soybeans, and grain and sorghum can be viewed online at www.agecon.uga.edu/extension.
The line for the barbecue at one point went into the street. The rescue center said they hope to have raised a couple thousand dollars during the afternoon. JOHNSON CITY (WBNG) — Every Dog’s Dream teamed up with Brook’s Barbecue to host a fundraiser on Saturday. “The need in the community is even bigger. A lot of our events understandably have had to be postponed, so we’re trying to do a socially distant coronavirus applicable event,” said volunteer Jessica Flynn.
Brook’s Barbecue in Oneonta prepared 1000 chicken dinners. The barbecue was held in the Petco parking lot and all proceeds went to the dog rescue.
Scientists have predicted that the peak of the coronavirus spread in the country will be around April with around 71,000 cases, as the government accelerates rapid tests to contain the virus. COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had reached 2,491 and 209 deaths as of Monday, among the highest death rates in the world, half of which are in Jakarta.As President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced a public health emergency, with a large scale social distancing policy, some manufacturers have stopped production such as carmakers Suzuki Indonesia and Honda Indonesia. More than 16,000 employees in the capital city have been laid off or had to take unpaid leave as companies grapple with the effect of the coronavirus. “What businesses can do right now is to maintain liquidity and cash flow,” said Rosan. “Halt nonessential spending to avoid layoffs. What’s important now is to be able to survive during this pandemic.”Read also: 70 million informal workers most vulnerable during pandemic MSMEs Association (Akumindo) chairman Ikhsan Ingratubun said the government needed to prepare stimulus for small businesses that employ daily workers most vulnerable from economic shocks. At 70.49 million people, more than half of Indonesia’s workforce are informal workers with minimum or no social safety net at all.“I ask for relaxation on electricity and water. We don’t have any income. My business closed down, I don’t know how to pay for the holiday bonus (THR),” said Ikhsan, who owns a restaurant chain. “Without a proper policy there will be a social and security threat.”A recent survey by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and SurveySensum echoes Kadin’s projection, finding that business players expect the situation to normalize within the next five months, or around August.The survey further stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought down the revenue of businesses, with 76 percent of the respondents saying the pandemic had “severely disturbed business’ daily activities.”Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to slow to 2.3 percent this year, the lowest in 21 years, and even contract by 0.4 percent under the worst case scenario, according to government estimates.Read also: Indonesia braces for recession, activates crisis protocolOut of the 80 businesses that were surveyed in March, more than half have cut their hiring budget and out-of-home advertising such as billboards and banners. Meanwhile, 45 percent of respondents said they had cut the market research budget as well. “But my hunch is the market research budget will rise again because businesses want to know what customers need in times like this,” said SurveySensum founder and CEO Rajiv Lamba at a webinar on April 3.He went on to say that to cope with the loss caused by the coronavirus, businesses were focusing on maximizing e-commerce platforms and digital media presence as well as changing their supply chain to deliver products to the consumer’s doorstep.However, demand in some categories on online marketplaces such as beauty and cosmetics, as well as electronics and travel, has been seeing a downward trend, while e-learning platforms and medical consultation are gaining more clients.Similarly, Facebook Indonesia marketing head Hilda Kitti said SMEs should start going digital, whether through online media advertising or an e-commerce platform to keep their business afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic.“The pandemic can be an opportunity to connect with customers. How businesses deal with the crisis can influence consumers’ perception of the company in the future,” she told the press on March 26.Read also: COVID-19 impacts across Indonesia’s business sectors: A recapHilda went on to say that the main thing for businesses was to survive in the current situation. Ramadhan month, which starts on April 23, can still be an opportunity for businesses to reach out and benefit, especially for SMEs in the food and beverage and fashion sectors, she added.She also said SMEs should partner with delivery service providers to reach consumers who are self-isolating.“But don’t do a hard sell. Instead, do strategic marketing such as showing that your business cares about consumer well-being during the pandemic,” Hilda said.Topics : Business players expect to resume operations as usual around September or October as businesses are paralyzed and lay off workers in coping with economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic.Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Rosan Roeslani told The Jakarta Post that business players expected the coronavirus pandemic to peak around June, with the number of patients reaching new heights, before seeing major improvement in September. “However, the economic recovery from the pandemic would last until 2021 or even the next two years,” he said on Monday. The long rebound period would be especially true for industries most hit by the pandemic such as tourism.
Topics : President Vladimir Putin raised income tax for wealthy Russians and offered new state handouts to families with children on Tuesday, days before the country votes on reforms that could keep him in power until 2036.In a televised speech to the nation, Putin, 67, said Russia’s response to the coronavirus crisis had saved tens of thousands of lives and he ordered the extension of several support measures to cushion the economic fallout.Deviating from a flat 13% tax he himself introduced almost two decades ago, Putin said the wealthy would now pay 15% on annual income over 5 million roubles ($72,833) and that the additional cash would go towards helping sick children. The move, to be introduced from January, is likely to play well with voters frustrated by years of falling incomes. Many also dislike the class of wealthy businessmen which sprang up after the collapse of the Soviet Union.Putin’s speech came ahead of a seven-day national vote starting on Thursday in which Russians will approve or reject an array of reforms, including one that could allow Putin to serve two more terms in the Kremlin instead of stepping down in 2024.Putin promised to expand a program to help families with mortgages and to offer a one-off payment next month of 10,000 roubles for each child they have aged up to 16, measures he said would help them weather the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.Russia, which has registered the world’s third largest number of coronavirus cases, has largely ended its lockdown, but the crisis is expected to cause a 6% economic contraction this year.Putin also proposed cutting tax on IT companies’ profit to 3% from 20%. Though short on details, the proposal prompted Russian internet giant Yandex’s shares to rise more than 3%.
Hollywood superstar Margot Robbie’s mother Sarie Kessler has put her Gold Coast house on the market.In 2014, Robbie paid off her mother’s entire mortgage as a gift for her 60th birthday.At the time Ms Kessler described the birthday as the “best one ever”.“It was an amazing thing (that Margot did) but I don’t want to say anything more about it,” she said at the time.Inside Sarie Kessler Gold Coast house. Picture: realestate.com.auMore from news02:37International architect Desmond Brooks selling luxury beach villa15 hours ago02:37Gold Coast property: Sovereign Islands mega mansion hits market with $16m price tag2 days ago“However, I was really disappointed it ended up on social media as it was a personal present.Property records show Ms Kessler paid $488,500 for the four-bedroom house in 2007, the year former Somerset High student Margot graduated.Make a splash in the pool. Picture: realestate.com.au The dining area. Picture: realestate.com.auLunch date sets couple back millions of dollarsCoast homes in high demand and being snapped up quickly“With elevated skyline views and within minutes to multiple dining precincts, shopping centres and 4.4km from pristine patrolled beaches, this expansive family home must be inspected.”The property goes to auction on October 13.Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 1:58Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -1:58 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD576p576p360p360p216p216pAutoA, selectedAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis 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.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenWhy location is everything in real estate01:59 One of the bedrooms. Picture: realestate.com.auThe house, which boasts Hinterland and Surfers skyline views and a pool, is being marketed by Ray White Broadbeach agents Gareth Denning and Robin Kerr.“This renovated family home is perfectly positioned in a quiet cul-de-sac and offers open plan kitchen, dining and living rooms all flowing out onto a sheltered alfresco area, surrounded by lush tropical gardens,” the listing states.The kitchen. Picture: realestate.com.au
Actor Margot Robbie (right) and mother Sarie Kessler attend the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 3, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)HOLLYWOOD superstar Margot Robbie’s mother Sarie Kessler has put her Gold Coast house on the market.Robbie, who often keeps a low-profile while on the Coast, has been a regular at her mum’s Southport house in between film projects.Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:43Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:43 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD540p540p360p360p270p270pAutoA, selectedAudio Trackdefault, selectedFullscreenThis 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.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenThe latest in celebrity property news00:43The humble movie star has previously described her mum as “the sweetest person on earth”, and is close to her family – this year she took her mum to the 80th Annual Academy Awards.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, plans to perform maintenance dredging of the North Cove Federal navigation project in Old Saybrook, Conn. The town of OId Saybrook requested maintenance dredging of the project to provide safe access to the cove at all tide stages, USACE said.The authorized project provides for an 11-foot mean lower low water (MLLW) deep, 100-foot wide channel from the Connecticut River to an 11-foot mllw deep 12-acre anchorage within North Cove, and then to a 6-foot mllw deep by 17-acre anchorage.The proposed work involves maintenance dredging to remove shoals in the 11-foot channel and anchorage and the 6-foot anchorage.Natural tidal action and riverine flows result in a high rate of deposition within North Cove. These natural shoaling processes have reduced available depths in both the 6-foot and 11-foot deep anchorages to as little as 3.0 feet mllw and the 11-foot channel depths have been reduced to as little as 4.0 feet mllw, USACE said.The shoals are hindering navigational access and compromising vessel safety.The proposed work consists of the maintenance dredging of about 290,000 cubic yards of sand and silt/clay material to return the Federal project to its authorized dimensions. The work will be performed by a private contractor, using a mechanical dredge and scows, under contract to the government.The dredger will remove the material from the bottom of the cove and place it in scows which will be towed by tug to the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site, about 30 miles away, where the material will be released.The work will be accomplished over an 8-month period, between October 1 and May 31.[mappress mapid=”24137″]
By Dave Panske SEYMOUR, Wis. (May 4) – On the best night for racing in the area so far this season, N.E.W. DIRT opened its 31st season at Seymour Speedway Sunday night. A field of 94 cars checked in and a hardy crowd witnessed a fast paced, competitive night of racing. Lucas Lamberies led the opening three circuits of the Karl Chevrolet SportMod main before Andy Kleczka took the outside line to front. On lap seven, Jeremy Cota moved into second. Kleczka stayed in the high groove with Cota running low.Over the final five laps, Cota kept inching alongside Kleczka. Kleczka was half a car length ahead with two to go and the pair crossed the line even under the white. Cota got a better jump off turn two on the final lap and was able to hold off Klecka to pick up the win. Bill Kelsey set the pace for the first six laps of the Coors Light IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main.On lap seven, Mike Coel inched into the top spot but John Heinz moved into the runner-up spot and took over the lead on lap nine. Heinz maintained control but when completing lap 11, his machine exploded and spun around in front of the field. Fortunately, the spin went to the inside and Heinz rolled the car backwards with traffic to avoid a more serious accident. Frederick inherited the lead with Brandon Czarapata taking second. Czarapata hooked up on the inside of the track and took the lead one lap later.Rod Snellenberger and Coel made it tough on the leader until a final caution on lap 16 when Coel tagged Snellenberger and sent him up to the wall. Snellenberger was put back in second with Coel going to the back. Czarapata held on for the final four laps and the win. Jamie Schmidt outdueled pole sitter Mike Wedelstadt for the lead on the opening lap of the Budweiser IMCA Modified feature and, after a couple laps, settled into a perfect rhythm in the high groove to start to pull away from the field.The win for Schmidt was his first here since Aug. 8 of 2010.
And the midfielder has hinted that move could be sooner rather than later, telling Portuguese newspaper A Bola he will not be wearing the Benfica shirt again this season. “I have played my last game here,” he said. “I want to thank all the people at the club and all the supporters. Benfica will forever be in my heart. “I played here for two and a half years. I gave my best in every training session, every match, and now is the right time to leave. “I want to improve, I want to go to a better league and I want to go to Chelsea, the club which I also love.” Matic also revealed the Lisbon side have tried everything to persuade him to stay, but his mind is firmly made up to return to England. “The Benfica president did everything he could to get me to stay here but I have wanted to leave and insisted on leaving,” said the Serbian. “I respect the effort made to keep me at the club, everyone at Benfica has been very good to me and made me very happy, but I reiterate that I insisted on going as the time is right.” Press Association Midfielder Nemanja Matic appears to be closing in on a return to Chelsea after telling the Portuguese media he has played his last game for Benfica.
The 25-year-old Serbia international left the Blues in 2011 as a makeweight in the deal that brought Brazilian David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. After two years with Benfica, however, Chelsea look ready to bring Matic back for a second stint at the club. 
Press Association Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Yohan Cabaye would have slotted straight into Arsenal’s starting line-up if the midfielder had signed for the Gunners this summer. “He didn’t really have a tough time there, he was just frustrated he didn’t get enough first-team games.” Pardew added: “I think the lads here have taken him under their wing – they understand he is the benchmark for our playing staff.” Another player frustrated by a lack of first-team football is Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is considering an offer from Bristol City after the Championship side had a bid accepted for the striker. “Dwight last year was a little bit upset he wasn’t involved in the first team and quite rightly, this is a guy who’s got 20 goals in him,” Pardew said. “He came and saw me at the start of the season and expressed a view to move elsewhere. “I’m in such a great position with the players I have, I said ‘okay that’s fine with me and we’ll try to get you a club’. “Now there is a club and there’s a reluctance to go. The ball is firmly in Dwight’s court. As far as I’m concerned, this is a player who is perhaps going to go.” Palace host Arsenal on Sunday and Cabaye is likely to start after scoring on his Eagles debut in a 3-1 win at Norwich last weekend. “Two years ago Yohan wouldn’t play (for Newcastle) at Manchester City because he thought he was going to Arsenal so it’s quite ironic he’s now here with us at Crystal Palace,” Pardew said. “He’s a fantastic player, we’re honoured to have him and he’s definitely the level of Arsenal players. “I don’t think Arsene Wenger or anyone at Arsenal would disagree with that. “We have a player who could definitely play in their team and that’s a nice feeling for us.” Cabaye eventually left Newcastle for Paris St Germain in January 2014 but he struggled to establish himself in the first team at the Parc des Princes. “He was just not getting on the pitch,” Pardew said. “He was actually playing quite well when he did get on the pitch but the competition was immense. Cabaye moved to Selhurst Park in July but was regularly linked with Arsenal and went close to joining the north London side two years ago. The Frenchman refused to play for Newcastle in August 2013 as Arsenal looked to be closing in on the midfielder but the Magpies rejected a bid and the transfer never materialised. 