(NewsUSA) - As the new year approaches, many people will be setting financial resolutions with hopes of improving their financial health – whether it's saving more, paying down debt, or investing wisely. However, despite the best of intensions, new research by financial services firm Edward Jones reveals that a variety of factors often prevent these resolutions from sticking.

According to the research, more than half of Americans (56%) who made a financial resolution in 2024 abandoned it because of price increases caused by inflation. While those surveyed expressed optimism about keeping their financial resolutions in 2025, more than half (55%) said inflation was their main challenge to financial accountability in 2024, and nearly the same (56%) expressed concern that inflation could derail their financial goals in 2025.

"Sticking to your financial resolutions can be incredibly challenging, especially when inflation puts added pressure on everyday expenses," says Bryan Piccirillo, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. "In a climate where costs are rising faster than wages, it's more important than ever to set realistic financial goals, even when the odds seem stacked against you."

Across generations surveyed (from Gen Zers to Baby Boomers), Americans said they are confident (81%) in their ability to keep their financial resolutions next year and  they say they will prioritize building up emergency savings and paying down debt in 2025. Although saving for retirement is less of a priority, 21% of Gen Xers said they expect to plan for it during the coming year, according to the survey.

Additionally, approximately one-third of survey respondents (33%) said they planned to spend the same amount on investments in 2025 as in 2024, while 22% said they plan to increase investment spending.

A financial advisor can help develop strategies to turn your financial resolutions into realities, by building a plan to help reduce debt through consolidation, tools for building an emergency fund, and boosting contributions to retirement accounts.

In the Edward Jones survey, approximately half of respondents (50%) believe that working with a financial advisor would help them stay on track. No matter how you are balancing your budget, a financial advisor can help you weather periods of inflation without sacrificing your short-term and long-term goals.

For more information and to find a financial advisor near you, visit: www.edwardjones.com.

(NewsUSA) - Part of the mission of intelligence communities (ICs) is to alert leaders to the likelihood and implications of events such as imminent acts of military aggression by adversaries, sudden political transitions, or economic crises. Policy makers need as much warning as possible in order to prepare next moves in response to potential disruptions or threats on a global scale.

“As the world becomes more and more digitized, the volume of openly-available information is exploding, making it more difficult for analysts to quickly sort through mountains of classified and unclassified information to determine which indicators actually matter, which data to believe, and which to treat with skepticism,” according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

However, artificial intelligence can help analysts improve their strategic warning systems. SCSP noted several ways in which the intelligence community could leverage the power of AI for early warnings:

- Open-source monitoring. The next generation of AI tools could monitor the open-source information space of countries where strategic events are currently not expected, which would allow the IC to deploy human analysts where they are most needed, and reallocate analysts as needed if AI warns of anomalous activity. 

- Scenario generation. All-source intelligence analysts are often assessing a range of possible events and outcomes. When analysts manually generate these scenarios, they are limited by time and to what they already believe to be likely outcomes. Instead, scenario generation by AI could help analysts quickly identify new scenarios they had not yet considered and weigh those scenarios against one another to determine the most likely outcomes. 

- Data fusion and synthesization. An AI system that could process various types of intelligence, such as integrating public commentary and speeches by political leaders to detect patterns would help U.S. policy makers get inside the heads of world leaders and inform decision-making.

- Improvements in human-machine teaming. Use of tools such as crowdsourced human forecasts and automatic human feedback would combine the breadth of expertise of human analysts and the speed of AI; humans would be in key positions in the process, including the development of assessments where human-based explainability is essential.

Even long-term, a human analyst will likely need to validate an AI’s system outputs before passing them to policymakers. However, there is no downside to that because it will allow for consistent fine-tuning, experimentation, and improvement with the goal of generating the quickest, most reliable warnings for decision makers, according to SCSP.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - Here’s a chance for readers to get a sneak peek into some of the hottest books and new voices being talked about in literary circles this holiday season.

BookTrib.com—a leading source for book reviews, news, interviews, and articles—has just launched the Winter/Holiday 2024 edition of its popular Lit Picks ebook collection of first chapters from the hottest new books (Meridian, November 2024). Featuring excerpts from over 30 new releases and hidden gems, BookTrib Lit Picks is the perfect digital stocking stuffer this holiday season.

A free digital sampler, BookTrib Lit Picks includes first chapters from contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs, and more from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins, to award-winning small presses and works from independently published authors.

“We are thrilled to provide this holiday eBook to readers and couldn’t be happier with the range of books and level of participation from major publishers, highly acclaimed authors, and new voices that are sure to make their mark on the literary landscape,” said Meryl Moss, president and founder of BookTrib.com and Meryl Moss Media Group.

Authors and titles include: #1 New York Times Bestselling Authors, #1 Sunday Times Bestsellers, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestsellers, USA Today Bestselling Authors, Silver Falchion Award Winners, Bram Stoker Award® Winners, Edgar Award Nominated Authors, Goodreads Choice Award Nominated Authors, and more.

Among the specific books included in this edition are: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci; The Millicent Quibb by Kate McKinnon; Beyond a Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni; Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell; Crude by Mike Bond; Firetrap by Otho Eskin; Lost in Thought by Deborah Serra; Abandoned at Birth by Janet Sherland.

Also: Seven Days of SHIVA by Marc Gellman; Teaching in the Darkby Genet Simone; Sid Johnson and the Well-Intended Conspiracy by Frances Schoonmaker; Strong to Save by David Emerson Frost; The Little Bird by Ashby Jones; Flight of the Rondone by Patrick Girondi; The Nest by Hal Glazier.

Additionally: Something Better by Diane Parish; The Rhythm of Grace on Standalone Mountain by Jeffery Deal; Plowman by Charles Bruckerhoff; The Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes; Today Is the Day by Deborah Curtin; Stand a Little Out of My Sun by Angelyn Voss; Twice the Family by Julie McGue; Third Collection of Short Stories by Stanislas Yassukovich.

More books include: Bad Boys in Boston by Del Chatterson; Casalvento by Gudrun Cuillo; Coded to Kill by Marschall Runge; and Crossroads of Empire by Michael Cooper.

BookTrib Lit PicksHoliday/Winter 2024 Edition is available for free at BookTrib.com/LitPicks, on NetGalley, and popular retail outlets where ebooks are sold.

BOOKTRIB

BookTrib.comWhere Readers Discover was created as a source for people who love books, who want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love reading about their favorite authors and learning about new ones. For more than 20 years, BookTrib has been providing book reviews, author interviews, news flashes, podcast and TV interviews, book club recommendations and much more to passionate readers. BookTrib.com brings discerning readers and rising authors closer together – and in a big way, with more than 90,000 unique monthly website visitors and more than 240,000 social media followers.

MERYL MOSS MEDIA GROUP

BookTrib.com is produced by Meryl Moss Media Group, a leading literary marketing and publicity firm that for more than 30 years has helped authors get exposure to their audience of readers.

GET FREE EBOOK AT BookTrib.com/LitPicks.

(NewsUSA) - The winter holidays are here, and whether you are hosting a large crowd or intimate group of family and friends, you can up your holiday bar game without much effort.

When planning your holiday party, don’t be afraid to get creative with food and drinks based on your theme.  Going snowman? Try snowman cookies, or go beyond to a snowman-shaped cheese ball. Keep it simple, or make it sophisticated. 

Finally, fill your guests with cheer and serve up Seagram’s Escapes Glow in the Snow Spritz, made special with the sweet and tangy flavor of Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Glow.

This fizzy and festive drink lends just the right touch to any holiday gathering. The berry ice cubes can be prepared well in advance, so when party time comes, Seagram’s Escapes and a few other simple ingredients do the rest of the work.

2 cans Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Glow

1 750-ml bottle of prosecco

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 cup club soda

1 sliced lemon

½ cup raspberries

½ cup blackberries

Mint for garnish

For the ice:

½ cup each raspberries and blackberries, additional mint leaves

Here’s how to make it.

Prepare Ice. Equally divide raspberries, blackberries, and mint into each section of an ice cube mold. Aim for 6-8 average cubes for a punch bowl. Fill mold with water and freeze for 6 hours or until solid.

In a punch bowl, combine the ice cubes with Jamaican Me Glow, cranberry juice, club soda, lemon and additional berries. Stir to combine.

Prepare wine glasses with a sugar rim. Wet the rims with citrus juice, then dip in sugar until coated. Divide the drink into glasses and garnish each with a mint spring.

For customized drink options, smart party hosts also stock the bar with ready-to-drink brands such as Seagram’s Escapes in a range of flavors. Invite party goers to select their favorite flavor combinations and experiment. They can concoct a high-octane cocktail by adding vodka, tequila or gin, or opt for an almost “mocktail” by adding seltzer or tonic instead. Offer festive glasses and seasonal garnishes (chocolate, fruit) to add the perfect touch to anyone’s choice.

For more recipes and ideas for year-round entertaining, visit seagramsescapes.com.

(NewsUSA) - Winter holidays are fast approaching, and while you’re busy planning meals, buying gifts and decorating, there’s one more preparation that shouldn’t be overlooked: cleaning your home top to bottom to prepare for the influx of guests. While we tend to focus on the obvious areas – like the kitchen counters and toilets – there are several overlooked spots that are prone to grime, odors and buildup that can make or break your hosting experience.

Luckily, citric acid is here to save the day. Naturally derived, citric acid is a powerhouse cleaner that’s effective and safe when used as instructed, which is why it’s the main grime-fighting ingredient in all of Lemi Shine’s products. It’s also an incredibly versatile cleaner, effective for everything from tough mineral buildup and rust stains to deodorizing your appliances. Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, citric acid is biodegradable and won’t leave behind harmful residues. Here’s how you can use citric acid in five areas you may have missed during your holiday prep.

1. The Garbage Disposal

Hosting a holiday dinner means your garbage disposal will be working overtime with leftovers of all sorts going down the drain. Any food and grime that is left clinging to your disposal can lead to unpleasant odors that linger long after the meal is over.

Citric acid is perfect for eliminating any funky smells in your garbage disposal. It works by breaking down organic matter and dissolving mineral deposits that can cause unwanted buildup. Simply drop Lemi Shine’s Garbage Disposal Cleaner into the drain, let it fizz, and enjoy a fresh, clean sink.

2. The Dishwasher Filter

If your dishwasher filter gets clogged with grease, soap scum, or food particles, your glassware won’t shine like it should, leaving you with dishes that look dull or streaky. No one wants to serve guests with cloudy glasses, especially during the holiday season.

Citric acid is excellent at dissolving mineral deposits and tough buildup that can form in your dishwasher over time. It breaks down hard water stains and limescale, leaving your machine spotless. Using Lemi Shine’s Dishwasher Cleaner ensures that your dishwasher will run smoothly and your dishes will come out sparkling.

3. The Coffee Machine

From morning coffee to evening cocoa, your coffee machine sees a lot of action during the holidays. However, mineral buildup caused by hard water can clog your machine, impacting its performance and negatively affecting the taste of your beverages.

Citric acid easily dissolves mineral deposits, limescale, and rust, ensuring that your machine stays in top shape. Using Lemi Shine’s Coffee Descaler will leave your coffee tasting fresh and smooth, like it should. Plus, it’s safe to use on any type of coffee maker, from drip brewers to single-serve machines, and won’t leave any harmful residues behind. Just make sure to review your machine’s specific instructions prior to use.

4. Bathroom Fixtures

With more guests visiting your home, the bathroom inevitably sees more traffic. Unfortunately, this means water spots, soap scum and rust stains will build up quickly on faucets, mirrors and shower tiles.

You guessed it, citric acid breaks down hard water stains, soap scum and rust. It can easily be applied to faucets, showerheads and mirrors leaving them looking new again without the use of harsh chemicals. Lemi Shine products are septic safe as well, which is key since a backup is the last thing you want when company is visiting.

5. The Washing Machine

'Tis the season for extra laundry – whether it's washing sheets and towels from visiting guests or linens for the dining table working overtime. But if your washing machine hasn’t been cleaned properly, it can develop smells or mildew, leaving your laundry less than fresh.

Citric acid attacks buildup in your washing machine, including soap scum and mineral deposits. By using Lemi Shine’s Washing Machine Cleaner, you can eliminate musty smells and ensure your laundry comes out fresh and clean every time.

This holiday season, go beyond the basics and give your home the deep clean it deserves that’s sure to leave guests impressed. For more tips and tricks, visit LemiShine.com. Happy holidays!

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season fast approaches, families across the country are already feeling the financial pinch. With gifts, travel, and celebrations adding up, unexpected expenses can be a burden. One such surprise? Auto glass damage from vehicle break-ins. The holidays tend to bring an uptick in car break-ins, leaving drivers facing costly auto glass repairs or replacements just when they can least afford it.

According to recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), vehicle break-ins rise during the holiday season, with thieves targeting valuables left in cars while people shop or travel. Whether it's a shattered window or a cracked windshield, these unforeseen costs can quickly disrupt your holiday plans.

Auto Glass Now: Here to Support You This Holiday Season

Auto Glass Now understands the challenges of managing your budget during the holidays. That’s why they are here to help you get back on the road quickly and affordably with high-quality auto glass repair and replacement services. Their nationwide network of shops is ready to handle everything from small chips to large cracks, ensuring your car is safe and secure again—without the financial strain.

But that's not all. They also know that unexpected expenses like auto glass repairs can add to the financial stress many people experience during the holidays. To make services more accessible, Auto Glass Now is proud to offer a Buy Now, Pay Later program through ZIP. This flexible payment option allows customers to split their auto glass repair or replacement costs into four easy installments. Now, you can get the necessary repairs done today, while managing your budget with peace of mind.

What Sets Auto Glass Now Apart?

Fast, reliable service: They offer same-day / next-day appointments, so you don’t have to wait long for the repairs you need.

Quality materials and experienced team: Their highly trained technicians use the highest-quality materials and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the safety of your vehicle.

Flexibility and nationwide coverage: With hundreds of locations across the country, Auto Glass Now is always nearby, offering reliable auto glass services wherever you are. Can’t make it in shop? Auto Glass Now offers mobile service, as well, which is especially helpful if you cannot leave your home. 

They accept all insurance: They’re here to make life simple!  If you decide to make an insurance claim for your auto glass services, they’ll even manage your insurance claim from start to finish. All you need to do is bring your insurance documentation to your appointment and they will take it from there.

“Auto Glass Now is here to ensure that unexpected repairs don’t derail your holiday spirit” said Johnny Dayberry, Vice President of Operations at Auto Glass Now. “We want to ensure everyone is safe during the holiday season. Our network of professional technicians ensures that every job is done right, so you can drive with confidence and have time to focus on what really matters—celebrating the season with loved ones.”

For more information about Auto Glass Now's services or to get a free quote, visit www.autoglssnow.com   or call 1-888-4-FIXGLASS

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season approaches, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is dedicated to ensuring that children in need have gifts to open on Christmas morning. This year’s campaign is especially critical, as many families across the Nation continue to face economic challenges and distress.

“The holidays should be a time of joy, but for many families, they are filled with uncertainty and difficult financial decisions,” said LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Every day we hear from parents who, despite their best efforts, can’t afford to provide gifts for their children. With your help, we can make sure every child receives the toys to treasure, and the gift of hope this Christmastime.”

The impact of the Toys for Tots Program is exemplified by stories like that of Heidi, a single mother of three, who faced the tough decision of prioritizing essential bills over holiday gifts. After praying for a sign, she was surprised when volunteers from Toys for Tots arrived at her door, bringing a bike, a tricycle, and crafts for her children.

In the years since that turning point, Heidi has moved forward in life, eventually donating to her local Toys for Tots chapter and later becoming its Coordinator. “I know firsthand how life-changing these toys can be, letting a child know they are not forgotten” she reflected.

The Toys for Tots Program relies on the generosity of individuals, families, organizations, and businesses to fulfill its mission of providing joy to disadvantaged children. Each unwrapped toy collected is more than just a gift; it symbolizes hope and community support for children and families experiencing hardship.

In 2023, Toys for Tots distributed over 25 million toys, books, and other gifts to more than 10 million disadvantaged children. Our goal is to break that record this holiday season and ensure that at least 11 million underprivileged children can celebrate the magic of Christmas with hope and happiness.

LtGen Laster expresses gratitude for the support of communities across the country: “We are thankful for all who contribute to this mission and assist us in reaching children before Christmas Day. Every contribution positively impacts a child's life.”

For more information about the Marine Toys for Tots Program and its ongoing mission, please visit www.toysfortots.org.

(NewsUSA) - Baby Boomers hit peak retirement in 2024, according to the Retirement Income Institute. In the years to come, we will see the remainder of this generation leave the workforce, as more than 4.1 million turn 65 every year between now and 2027. As Baby Boomers retire, new opportunities are emerging for younger generations to step into critical roles.

The number of American jobs in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field is expected to grow 10.4% between 2023 and 2033, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Currently, the country lacks enough skilled workers to fill all those roles – and this gap is likely to persist. The Semiconductor Industry Association projects 1.4 million U.S. STEM jobs will go unfilled – including 67,000 in the semiconductor industry – by 2030.

This is why the U.S. needs to further promote STEM skills at all education levels. Existing evidence shows how urgently these investments are needed. At the moment, only 20% of high school graduates can handle college-level STEM courses, according to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

STEM Employment Expands Prosperity

Promoting careers in STEM brings new prosperity to under-represented groups.

STEM occupations tend to have higher salaries than the average. In 2023, the median annual wage for all STEM occupations was $101,650, compared to $46,680 for non-STEM jobs, according to BLS.

But it’s important to ensure the benefits of STEM careers are better distributed across the population at large. Between 2011-2021, 65% of those employed in STEM occupations were men and about 35% were women.

Minorities are also underrepresented in STEM fields. African Americans represent 11% of all jobs and 9% of STEM jobs, while Hispanic Americans represent 17% of all jobs and only 8% of STEM jobs, according to PEW Research.

How to Bridge the STEM Skills Gap

The U.S. government understands how critical STEM education is to America’s future and has embarked on several initiatives to promote it. The U.S. National Science Foundation said it would invest $14.5 million as a set of awards to promote STEM education in two-year colleges. And the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 has provisions supporting STEM education in primary and high school. CubeSat and NASA both have STEM programs focused on satellite science, as well.

Alongside the U.S. government’s initiatives, the private sector also plays an important role. For example, Hughes – a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar – recently announced a project with the National 4-H Council designed to inspire students to explore STEM subjects.

Through the partnership, Hughesnet and National 4-H are providing STEM Challenge Kits to local 4-H, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCA locations in underserved areas. These kits use three hands-on activities to teach kids ranging from 8 to 14 important STEM concepts and problem-solving skills.

By making STEM education a core part of the American curriculum starting at a young age, the U.S. can recapture the lead in innovative technical fields and more broadly spread prosperity across the population.

(NewsUSA) - Scams targeting people age 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, according to the FBI. Financial scams and fraud often increase during the holidays. There is more online shopping and more fundraising appeals, which means more opportunities for fraud. And older adults may feel lonely which scammers exploit.

The Eldercare Locator can help older adults protect themselves against financial scams. The Eldercare Locator is a national information and referral service that connects older adults with organizations in their communities that can provide support such as nutrition, transportation and in-home services.

Also, older adults and family members can contact the Eldercare Locator if they think they’ve been scammed. Trained staff will connect them with local or national organizations that can help. Call, text or videophone 1-800-677-1116. Chat online with a Referral Specialist at eldercare.acl.gov or send an email to [email protected].

Click here to read the Eldercare Locator’s new fact sheet, Protect Your Wallet: A Guide to Avoiding Financial Scams. It has information on common scams, tips to avoid scams and what to do if you suspect a scam.

The Eldercare Locator is administered by USAging, the national association representing the network of more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the country and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. AAAs and Title VI programs provide a range of critical services and supports to enable older adults to age with optimal health, independence and dignity at home and in the community.

(NewsUSA) - IU Students Prevail in 2024 CME Group University Trading Challenge

Indiana University secured another win as it's been named CME Group's 21st Annual University Trading Challenge winners! The rest of the top five teams are from outside the United States.

This year’s challenge saw record participation from nearly 570 teams across 180 universities, representing 24 countries. The increased participation points to a continued interest from students to learn the role of derivatives around the world.

The trading challenge brings together graduate and undergraduate students to learn, hands-on, the techniques for trading within global markets such as agriculture, energy, metals, equity indices, interest rates and foreign exchange futures through CQG, a real-time simulated electronic trading platform.

"We are extremely pleased to have had a record number of schools from around the world compete in this year’s University Trading Challenge and congratulate all the winners,” said Anita Liskey, CME Group Senior Managing Director of Global Brand Marketing and Communications. “For more than two decades, CME Group has been introducing new generations to futures markets through this immersive, hands-on and fun trading experience.”

Eligible winners will receive cash prizes. All participants in this year’s Trading Challenge were invited to attend an exclusive one-day, in-person market education event on December 9.

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group provides a wide array of risk management education services, tools and resources for learners of all levels to immerse themselves into the world of derivatives.

CME Group is committed to educating the next generation of finance professionals on the significance of its global derivatives market and risk management. CME Group also partners with other industry organizations to offer education tools such as Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource for “Futures 101.”