A Home Buying Riddle: What Insurance Coverage Ends The Day You Buy It By Christopher Carter - Real Estate Broker Associate October 12, 2023 Share Unlike Homeowners or Auto Insurance, Real Estate Title Insurance coverage periods end on the day they are issued and extend backward in time. However, the policy's Protection Period extends forward and stays in place until the Property is sold to a new Owner. Title Insurance protects House and Condominium Owners against Future Claims based on what could have already happened before they bought (prior acts by previous Owners). Yes, I know this is already confusing, though stick with me for a bit longer. Because it is so misunderstood, many buyers look at Title Insurance as just another vague (and possibly unnecessary) expense they have to pay at Closing. Owning Real Estate is about the rights an Owner may exercise concerning the use, Occupancy, and Disposition (resale) of a specific piece of Property. Those rights are transferred each time the Property is sold to a new Owner. Title: A general concept that expresses the Ownership of something. It refers to an understanding and acceptance of the Owner's rights. Deed: The written document that specifically describes and acknowledges ownership of Real Property. Deeds are recorded in the County where the Property is located. Depending on the location and type of Property, the history of Owners may go back a couple hundred years. This is especially true in older US East Coast cities and towns whose histories may go back to the 1700’s. It is very important to note that the Title issues we're discussing today attach to the Property, not to individual Owners. Undiscovered Title defects remain with the property through all ownership transfers until they are found and resolved. Title Insurance protects current Owners against future Title problems resulting from the actions of previous Owners. Challenges to an Owner's full right and ability to sell a Property might come from: • Improper boundaries from an inaccurate survey • Buildings encroaching on easements, setbacks, or lot lines • Open and unresolved Building Permits • Delinquent Taxes, Unsatisfied Mortgages, Foreclosures started • Errors in identification of the property or Buyer/Seller • Previous Owner's Spouse, Ex-Spouse, or Heirs Claim Ownership • Liens Seeking Payment - Property Repairs, Unpaid Spousal/Child Support, COA/HOA Assessments Problems such as these that can prevent or restrict an Owner's ability to Legally Use, Occupy, or Sell the Property are Title defects, also called "clouds" on the Title. Many Title defects or encumbrances are found in Public-Record Documents such as Liens, Court Judgements and Mortgages. Like Deeds, these are recorded with the County where the Property is located. Though there can also be unrecorded Title issues that will derail a Closing. These are found in the Building/Zoning Department and other Third-Party Files, not just Legally recorded Documents. Common examples of these are Municipal Code Violations and Fines, Unpaid Utility Bills, Owners Association Charges, and Open Building Permits. A Municipal Code Search is part of the Pre-Closing Process that attempts to find any outstanding issues. In a Title Search, earlier Deeds, Court Records, Property Indexes, Municipal Records, and other Sources of Information (both recorded and unrecorded) are closely examined to reveal any Possible Ownership defects, encumbrances, and restrictions that may have attached to the Property over the years. Any of these could prevent the current Owner from Legally and Freely Selling the Property. They could also limit the anticipated future use of the Property by a new Owner. Most defects found in a Title Search can be Legally "cured" by the Settlement Attorney or Title Company prior to Sale's Closing. Once the Title Company or Closing Attorney's Office is satisfied that a Property has a Clear Title (no unresolved defects/clouds), a Title Insurance commitment and policy may be issued which will protect the new Owner from problems that arise from the kind of complications mentioned above. So...if Title Agents and Attorneys have already checked for Title defects, why is Insurance needed? Because even with a careful and diligent Title Search, there can be hidden hazards from the past that affect both the Seller's right to transfer and the new Owner's future Property Rights. Hidden Title hazards may include: • Forged Documents, Fraud, or other Criminal Acts • Mentally incompetent previous Owner • Improper Trustee, Corporate Officer, or LLC Member Authorization to sell • Seller entered into Contracts with multiple Buyers • Inaccurate Property description; Deed Transfer issues • Undeclared Marital Status, Unknown Florida Homestead Claimant • Similar or identical Owner names (unrelated, Sr, Jr) • Probate issues, Undisclosed Heirs, Unknown Wills An Owner's Title Insurance policy does not protect current Owners from Title or Deed issues that attach to the property caused by their Own actions. (Remember - the coverage period extends backward from the issue date). In any Title Insurance policy, there are some exclusions that are NOT covered. An example of this might be excluding challenges to lot lines if a new Survey was not performed as part of the Purchase. It is very important for Buyers to fully understand the exceptions and exclusions in their new Owners Title Insurance policy. Ask your Settlement Agent to explain them in detail. An Owner's policy is for the Full Value of the Real Estate Purchase and lasts as long as the current insured Owners or their Heirs have Uninterrupted Ownership Interest in the Property. Remember - a Sale to another Owner is what ends coverage for a current Owners Title policy. If a Claim against ownership arises, the Title Insurance company is there to address any Legitimate Title defects and Valid Claims against Legal transfer not found and addressed in the Title Search, and to cover the Costs of defending the Owner/Policyholder's Property Rights. Title Insurance premiums are a one-time, single payment made at Closing. In Florida, local practice and the purchase contract determine whether the Seller or Buyer pays the new Owners Title Insurance premium at Closing. Although Owner's Title Insurance is not required in Florida (highly recommended), when there is Mortgage Financing Lenders want to protect their investment in the property from errors, defects, and adverse claims to ownership, so they require a separate Lender's Title Insurance policy as a condition of approving the Loan. A Lender's policy carries an additional Separate Premium, and has different coverage amounts and terms. Buyers are responsible for paying the Lender's Title Insurance Premium. There we are - a brief and general overview of Title Insurance and its place in a Real Estate Deal. Editor's Note: Christopher Carter is NOT an attorney. He does not give legal advice. For interpretation and application to specific circumstances of anything you read in this article, you must speak with a Florida-Licensed attorney. Have a question or comment about anything you see here, if so, visit: www.TheFloridaRealEstateBlog.com < Previous News Next News >

Expanded Service Areas & Weekend Shuttle Service Set to Begin in Hollywood August 17, 2023 Share Over the past several years, the City of Hollywood has been focused on providing additional Public Transportation choices for residents and visitors alike. Beginning Friday, September 1st, 2023, the City, in partnership with the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency, and Circuit Transit, Inc., will offer "On-Demand" Shuttle Service from select areas west of I-95. Riders will be able to request a ride from designated locations in the western portion of the City to popular spots like local grocery stores and community centers, our Historic Downtown and the World-Famous Hollywood Beach. How It Works: Riders can download the "Ride Circuit" Application from Google Play or the App Store to request a ride. The App allows for Pick-Up and Drop-Off Location Requests, as well as connections from one zone to another. Fares will be $2 Per Person each way on all Shuttle Rides within each zone. Stay tuned for promotional offers and codes coming soon! Weekend Shuttle: A 6-Month Pilot Program to test ridership for a fixed stop Weekend Shuttle Service is also launching September 1st. The Weekend Shuttle will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will take riders from designated Community Centers in the western portion of the City to designated stops within the Historic Downtown and Beach. Riders must reserve seating in advance as space is limited. Visit the dedicated website to learn more about the expanded service areas, how to request a ride and more. < Previous News Next News >

Pembroke Pines Memorial Day Ceremony In Honor Of Our Heroes South Florida Sun Times May 21, 2026 The City Of Pembroke Pines Will Be Holding A Special Memorial Day Ceremony In Honor Of Our Heroes Who Sacrificed Their Lives Fighting For Our Country’s Freedom On Monday, May 25th, 2026 At 9:00 a.m. At Donnith Fletcher Park, Located At 7900 Johnson Street, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024. Details: The City of Pembroke Pines Annual Memorial Day Ceremony honors our country’s men and women who have died serving in the U.S. Military. All are welcome to attend. The Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Honor Guard will present colors, and veterans, city and community leaders, as well as special guests will join together to pay tribute and take part in a wreath placing ceremony. If unable to attend, there will be a live feed tribute on the City of Pembroke Pines Facebook page, and it will be posted on the City’s YouTube Channel under Pembroke Pines Media. Stay Connected With The City! The community can learn more about the City of Pembroke Pines’ latest events and activities by subscribing to Pembroke Pines Media on YouTube at Pembroke Pines Media, to NewsFlash, a monthly digital newsletter, at: www.ppines.com/Newsflash . Read the City’s digital newspaper City Connect at: www.ppines.com/cityconnect . Visit the City’s website at: www.ppines.com . Check the City’s digital signage, or by visiting the City’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines . And @cityofppines for Twitter and Instagram. Residents with Comcast can view Pembroke Pines Media programming on Channel 78. For more information, please call: (954) 392-2116. Previous Next

Cast, Catch And Learn - South Florida Offshore Fishing University For Women Aventura Digest Mar 16, 2026 Cast Lines, Catch Fish And Learn From The Pros At The South Florida Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing University, From Friday, April 17th, 2026 - Sunday, April 19th, 2026 In Fort Lauderdale. Designed To Build Skills And Confidence In A Welcoming Environment, The Award-Winning “No Yelling School Of Fishing” Teaches Women How To Fish Offshore Through Classroom Instruction, Hands-On Practice And Optional Charter Fishing. The weekend begins Friday evening with an informal networking meet-and-greet (location to be announced). Saturday's classroom and skill sessions will be held at the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, 221 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 - a sponsor committed to expanding participation in fishing and boating. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., attendees will learn Fishing Basics with Capt. Lee Lavery, Offshore Fishing with Capt. Jeanne Towne and Conservation with Founder Betty Bauman. Afternoon hands-on practice includes knot tying, dehooking, proper releasing techniques, bait rigging, spin casting, cast netting and more, concluding at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, participants may register for an optional half-day offshore charter targeting sailfish, mahi, tuna, wahoo, mackerel, snapper and more, followed by a fillet demonstration. Registration starts at a new low price of $69 and includes $25 worth of gifts. Optional half-day offshore charter fishing is $210. Teens are welcome to attend with mothers. More than 10,000 women have graduated from the program nationwide. “Our mission is to make fishing welcoming, educational and accessible to women,” said Founder Betty Bauman. “When women gain skills and confidence in a supportive environment, they’re far more likely to get out on the water and keep fishing.” The LLGF series is supported by major partners including Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Power-Pole, Penn, Lowrance and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are ICOM, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite, Egret Baits, Flambeau Outdoors, Danco, Preferred Marine Sales Group and Big Rock Sports Conservation Foundation. Top donors are Yeti, Fishing Headquarters, Engel, Egret Baits/Vudu, Flying Fisherman, Pelagic Gear, Flanigans, Guy Harvey, TTI Blakemore, Danco, Flambeau, Guy Harvey and Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts. The local sponsor is the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. Supporters and other contributors are listed on the website. Advance registration is suggested at: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com . Upcoming 2026 LLGF Events, with on-water fishing: • Saturday, March 21st, 2026 – Sunday, March 22nd, 2026 South Gulf Coast Saltwater Weekend, Fort Myers, Florida • Friday, April 17th, 2026 – Sunday, April 19th, 2026 South Florida Offshore Seminar & Fishing, Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Saturday, April 25th, 2026 Naples, Florida Offshore Fishing • Friday, May 15th, 2026 – Sunday, May 17th, 2026 Screamin’ Reels Learning on the Water, Tavernier, Florida Keys • Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 – Monday, June 22nd Isla Mujeres, Mexico Fishing • Saturday, September 12th, 2026 Freshwater Bass Seminar & Fishing, Dania Beach, Florida • Friday, October 16th, 2026 – Sunday, October 18th, 2026 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar & Fishing, Islamorada, Florida Keys • Saturday, November 21st, 2026 – Sunday, November 22nd, 2026 St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy Contact: (954) 475-9068 | info@ladiesletsgofishing.com Website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing About “Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF) is a NonProfit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to introducing women and families to fishing while promoting conservation and responsible angling. Dubbed the “No-Yelling School of Fishing,” LLGF offers hands-on training, immersive seminars, and fishing trips across Florida and internationally. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, the organization has educated over 10,000 graduates and gained national recognition in outlets such as NBC Nightly News, CBS, USA Today, Inside Edition and The Wall Street Journal. Previous Next

Electric Vehicles Are On The Ballot: Florida Drivers Confused By EV Messaging As Election Rhetoric Intensifies Thu Aug 08 2024 16:13:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hurricane Season Is Here: Do You Need a Standby Generator For Your Home? June 6, 2024 Share Hurricane season is here! Every day on the news, it seems, there's a report about another extreme weather event across the U.S. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was a record year for extreme weather. The U.S. experienced 28 separate, billion-dollar weather disasters last year, the highest number ever. That averages out to more than one every two weeks. Widespread power outages are one of the byproducts of these mega-storms, but it doesn't take a once-in-a-century flood to cause them. Blackouts happen regularly due to more "mundane" causes, like power grid glitches, high winds, hurricanes, even lightning in a garden-variety thunderstorm taking out a power pole. And you're left in the dark. Depending on the severity of the outage, that darkness could last awhile. When the power goes out in your home, so does the air conditioning. And the internet. And the electricity needed to keep food at a safe temperature in the refrigerator. All of your "smart" electronics and appliances that talk to each other (and to you) go silent. Owning a standby generator is the best way to keep your household humming during a power outage. Because of all of the extreme weather we've been experiencing, it's moving from the nice-to-have category into a necessity. Here's what you need to know before buying one. A standby generator is different than a portable generator like many of us have in South Florida. Most people are familiar with the type of bulky generators their fathers kept in the garage, noisy contraptions that needed to be hooked up when the power went out. You could run the refrigerator or a microwave, but not both. We've come a long way since then. A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that kicks in automatically when the power goes out. These sleek, permanently installed units are a bit like having a power plant on reserve. Some models are able to power the electricity to your entire home. The switchover from the power grid to your generator is completely automatic and usually so seamless, homeowners don't even notice a disruption. “Home standby generators are expensive, but they're the gold standard in backup power, and they outperform all other types of generators in our ratings,” says Dave Trezza, who heads the generator testing program for Consumer Reports. “If you can afford it, I'd tell you to pick a home standby generator every time.” You must own your home to install a standby generator. Standby generators are permanently installed outside of your home - just like an AC unit or solar panel system - and routed to your home's electrical and gas systems. For this reason, you must own the property your generator will power. The type of home matters. A condo or apartment, even if you own it, isn't conducive to having a generator. If you live in a townhome complex, consult your community's by-laws before purchasing a generator. Typically, single-family and fixed mobile homes are qualified for generator installation. Typically, your generator will be installed alongside your home's exterior in a discrete area, but it is still considered a modification to your home's appearance. This means you'll likely require approval, and perhaps permits, prior to installation if you live in a community regulated by an HOA or other governing board. Consider your home's power needs ... and your own. Do you want to power your entire home during an outage, or can you get by with only select appliances or systems running? Analyze your home's electrical load and your power priorities. This will help you determine potential generator models to choose from. Some are equipped to power your entire home, while others are better for powering the necessities. Not all generators are created equal. You can find any number of generators on the market today with just a few mouse clicks online. But this is your family's safety and well-being in a potential disaster we're talking about. It's not the time to take chances on an untested product or company. Go with a trusted name in the industry you can count on to keep your household running. KOHLER generators have been on the market for over 100 years and each model has endured hundreds of performance tests to ensure total reliability. They're built with commercial-grade engines designed to outlast the outage. And they use state-of-the-art technology so you can monitor it on your mobile device or computer. Once hurricane season is here, now is the time to start doing your research. When a power outage strikes, a standby generator ensures that your family won't miss a beat. If you want to learn more, visit a few manufacturers websites for more information: www.KOHLERhomeenergy.com . < Previous News Next News >

Over 20,000 NYC Public School Students Receive Anti-Hate Training Through AJCF's "Decode Hate" Program By www.ajcfus.org Jul 29, 2026 As Online Harassment And Digital Radicalization Increasingly Shape How Young People Experience Hate, The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), In Partnership With The New York City Council, Reached More Than 20,000 New York City Public School Students This Academic Year Through Its “Decode Hate” Program, A Program That Gives Middle And High School Students The Tools To Recognize, Navigate And Confront Antisemitism And All Forms Of Hate, Online And In Their Communities. Since September, dozens of specially trained facilitators have worked directly with teachers and visited classrooms across New York City, building students’ online critical thinking skills. The program includes advance and follow-up modules led by teachers, paired with workshops led by AJCF facilitators, teaches students to identify online harassment, understand, recognize and avoid manipulation and misinformation, and understand their individual social responsibility in practicing responsible online citizenship. In the classroom workshops, students participate in discussion-based activities, scenario exercises and sessions that build practical skills for navigating digital spaces, including how to identify manipulation tactics, report harassment, and intervene when they see peers targeted online. Students completed the program with greater awareness of online harassment and peer bias, a deeper understanding of bigotry and antisemitism, and practical strategies to respond when they encounter hate, on and offline. AJCF’s facilitators report that students are leaving the classroom prepared to speak up rather than stay silent. “This is how you defeat hate, not with slogans, but by giving every student the digital literacy and judgment to recognize manipulation the moment they encounter it online,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. “We’re preparing a generation that recognizes hate and refuses to stay silent.” “‘Decode Hate’ is more than a program, it’s a movement to ensure that our young people are equipped to navigate the digital world they actually live in,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. “By teaching students to think critically online as clearly as they would in person, we are building a generation committed to justice, empathy and moral courage.” “Seeing tens of thousands of students build these skills and then carry that awareness directly into their online communities is inspiring,” added Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Executive Vice President Michael Cohen. “Education becomes powerful when it gives students the tools to act against hate wherever they encounter it, including in the spaces where they spend most of their time.” Critically, students also learn at a young age about the permanence and impact of their own digital footprint and how their personal engagement in online hate can have long-lasting consequences to their futures. The initiative reflects AJCF’s broader commitment to ensuring that New York City’s public schools are not only safe spaces but places where students build the digital judgment to navigate everyday life online. The program’s impact has already led to meaningful conversations with school districts and legislators interested in bringing the model to communities beyond New York City. The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), headquartered in New York City, is dedicated to harnessing the lessons of the Holocaust to combat antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry while building a better future. In addition to its educational and leadership programs in New York, including Decode Hate, developed in partnership with the New York City Council and New York City Public Schools, as well as the American Service Academies Program and the RISE Leadership Program, AJCF maintains the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oswiecim, Poland, including the city’s last remaining synagogue, a museum and educational center, and other preserved Jewish properties that serve as living reminders of a once-thriving Jewish community. Through its work with students, educators, civic leaders, clergy and law enforcement, AJCF equips current and future leaders with the tools to recognize and confront antisemitism, extremism, and hate in all its forms. For more information, visit: www.ajcfus.org . The “Decode Hate” program gives middle and high school students the tools to recognize, navigate and confront antisemitism and all forms of hate, online and in their communities. The “Decode Hate” program gives middle and high school students the tools to recognize, navigate and confront antisemitism and all forms of hate, online and in their communities. Previous Next

Critical Race Theory By Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D. July 15, 2021 Share Just as Karl Marx interpreted all of human history as a fight between the “proletariat” (oppressed) and the “capitalists” (oppressors) using a method I can only call “Illogical Abstractionism,” so also do the “critical race theorists,” who use a rigid abstraction to divide all of mankind into one of two groups. Karl Marx had no understanding of history or the time course, in human affairs. He never set foot in the situations he wrote about with such certainty. Stupid. The “revolt of the proletariat” never happened, because the people whose strengths did not include invention of machinery, or founding of factories, (the proletariat) became much more comfortable and wealthier as a result of the existence and work of those whose strengths did include those things (the capitalists). The capitalists provided useful work and it was an enormous benefit to the workers (proletariat). Could humanity have managed without refrigerators and automobiles? We did so for millennia. Do you want to return to a world without refrigeration or the other comforts brought to us, thanks to capitalism? To take abstract theories and apply them with deadly force to human beings, does not appear to me to be a viable formula for happiness or for unchaining anybody from any kind of oppression. In fact, we have history as our guide in judging the result of the abstract theories of Marxism, as it was imposed in the Soviet Union. In all places where Marxism, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Socialism have been imposed, the major result is not tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, but millions of corpses. Where less force has been used, the most benign result of these economic and political systems, has been economic stagnation and the blighting of human lives. At least a few people do well. Not necessarily, the people who are so eaten up with the abstract theories that have decided, that they must be imposed on everyone, but, those who survive the brutal political power struggle—like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro and the Kims, in North Korea. They live in luxury while people starve and suffer all around them. Marxists like Patrisse Cullors, the “Black Lives Matter” queen, may hope to remain on top, but, should remember that the revolution devours its children. Perhaps a “trained Marxist” knows the story of Lavrentiy Beria, the chief of Stalin’s secret police. He bragged “Show me the man and I'll show you the crime.” That seems to be very like the mantra of the “Critical Race Theorists.” Several months after Stalin’s death, this slave labor camp supervisor and torturer was summarily executed by his rivals. Critical Race Theory’s view of the oppressor (whites) and oppressed (people of color) classes quickly leads to logical contradictions. Where is Barack Obama? He is half “white” on his mother’s side and half “black” on his father’s side, whether his father was the elder Obama or Frank Marshall Davis. So, is half of Barack Obama oppressing the other half? Sounds schizoid, but of course, that’s why we have psychiatrists. The question also arises, which half is which? Does the left half oppress the right? The right side of the brain is not exactly the same as the left half, so, right away we run into a problem. Same with the front side fighting the back. There are no eyes in the back of the head, so, they are not exactly equal halves. I suppose maybe each cell could line up its mitochondria, and uncurl its chromosomes and divide each, into half. Obviously crazy, but crazier than dividing society by skin tone? Psychiatry has not made much progress in treating sociopaths and psychopaths. Perhaps that is because those are moral diseases, not mental ones. More conundrums: Are Arabs people “of color” They enslaved “black” Africans for centuries. In fact, they bought “black” people as slaves from other “black” people in Africa and sold them to British slave-traders, or took them east to their lands, where they were enslaved. Arabs also enslaved “white” people. Do those “white” people somehow become “black” because they were oppressed? Do “black” people who enslaved other “black” people get transmogrified into “white” people? Perhaps an easier solution would be for all oppressed people to identify as oppressed victims. It works for gender, so why not for race? As we see, human beings and productive enterprises are not all that Critical Race Theories, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Socialism kill. They also kill reason and logic, love and hope, the faith in Jesus Christ, whose teachings led William Wilberforce to get rid of the slave trade in the British Empire, think about it! About Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser earned her MD from Washington University in St. Louis after putting herself through medical school. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and also Dermatology, has practiced Emergency Medicine as well. Dr. Rosenwasser served as President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) in 2007 and 2008. Dr. Rosenwasser has written numerous articles, opinion editorials and has been a guest on many, media broadcasted shows. She is currently writing a book on medical practice. She also serves as a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Newfoundland Club of America. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Association of the American Physicians and Surgeons. As a life-long dog lover and trainer, she realizes that her dogs have better access to medical care and more medical privacy than she has and her veterinarians are paid more than physicians in the United States for exactly the same types of surgery. For interview requests only, she can be reached directly at: (941) 492-6996. Or, will get your requests to her by e-mailing her at: angelpublicity@aol.com . < Previous News Next News >

Promises Made Promises Kept: The State of Hallandale Beach - Part IV Thu Jun 06 2024 16:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

We The Targeted: How The Government Weaponizes Surveillance To Silence Its Critics Thu Sep 07 2023 16:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

5 Bad Money Habits Hurting Your Financial Future By BPT October 18, 2023 Share There's a good chance you may have a habit or two when it comes to money that is not doing your financial future any favors. The good news is you're not alone, and there are ways to break those habits and create better financial health for you and/or your family. According to a recent survey from OnePoll and National Debt Relief, LLC, over 60% of people in the U.S. claim to make poor decisions when it comes to money and 42% of people admit to having current financial struggles. That may be in part because most people either have information that they aren't using in their day-to-day lives, or like over 20% of respondents, they need more information to help them learn better habits. Natalia Brown, Chief Client Operations Officer from National Debt Relief, has broken down the top 5 most common bad money habits and offered actionable tips on how to avoid these pitfalls. 1. Writing Off Small Purchases As Insignificant While spending money on things like takeout or app subscriptions may seem minor, these purchases add up over time. Your coffee may only cost $4.99, but as a daily habit, it can become costly. If you add up these seemingly insignificant costs over a month or two you'll get a clear picture of how much you're spending. Additionally, while BOGO promotions may be appealing, if you don't need the second item, don't spend the extra money. 2. Gambling While you may not be a high-stakes poker player or spend hours at casinos, a regular lottery ticket habit can mean you're throwing away your hard-earned money. Instead, try saving any money you might put into gambling and investing it into a higher interest savings account, which will add up quicker than you expect, especially if you keep adding to it. 3. Using Credit Cards To Pay Bills Paying bills with a credit card can work well if you're paying your balance off in full each month. But, if you're not paying your balance off in full each month, you may want to reconsider. The interest you'll end up paying on the card will make your bills much more expensive. For example, if your credit card interest rate is around 20% and you have a $5,000 balance, it could take you around 11 years to pay this off with minimum payments. Plus, your total payments will end up being around $8,417. To avoid getting into this situation, try listing out your regular expenses, categorizing which ones are absolute necessities (like rent, utilities and food) and which are not (like entertainment and eating out). Then total your must-pay bills and compare that amount to what you're earning and cut anything that's not a necessity that you've been relying on credit cards to keep up with. 4. Taking Out Payday Loans Beware of payday loans. These short-term loans often have high interest rates and may cost you a lot of money. Other options you can consider before taking out a payday loan may be finding ways to earn extra income like driving for a ride sharing company or getting some part-time work, or saving money through strict budgeting and getting rid of those non-essentials (see above for more on that). 5. Spending More Than You Earn Start by listing out all your expenses and your income. This can help you get a better picture of where, and how much, you need to cut down. Minimize unnecessary expenses and look for creative ways to boost your income. People are always looking for help with tasks like cleaning, organizing or creative work. If you have any special talents, see if you can monetize any of them. "Managing money can be tough, and we all make mistakes," said Brown. "There's a lot of guilt and shame associated with being in debt or having money struggles. It's important to know that you're not alone and there are steps you can take to create a better financial future for yourself or your family. At National Debt Relief, we understand the importance of not just helping people with their immediate debt situations, but also giving them the tools, skills and guidance they need to feel more confident and in control of their finances." Need to break bad financial habits? National Debt Relief can help you resolve your debt more quickly and for less money than you owe. Their team will also help you learn skills like budgeting, how to save money, and how to live within your means so you can improve your financial health and feel confident about your future. If you're ready to fix your bad money habits and create long-term financial security, visit: www.NationalDebtRelief.com - Or call: 800-674-0907. < Previous News Next News >

New Summer Judaic Course for Retired Women: FREE and No Travel Necessary Mon Jun 13 2022 04:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)