Micro Kickboard Scooter Wirecutter Award 2023
Micro Kickboard's Maxi Deluxe Scooter named \"Best Kids Scooter\" by Wirecutter, the product recommendation service from The New York Times.

LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Micro Kickboard is thrilled to announce that its Micro Maxi Deluxe Scooter, designed for ages 5 to 12, was named The Best Kids Scooter by Wirecutter again for 2023, tested against a line-up of many other scooters and brands.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times, known for its rigorous testing and reporting. The scooters were ridden and tested by kids ages 1 to 10, and Journalist Katherine Gammon, together with Wirecutter's panel of expert reviewers, conducted extensive research, speaking to parents, kids and doctors, before selecting the Maxi. Wirecutter praises the Maxi's overall quality, smooth ride, large age range, size, scooter stability, long-lasting durability, and ease of getting replaceable parts. 

Wirecutter also named the Micro Mini Deluxe (for ages 2 to 5) their Toddler Pick because it shares the Maxi's qualities but is designed for a younger age of rider. 

The Wirecutter summed up their pick for Best Kids Scooter as follows: "The Micro Maxi Deluxe provides the smoothest, quietest ride of any scooter we tested. Plus, it has the greatest ability to grow with a child, with the stability to help small kids gain confidence, and the skills and agility to keep older ones zipping along joyfully for many years."

Micro Kickboard Owner Julie Hawksworth said, "We are especially thrilled because we have a lot of respect for the Wirecutter's reviews; their research is exceptionally thorough and detailed, and we particularly love that the scooters are tested and judged by children, in addition to the Wirecutter experts. They wrote a 6,000-word review and in the process told the story of the Maxi so well - we are grateful for their work and this award."

Micro Kickboard sells at Toy, Bike, Sports, and Boutique stores across the US, in addition to CAMP Stores, FAO Schwarz, Scheels, Saks 5th Avenue, Target, and more. You can also shop online at Amazon.com and MicroKickboard.com where Micro is currently conducting a Spring Sale at 20% off select items, through April 2, 2023. 

Wirecutter also recommends the Maxi's newer models:

• Maxi LED with light-up wheels,
• Maxi Pro (shown below) with wide handlebars and wide wheels,
• Foldable Maxi for portability,
• ECO Maxi with a deck made from recycled ocean plastic.

About Micro Kickboard:

Micro Kickboard is the exclusive U.S. distributor for Micro-Mobility® scooters, Switzerland. Micro's lineup of scooters, kickboards & beyond revolutionize mobility for ages toddler to adult.

NEW YORK, March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Credello: Divorce is rarely easy, and its implications on your finances can be complex. Here's a look at the main tax consequences of divorce for you and your ex-spouse.

Child support

If you and your ex had children, one of you would likely need to pay child support to the other. Child support is not a tax-deductible expense for the parent paying, nor is it considered income for the parent receiving it.

Child support impacting credit is only applicable when the parent assigned to pay is unable or unwilling to make payments. If this is the case, the courts will require unpaid support payments to be put on credit reports under the "number of on-time payments" metric. Since this is the highest-weighted factor of credit scores, missing child support can significantly impact your credit score.

Determining custody of the child can also affect your taxes. Whoever has primary custody can list the child as a dependent on their taxes, and the other cannot. If custody is split fifty-fifty, the parents must decide who gets to claim the child on their taxes, as they cannot both make the same claim (assuming they're filing taxes separately). If the parents can't come to an agreement, the IRS has "tie-breaker rules" via Publication 504 to help determine which parent should claim the child.

Alimony

The IRS recently updated the way alimony payments affect your taxes, so it depends on when your divorce or separation began. If you have legally separated or divorced on or before December 31, 2018, alimony is tax deductible and may be considered income by the recipient. 

If you divorced or had your separation agreement modified after December 31, 2018, then alimony payments are neither tax deductible nor considered income, but the recipient may need to make estimated tax payments depending on their withholding status.

Alimony payments can also affect your credit score in the same way child support can. If you fail to make payments, the courts may require that to be shown on your credit score until you're up-to-date. 

Division of assets and property

According to the IRS, there is "usually...no recognized gain or loss on the transfer of property between spouses, or between former spouses if the transfer is because of a divorce..." but your accountant may require you to disclose the transaction on a gift tax return if the value is high enough.

Withholding

Once divorced, you should update your withholding status with your employer to ensure your taxes are correctly deducted from your income. Your employer will give you a W-4 form to fill out that updates your filing status and adjusts your tax withdrawals.

Does divorce affect my credit score?

In addition to taxes, many people worry about their credit scores and the toll a divorce can take. The good news is that your relationship status is not a factor in your credit; the accounts you maintain are the only focus. 

Divorcing a partner does not remove your obligation for any debts with your name on it, though, so joint accounts will need to be taken care of. If you need to close an account, it may affect your credit utilization since the total available credit will decrease, but this is easy to overcome by simply getting a new credit card in your name only. And if you run into any issues where your spouse's sole debt looks like your responsibility, disputing something on your credit report won't hurt your score or lower your chances of applying for new accounts.

The bottom line

Divorces are stressful enough, never mind the financial implications they can cause. Knowing the ins and outs of how separating from your spouse affects your taxes and credit can make things a little less daunting, so be sure to ask your accountant or lawyer for guidance that's specific to your circumstances.

About Credello

Credello is a financial tech company offering a personal finance tool that simplifies financial decisions through personalized, on-demand recommendations — so users can borrow, save, or invest with confidence. Credello believes that finding the right financial product should be as easy and interactive as online shopping, and we are on a mission to make that possible. For more information, please visit https://www.credello.com. 

Favorite Chef Terry Matthews
Favorite Chef exclusive workshop \u2014 The Secret Sauce to Catering Events

PHOENIX, March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Colossal Management, LLC is thrilled to announce that Arizona-based Food Network star Terry Matthews, also known as "BBQ Daddy," will be one of a handful of hosts for a series of exclusive workshops set to run throughout the 2023 Favorite Chef Competition. In these workshops, Favorite Chef competitors will discover insider tips and tricks from some of the most experienced professionals in the culinary industry. 

Matthews' The Secret Sauce to Catering Events will walk competing chefs through the entire catering process, including:

• Starting a catering business
• Booking events
• How to create a catering menu
• Best foods for catering events
• How to best prep for an event
• How to pack for an event
• Why timing is crucial

Matthews owns and operates Qfire Catering in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Diego, California. He is well-known for appearing as a featured guest on several television and news outlets, including working alongside Chef Bobby Flay. Matthews won the Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen and Camp Cutthroat and starred in BBQ Brawl in 2021. Colossal is thrilled to partner with Matthews and offer this exclusive workshop to the 2023 Favorite Chef competitors. 

The Favorite Chef Competition brings a community of culinary creators together to compete in a tournament-style online competition for an ultimate prize of $25,000, a one-on-one cooking experience with Carla Hall at the new Platform by James Beard Foundation at Pier 57 in NYC, and an advertorial feature in Taste of Home magazine. Registration for the 2023 Favorite Chef Competition is slated to kick off this spring.  

Favorite Chef will be operated by Colossal as part of a fundraising campaign on behalf of DTCare, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity organization. Donations from votes cast during the Competition will go directly to DTCare, which will then grant the donations to the James Beard Foundation to support its mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America's food culture.

About Colossal

Colossal is the global leader in online competitions and one of the most effective fundraising solutions available for charities that lack the bandwidth to operate large-scale campaigns. While offering extraordinary opportunities to men and women around the world, each competition operated by Colossal is designed to raise money for a unique and important cause. To learn more, visit colossal.org. 

MILWAUKEE, March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Northwestern Mutual: Going into business presents a whole set of challenges, and going into business with a partner brings different questions and details to figure out. Here are seven items to consider before going into business with a partner: 

1. Values: Values are the foundation of any business partnership just like any relationship in life. "Shared values are vital, even before working on your vision," says Clay Cooper, CFP® at Clearview Financial Partners, an affiliate of Northwestern Mutual. "They guide decision-making, communication, and overall business strategy. Without mutual values, conflicts and misunderstandings can arise, leading to a breakdown in the partnership. Shared values create trust and can make conflict resolution much easier." 

2. Goals & Objectives: "To get where you want to go, you need to know where you are heading," says Cooper. That's why you've got to have crystal-clear goals and objectives that spell out exactly what you're trying to achieve and how you're going to get there. At times, the team needs this even more than the partners need this. Things might change along the way, but having a solid business plan from the get-go is key to staying motivated and focused, and ultimately achieving your shared vision. 

3. Communication: Taking the time to communicate openly and honestly is key when entering a business partnership. "Too often, I see people having easy conversations that lead to difficult relationships, instead of having difficult conversations that lead to easy relationships. It's important to address challenging issues head-on, even if it's uncomfortable, to build stronger and more meaningful connections," says Cooper. Partners should ensure that they are clear about what they need from each other to give the business the best possible chance. It can be helpful to discuss differences in communication styles and set expectations from the beginning. 

4. Conflict Resolution: Similar to communication, having a plan for resolving conflicts or disagreements when they arise is essential for any business partnership. Early on, develop a process for talking through issues constructively and know when to consult an objective third party. "We hold a standing meeting every Monday to discuss both the challenges and opportunities that arise in our business. Over time, this practice has become ingrained in our company culture, and we've developed a habit of addressing conflicts head-on, with the goal of finding effective solutions and continuously improving. Just like anything, the more you do it the easier it gets," says Cooper.  

5. Finances: "Money is an emotional magnifier," says Cooper. Partners will want to understand who is providing what financial resources and how they'll split the profits. Partners may also want to discuss life insurance options to protect the business should one of the partners die prematurely. If the budget allows, it may be worth considering permanent life insurance policies like whole life insurance. Whole life insurance comes with a cash value component that grows over time. Business owners can borrow against the cash value for any reason, including to cover an unexpected cost or finance an opportunity.  

6. Define Roles, Documentation & Formalization: Establish roles and responsibilities early on, so that everyone knows who is responsible for what tasks in the partnership. "If you and your partner have identical roles and strengths, this could be a sign this is not the right partner for you," Cooper says. "You want the sum of the parts to be greater than the whole." It is also important to have everything appropriately documented to protect all parties involved and divide ownership formally. Business partners may want to consult a lawyer before starting the business. "A formal written agreement should be table stakes for any partnership," says Cooper. "Handshake agreements very rarely work out well in the end." 

7. Exit Strategies: All businesses come to an end with one of the four D's: Departure, divorce, disability, or death. Business partners will want to discuss an exit strategy in case one partner decides to leave the venture for any reason. Setting money aside can help with a planned departure or sudden divorce. Life or disability insurance can be an important part of this strategy if there is an unplanned health event - "which no health events are planned," notes Cooper. It may be helpful to talk to a lawyer and a financial advisor to help develop an agreement outlining how things will be handled if this happens. Discuss with your advisor how whole life insurance can also act as a tool to buy out your partner, acting like a Swiss Army knife for the business and partnerships.  

The bottom line 

These are just some considerations when going into business with a partner. Taking the time to think through each of these points can help ensure that both parties are on the same page and give the business the best possible chance.  

The primary purpose of permanent life insurance is to provide a death benefit. Using permanent life insurance accumulated value to supplement retirement income will reduce the death benefit and may affect other aspects of the policy. 

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.  

About Northwestern Mutual

View Website

Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help clients plan for what's most important.

NEW YORK, March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Credello: You might have heard the term BNPL before. It stands for "buy now, pay later." This is a way of buying something, usually a larger purchase. You might use the BNPL method to buy a living room set or a new washer and dryer.

BNPL can be beneficial, but it's also possible to get yourself into trouble with it. We'll talk about why some consumers who have used the BNPL model aren't having the best time right now. We'll also go over the benefits of debt consolidation since that factors into this conversation.  

How BNPL Works

The buy now, pay later method works well if you want to get something and bring it home that same day, but you do not have the cash to pay for it outright. This might happen if you see some decorative item that will look good in your home or perhaps one with a practical purpose.

If you buy now and pay later, you might put some money down, and then you agree you will pay the rest during a certain designated period. The business entity from which you're buying the item might give you a grace period of three months, six months, or perhaps as long as a year, during which you need to make no payments.

The Possible Danger

If you want something badly, you might not worry about the future much. You just want that item, and you feel like you'll have plenty of time to pay it off within the next couple of years. Maybe you can do that with no problems.

Where things get tricky is if you lose your job or something else unforeseen happens while you assumed you would be paying off the rest of the item's price. If that happens, you're still on the hook for the rest of that money, even though you're not sure how you'll pay it.

Why Individuals Who Did BNPL Aren't So Happy

Some of those who did BNPL in 2019 or during 2020's earliest days didn't know the pandemic was coming. When it arrived, it blindsided them. 

Maybe they couldn't work for months, and they used most of their savings. Now, the rest of the money is due on those BNPL items. They may not have the cash to pay off the outstanding debt, though.

What's the Solution?

No two individuals or families will want to get out of debt the same way. You must look at your situation carefully and determine the best path forward.

Many who did BNPL and now don't have the money to pay off the remainder of their outstanding debt are turning to debt consolidation options, though. Debt consolidation can help you lower your overall interest rates by combining all your debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate.

Debt consolidation can help reduce the stress of dealing with multiple creditors and managing various payment schedules and it can improve your credit score over time by reducing your credit utilization ratio and making it easier to make timely payments. 

Use BNPL Cautiously

No one who used BNPL could have known a pandemic was on the horizon, but still, you can take a lesson from all this. The BNPL method is risky because you don't know what the future holds. 

Usually, it's better to only buy something if you can afford to pay for it all at once. If you purchased something using BNPL and are now trying to pay off what you owe, consider debt consolidation. It might make the most sense from a financial standpoint.  

About Credello

Credello is a financial tech company offering a personal finance tool that simplifies financial decisions through personalized, on-demand recommendations — so users can borrow, save, or invest with confidence. Credello believes that finding the right financial product should be as easy and interactive as online shopping, and we are on a mission to make that possible. For more information, please visit https://www.credello.com.