OurFamilyWizard logo
OurFamilyWizard logo

MINNEAPOLIS, March 15, 2023 (Newswire.com) - OurFamilyWizard, the world's leading provider of co-parenting technology, announced today that it is launching a brand refresh. The company is changing its external look and feel to align better with its internal mission: to help families living separately thrive.  

With a modern logo, a peaceful color palette, a friendly voice and tone, and sleek fonts, OurFamilyWizard is updating its marketing appearance to reflect its commitment to continual modernization. The brand regularly updates its app with enhancements and new features, and now its public appearance is heralding even bigger things to come via an updated brand look and feel. 

"We're investing heavily in the app," says Nick VanWagner, CEO, "because we're dedicated to supporting co-parents and family law professionals, even as their lives change and their needs evolve." The more modern brand elements reflect the organization's forward movement, just as the new logo's arrow points upward to symbolize that co-parenting families can move forward pragmatically and positively.  

Since 2001, more than one million co-parents and family law practitioners have trusted OurFamilyWizard's co-parenting platform to reduce their stress by making co-parenting easier. In 2020, Spectrum Equity invested in OurFamilyWizard, allowing the company to expand its workforce significantly so that it could reach and serve even more families. OurFamilyWizard's acquisition of Cozi in 2022 created yet another avenue through which the brand can support families as they organize and coordinate family life. 
 

About OurFamilyWizard 

OurFamilyWizard is the world's leading co-parenting communication platform, offering tools for families to support more seamless and successful parenting across separate homes. Since 2001, more than one million parents and family law practitioners have trusted OurFamilyWizard's co-parenting platform to help divorced or separated families effectively manage shared calendars, expenses, messaging, files, and other critical family information. These tools can reduce the risk of parents going back to court. 

MILWAUKEE, March 15, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Northwestern Mutual: Getting a raise at work is exciting. Not only is it a reward for a job well done, but it can be a big confidence boost as well. However, it's a good idea to think through a few things, both financially and at work. Here are the four things to consider after getting a raise.

1. What's the best use of the additional money?

It feels obvious that with increasing income comes the opportunity to splurge, and it's okay to celebrate this milestone. But it's also important to consider how to use the additional dollars for goals now and in the future. That could include putting additional dollars toward paying off high-interest debt or adding more cushioning to an emergency fund. For some, it may make more sense to increase contributions to their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) accounts, while for others this might decide to broaden their financial portfolio by taking advantage of the benefits of a permanent life insurance policy, like universal life insurance.

2. What are the tax implications of a raise?

For those who get a raise, it's important to be aware of the tax implications. Depending on the amount of the increase, an individual may end up in a higher tax bracket and owe a higher percentage of their income in taxes the following year. This is something to keep in mind when deciding what to do with a raise. It may help to consult a tax professional or use an online tax calculator to get a sense of the tax implications. 

3. Does the raise comes with additional expectations?

While a raise is, in part, intended to be a reward for work already done, some companies may consider this an opportunity to assign additional tasks or responsibilities to an employee. It's a good idea for an employee to ask their manager if they will be tasked with additional work. Understanding the expectations that accompany the raise is beneficial largely because it can help set employees up for success for the rest of the year. On the other hand, if the increase in work is disproportionate to the raise, then employees may want to try to negotiate the new workload with their manager to find a comfortable middle ground.

4. Are other benefits a possibility?

A raise—particularly one that comes with a promotion—may come with other benefits. These could be anything from a hybrid work model and more vacation time to flexible working hours. Depending on the company and responsibilities, some employees may even be able to negotiate additional perks as part of their raise and new role. 

Zoundz Music For Pets + IBPSA
Pet Care Partnership

STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Providing business resources, staff education, and legislative support, the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) has joined forces with Zoundz Music For Pets™ (Zoundz) to improve overall wellness in the pet care services industry.

A growing number of dogs and cats regularly suffer from anxiety - causing concern amongst pet parents and pet care professionals. Over 72% of dogs exhibit problematic behavior due to anxiety. Ninety percent of cat owners report behaviors used as indicators of separation anxiety. 

The partnership endorses music therapy as a solution to reduce anxiety in pets encountering unfamiliar environments. Most dogs and cats demonstrate anxious behaviors while in the care of pet care professionals. When pets are stressed, it can make taking care of them a lot more challenging.

"IBPSA is excited about this science-based musical therapy, as it brings in a new way of helping pets in a pet care environment. We are already seeing the positive effect this music has on the pets in the care of member boarding facilities. Zoundz has given the pet care industry one more tool to use as we continue to provide "best in class" pet care." Carmen LV Rustenbeck, IBPSA founder and CEO.

Zoundz music is composed and curated by a multi-disciplinary team of music composers, producers and engineers, animal behavior researchers and specialists, and veterinarian scientists who evaluate and interpret calming attributes from notable animal behavior studies. 

"Helping animals live less anxious, joyous lives is first and foremost," said Derrick L. Garrett, Zoundz founder and CEO. "We've composed an extensive library of songs carefully created with species-appropriate tempo, sound frequency, and instrumentation to deliver maximum calming effects to dogs and cats during stressful situations."

Research published in the journals Physiology & Behavior and Journal of Veterinary Behavior, respectively, show the potential for auditory stimulation as a highly effective environmental enrichment technique for kenneled dogs, and playing music in a shelter environment may help mitigate some of the stress inherent in many of these dogs. Also, key scientific findings published in the journals Applied Animal Behaviour Science and Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2020  showed - in cats - a significant preference for and interest in species-appropriate music compared with human music, and cat-specific music may benefit cats by decreasing the stress levels and increasing the quality of care in veterinary clinical settings.

"With a better understanding of how music can influence behavior through science, we're excited to partner with IBPSA to help animals relax while they are in the care of pet service professionals," said Garrett. "The Zoundz Music For Pets™ app allows pet parents to help pets maintain a relaxed emotional state at home."

The Zoundz Music For Pets™ program is offered to IBPSA Pet Care Professionals to create an enhanced experience for pets and staff while reinforcing the business's commitment to improving pet wellness. 

NEW YORK, March 14, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Credello: It might shock you that the Millennial generation has racked up an astonishing $3.8 trillion in debt. That number has gone up quite a bit since the pandemic started. 

We'll talk about what this means. Some of the individuals responsible for this debt might be looking at rebuilding their credit score after bankruptcy before long. However, all is not lost for those with debt if they moderate their behavior from now on.

What Are Millennials?

First, let's define the word Millennial, so you know exactly who we mean. The Millennial generation is generally understood to be any individual born between 1981 and 1996. That means the oldest Millennials are 41 or 42, while younger ones are in their late 20s. 

Millennials are considered the most ethnically and racially diverse group of individuals in the nation's long and storied history.

Why Do Millennials Have So Much Debt?

Millennials had plenty of debt before the pandemic, but they have considerably more now that we're three years into it. Inflation accounts for much of the problem. Inflation occurs when the price of services and goods in society rises faster than the income that should accompany it.

Many Millennials must put almost their entire paychecks toward rent, utility bills, grocery bills, car payments, and other necessities. If they don't get healthcare through their jobs, they must pay for that out of their own pockets.

The Debt Trap

Some Millennials feel that they are in what they've begun to refer to as the "debt trap." They don't want to get further into debt, but they find themselves sliding slowly into that condition because they're not getting paid enough to get ahead. 

Instead, they're paying most of their money for housing, but they're renting rather than building up equity in their homes. Fewer Millennials own homes than the previous generations did.

Credit Card Payments Are More Popular Than Ever

If a Millennial feels that they don't have the cash to pay for a necessity, they may charge it to a credit card. When the time comes to pay off the balance, though, they don't have the money to do that.

This becomes another aspect of the debt trap. When some Millennials pay for necessities with credit cards, and they carry a balance from one payment period to the next, they start owing money in interest as well. Some credit card companies can charge as much as 35% interest once the introductory period has concluded.

What Can Millennials Do About This?

While there's no single, easy answer to this problem, some Millennials have found a workaround. Many are living with their parents to a much older age than they might have previously. 

This helps them because they can save their money rather than spend it. They might give their parents some of the cash they earn, but they can also save some in anticipation of buying their own home someday.

This also helps the parents. They have someone to help care for them as they age.

Moving to Less-Expensive Cities

Other Millennials are moving to less expensive cities where rents are lower. Some are taking on multiple jobs if they find their schedule permits that.

Some others are pursuing higher education in states where community college is free or drastically discounted. Getting a degree makes them more attractive job candidates.

Millennials Can Fight Out of the Debt Trap

The figure of $3.8 trillion gets your attention, but Millennials have ways of fighting back. They can live with their parents if that's an option. They might work multiple jobs or move to cheaper cities. Others may pursue higher education at community colleges for free or at discounted rates. 

These aren't easy times for Millennials, but if they show fortitude and resilience, many can improve their situations.

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.